bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic monolateral otomycosis in a dog caused by Aspergillus ochraceus
Authors: Ghibaudo Giovanni , Peano Andrea 
Published: April 2010

Abstract Aspergillus ochraceus, a widely distributed filamentous fungus, was isolated and identified by cytology and culture as the cause of unilateral ceruminous purulent otitis in a 4‐year‐old male mixed‐breed dog. The pathogenic role of the fungal isolate was confirmed by a good response to antifungal therapy and the absence of other pathogens. No underlying diseases were identified and the dog recovered after 3 weeks of therapy with oral itraconazole and topical miconazole.
Determination of mismatched donor HLA in kidney transplant recipients with unknown donor HLA phenotypes
Authors: Kwok Janette , Chan Gavin S. W. , Lam M. F. , Yan Tony , Tang Lydia , Kwong K. M. , Chan K. W. , Chan T. M. 
Published: April 2010

Kwok J, Chan GSW, Lam MF, Yan T, Tang L, Kwong KM, Chan KW, Chan TM. Determination of mismatched donor HLA in kidney transplant recipients with unknown donor HLA phenotypes. Clin Transplant 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2010.01246.x  © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Objective: To determine donor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) from renal allograft biopsies in transplant recipients whose donor HLA phenotype is not known.Methods: Renal allograft biopsies were obtained from seven renal transplant recipients when indicated for allograft dysfunction or proteinuria. DNA was extracted fresh from allograft specimens, and HLA typing was performed with polymerase chain reaction‐specific sequence primers (PCR‐SSP) and polymerase chain reaction‐sequence‐specific oligonucleotides (PCR‐SSO).Results: HLA typing of the seven renal allograft biopsies was composed of both recipient and donor HLA phenotypes, allowing the determination of the donor HLA and the degree of HLA mismatching.Conclusions: Deducing mismatched donor HLA antigens in renal allograft recipients enables detection of donor‐specific antibodies, and the management of humoral rejection, and enables more appropriate selection of a donor organ should future retransplantation be required.
Recurrence of a dysgerminoma in Frasier syndrome
Authors: Mestrallet Guillaume , Bertholet‐Thomas Aurélia , Ranchin Bruno , Bouvier Raymonde , Frappaz Didier , Cochat Pierre 
Published: April 2010

Mestrallet G, Bertholet‐Thomas A, Ranchin B, Bouvier R, Frappaz D, Cochat P. Recurrence of a dysgerminoma in Frasier syndrome. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15:e53–e55. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  FS is an inherited disease characterized by male pseudohermaphroditism and glomerular involvement leading to end‐stage renal disease during adolescence or early adulthood (J Pediatr 1964:64:740). The FS phenotype in 46,XY patients consists of female external genitalia, gonadal dysgenesis, high risk of gonadoblastoma, and development of renal failure in the second decade of life. FS is caused by heterozygous mutation in intron 9 of the WT1 leading to a change in splicing that results in loss of three amino acids (+KTS isoform), thus disrupting the normal ratio of the +KTS/−KTS isoforms that is critical for proper gonadal and renal development (Nat Genet 1997:17:467; Hum Mol Genet 1998:7:709). We report on a patient followed for FS revealed by acute peritoneal syndrome because of ovarian dysgerminoma. Therapeutic options had led to an unusual course with recurrent neoplastic disease after renal transplantation.
High diagnostic yield from transbronchial biopsy of solitary pulmonary nodules using low‐dose CT‐guidance
Authors: HAUTMANN Hubert , HENKE Markus O. , BITTERLING Harro 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The diagnostic yield from fluoroscopy‐guided bronchoscopic transbronchial biopsy of small solitary pulmonary nodules is low. The hypothesis tested in the present study was that the diagnostic yield can be significantly increased by combining flexible bronchoscopy with CT‐guidance using a dedicated low‐dose protocol.Methods:  CT‐guided transbronchial biopsies were performed in 15 patients with a newly diagnosed solitary peripheral pulmonary nodule and negative conventional bronchoscopic biopsies under fluoroscopic guidance. For imaging, a multi‐detector helical CT unit, adjusted at 120 kV, 15 mAs/slice, 4 × 5 mm collimation, 10 mm reconstructed slice thickness and a maximal scan length of 150 mm, was used. After advancing the biopsy forceps towards the lesion, a CT scan was obtained. When the tip of the forceps reached or penetrated the lesion a biopsy was taken, otherwise the procedure was repeated with a maximum of eight attempts. The effective radiation dose was calculated.Results:  The average diameter of the nodules was 23 ± 6 mm (mean ± SD) with a maximum distance to the parietal pleura of 18 mm (mean 6.5 mm). A mean of 4.1 (range 2–8) CT scans was performed to localize the lesion. In four patients, the forceps only reached the periphery of the nodule. In one patient, the nodule was missed in all attempts. Histology was malignant in eight patients and benign in four patients. In three patients, biopsy results were false negative (benign or non‐specific instead of malignant). The overall diagnostic yield was 73%. Complications consisted of two pneumothoraces, one of which necessitated a chest tube. Mean effective radiation dose was 0.55 mSv (range 0.3–1.0).Conclusions:  CT‐guided transbronchial biopsy can be a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules. This applies for selected patients when other diagnostic methods are either unavailable or inappropriate. The diagnostic yield is high and, when a low‐dose protocol is used, radiation exposure can be kept at a minimum.
Chromosomal imbalances in lung adenocarcinomas with or without mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene
Authors: FONG Yao , LIN Yue‐Shan , LIOU Chiou‐Ping , LI Chien‐Fen , TZENG Ching‐Cherng 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are common in lung adenocarcinomas of Asian patients, implying a good response to treatment with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gefitinib and erlotinib. However, the distinct chromosomal imbalances between lung adenocarcinomas with and those without EGFR mutations have not been fully elucidated.Methods:  Seventy‐seven patients of surgically resected lung adenocarcinoma were analysed for the EGFR exon 19 deletion and the L858R mutation, using mutant‐enriched PCR, and for chromosomal imbalance alterations using comparative genomic hybridization.Results:  EGFR mutations were detected in 42 (54.5%) patients, including 22 with the exon 19 deletion and 20 with the L858R mutation. The mean number of chromosomal arms with imbalance alterations was significantly higher in tumours with EGFR mutations than in those lacking these two mutations. The minimal regions with gain on 1q23–q31, 6p12–p21.1 and 7q11.2, and loss on 3p21, 8p22–p23, 9q33, 10q25 and 13q13, differed significantly between lung adenocarcinomas with or without EGFR mutations. However, neither EGFR mutations, nor any of the common chromosomal imbalance alterations alone, exhibited significant associations with tumour stage or disease‐specific survival of the patients.Conclusions:  These results indicate that imbalance alterations at several chromosomal regions occur significantly more frequently in lung adenocarcinomas with EGFR mutations than in those without such mutations. Tumour growth‐related genes in these chromosomal regions should be further investigated to improve our understanding of the common genetic alterations in lung adenocarcinomas with EGFR mutations.
Tuberculosis, bronchiectasis and chronic airflow obstruction
Authors: JORDAN Toni S. , SPENCER Elspeth M. , DAVIES Peter 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTBoth tuberculosis and bronchiectasis carry a significant burden worldwide in terms of morbidity and mortality, as well as financial, especially in the developing world. Epidemiological data for tuberculosis are now more readily available since the World Health Organisation declared it ‘a global emergency’ in 1993. The global prevalence of bronchiectasis, a recognized sequel of tuberculosis, is unknown, but is by no means insignificant. The pathophysiology of chronic airflow obstruction in both of these diseases is poorly understood, but it is associated with an accelerated rate of loss in pulmonary function. This article examines the global burden of tuberculosis and bronchiectasis, and focuses on the interrelation with chronic airflow obstruction.
Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection: An update
Authors: LOBUE Philip , MENZIES Dick 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTIsoniazid (INH) has been the mainstay of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection for almost 50 years. The currently recommended preferred regimen is 9 months daily self‐administered INH (9H); this has efficacy of more than 90% if completed properly. Unfortunately, INH is associated with serious adverse events, including hepatotoxicity. Although risk factors for this complication are well established, allowing for better selection of candidates for therapy, this complication still occurs, and is occasionally fatal. Hence close follow up of patients is necessary, increasing the cost and complexity of treatment. This problem, plus the lengthy duration, results in poor acceptance by patients and providers, and poor adherence by patients. As a result, many preventable cases of tuberculosis continue to occur, and the public health impact of latent tuberculosis infection treatment is suboptimal. These problems have spurred interest in finding shorter, safer and cheaper alternative regimens, with similar efficacy. Of the many regimens that have been examined, 2 months of rifampin and pyrazinamide has excellent efficacy—in experimental studies in mice and randomized trials, largely in HIV‐infected persons. However, while the safety of 2 months of rifampin and pyrazinamide appears acceptable in HIV‐infected persons and children, in non‐HIV‐infected adults this regimen is associated with an unacceptably high rate of severe liver toxicity. Three to four months of INH and rifampin has had equivalent effectiveness as 6 months INH in several randomized trials. However, completion of therapy and toxicity has been the same as with INH—possibly because two drugs are taken rather than one. The fourth commonly studied regimen is 4 months rifampin. This has been found to have significantly better completion than 9H, with significantly less toxicity, especially hepatotoxicity. However, only one trial has evaluated efficacy and effectiveness of mono‐rifampin therapy. In this trial, 3 months rifampin had somewhat better efficacy than either 3 months of isoniazid and rifampin (3HR) or 6 months isoniazid. Two large scale trials are ongoing; one is comparing efficacy and effectiveness of 9H with 4 months rifampin (both daily and self‐administered), while the second, which is nearing completion, compares daily self‐administered 9H with 3 months directly observed once weekly INH combined with rifapentine. The results of these two trials will likely shape future recommendations substantially.
Organotypic slice co‐cultures reveal that early postnatal hippocampal axons lose the ability to grow along the fimbria, while retaining the ability to invade and arborise in septal neuropil
Authors: Law Stuart , Raisman Geoffrey , Li Daqing 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe failure of cut axons to grow along fibre tracts in the adult CNS contrasts with their ability to do so in development. Organotypic slices culture of a number of areas enables the time of failure to be pinpointed to around the second week of postnatal life in the rat. ‘Heterochronic’ co‐culture of slices above and below this age shows that the failure is due to the inability of the older axons to grow into either the same age or younger targets. Using hippocampo‐septal slices the present experiments show that this failure is due to an inability to recognise the glial pathway of the fimbria, even when this is of a younger age. However, the older hippocampal neurons retain the ability to grow axons into septal target tissue when they are placed in direct contact with it. This exactly mirrors the inability of cut central axons to regenerate along their previous fibre pathways while they retain their ability to reinnervate neuropil.
Lesions to the ventral, but not the dorsal, medial prefrontal cortex enhance latent inhibition
Authors: George David N. , Duffaud Anaïs M. , Pothuizen Helen H. J. , Haddon Josephine E. , Killcross Simon 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe acquisition of a conditioned response to a stimulus when it is paired with a reinforcer is retarded if the stimulus has previously been repeatedly pre‐exposed in the absence of the reinforcer. This effect, called latent inhibition, has previously been found to be insensitive to lesions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in rats. Using an on‐baseline conditioned emotional response procedure, which is especially sensitive to small variations in the absolute magnitude of latent inhibition, we found increased latent inhibition following excitotoxic lesions of the mPFC (Experiment 1) or the ventral mPFC alone (Experiment 2) as compared with sham‐operated control rats. Lesions restricted to the dorsal mPFC, however, were without effect (Experiment 2). These results are consistent with those of experiments employing another type of interference procedure, extinction. Together, these findings suggest that when different contingencies between a stimulus and a reinforcer are established in separate learning phases, lesions to the ventral mPFC result in increased interference between first‐learned and second‐learned contingencies. As a consequence, retrieval of the second‐learned contingency is impaired, and performance is dominated by the first‐learned contingency. These findings are discussed in light of the use of latent inhibition to model cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
Surface Reconstruction Based on Hierarchical Floating Radial Basis Functions
Authors: Süßmuth J. , Meyer Q. , Greiner G. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractIn this paper we address the problem of optimal centre placement for scattered data approximation using radial basis functions (RBFs) by introducing the concept of floating centres. Given an initial least‐squares solution, we optimize the positions and the weights of the RBF centres by minimizing a non‐linear error function. By optimizing the centre positions, we obtain better approximations with a lower number of centres, which improves the numerical stability of the fitting procedure. We combine the non‐linear RBF fitting with a hierarchical domain decomposition technique. This provides a powerful tool for surface reconstruction from oriented point samples. By directly incorporating point normal vectors into the optimization process, we avoid the use of off‐surface points which results in less computational overhead and reduces undesired surface artefacts. We demonstrate that the proposed surface reconstruction technique is as robust as recent methods, which compute the indicator function of the solid described by the point samples. In contrast to indicator function based methods, our method computes a global distance field that can directly be used for shape registration.
Spinal ischaemic stroke: clinical and radiological findings and short‐term outcome
Authors: Kumral E. , Polat F. , Güllüoglu H. , Uzunköprü C. , Tuncel R. , Alpaydın S. 
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose:  The mechanism and pathogenesis of ischemic spinal stroke remain largely undetermined because most clinical studies have included mostly patients without a systematic study of associated vascular and concomitant disease of the vertebral body. Therefore, we assessed the pathogenetic mechanisms and short‐term outcomes of the patients with spinal stroke based on clinical data and magnetic resonance imaging findings.Methods:  We studied clinical, imaging, and outcome data for 36 patients with acute spinal stroke admitted between 1998 and 2008. There were 16 men and 20 women (mean age 73, range 56–85 years).Results:  Twelve patients (33%) had anterior spinal artery patterns, 8 (22%) had anterior and 6 (17%) had posterior unilateral infarct, 5 (14%) had posterior spinal artery infarct pattern, 3 (8%) had central involvement, and 2 (5%) had transverse syndrome. Twelve patients (33%) had no cause of stroke. Patients with central infarct and transverse infarct had a high frequency of peripheral vascular disease and prolonged hypotension, and one patient each had a chronic spinal disease. The onset of all other infarcts was associated with mechanical triggering movements in 12 patients (41%, P < 0.05), and with diseases of the spine in 19 (66%; P < 0.001), with the clinical picture suggesting root involvement at the level of the spinal cord ischemia. The short‐term outcomes were favorable in two‐thirds of patients, while 25% of them did not show any recovery on leaving the hospital.Conclusion:  The most common type of spinal cord ischemia is bilateral or unilateral anterior spinal artery infarcts due to radicular artery disease with acute or chronic spinal disease and followed by central and transverse infarcts due to extensive spinal cord hypoperfusion and arteriopathy.
Abnormal cardiovascular responses to carotid sinus massage also occur in vasovagal syncope – implications for diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Humm A. M. , Mathias C. J. 
Published: April 2010

Background and purpose:  Carotid sinus massage (CSM) is commonly used to identify carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) as a possible cause for syncope, especially in older patients. However, CSM itself could provoke classical vasovagal syncope (VVS) in pre disposed subjects.Methods:  Retrospective analysis of CSM, cardiovascular autonomic function tests (including tilt table testing) and medical history in 388 patients with recurrent syncope to identify and characterize patients in whom an abnormal response to CSM was more likely to reflect VVS than CSH.Results:  CSM was abnormal in 79 patients. In 53 patients (77.2 ± 8.7 years), CSH was the likely cause of syncope. VVS was the more likely diagnosis in 26 younger patients (59.7 ± 12.6 years) with longstanding syncope from youth, in whom fear or pain was as a trigger; 7/26 suffered from intense chronic or intermittent neck pain and one exacerbation of syncopal attacks followed a physical and emotional trauma to the neck. In VVS, 4/26 had spontaneous VVS during head‐up tilt, another six after venepuncture (performed in 17/26). In 6/26, the abnormal response to CSM was delayed, occurring 62.8 ± 28.4 s after completion of CSM. The response to CSM was predominantly of the mixed type (20/26) and abnormal on both sides in 14/26.Conclusions:  An abnormal response to CSM may not indicate syncope caused by CSH and needs to be considered in the light of the patient’s age, duration of syncopal episodes and detailed history of provocative stimuli. Differentiating CSH from VVS with an abnormal response to CSM has various implications from advice on driving to treatment strategies.
EFNS guideline on the treatment of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis in adult patients
Authors: Einhäupl K. , Stam J. , Bousser M. ‐G. , De Bruijn S. F. T. M. , Ferro J. M. , Martinelli I. , Masuhr F. 
Published: April 2010

Background:  Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rather rare disease which accounts for <1% of all strokes. Diagnosis is still frequently overlooked or delayed as a result of the wide spectrum of clinical symptoms and the often subacute or lingering onset. Current therapeutic measures which are used in clinical practice include the use of anticoagulants such as dose‐adjusted intravenous heparin or body weight‐adjusted subcutaneous low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH), the use of thrombolysis and symptomatic therapy including control of seizures and elevated intracranial pressure.Methods:  We searched MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and the Cochrane Library to review the strength of evidence to support these interventions and the preparation of recommendations on the therapy of CVST based on the best available evidence. Review articles and book chapters were also included. Recommendations were reached by consensus. Where there was a lack of evidence but consensus was clear we stated our opinion as good practice points.Results and conclusions:  Patients with CVST without contraindications for anticoagulation (AC) should be treated either with body weight‐adjusted subcutaneous LMWH or with dose‐adjusted intravenous heparin (level B recommendation). Concomitant intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) related to CVST is not a contraindication for heparin therapy. The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant therapy after the acute phase is unclear. Oral AC may be given for 3 months if CVST was secondary to a transient risk factor, for 6–12 months in patients with idiopathic CVST and in those with “mild” thrombophilia, such as heterozygous factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutation and high plasma levels of factor VIII. Indefinite AC should be considered in patients with recurrent episodes of CVST and in those with one episode of CVST and ‘severe’ thrombophilia, such as antithrombin, protein C or protein S deficiency, homozygous factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutation, antiphospholipid antibodies and combined abnormalities (good practice point). There is insufficient evidence to support the use of either systemic or local thrombolysis in patients with CVST. If patients deteriorate despite adequate AC and other causes of deterioration have been ruled out, thrombolysis may be a therapeutic option in selected cases, possibly in those without large ICH and threatening herniation (good practice point). There are no controlled data about the risks and benefits of certain therapeutic measures to reduce an elevated intracranial pressure (with brain displacement) in patients with severe CVST. However, in severe cases with impending herniation craniectomy can be used as a life‐saving intervention (good practice point).
Neurobehavioral symptoms in ALS are negatively related to caregivers’ burden and quality of life
Authors: Chiò A. , Vignola A. , Mastro E. , Giudici A. Dei , Iazzolino B. , Calvo A. , Moglia C. , Montuschi A. 
Published: April 2010

Objective:  To evaluate the frequency of neurobehavioral symptoms related to FTLD in a consecutive series of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and to assess their influence on patients’ and caregivers’ mood, burden, and quality of life.Methods:  A total of 70 couples of ALS patients and their caregivers consecutively seen in our ALS clinic were separately interviewed using a battery of tests assessing frontotemporal‐related neurobehavioral symptoms, emotional status, and quality of life. Patients’ behavioral abnormalities were assessed with the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe). Caregiver burden was assessed with the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI).Results:  According to caregivers’ evaluations, 34 (48.6%) patients had FrSBe pathological scores at the time of the interview. According to patients’ evaluation, 9 (12.9%) patients had pathological scores at the time of the interview. In caregivers’ assessment, at the time of the interview the most commonly impaired neurobehavioral domain was apathy (39 patients, 55.7%), followed by executive dysfunction (32, 45.7%) and disinhibition (18, 25.7%). Neurobehavioral symptoms were related to the presence of bulbar symptoms at the time of the interview, but not to patients’ age, gender, or physical status (ALS‐FRS score). Patients’ neurobehavioral symptoms were significantly related to lower caregivers’ quality of life, highest depression, and highest burden, both in univariate and in multivariable analyses.Conclusions:  Neurobehavioral symptoms were present in 50% of our ALS patients and were related to bulbar symptoms. They have a profound negative impact on caregivers’ psychological status and were highly related with caregivers’ burden.