bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vocal Fold Paralysis as a Sign of Chest Diseases: A 15‐year Retrospective Study
Authors: Bando Hideki , Nishio Takeshi , Bamba Hitoshi , Uno Toshiyuki , Hisa Yasuo 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackgroundVocal fold paralysis (VFP) is sometimes the only sign of chest diseases. However, some patients with VFP due to chest diseases are not diagnosed correctly at the first examination, which may leave the patients untreated for a long time. Depending on the situation, chest x‐ray is not enough for detecting the primary lesion. The objective of this study was to discuss the diagnostic procedure for VFP based on the retrospective analysis of the cases.MethodsA total of 42 patients (29 males and 13 females) with VFP due to chest disease examined at the Department of Otolaryngology of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine between 1988 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsOf the primary chest diseases, lung cancer (15 cases) was the most common, followed by thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) (9 cases), metastatic tumor from other regions (6 cases), pulmonary and mediastinal tuberculosis (TB) (5 cases), and esophageal cancer (4 cases). While the primary lesions were easily detected with chest x‐ray in most of the cases, some lesions in the aortopulmonary window were difficult to detect. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) was useful to detect any mass in this region.ConclusionsIn the diagnosis of VFP due to chest diseases, chest x‐ray was useful but not always enough for detecting the primary lesion. Necessity of further examinations including contrast‐enhanced chest CT must be kept in mind for the cases with negative chest radiographs.
Programme to improve the use of beta‐blockers for heart failure in the elderly and in those with severe symptoms: Results of the BRING‐UP 2 Study
Authors: Opasich Cristina , Boccanelli Alessandro , Cafiero Massimo , Cirrincione Vincenzo , Del Sindaco Donatella , Di Lenarda Andrea , Di Luzio Silvia , Faggiano Pompilio , Frigerio Maria , Lucci Donata , Porcu Maurizio , Pulignano Giovanni , Scherillo Marino , Tavazzi Luigi , Maggioni Aldo P. ,   BRING‐UP 2 Investigators
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackgroundBeta‐blockers are underused in HF patients, thus strategies to implement their use are needed.ObjectivesTo improve beta‐blocker use in elderly and/or patients with severe heart failure (HF) and to evaluate safety and outcome.MethodsPatients with symptomatic HF and age ≥ 70 years or left ventricular EF < 25% and symptoms at rest were enrolled, including those already on beta‐blocker treatment. Patients who were not receiving a beta‐blocker were considered for carvedilol treatment. All patients were followed up for 1‐year.ResultsOf the 1518 elderly patients, 505 were already on beta‐blockers, and carvedilol was newly prescribed in 419 patients. At 1‐year, patients treated with carvedilol had a lower incidence of death [10.8% vs. 18.0% in already treated (adjusted RR 0.68; 95%CI 0.49–0.96) and 11.2% in newly treated patients (adjusted RR 0.68; 95%CI 0.48–0.97)].Of the 709 patients with severe HF, 38.4% were already on beta‐blockers, and carvedilol was newly prescribed in 189 patients. Patients not treated with carvedilol showed the worst clinical outcome. Total rate of discontinuation (including adverse reaction and non‐compliance) was 14% and 9%, respectively, in elderly and severe patients.ConclusionsIn a real world setting, beta‐blocker treatment was not associated with an increased risk of adverse events in elderly and severe HF patients.
Granulocyte Macrophage‐Colony Stimulating Factor receptor expression on human cardiomyocytes from end‐stage heart failure patients
Authors: Postiglione Loredana , Montagnani Stefania , Ladogana Paolo , Castaldo Clotilde , Di Spigna Gaetano , Bruno Eugenia Maria , Turano Mimmo , De Santo Luca , Cudemo Giuseppe , Cocozza Sergio , de Divitiis Oreste , Rossi Guido 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackgroundIn remodelling ventricles, the progression of heart failure is associated with structural changes involving the extra‐cellular matrix (ECM) and the cytoskeleton of cardiomyocytes, associated with fibrosis, cellular damage and death.The role of some cytokines and haematopoietic growth factors in the mechanism of both damage and regeneration of cardiac tissue during acute myocardial infarction has been demonstrated. Following heart damage, the development of scarred tissue was considered to be the only outcome, since myocytes were considered to be terminally differentiated cells. However, recent studies in animal models and adult human hearts have shown that myocytes can proliferate under the modulation of several factors.AimsTo assess Granulocyte Macrophage‐Colony Stimulating Factor (GM‐CSF) receptor expression in healthy and diseased human hearts, and to evaluate the possible role of GM‐CSF and its receptor in the regeneration of cardiac tissue in chronic cardiomyopathy.Methods and resultsGM‐CSFR expression in human cardiac tissue from explanted hearts of ten patients with end‐stage heart failure and in cardiac biopsies from eight normal human hearts was studied by immunohistochemistry, and cellular and molecular biology assays.Our results demonstrated an increase in GM‐CSFR in cardiomyocytes from end‐stage heart failure tissues as compared to normal control tissues.ConclusionsWe hypothesize that GM‐CSF plays a role in apoptotic and/or ECM deposition processes as well as in cytoskeleton modification in the myocardium.
Emotional/behavioural, social correlates and one‐year predictors of frequent pains among early adolescents: Influences of pain characteristics
Authors: Larsson Bo , Sund Anne Mari 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn a one‐year longitudinal study, emotional/behavioural correlates and predictors of four common pain complaints (headaches, stomach, back and limb pain), were examined in a representative school sample of 2360 adolescents aged 12‐ to 15‐years.At first assessment, 18.3% reported being bothered by a frequent pain (at least once a week) and 40% of the pain sufferers had two or more pain locations, more commonly reported by girls. Subjects having any of the four frequent pains reported having fewer friends and were more often absent from school. Frequency and number of reported pains among adolescents were positively related to levels of internalising and externalising problems. These latter problems were consistently and significantly higher among adolescents with frequent back and limb pains, however, when coexistence of another frequent pain was controlled, differences were small. Number of pains at the one‐year follow‐up was significantly predicted by frequent back pain and headache, depressive symptoms scores, somatic complaints (other than pain), number of friends and reduced leisure time activities during the follow‐up period. Frequent back pain and depressive symptoms also predicted multiple frequent pains (vs single frequent pain) at the follow‐up as did recent parental divorce.It is concluded that various emotional and behavioural problems, and which are commonly regarded as being specifically related to pain type or location among adolescents, depend rather on frequency and coexistence of multiple frequent pains. Assessment of adolescents with frequent and multiple pains should, therefore, include broad screening of internalising as well as externalising problems as well as various aspects of impairment.
Regulatory mechanisms and functions of intermediate filaments: A study using site‐ and phosphorylation state‐specific antibodies
Authors: Izawa Ichiro , Inagaki Masaki 
Published: February 2006

Intermediate filaments (IF) form the structural framework of the cytoskeleton. Although histopathological detection of IF proteins is utilized for examining cancer specimens as reliable markers, the molecular mechanisms by which IF are involved in the biology of cancer cells are still unclear. We found that site‐specific phosphorylation of IF proteins induces the disassembly of filament structures. To further dissect the in vivo spatiotemporal dynamics of IF phosphorylation, we developed site‐ and phosphorylation state‐specific antibodies. Using these antibodies, we detected kinase activities that specifically phosphorylate type III IF, including vimentin, glial fibrillary acidic protein and desmin, during mitosis. Cdk1 phosphorylates vimentin‐Ser55 from prometaphase to metaphase, leading to the recruitment of Polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1) to vimentin. Upon binding to Phospho‐Ser55 of vimentin, Plk1 is activated, and then phosphorylates vimentin‐Ser82. During cytokinesis, Rho‐kinase and Aurora‐B specifically phosphorylate IF at the cleavage furrow. IF phosphorylation by Cdk1, Plk1, Rho‐kinase and Aurora‐B plays an important role in the local IF breakdown, and is essential for the efficient segregation of IF networks into daughter cells. As another part of our research on IF, we have set out to find the binding partners with simple epithelial keratin 8/18. We identified tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1‐associated death domain protein (TRADD) as a keratin 18‐binding protein. Together with data from other laboratories, it is proposed that simple epithelial keratins may play a role in modulating the response to some apoptotic signals. Elucidation of the precise molecular functions of IF is expected to improve our understanding of tumor development, invasion and metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 167–174)
Cannabis use and other illicit drug use: testing the cannabis gateway hypothesis
Authors: Fergusson David M. , Boden Joseph M. , Horwood L. John 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTAim  To examine the associations between the frequency of cannabis use and the use of other illicit drugs.Design  A 25‐year longitudinal study of the health, development and adjustment of a birth cohort of 1265 New Zealand children.Measurements  Annual assessments of the frequency of cannabis use were obtained for the period 14–25 years, together with measures of the use of other illicit drugs from the same time period.Findings  The frequency of cannabis use was associated significantly with the use of other illicit drugs, other illicit drug abuse/dependence and the use of a diversity of other drugs. This association was found to be particularly strong during adolescence but declined rapidly as age increased. Statistical control for confounding by both fixed and time dynamic factors using random‐ and fixed‐effects regression models reduced the strength of association between frequency of cannabis use and other illicit drug use, but a strong association between frequency of cannabis use and other illicit drug use remained even after control for non‐observed and time‐dynamic sources of confounding. Conclusions  Regular or heavy cannabis use was associated with an increased risk of using other illicit drugs, abusing or becoming dependent upon other illicit drugs, and using a wider variety of other illicit drugs. The risks of use, abuse/dependence, and use of a diversity of other drugs declined with increasing age. The findings may support a general causal model such as the cannabis gateway hypothesis, but the actual causal mechanisms underlying such a gateway, and the extent to which these causal mechanisms are direct or indirect, remain unclear.
Allocating treatment options to patient profiles: clinical art or science?
Authors: Bühringer Gerhard 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTBackground  For many researchers, the disappointing results of Project MATCH were the death blow for any further activities in the field of patient–treatment interactions. On the other hand, we have an increased knowledge of patient heterogeneity and a greater variety of treatment options than before, and allocation guidelines for an ongoing process of patient‐placement decisions are of high practical relevance.Aims  To analyse deficits in the current research and to provide suggestions for future action.Findings  It is argued that (1) certain major design aspects of Project MATCH and other research studies—such as stringent patient exclusion criteria and low treatment ‘dosage’—minimize the chances of detecting possible patient–treatment interactions and (2) Project MATCH obscures our view of previous treatment‐allocation research findings. Conclusions  Several research strategies and specific research topics are suggested for (1) improving the theoretical and methodological basis for detecting possible patient–treatment interactions and (2) stimulating research on major treatment decision needs, such as site, setting, time in treatment (extensiveness and intensity), service components and specific treatment modules. More international research cooperation is needed to clarify the inconsistent findings.
Opiate addiction in China: current situation and treatments
Authors: Tang Yi‐lang , Zhao Dong , Zhao Chengzheng , Cubells Joseph F. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTBackground  Historically, China has had extraordinarily high rates of opiate dependence. These rates declined drastically following the 1949 revolution; however, opiate abuse has re‐emerged in the late 1980's and has spread quickly since then.Aims  To describe the current situation of opiate addiction and treatments in China and make some suggestions.Design  A descriptive study based on literature searched from Medline and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database (1996 to 2004) and hand‐picked references.Findings  The number of registered addicts in 2004 was 1.14 million (more than 75% of them heroin addicts), but the actual number is probably far higher. Opiate abuse contributes substantially to the spread of HIV/AIDS in China, with intravenous drug use the most prevalent route of transmission (51.2%). Currently, the main treatments for opiate dependence in China include short‐term detoxification with opiate agonists or non‐opiate agents, such as clonidine or lofexidine; Chinese herbal medicine and traditional non‐medication treatments are also used. Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has not been officially approved by the Chinese government for widespread implementation, but some pilot studies are currently underway.Conclusion  China faces substantial drug abuse problems that appear to be worsening with time. Opiate dependence is a major threat to the public health and social security of China because of its devastating medical effects, its impact on risk for HIV/AIDS and criminal behaviors, low rates of recovery and high rates of relapse. There is an urgent need to implement MMT and other modern treatments for opiate dependence more widely in China.
Review article: safe amounts of gluten for patients with wheat allergy or coeliac disease
Authors: HISCHENHUBER C. , CREVEL R. , JARRY B. , MÄKI M. , MONERET‐VAUTRIN D. A. , ROMANO A. , TRONCONE R. , WARD R. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryFor both wheat allergy and coeliac disease the dietary avoidance of wheat and other gluten‐containing cereals is the only effective treatment. Estimation of the maximum tolerated amount of gluten for susceptible individuals would support effective management of their disease.Literature was reviewed to evaluate whether an upper limit for gluten content in food, which would be safe for sufferers from both diseases, could be identified.When setting gluten limits for coeliac disease sufferers, the overall potential daily intake should be considered, while for wheat allergy limits should be based on single servings. For coeliac disease sufferers this limit should lie between 10 and 100 mg daily intake. For wheat allergy, lowest eliciting doses for children lie in the lower milligram range, while for adults they are most significantly higher.Gliadins (part of the gluten proteins) not only trigger coeliac disease, but are also major allergens in wheat allergy. Therefore, measurement of gliadins with validated enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay methods provides an appropriate marker for assessing gluten and/or wheat protein contents in food. Available data suggest that a maximum gluten content for ‘gluten‐free’ foods could be set, which protects both wheat allergy sufferers and coeliac patients.
Effect of botulinum toxin antral injection on gastric emptying and weight reduction in obese patients: a pilot study
Authors: GUI D. , MINGRONE G. , VALENZA V. , SPADA P. L. , MUTIGNANI M. , RUNFOLA M. , SCARFONE A. , DI MUGNO M. , PANUNZI S. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryBackground  A potential approach to the treatment of morbid obesity is reduction of gastric emptying to achieve satiety. Botulinum toxin A (Btx‐A) is a long‐acting inhibitor of acetylcholine‐mediated peristalsis, which is mainly responsible for gastric motility.Aim  To investigate whether botulinum toxin A, injected in the antrum of obese patients, delays gastric emptying.Methods  In a double_blind study, 18 healthy obese subjects (body mass index >30) were randomized into three groups (BTX133, BTX200 and Saline); they received Btx‐A133U, Btx‐A200U, or saline under endoscopic control. Gastric emptying was tested by scintigraphy before and 10 days after treatment. Body weight variations and appetite sensation were recorded after 5 weeks.Results  Fourteen patients completed the study. The botulinum toxin A‐treated groups showed weight reduction, which was not statistically significant. The effects on gastric emptying were variable. Most of the botulinum toxin A treated patients reported a reduced appetite.Conclusion  This pilot clinical trial suggests potential activity of botulinum toxin A for the manipulation of appetite.
CDP571, a humanized monoclonal antibody to tumour necrosis factor‐α, for steroid‐dependent Crohn's disease: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: FEAGAN B. G. , SANDBORN W. J. , LICHTENSTEIN G. , RADFORD‐SMITH G. , PATEL J. , INNES A. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryBackground  More than 50% of patients with Crohn's disease become either steroid resistant or dependent. Accordingly, development of new treatments for steroid‐dependent Crohn's disease is a research priority.Aim  To evaluate CDP571, a humanized antibody to tumour necrosis factor‐α, for the treatment of steroid‐dependent Crohn's disease.Methods  Patients with steroid‐dependent Crohn's disease (n = 271) were enrolled in a 36‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Steroid dependence was defined as use of prednisolone or prednisone (15–40 mg/day) or budesonide (9 mg/day) for ≥8 weeks, a previous failed attempt to decrease or discontinue steroids within 8 weeks of screening, and a Crohn's Disease Activity Index score of ≤150 points. Patients were randomized to receive intravenous CDP571 10 mg/kg or placebo 8‐weekly through to week 32. Steroids were then tapered using a defined schedule. The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage of patients with steroid sparing, defined as discontinuation of steroid therapy without a disease flare (Crohn's Disease Activity Index score ≥220 points) at week 36.Results  Steroid sparing occurred in 53 of 181 (29.3%) CDP571 patients and 33 of 90 (36.7%) placebo patients (P = 0.24). Adverse events occurred at similar frequencies in both treatment groups.Conclusions  CDP571 was ineffective for sparing steroids in patients with steroid‐dependent Crohn's disease. CDP571 was well tolerated.
The prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus in a cohort of 1040 Canadian primary care patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia undergoing prompt endoscopy
Authors: VELDHUYZEN VAN ZANTEN S. J. O. , THOMSON A. B. R. , BARKUN A. N. , ARMSTRONG D. , CHIBA N. , WHITE R. J. , ESCOBEDO S. , SINCLAIR P. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryBackground  The prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus in patients undergoing gastroscopy may be influenced by possible referral bias.Aim  To present the prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus from the the Canadian Adult Dyspepsia Empirical Therapy Prompt Endoscopy study and to explore potential risk factors for its presence.Methods  Patients had not been on treatment for dyspepsia for 2–4 weeks prior to endoscopy, which was performed within 10 working days of presentation.Results  Barrett's oesophagus was endoscopically suspected in 53 of 1040 cases (5%) and histologically confirmed by the presence of intestinal metaplasia in 25 (2.4%). The prevalence of biopsy‐proven Barrett's oesophagus was 4% in patients with dominant reflux‐like symptoms. Sixty‐four percent with confirmed Barrett's oesophagus had dominant reflux‐like symptoms compared with 37% without Barrett's oesophagus. Barrett's oesophagus was more common in patients >50 years of age; 68% of cases were males. The mean duration of symptoms was 10 years, yet 16% had symptoms of <1‐year duration. Endoscopic reflux oesophagitis was present in 68% of confirmed Barrett's oesophagus patients.Conclusions  Barrett's oesophagus is confirmed on biopsy in about half of endoscopically suspected Barrett's oesophagus patients. Barrett's oesophagus is more common in males, in those with dominant reflux‐like symptoms, and in patients with a longer symptom history.
Subacute airway obstruction from a tracheal mucosal flap
Authors: Farr M. J. , Cyna A. M. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryWe report the case of a 15‐year‐old girl with a near fatal obstructive tracheal lesion following tracheal intubation. The patient developed stridor and acute respiratory distress 29 h following tracheal extubation, after 35 h intubation in the intensive care unit. The failure of conventional management of stridor, including re‐intubation, to provide a satisfactory airway prompted an urgent bronchoscopy, which revealed a tracheal mucosal flap causing 80% obstruction of the subglottic trachea. The fibreoptic bronchoscope allowed careful placement of a tracheal tube distal to the obstruction. The patient eventually made a full recovery. The low incidence of similar lesions and the lack of distinguishing clinical features from other causes of post‐extubation stridor make diagnosis and appropriate management of this life‐threatening condition difficult. We discuss how early consideration of the diagnosis and optimal initial management reduce the risk of an adverse outcome.
Incidence and significance of errors in a patient ‘track and trigger’ system during an epidemic of Legionnaires' disease: retrospective casenote analysis
Authors: Smith A. F. , Oakey R. J. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryEarly warning scoring is designed to be an objective tool to aid identification of hospital patients at risk of deterioration. ‘Track and trigger’ systems using such scores are widely used but many aspects of scoring have not been clarified. We aimed to document how observations and scores are used in practice as part of a typical track and trigger system. We extracted patient observations and early warning scores from the casenotes of 189 patients admitted to Furness General Hospital during a large outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in 2002. We used these 3739 sets of primary observations to recalculate scores, and compared them with those recorded in the casenotes. Recording of patient observations was variable. Early warning scores were derived from 2607 sets of observations (69.7%), of which 571 (21.9%) had been incorrectly calculated. Incorrect scoring meant that 66 of 270 patients (24.4%) whose observations should have reached the trigger value did not. Patients with more abnormal observations were more likely to be misscored. Scoring errors were more likely to lead to underscoring as the degree of physiological abnormality increased. Patients with confirmed Legionnaires' disease were more likely to be incorrectly scored. We conclude that the assignment of early warning scores is prone to error and this may delay referral of at‐risk patients for critical care management.