bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma in subjects with prior lichen planus
Authors: Muñoz Amanda A. , Haddad Robert I. , Woo Sook‐Bin , Bhattacharyya Neil 
Published: February 2007

ObjectiveTo characterize the clinical behavior of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCA) arising in patients with pre‐existing oral lichen planus (OLP).Study Design and SettingRetrospective case‐control study. Disease‐free interval, time to first recurrence, subsequent therapy, and overall survival were calculated and compared between cases and controls matched for age, gender, primary site, and tumor stage.ResultsIn 10 identified subjects with OLP/OSCCA, mean time from OLP diagnosis to OSCCA was 5.5 years. Three subjects suffered a local recurrence and two developed a second primary OSCCA. Mean actuarial survival for OLP patients was 119 months vs 42 months for the control patients, though this difference was not significant (P = 0.201, log‐rank).ConclusionsOLP/SCCA subjects may exhibit better actuarial survival than SCCA patients despite a somewhat higher rate of local recurrence and second primary SCCA. Further study is required to characterize the behavior of OSCCA arising in pre‐existing OLP.
Intranasal Helicobacter pylori colonization does not correlate with the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Kim Hyo Yeol , Dhong Hun‐Jong , Chung Seung Kyu , Chung Kyu Whan , Chung Young Jun , Jang Kee‐Taek 
Published: February 2007

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the nasal cavity of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and to correlate it with the severity of CRS.Study Design and SettingIntranasal HP was investigated using rapid urease (CLO) testing and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and confirmed with transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the severity of sinusitis, CT scans were graded according to the Lund‐MacKay scoring system, and CRS symptom scores were recorded.ResultsTwelve of 48 patients (25.0%) were positive, but only 1 of 29 (3.4%) controls was positive for both CLO testing and IHC analysis (P = 0.025). The mean preoperative CT grade (P = 0.439) and symptom scores (P = 0.515) were not related to the severity of CRS.ConclusionsIntranasal HP was more prevalent in patients with CRS than healthy controls. However, there was no significant correlation observed between the severity of sinusitis and intranasal HP colonization.SignificanceHP has a limited role in pathogenesis of CRS.
Quality‐of‐life impact of participation in a head and neck cancer support group
Authors: Vakharia Kalpesh T. , Ali M. Jafer , Wang Steven J. 
Published: February 2007

ObjectiveTo assess if participation by patients in a head and neck cancer support group improves perceived quality of life (QOL).Study Design and SettingSubjects for this study included 47 patients at a tertiary Veterans Affairs Medical Center who were previously treated for head and neck cancer. This was a quasi‐experimental, post‐test study comparing the QOL of 24 patients who participated in a head and neck cancer support group with 23 patients who did not participate. The validated University of Michigan Head and Neck Quality of Life (HNQOL) instrument was used to evaluate head and neck cancer‐related QOL.ResultsPatients who participated in the head and neck cancer support group exhibited significantly better scores in the domains of eating, emotion, and pain as well as in the global bother and response to treatment questions of the HNQOL instrument compared with those patients who did not participate. Additional subgroup analysis comparing age, type of treatment, and length of time since cancer diagnosis suggests that these variables were less important predictors of QOL than was support group participation.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that patient participation in a head and neck cancer support group is associated with improved QOL.SignificanceSupport groups may be beneficial in improving QOL after head and neck cancer treatment.
Effect of bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 7 on septal chondrocytes in alginate
Authors: Hicks David L. , Sage August B. , Shelton Elliot , Schumacher Barbara L. , Sah Robert L. , Watson Deborah 
Published: February 2007

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)‐2 and −7, and serum, on extracellular matrix production by human septal chondrocytes in alginate.Study DesignHuman nasal septal chondrocytes were expanded, suspended in alginate, and cultured in BMP‐2 or 7, with and without serum. The optimal concentration of each growth factor was determined based on matrix production. Next, the synergistic effects of BMP‐2 and −7 at optimal concentrations were determined on separate beads, based on matrix quantity and histology.ResultsMatrix content was highest with concentrations of BMP‐2 and −7 of 100 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml, respectively, with serum. Adding both BMP‐2 and −7, with serum, increased matrix content by factors of 5.1 versus serum‐only cultures, 2.7 versus only BMP‐2 with serum, and 2.4 versus only BMP‐7 with serum. All comparisons were statistically significant.ConclusionBMP‐2 and −7 significantly increase production of extracellular matrix by septal chondrocytes suspended in alginate. The presence of serum improves matrix production.SignificanceBMP‐2 and −7 have great potential for use in cartilage tissue engineering.
Safety of percutaneous injection of bovine dermal crosslinked collagen for glottic insufficiency
Authors: Luu Quang , Tsai Veling , Mangunta Venkat , Berke Gerald S. , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: February 2007

ObjectiveOur aim was to review the safety of percutaneous injection laryngoplasty using bovine crosslinked collagen, focusing specifically on two often‐stated concerns: injecting patients who are taking the anticoagulant medication warfarin, and injecting patients without prior skin hypersensitivity testing.Study Design and SettingRetrospective chart review of injection laryngoplasty performed between 1997 and 2006 at the University of California, Los Angeles.ResultsThe study group consisted of 895 patients who underwent 1290 injection laryngoplasty procedures. No bleeding complications were noted in 59 patients taking warfarin. No allergic complications were reported in 845 patients who did not undergo skin hypersensitivity testing before injection laryngoplasty.ConclusionPercutaneous bovine crosslinked collagen injection laryngoplasty is safe in patients taking warfarin. Skin testing for hypersensitivity does not appear to be necessary before injection.SignificancePatients on warfarin are candidates for injection laryngoplasty without the need to discontinue the medication. Eliminating skin hypersensitivity testing before percutaneous bovine crosslinked collagen injection laryngoplasty allows for a prompt treatment of glottic insufficiency.
Effect of post-operative analgesia duration on post-tonsillectomy readmission rate: comparison of five-day and 14-day regime
Authors: Takwoingi Y M , Shykhon M , Wake M 
Published: February 2007

Objectives: To determine whether the introduction of a 14-day post-tonsillectomy analgesic regime would be associated with a statistically significant decrease in readmission rate.Method: A comparative study of tonsillectomy patients over two study periods. A retrospective review was undertaken of 342 patients (group one, five-day analgesic regime) who had undergone tonsillectomy. A prospective study was undertaken of 228 patients (group two, 14-day analgesic regime). The readmission rates for the two study periods were compared.Results: The median age of group one patients was 8.1 years (range, zero to 43 years). In this group, ‘cold steel’ dissection was performed in 177 patients (52 per cent) and bipolar dissection in 165 patients (48 per cent); seven patients suffered reactionary haemorrhage, all from the cold steel dissection group. The median age of group two patients was 8.0 years (range, one to 47 years). In this group, cold steel dissection was performed in 103 patients (45 per cent) and bipolar dissection in 125 patients (55 per cent); there were no cases of reactionary haemorrhage. The readmission rate for group one was 9.9 per cent (34 patients), with 2.1 per cent (seven patients) returning to the operating theatre for control of haemorrhage. In group two, 8.8 per cent (20 patients) were readmitted and 1.3 per cent (three patients) returned to the operating theatre. The main reason for readmission was secondary haemorrhage: 9.1 per cent from group one and 8.3 per cent from group two. No significant difference in readmission was found between the 5-day analgesia and the 14-day analgesia groups (p=0.443). However, there was a significant difference between the diathermy and cold steel dissection groups (p<0.001). Patients undergoing bipolar diathermy were almost six times more likely to be readmitted than those undergoing cold steel dissection (odds ratio 5.78). The average time to readmission after tonsillectomy did not significantly differ between the two groups.Conclusion: The post-tonsillectomy readmission rate was not affected by the duration of post-operative analgesia; however, operating technique did have an effect.
Otitis media in Brazilian human immunodeficiency virus infected children undergoing antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Miziara I D , Weber R , Filho B Cunha Araújo , Neto C Diógenes Pinheiro 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective:To assess changes in the prevalence of otitis media, associated with the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy, in Brazilian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children.Setting:Division of otorhinolaryngology, Hospital das Clínicas, Sao Paulo University Medical School, Brazil.Patients:A cohort of 459 HIV-infected children aged below 13 years.Main outcome measures:The prevalence of otitis media and the serum cluster of differentiation four glycoprotein T lymphocyte count were compared for children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (with protease inhibitors) and those receiving standard antiretroviral therapy (without protease inhibitors).Results:Otitis media was present in 33.1 per cent of the children. Children aged from zero years to five years 11 months receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy had a higher prevalence of acute otitis media (p=0.02) and a lower prevalence of chronic otitis media (p=0.02). Children who were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy had a mean serum cluster of differentiation four glycoprotein T lymphocyte count greater than that of those who were receiving standard antiretroviral therapy (p<0.001).Conclusions:The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy in Brazilian HIV-infected children was associated with a lower prevalence of chronic otitis media.
Profile of laryngological abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Tomik J , Tomik B , Partyka D , Skladzien J , Szczudlik A 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFew studies have described laryngological evaluation of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We assessed the laryngological abnormalities of 35 such patients (24 bulbar onset and 11 limb onset). In nine limb onset patients, we discovered signs of early vagal nerve dysfunction, prior to any clinical presentation of bulbar failure. However, in all bulbar onset patients studied, we noticed changes in the uni/bilateral position of the vocal folds and in the voice quality.
Visual loss in the setting of allergic fungal sinusitis: pathophysiology and outcome
Authors: Gupta A K , Bansal S , Gupta A , Mathur N 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective:To hypothesise the probable pathophysiological mechanism responsible for visual loss in allergic fungal sinusitis, other than direct compression.Design:Retrospective, non-randomised case series. Out of 274 cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, four cases with sudden visual loss were enrolled into the study. The fourth case had visual loss on the contralateral side to bony erosion of the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus.Interventions:All four cases were evaluated with fungal smear, immunoglobulin (Ig) E titres, visual evoked potentials, non-contrast computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses, and fundus examination. They then underwent endoscopic sinus debridement followed by intravenous methylprednisolone.Outcome measures:Improvement in vision.Results:All four cases experienced an improvement in vision: full recovery in three cases and partial improvement in one case.Conclusion:In view of the operative, radiological and laboratory findings for case four, with the suggestion of a hyperimmune response to fungal antigens (in the form of raised IgE titre and positive fungal serology), we suggest that a local immunological reaction to fungal antigens might be responsible for the observed visual loss in cases of allergic fungal sinusitis, in addition to mechanical compression of the optic nerve.
Pars flaccida retraction and mastoid size: relationship in clinically normal specimens
Authors: Todd N W 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground:The relationship of pars flaccida retraction with epitympanic aeration and mastoid size is ill-defined. Both pars flaccida retraction and small mastoid size are traits of nearly all clinical entities of otitis media.Objectives:To determine, in clinically normal specimens, the relationship of pars flaccida retraction with mastoid pneumatisation and epitympanic aeration.Study design:Post-mortem anatomical dissection of 41 bequeathed adult crania without clinical otitis.Methods:Pars flaccida retractions were viewed with an operating microscope and judged using Sade's classification. Mastoid sizes were determined radiographically (by plain Law lateral images). Ten crania, five with the largest mastoids and five with the smallest mastoids, were studied by computed tomography.Results:No specimen had a retraction worse than Sade grade two (i.e. retracted onto the neck of the malleus). Retractions were unrelated to the extent of mastoid pneumatisation. All epitympani were found to be normal on both anatomical dissection and computed tomography imaging.Conclusion:Pars flaccida retraction is probably related to prior, presumably transient, non-aeration of Prussak's space.
Is simultaneous bilateral mastoidectomy ever advisable?
Authors: Klemens J J , Mhoon E , Redleaf M 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIntroduction:We report our experience with bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies and the results of an opinion survey of otologists.Methods:A chart review of 116 tympanomastoidectomies revealed 12 patients who underwent bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies. An opinion survey generated 121 responses.Results:Of the 12 patients, none suffered any outcome which would have been avoided by staging the procedures. Twenty-three of 24 operated ears had the same or better hearing post-operatively. Of the survey respondents, 74 felt that performing bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies was unsafe, largely because of the risk of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.Discussion:Although bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies carry double the risk of unilateral sensorineural hearing loss, compared with the unilateral procedure, the risk of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is only 0.006–0.2 per cent, as derived mathematically from historical data. Respondents to the survey were mostly opposed to bilateral, simultaneous tympanomastoidectomies, but even those opposed gave indications for simultaneous procedures. This finding probably reflects an ambivalence about the theoretical risks of the operation versus the potential patient benefits. A decision tree for proceeding to the second case is presented.
A model for the dynamics of a protozoan parasite within and between successive host populations
Authors: Klinkenberg D. , Heesterbeek J. A. P. 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYParasite-host systems often include an obligatory environmental stage in the parasite life-cycle, which can be transmitted between successive populations. Complexity even increases if immunity only gradually develops upon re-infection. For a better understanding of such systems we study Eimeria spp. in chickens, a protozoan parasite transmitted through oocysts on the floor. This paper deals with dynamics within and between successive cohorts of chickens by coupling a within-host description of the parasite life-cycle (with immunity) to re-uptake of oocysts from the environment. First the initial environmental oocyst level is related to the maximum infection load within a cohort, as a measure of production damage, from which we conclude that minimum damage levels can be observed with intermediate oocyst levels. Then we relate the initial to the final oocyst level of a cohort, and study the dynamics between cohorts in relation to an oocyst cleaning efficiency after each cohort. The resulting unstable dynamics lead to the conclusion that it will often be impossible to minimize damage by repeatedly cleaning with the same effort: it may be necessary to artificially increase oocyst levels in the shed before each chicken cohort.
Imitating human acceleration of a gyroscopic device
Authors: Gams Andrej , Žlajpah Leon , Lenarčič Jadran 
Published: February 2007

SUMMARYSpinning up a Power®ball—a hand-held gyroscopic toy or exerciser that exhibits rotor spin-up when applying appropriate torque to its casing—is a fairly easy task for a human but rather complex to perform with a robot. To accomplish the task of spinning up the rotor of the Power®ball with a robot, we measured the motion of a human and identified the conditions an individual uses for a successful spin-up. Several control approaches were applied to the device mainly using feedback information from the velocity counter and force/torque sensor to synchronize the torque exerted by the device and the motion of the robot. Best human imitation was achieved with two modified learning methods with highest rotor speeds in excess of 1480 rad/s, rating among top 100 world Power®ball players.
The glial modulatory drug AV411 attenuates mechanical allodynia in rat models of neuropathic pain
Authors: Ledeboer Annemarie , Liu Tongyao , Shumilla Jennifer A. , Mahoney John H. , Vijay Sharmila , Gross Matthew I. , Vargas Joseph A. , Sultzbaugh Lance , Claypool Mark D. , Sanftner Laura M. , Watkins Linda R. , Johnson Kirk W. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractControlling neuropathic pain is an unmet medical need and we set out to identify new therapeutic candidates. AV411 (ibudilast) is a relatively nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor that also suppresses glial-cell activation and can partition into the CNS. Recent data strongly implicate activated glial cells in the spinal cord in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. We hypothesized that AV411 might be effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain and, hence, tested whether it attenuates the mechanical allodynia induced in rats by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve, spinal nerve ligation (SNL) and the chemotherapeutic paclitaxel (Taxol¯). Twice-daily systemic administration of AV411 for multiple days resulted in a sustained attenuation of CCI-induced allodynia. Reversal of allodynia was of similar magnitude to that observed with gabapentin and enhanced efficacy was observed in combination. We further show that multi-day AV411 reduces SNL-induced allodynia, and reverses and prevents paclitaxel-induced allodynia. Also, AV411 cotreatment attenuates tolerance to morphine in nerve-injured rats. Safety pharmacology, pharmacokinetic and initial mechanistic analyses were also performed. Overall, the results indicate that AV411 is effective in diverse models of neuropathic pain and support further exploration of its potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Effects of levosimendan on cardiac remodeling and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in hypertensive Dahl/Rapp rats
Authors: Louhelainen M , Vahtola E , Kaheinen P , Leskinen H , Merasto S , Kytö V , Finckenberg P , Colucci W S , Levijoki J , Pollesello P , Haikala H , Mervaala E M A 
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:Progression of heart failure in hypertensive Dahl rats is associated with cardiac remodeling and increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis. This study was conducted to study whether treatment with a novel inotropic vasodilator compound, levosimendan, could prevent hypertension‐induced cardiac remodeling and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.Experimental approach:6‐week‐old salt‐sensitive Dahl/Rapp rats received levosimendan (0.3 mg kg‐1and 3 mg kg‐1via drinking fluid) and high salt diet (NaCl 7%) for 7 weeks, Dahl/Rapp rats on low‐salt diet served as controls. Blood pressure, cardiac functions by echocardiography, cardiomyocyte apoptosis by TUNEL technique, tissue morphology, myocardial expression of calcium cycling proteins, and markers of neurohumoral activation were determined.Key Results:Untreated Dahl/Rapp rats on high salt diet developed severe hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and moderate systolic dysfunction. 38% of Dahl/Rapp rats (9/24) survived the 7‐week‐follow‐up period. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was increased by 6‐fold during high salt diet. Levosimendan improved survival (survival rates in low‐ and high‐dose levosimendan groups 12/12 and 9/12, p<0.001 and p=0.05, respectively), increased cardiac function, and ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy. Levosimendan dose‐dependently prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Levosimendan normalized salt‐induced increased expression of natriuretic peptide, and decreased urinary noradrenaline excretion. Levosimendan also corrected salt‐induced decreases in myocardial SERCA2a protein expression and myocardial SERCA2a/NCX‐ratio.Conclusions and Implications:Improved survival by the novel inotropic vasodilator levosimendan in hypertensive Dahl/Rapp rats is mediated, at least in part, by amelioration of hypertension‐induced cardiac remodeling and cardiomyocyte apoptosis.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150,851–861. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707157
Could Ca2+ sensitizers rescue patients from chronic congestive heart failure?
Authors: Endoh M 
Published: February 2007

Attempts to ameliorate cardiac contractile dysfunction by Ca2+ mobilizers, such as catecholamines, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors and digitalis, play an important role in pharmacotherapy for congestive heart failure (CHF), but these agents possess disadvantages in causing Ca2+ overload resulting in arrhythmogenicity and damage to cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ sensitizers that act directly on contractile proteins are free from the risk of Ca2+ overload and they could improve haemodynamic parameters with minimum increase in energy expenditure even under pathological conditions, including acidosis and stunned myocardium. Beneficial effects of levosimendan (that acts by combination of Ca2+ sensitization and PDE inhibition) on CHF due to hypertensive cardiomyopathy in Dahl/Rapp rats as reported in this issue demonstrate the potential of oral levosimendan in long‐term treatment of chronic CHF. Since chronic CHF in clinical settings is much more complex, careful analysis of clinical outcomes will be required to establish the therapeutic relevance of Ca2+ sensitizers in the treatment of chronic CHF.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 826–828. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707163