bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mucociliary clearance abnormalities in the hiv‐infected patient: A precursor to acute sinusitis
Authors: Milgrim Laurence M. , Rubin John S. , Small Catherine B. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAn increasing number of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suffer from acute infectious sinusitis, and many suffer recurrent episodes at a higher rate than their non‐HIV counterparts. This study investigates a mechanism underlying the increased incidence of sinusitis, that of prolonged mucociliary transport time (MTT). Nasal mucociliary clearance was examined in 30 HIV‐infected patients and 30 matched, non‐HIV controls using a nasal saccharin transport test. MTTs for the study group and the controls were 11.9 ± 5.9 minutes and 7.4 ± 3.7 minutes, respectively. This difference attained statistical significance (P < .05). Study group patients with a history of sinusitis had a mean MTT of 13.7 ± 6.8 minutes. Those with complaints of “new onset” nasal obstruction since HIV conversion had a mean MTT of 13.5±6.8 minutes. Statistical significance (P < .05) was found comparing these times to controls, as well as to study patients without these symptoms. These data support an inherent delay of mucociliary clearance in HIV‐infected patients which is chronic, possibly irreversible, and, in association with nasal obstruction, represents a major mechanism of both the high acute and recurrent sinusitis rate in this population. The cause of the mucociliary delay is still unclear and needs to be further investigated.
Congenital tracheal cartilaginous sleeve
Authors: Lin Sandra Y. , Chen Jiann‐Chyuan , Hotaling Andrew J. , Holinger Lauren D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe congenital tracheal cartilaginous sleeve (TCS) results from a vertical fusion of the tracheal cartilages. This rare malformation is usually associated with one of the craniosynostosis syndromes, such as Crouzon's disease, Pfeiffer's syndrome, or Goldenhar's syndrome. Three new cases of TCS are reported, two with autopsy findings including the histopathology of horizontal tracheal sections. Salient features of the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, endoscopic findings, histopathology, treatment, and prognosis for TCS are summarized from the perspective of the otolaryngologist. In addition, the literature is reviewed, and previously reported cases are discussed.Although infants with TCS often have multiple abnormalities, this tracheal malformation is not incompatible with life. Since multiple lesions of the larynx and trachea may be present, endoscopic evaluation is recommended for infants with TCS who experience airway distress.A smooth trachea lacking the normal ridges of tracheal arches suggests the diagnosis of TCS. With early recognition and appropriate management (including tracheotomy, if necessary, and aggressive management of pulmonary hygiene), patients may survive into childhood.
Measuring gender equality: reflecting on experiences and challenges in the UK and Ireland
Authors: Breitenbach Esther , Galligan Yvonne 
Published: October 2006

English
This article focuses on the experience of developing gender equality indicators in the UK and Republic of Ireland and on the challenges confronting policy makers in mainstreaming gender equality into public policies. It identifies the internationalisation of gender equality as a critical pressure on governments to address gender mainstreaming, and summarises the literature on gender equality indicators as a policy response to this demand. It reflects on experiences in the UK and Ireland in developing gender equality indicators and concludes with a discussion of methodological and political challenges confronting policy makers in incorporating gender mainstreaming into general policy concerns.
Disabled citizens and social exclusion: the role of direct payments
Authors: Rummery Kirstein 
Published: October 2006

English
This article develops a framework of citizenship, in the light of current developments in social theory, policy and practice, to analyse the social rights and duties of disabled citizens in the UK. It looks at the complex interplay between disabled people's roles as carers, cared-for, workers and employers, by moving the debate on from seeing disabled people as the passive recipients of care to seeing them as active citizens. It asks whether developments in policy, such as the growing use of direct payments, can support disabled people in their struggle to avoid social exclusion and be treated as full citizens.
The emergence of contrasting domestic violence regimes in post-communist Europe
Authors: Johnson Janet Elise , Brunell Laura 
Published: October 2006

English
Between the end of socialism and the 2004 European Union enlargement, options for women in Central and Eastern Europe seeking to overcome domestic violence grew noticeably. Because these options include both social movement organisations and the state, we adopt what we call a ‘domestic violence regime’ approach, comparing 11 countries and exploring four – Poland, Russia, Slovakia and Armenia – in more depth. Considering the impact of foreign intervention in encouraging and complicating these reforms, the conclusion draws implications for European policy makers concerned with gender equality.
Polymyxin B and Doxycycline Use in Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Holloway Katherine P , Rouphael Nadine G , Wells Jane B , King Mark D , Blumberg Henry M 
Published: October 2006

Background: Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-Ab) has emerged as an increasingly problematic cause of hospital-acquired infections in the intensive care unit (ICU). MDR-Ab is resistant to most standard antimicrobials but often retains susceptibility to polymyxin B and doxycycline. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of polymyxin B and doxycycline in the treatment of MDR-Ab infections. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted between March 2002 and May 2005 in patients who received doxycycline or polymyxin B for treatment of MDR-Ab infections in ICUs within Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA. Results: Thirty-seven patients with MDR-Ab infections were treated with polymyxin B or doxycycline. Median age was 41 years and median ICU length of stay was 18 days prior to acquisition of MDR-Ab. Clinical cure was observed in 22 of 29 (76%) evaluable patients treated with polymyxin B and 2 of 4 (50%) patients treated with doxycycline. In patients with follow-up cultures, microbiological cure was observed in 17 of 21 (81%) patients treated with polymyxin B and 2 of 3 (67%) patients treated with doxycycline. Nephrotoxicity developed in 21% (7 of 33) of patients who received polymyxin B. Neurotoxicity was observed in 2 (6%) patients who received polymyxin B. No adverse reactions were observed with doxycycline. Overall, crude mortality was 27% (9 of 33) and 75% (3 of 4) among those who received polymyxin B and doxycycline, respectively. Three (9%) deaths were attributed to polymyxin B treatment failure, and no deaths were attributed to doxycycline treatment failure. Conclusions: Polymyxin B was effectively used to treat a substantial proportion of critically ill patients with MDR-Ab infection and was associated with a similar rate of nephrotoxicity as previously reported. Doxycycline monotherapy was used in a limited number of patients for the treatment of MDR-Ab; further evaluation of its efficacy in larger numbers of patients is warranted.
Immunoreactive Trypsin/DNA Newborn Screening for Cystic Fibrosis: Should the R117H Variant Be Included inCFTRMutation Panels?
Authors: Scotet Virginie , Audrézet Marie-Pierre , Roussey Michel , Rault Gilles , Dirou-Prigent Anne , Journel Hubert , Moisan-Petit Valérie , Storni Véronique , Férec Claude 
Published: October 2006

BACKGROUND. Cystic fibrosis newborn screening is now implemented universally in France, as well as in many states in the United States and in various areas of Europe and Australia. Because the screening protocol usually includes the analysis of the most common CFTR mutations, it is of the utmost importance that only mutations that result in classical cystic fibrosis are included in this test. The panels of mutations used in most cystic fibrosis newborn screening programs enable the detection of a relatively frequent CFTR variant (R117H) whose implication in cystic fibrosis remains unclear. Physicians, therefore, have difficulty managing detected compound heterozygotes with this variant, which raises the issue of the appropriateness of extended testing in families and of the legitimate use of prenatal diagnosis.OBJECTIVE. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical outcome of the children found to be compound heterozygous for R117H by screening in Brittany (western France), where cystic fibrosis newborn screening was set up in 1989, and to assess whether this CFTR variant should be included in the newborn screening mutation panels.METHODS. Data on clinical status were obtained by the referring pediatricians.RESULTS. Since our screening protocol has enabled detection of R117H (ie, in 1995), 360466 newborns have been screened for cystic fibrosis in Brittany, of whom 124 had elevated immunoreactive trypsin and 2 mutations in the CFTR gene. Nine of these children (7.3%) were compound heterozygous for R117H, which in all cases was linked to the 7T_11TG haplotype [IVS8-nT variant/m(TG) repeat]. Their genotypes were F508del/R117H (n = 7), I507del/R117H (n = 1), or G551D/R117H (n = 1). At the time of this writing, the mean age of these 9 children was 7.0 years (the oldest being &gt;10 years of age), and none of them had yet developed any signs of cystic fibrosis; they have been pancreatic sufficient and have had good nutritional status and pulmonary function. Moreover, we observed that, in Brittany, all the patients carrying the R117H variant have been identified exclusively through cystic fibrosis newborn screening.CONCLUSIONS. In view of the high frequency of R117H-7T identified by cystic fibrosis newborn screening, the uncertain outcome of the asymptomatic children, and physicians' difficulty in managing these situations, we propose the withdrawal of the R117H variant from the panels of CFTR mutations used in cystic fibrosis newborn screening, given the expanding implementation of cystic fibrosis newborn screening.
Superwarfarin poisoning: A report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Spahr Joseph E. , Maul J. Scott , Rodgers George M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSuperwarfarins are anticoagulant rodenticides similar to warfarin, but which have various substituted phenyl groups replacing the terminal methyl group, resulting in a fat‐soluble, long‐acting anticoagulant that is nearly 100 times more potent than the parent compound. Since their development, many accidental and intentional cases of consumption have been reported. We describe two cases of consumption, one related to unknown etiology, and the other related to utilization of the superwarfarin to potentiate a drug of abuse. The clinical manifestations including bleeding symptoms and abnormal coagulation assays are discussed. The differential diagnosis is quite broad, and includes all causes of vitamin K deficiency, factor deficiency or inhibitor, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and liver disease. Differentiating superwarfarin ingestion from the other causes can be quite difficult, but extremely important, as management requires prolonged administration of vitamin K. Other treatment options are discussed as well including, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and recombinant factor VIIa. Finally, the significance of “lacing” drugs of abuse with superwarfarin to potentiate their effect is discussed, as well as the complications that could develop from such a habit. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment and outcomes of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease: A single institution study
Authors: Buadi Francis K. , Heyman Meyer R. , Gocke Christopher D. , Rapoport Aaron P. , Hakimian Roger , Bartlett Stephen T. , Sarkodee‐Adoo Clarence 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPost‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) complicate up to 10% of solid organ transplants. This retrospective study was conducted to review the PTLD experience among 2,300 recipients of solid organ or allogeneic bone marrow transplants from a single institution. Twenty‐seven cases of PTLD were identified, leading to an overall incidence of 1.2%. Polymorphic B cell hyperplasia/lymphoma was the most common type. The median time to development of PTLD was 8.4 months. Ten patients had localized (stage I or II) disease, and 12 patients presented with B symptoms. Nine patients each were treated with systemic chemotherapy or surgical resection as part of the initial therapy. After a median follow‐up duration of 2.6 years, the median survival has not been reached. There were no late relapses of PTLD, and 17 patients remain alive. Age, sex, organ source, LDH, stage, presence of extranodal disease, or presentation with B symptoms did not influence overall survival when examined by Cox proportional hazard model. Thirteen patients retained their graft function throughout PTLD treatment. This study confirms the ability to treat a significant proportion of PTLD patients with chemotherapy or surgical resection (depending on presentation), without sacrificing graft function in those receiving chemotherapy. Am. J. Hematol., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbon nanotubes in wood soot
Authors: Murr L. E. , Guerrero P. A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMultiwall carbon nanotubes were observed in a small fraction of soot collected by thermophoretic precipitation from Texas piñon pine wood burning in air. Transmission electron microscopy showed the carbon nanotubes to be aggregated with other fullerene‐like nanoforms and graphite fragments. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
A clinicoanatomical study of the novel nerve fibers linked to stress urinary incontinence: The first morphological description of a nerve descending properly along the anterior vaginal wall
Authors: Yoshida Susumu , Koyama Masayasu , Kimura Tadashi , Murakami Gen , Niikura Hitoshi , Takenaka Atsushi , Murata Yuji 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWhen performing anterior colporrhaphy for cystocele, most pelvic surgeons have not considered the neuroanatomy that contributes to urethral function. The aim of the study was to anatomically identify nerve fibers located in the anterior vagina associated with the pathogenesis of incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Anterior vaginal specimens were obtained from 17 female cadavers and 33 cases of clinical cystocele by anterior vaginal resection. The specimens were step‐sectioned and stained with hematoxylin‐eosin, S100 antibody, and tyrosine hydroxylase antibody. As a result, descending nerves 50–200 μm in thickness were identified between the urethra and vagina. They were located more than 10 mm medially from a cluster of nerves found almost along the lateral edge of the vagina and stained with S100 and tyrosine hydroxylase antibody, originated from the cranial part of the pelvic plexus, and appeared to terminate at the urethral smooth muscles. The authors classified the density of S100 positive nerve fibers in the anterior vaginal wall obtained from clinically operated cases of cystocele into three grades (Grade 1, nothing or a few thin nerves less than 20 μm in diameter; Grade 2, thick nerves more than 50 μm in diameter and thin nerves; Grade 3, more than 3 thick nerves in one field at an objective magnification of 40××). Mean urethral mobility (Q‐tip) values (28.1° ±± 19.6°) observed in the Grade 3 cases was significantly lower than those (50.0° ±± 27.4° and 59.4° ±± 19.9°) in Grade 2 and Grade 1, respectively. In addition, the presence of preoperative or postoperative stress urinary incontinence in the cases of Grade 1 was significantly higher than those of the cases with S100 positive stained nerves. In conclusion, the novel nerve fibers immunohistochemically identified in the anterior vaginal wall are different from those of the common nervous system or the pelvic floor and are associated with the pathogenesis of urethral hypermobility. Clin. Anat. 20:300–306, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anatomic variations of the musculotendinous junction of the soleus muscle and its clinical implications
Authors: Pichler Wolfgang , Tesch Norbert Peter , Grechenig Wolfgang , Leithgoeb Otmar , Windisch Gunther 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe soleus muscle, like the gastrocnemius, is a powerful plantarflexor muscle in the lower limb. The soleus muscle joins the aponeurosis of the gastrocnemius muscle to form the calcaneal (Achilles) tendon. While the basic anatomy of the soleus muscle has been previously described, no study has addressed the anatomical variations of its distal attachment. We found considerable anatomic variation in the distance between this musculotendinous junction and the most proximal point of the proximal edge. This distal measuring point was defined as the most proximal point of the proximal edge of the posterior surface of the calcaneal tuberosity. Eighty human cadaver specimens were preserved according to Thiel's method; we examined one limb from each cadaver, studying 80 lower extremities in total. Following careful dissection of the lower limb, we measured the distance between the distal point of attachment of the soleus muscle fibers (the musculotendinous junction) and the designated measuring point. Our findings were divided into three groups: Group 1 (10 cases, 12.5%), where the distance between the musculotendinous junction and the designated point on the calcaneal tuberosity was between 0 and 1 inches; Group 2 (56 cases, 70%), where the distance was between 1 and 3 inches; and Group 3 (14 cases, 17.5%), where the distance was greater than 3 inches. Detailed knowledge of the anatomic variations of the soleus muscle at its insertion point onto the calcaneal tendon has clinical implications in calcaneal tendon repair following rupture and in the planning of reconstructive surgery using soleus muscle flaps. Clin. Anat. 20:444–447, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of mitomycin in upper digestive tract stricture
Authors: Gillespie M. Boyd , Day Terry A. , Sharma Anand K. , Brodsky Martin B. , Martin‐Harris Bonnie 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground.Mitomycin C is an anti‐fibroblast chemotherapeutic agent that has demonstrated promise in the treatment of head and neck cancer‐related cervical stenosis. The present study investigates whether the application of mitomycin C at the time of dilation is both safe and effective in the treatment of head and neck cancer‐related upper digestive tract stricture.Methods.Twelve patients with progressive dysphagia and videofluroscopic evidence of upper digestive tract stricture after head and neck cancer treatment were dilated by Maloney or Savory dilators followed by the application of mitomycin C (0.2 mg/0.4 mL saline) to the stenotic segment for 5 minutes. Outcome measures included complication rate, improvement in baseline dietary consistency, and improvement in swallowing‐related quality of life as measured by the M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory.Results.All patients experienced improvement in their baseline dietary consistency (p = .002) and M. D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory composite score (p = .001) after a mean follow‐up time of 19 months. No complications from mitomycin use were observed.Conclusion.Mitomycin application appears to be a safe and potentially effective treatment for head and neck cancer‐related upper digestive tract stricture. Given the small sample size and limited follow‐up time, a randomized, controlled trial is needed to determine whether mitomycin application offers additional benefit over standard dilation therapy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2006
Strategies for the prevention of microbial biofilm formation on silicone rubber voice prostheses
Authors: Rodrigues Lígia , Banat Ibrahim M. , Teixeira José , Oliveira Rosário 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTotal laryngectomy, a surgical treatment for extensive cancer of larynx, which alters swallowing and respiration in patients, is followed up with a surgical voice restoration procedure comprising tracheoesophageal puncture techniques with insertion of a “voice prosthesis” to improve successful voice rehabilitation. However, microbial colonization is a major drawback of these devices. Antimicrobials are usually used to prevent the colonization of silicone rubber voice prostheses by microorganisms. However, long‐term medication induces the development of resistant strains with all associated risks and the development of alternative prophylactic and therapeutic agents, including probiotics and biosurfactants, have been suggested. The inhibition of microbial growth on surfaces can also be achieved by several other techniques involving the modification of physicochemical properties of the biomaterial surface or the covalently binding of antimicrobial agents to the biomaterial surface. An overview of the different approaches investigated to date and future perspectives to reduce the frequent replacements of voice prostheses in laryngectomized patients through microbial biofilm retardation is presented and discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Blood cell separation using amphiphilic copolymers containing N,N‐dimethylacrylamide
Authors: Natori Shizue Hayashi , Kurita Keisuke 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTo develop leukocyte removal filters effective for whole blood, amphiphilic copolymers based on N,N‐dimethylacrylamide were synthesized and evaluated as coating materials for poly(ethylene terephthalate) filters. The copolymers with methyl methacrylate or 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate as a comonomer showed higher platelet permeation ratios (more than 90%) than that of the copolymer with n‐butyl methacrylate, though the logarithmic reductions of leukocytes by these copolymers were less than four. An increase in the platelet permeation for whole blood tended to increase the leukocyte permeation. The permeation of both platelets and leukocytes increased with the amount of copolymer coated on the filters because of the change in the physical properties such as the average pore size, total surface area, and total pore volume of coated filters. These results confirm that both the chemical and physical properties of the filters play important roles to control the permeation behavior. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006
Role of potassium channels in Aβ1–40‐activated apoptotic pathway in cultured cortical neurons
Authors: Yu Hai‐bo , Li Zheng‐bin , Zhang Hai‐xia , Wang Xiao‐liang 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPotassium channel dysfunction has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study, by using potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA), we investigated the relationship between the enhancement of potassium currents and the alteration of apoptotic cascade in the neuronal apoptotic model induced by beta‐amyloid peptide 1‐40(Aβ1–40). Cortical neurons exposed to Aβ1–40 5 μM developed a specific increase in the delayed rectifier potassium current (IK), but not the transient outward potassium currents (IA), before the appearance of neuronal apoptosis. Aβ1–40 induced various apoptotic features such as chromatin condensation, a decrease in the amount of Bcl‐2 protein, an increase in the amount of Bax protein, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and caspase‐3 activation. Potassium channel blocker 5 mM TEA attenuated Aβ1–40‐induced neuronal death and prevented the alterations of all above mentioned apoptotic indicators. The study indicates that IK enhancement might play an important role in certain form of programmed cell death induced by beta‐amyloid peptide (Aβ). Increased potassium channel activity might trigger the activation of apoptosis cascade in Aβ1–40‐treated rat cortical neurons. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.