bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vancomycin Use in Patients Requiring Hemodialysis: A Literature Review
Authors: Pallotta Katie E. , Manley Harold J. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractVancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic, has remained a popular antimicrobial agent throughout the past five decades, and is often included in empiric antibiotic regimens. With gram‐positive coverage, it has found a niche in the treatment of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Although vancomycin has been in existence for many years, questions remain regarding its use. New technologies and practice pattern changes have occurred over the years that altered vancomycin dosing in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Examples of these changes include increased resistance of many organisms, development of high flux HD filters, and reprocessing practices. This review provides a summary of the several concerns that exist in the dosing of vancomycin in HD patients today, and provides a summary table of intradialytic dosing regimens.
Age‐Related Gender Differences in Reporting Ictal Fear: Analysis of Case Histories and Review of the Literature
Authors: Chiesa Valentina , Gardella Elena , Tassi Laura , Canger Raffaele , Lo Russo Giorgio , Piazzini Ada , Turner Katherine , Canevini Maria Paola 
Published: July 2007

SummaryTo determine if there are age or gender‐related differences in reporting fear as a symptom of epileptic seizure, all clinical charts of patients evaluated at the “C. Munari – Epilepsy Surgery Center” of Milan from 1990 to June 2005 were analyzed, looking for patients with ictal fear. Among the 2,530 clinical charts examined (1,330 male and 1,200 female), 265 patients were found with ictal fear (100 men, 165 women). The gender difference in reporting ictal fear was not so marked in the pediatric age group (98 girls, 74 boys), whereas in adult patients the difference was significant (158 women, 83 men). Interestingly, more men than women (14:3) had ictal fear during childhood that disappeared during adulthood. The literature review confirmed that ictal fear is significantly more common in women, though there is no gender difference in the pediatric age group.
Neuromagnetic Localization of Spike Sources in Perilesional, Contralateral Mirror, and Ipsilateral Remote Areas in Patients with Cavernoma
Authors: Jin Kazutaka , Nakasato Nobukazu , Shamoto Hiroshi , Kanno Akitake , Itoyama Yasuto , Tominaga Teiji 
Published: July 2007

Summary
Purpose: To assess neuromagnetic spike localization as an indication for extended lesionectomy of cavernoma.
Methods: Electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) was simultaneously recorded in 17 patients (8 men, mean age 29.7 years) with single cavernoma. The location of the equivalent current dipole (ECD) of the interictal spikes was correlated with the lesion shown by magnetic resonance imaging.
Results: Preoperative ECD localization was classified into four types: perilesional, adjacent to the cavernoma only (n = 6); mirror, adjacent to the lesion and at the contralateral homologous site (n = 5); remote, mainly at a remote site in the ipsilateral hemisphere (n = 3); and no spikes (n = 3). The spikes were detected by only MEG in two of five “mirror” and all three “remote” patients. In the mirror group, contralateral spikes were synchronized with the ipsilateral spikes, or also occurred independently. Two “perilesional” and two “mirror” patients became seizure‐free and spike‐free after extended lesionectomy. In contrast, the other two “mirror” patients had residual seizures and spikes after pure lesionectomy.
Conclusion: The detectability of mirror and remote spikes was higher by MEG than by EEG, whereas the detectability of perilesional spikes was similar by MEG and EEG. Therefore, the use of both EEG and MEG will provide the maximum information about spike distribution and propagation. Residual seizures and spikes after pure lesionectomy, but not after extended lesionectomy, in the “mirror” patients suggest the importance of resection of the perilesional irritable zone. Extended resection of the irritable cortex surrounding cavernoma is recommended for better seizure control, particularly in “mirror” patients.
Interictal Psychoses in Comparison with Schizophrenia—A Prospective Study
Authors: Tadokoro Yukari , Oshima Tomohiro , Kanemoto Kousuke 
Published: July 2007

Summary
Purpose: To prospectively investigate the incidence of interictal psychoses of epilepsy patients, and make a comparison between those with interictal psychoses and patients with schizophrenia in respect to their responses to antipsychotic drugs, as well as psychotic states.
Methods: We undertook a two‐part prospective investigation. In Part I, the psychotic episodes of 619 epilepsy patients were investigated, while 182 patients with psychotic syndromes were followed in Part II, of whom 59 were diagnosed with schizophrenia and 13 with epilepsy with interictal psychoses. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was used for efficacy assessment.
Results: The average annual incidence of interictal psychosis was 0.42% during the 56‐month study period. A significant difference was found between patients with schizophrenia and epilepsy patients with interictal psychoses in respect to results on the negative subscale of the PANSS at the initial examination (mean scores of 18.1 and 13.2, respectively, p = 0.004). The response rates one year later for these groups were 27.1% and 53.8%, respectively, which showed a trend of better response to the antipsychotic medication by the epilepsy group (p = 0.098). Initial and maximum doses of antipsychotic drugs used for epilepsy patients with interictal psychoses were significantly lower than those used for patients with schizophrenia (p = 0.008 and p = 0.006, respectively).
Conclusions: Schizophrenia and epileptic psychosis showed different symptom profiles. On average, epilepsy patients with interictal psychoses achieved higher remission rates with lower doses of antipsychotic drugs as compared to patients with schizophrenia in the present 1‐year follow‐up study.
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW GENUS OF PFIESTERIA‐LIKE DINOFLAGELLATE, LUCIELLA GEN. NOV. (DINOPHYCEAE), INCLUDING TWO NEW SPECIES: LUCIELLA MASANENSIS SP. NOV. AND LUCIELLA ATLANTIS SP. NOV.1
Authors: Mason Patrice L. , Litaker R. Wayne , Jeong Hae Jin , Ha Jeong Hyun , Reece Kimberly S. , Stokes Nancy A. , Park Jae Yeon , Steidinger Karen A. , Vandersea Mark W. , Kibler Steve , Tester Patricia A. , Vogelbein Wolfgang K. 
Published: July 2007

A new genus of Pfiesteria‐like heterotrophic dinoflagellate, Luciella gen. nov., and two new species, Luciella masanensis sp. nov. and Luciella atlantis sp. nov., are described. These species commonly occur with other small (<20 μm) heterotrophic and mixotrophic dinoflagellates in estuaries from Florida to Maryland and the southern coast of Korea, suggesting a possible global distribution. An SEM analysis indicates that members of the genus Luciella have the enhanced Kofoidian plate formula of Po, cp, X, 4′, 2a, 6″, 6c, PC, 5+s, 5‴, 0p, and 2″″. The two four‐sided anterior intercalary plates are diamond shaped. The genus Luciella differs from the other genera in the Pfiesteriaceae by a least one plate in the plate tabulation and in the configuration of the two anterior intercalary plates. An SSU rDNA phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genus as monophyletic and distinct from the other genera in the Pfiesteriaceae. The morphology of Luciella masanensis closely resembles Pfiesteria piscicida Steid. et J. M. Burkh. and other Pfiesteria‐like dinoflagellates in size and shape, making it easily misidentified using LM. Luciella atlantis, in contrast, has a more distinctive morphology. It can be distinguished from L. masanensis and other Pfiesteria‐like organisms by a larger cell size, a more conical‐shaped epitheca and hypotheca, larger rhombic‐shaped intercalary plates, and an asymmetrical hypotheca. The genus Luciella is assigned to the order Peridiniales and the family Pfiesteriaceae based on plate tabulation, plate pattern, general morphology, and phylogenetic analysis.
CHARACTERIZATION AND COMPARISON OF PROKARYOTIC EPIPHYTES ASSOCIATED WITH THREE EAST AFRICAN SEAGRASSES1
Authors: Uku Jacqueline , Björk Mats , Bergman Birgitta , Díez Beatriz 
Published: July 2007

Prokaryotic epiphytes on leaves of three seagrass species, Thalassodendron ciliatum, Thalassia hemprichii, and Cymodocea rotundata, from two Kenyan coastal sites, Nyali (a high‐nutrient site) and Vipingo (a low‐nutrient site), were characterized genetically and morphologically. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and clone libraries of PCR‐amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments were used to study prokaryotes associated with these seagrasses. In general, the epiphytic coverage was greater in the high‐nutrient site, while the microbial diversity was linked to seagrass species rather than the study sites. Cytophaga–Flavobacteria–Bacteroides (CFB) were associated with T. ciliatum and T. hemprichii mainly in the nutrient‐poor site, while α‐, β‐, and γ‐proteobacteria were associated with all three species at the two study sites. Some bacteria phylotypes were closely related to sequences of microorganisms previously recovered from wastewaters or other contaminated sources, indicating the influx of land‐based wastes into these coastal lagoon ecosystems. The abundance of potential nitrogen (N2)‐fixing cyanobacteria on C. rotundata, particularly in the low‐nutrient site, suggested that this association may have been acquired to meet N demands. Unicellular cyanobacteria were dominant and associated with C. rotundata and T. hemprichii (with those on T. hemprichii being closely related to cyanobacterial symbiotic species), while T. ciliatum was almost devoid of cyanobacterial associations at the same site (Nyali), which suggests specificity in the cyanobacteria–seagrass associations. The abundance of prokaryotic epiphytes was considered to be linked to water depth and tidal exposure.
A COMPARISON OF PHOTORESPONSE AMONG TEN DIFFERENT KARENIA BREVIS (DINOPHYCEAE) ISOLATES1
Authors: Schaeffer Blake A. , Kamykowski Daniel , McKay Laurie , Sinclair Geoff , Milligan Edward J. 
Published: July 2007

Many laboratories have solely used the Wilson isolate to physiologically characterize the harmful algal bloom (HAB) dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (C. C. Davis) G. Hansen et Moestrup. However, analysis of one isolate may lead to misinterpretations when extrapolating measurements to field populations. In this study, pulse‐amplitude‐modulated chlorophyll fluorometer (PAM‐FL) relative electron transport rate (ETR), Fv/Fm, and chl were compared with traditional techniques, such as 14C photosynthesis versus irradiance (P–E) curves, DCMU [3‐(3′,4′‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethyl urea] Fv/Fm, and extracted chl. The DCMU and PAM‐FL values of Fv/Fm (r2 = 0.51) and chl (r2 = 0.58) were in good agreement. There was no correlation between 14C and PAM‐FL α, Pmax, and β parameters because PAM‐FL ETR was only a relative measurement. The PAM‐FL techniques were then used to investigate P–E curves, quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), and chl from 10 K. brevis isolates to determine whether one or all isolates would better represent the species. Comparisons were made with a radial photosynthetron, which allowed for controlled conditions of light and temperature. Isolate α, Pmax, and β varied between 0.097 and 0.204 μmol e− · m−2 · s−1 · (μmol quanta · m−2 · s−1)−1, 80.41 and 241 μmol e− · m−2 · s−1, and 0.005 and 0.160 μmol e− · m−2 · s−1 · (μmol quanta · m−2 · s−1)−1, respectively. Either carbon limitation and/or bacterial negative feedback were implicated as the cause of the P–E parameter variability. Furthermore, these results directly contradicted some literature suggestions that K. brevis is a low‐light‐adapted dinoflagellate. Results showed that K. brevis was more than capable of utilizing and surviving in light conditions that may be present on cloudless days off Florida.
Acoustic Startle at Baseline and During Acute Alcohol Withdrawal in Replicate Mouse Lines Selectively Bred for High or Low Al cohol Preference
Authors: Chester Julia A. , Barrenha Gustavo D. 
Published: July 2007

Background: Previous data in both rat and mouse genetic models suggest that there is a genetic relationship between acute alcohol withdrawal responses and innate alcohol drinking behavior. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether acute alcohol withdrawal responses, as measured by acoustic startle and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle, may be genetically related to innate differences in alcohol preference in 2 mouse lines selectively bred for high (HAP1 and HAP2) or low (LAP1 and LAP2) alcohol preference. Line differences in startle responses at baseline, prior to alcohol or saline treatment, were also measured.Methods: Alcohol‐naive, male and female HAP1 (n = 35) and LAP1 (n = 32) and HAP2 (n = 43) and LAP2 (n = 40) mice were tested under baseline conditions and during withdrawal from a single injection of 4.0 g/kg alcohol or equal volume of saline at 4, 8, and 12 hours post‐injection.Results: On most trial types, baseline startle responses and PPI were greater in both HAP lines than in both LAP lines, and startle responses were greater in males than in females. During acute alcohol withdrawal, both male LAP lines, and LAP1 females, showed reduced startle responses at the 4‐hour time point during acute alcohol withdrawal. In contrast, both HAP1 males and females showed a trend toward enhanced startle at 4 hours in withdrawal. No clear differences in PPI during withdrawal were evident.Conclusions: These findings indicate good evidence for a genetic relationship between greater baseline acoustic startle responses and PPI and high alcohol preference. Modest support for a genetic correlation between low alcohol preference and reduced startle responses at 4 hours in withdrawal was found in male mice. The suppression in acoustic startle during acute alcohol withdrawal in male LAP lines but not in male HAP lines suggests that a genetic propensity toward low alcohol preference may be related to greater sensitivity to alcohol as measured by acoustic startle responses during acute alcohol withdrawal.
The Right Ventricular Outflow Tract: A Comparative Study of Septal, Anterior Wall, and Free Wall Pacing
Authors: HILLOCK RICHARD J. , STEVENSON IRENE H. , MOND HARRY G. 
Published: July 2007

Background: There is marked heterogeneity in right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) pacemaker lead placement using conventional leads. As a result, we have sought to identify a reproducible way of placing a ventricular lead onto the RVOT septum.
Methods and Results: A major determinant is the shape of the stylet used to deliver the active‐fixation lead. We compared stylet shapes and configurations in patients who initially had a ventricular lead placed onto the anterior or free wall of the RVOT and then had the lead repositioned onto the septum. All leads were loaded with a stylet fashioned with a distal primary curve to facilitate delivery of the lead to the pulmonary artery, then using a pullback technique the lead was retracted to the RVOT. All lead placements were confirmed by fluoroscopy and electrocardiography. Anterior or free wall placement was achieved by the stylet having either the standard curve or an added distal anterior angulation. In contrast, septal lead positioning was uniformly achieved by a distal posterior angulation of the curved stylet. This difference in tip shape was highly predictive for septal placement (P < 0.001). With septal pacing, a narrower QRS duration was noted, compared to anterior or free wall pacing (136 vs 155 ms, P < 0.001). All pacing parameters were within acceptable limits.
Conclusion: Using appropriately shaped stylets, pacing leads can now be placed into specific positions within the RVOT and in particular septal pacing can be reliably and reproducibly achieved. This is an important step in the standardization of lead placement in the RVOT.
The Innominate Vein as Alternative Venous Access for Complicated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Revisions
Authors: ALEKSIC IVAN , KOTTENBERG‐ASSENMACHER EVA , KIENBAUM PETER , SZABO ANDRAS K. , SOMMER SEBASTIAN‐PATRICK , WIENEKE HEINER , YILDIRIM CAGATAY , LEYH RAINER G. 
Published: July 2007

Background: Venous complications of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) systems may cause significant problems when the need for system revision or upgrades arises. Such revisions require venous access close to the site of the previous ICD implantation. The internal and external jugular vein have disadvantages due to a long subcutaneous course crossing the clavicle and problems with lead extraction if infection occurs.
Methods: In seven patients with ICD revisions due to lead dysfunction (n = 4) and upgrade to a biventricular device (n = 2) and status after system removal due to infection with new device implantation (n = 1) conventional venous access could not be obtained. Intraoperative contrast venography demonstrated an occluded left subclavian and/or left innominate vein in all patients. In all patients, we gained venous access through puncture of the right innominate vein and tunneled the new lead subcutaneously to the ICD pocket on the left.
Results: No intraoperative complications were observed. All patients are followed in our ICD clinic. Mean follow‐up is 16 ± 4 months now. So far, no clinical or lead complications with this access have been observed.
Conclusions: We have demonstrated that ICD lead placement through puncture of the right innominate vein is feasible. We propose the innominate vein as an alternative route for establishing venous access in patients requiring ICD revisions or upgrades who suffer from venous obstruction. ICD implanting physicians should acquaint themselves with the technique of right innominate vein puncture to use this vein as a bail‐out strategy in patients with complicated venous access.
Duration of P‐Wave Is Associated with Atrial Fibrillation Hospitalizations in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Paced for Bradycardia
Authors: PADELETTI LUIGI , SANTINI MASSIMO , BORIANI GIUSEPPE , BOTTO GIANLUCA , RICCI RENATO , SPAMPINATO ANDREA , VERGARA GIUSEPPE , RAHUE WERNER G , CAPUCCI ALESSANDRO , GULIZIA MICHELE , PIERAGNOLI PAOLO , GRAMMATICO ANDREA , PLATONOV PYOTR , BAROLD S. SERGE 
Published: July 2007

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common problem in pacemaker patients. We conducted a prospective observational study in patients paced for bradycardia with associated paroxysmal or persistent AF, to determine whether P‐wave duration may stratify patients at higher risk for AF recurrences and AF‐related hospitalizations. The patients were evaluated for the prevalence, cause, and predictors of hospitalization.
Methods: We studied 660 consecutive patients (50% male, 72 ± 9 years) who received a dual‐chamber pacemaker. Median value of baseline P‐wave duration was equal to 100 ms (25%–75% quartile range equal to 80–120 ms). We used this cut‐off to divide the patients into group A (P ≤ 100 ms), composed of 385 (58.3%) patients, and group B (P>100 ms), composed of 275 (41.7%) patients.
Results: In a median follow‐up of 19 months, 173 patients were hospitalized for all causes, 130 for cardiovascular causes, and 85 for AF‐related hospitalizations. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that P‐wave duration >100 ms identified patients at higher risk (OR = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (1.1–2.8), P = 0.044) for AF‐related hospitalizations. Patients in group B (P > 100 ms) more frequently suffered AF‐related hospitalizations (16.4% vs 10.4%, P = 0.02) and underwent more frequent cardioversions (14.5% vs 9.1%, P = 0.029) compared with group A (P ≤ 100 ms).
Conclusions: P‐wave duration may define the risk of persistent AF requiring cardioversion or AF‐related hospitalization in patients with a pacemaker for bradycardia with associated paroxysmal or persistent AF.
Predictors of a Positive Response to Biventricular Pacing in Patients with Severe Heart Failure and Ventricular Conduction Delay
Authors: YEIM SUNTHARETH , BORDACHAR PIERRE , REUTER SYLVAIN , LABORDERIE JULIEN , O'NEILL MARK D. , LAFITTE STEPHANE , DEPLAGNE ANTOINE , GARRIGUE STEPHANE , ROUDAUT RAYMOND , JAIS PIERRE , HAISSAGUERRE MICHEL , DOSSANTOS PIERRE , CLEMENTY JACQUES 
Published: July 2007

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is recommended in patients with ejection fraction <35%, QRS width> 120 ms, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV despite optimal medical therapy. We aimed to define demographic, clinical, and electrocardiographic predictors of positive clinical response to CRT.
Methods and Results: Hundred consecutive patients fulfilling the recommended criteria were implanted with a CRT device. Demographic, clinical, two‐dimensional echocardiographic and electrographic parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months of simultaneous biventricular pacing. A positive response to CRT included an improvement of at least one NYHA functional class associated with an absence of hospitalization for worsening heart failure. At the end of follow‐up, 12 patients were dead and 71% of the patients were classified as responders. After 6 months of CRT, the ejection fraction was significantly higher (P = 0.035) in responders versus nonresponders. Multivariate analysis identified three independent predictors of positive response to CRT: an idiopathic origin of the cardiomyopathy (P = 0.043), a wider QRS before implantation (P = 0.017), and a narrowing of the QRS after implantation (P = 0.037).
Conclusion: An idiopathic origin of the cardiomyopathy, a wider QRS before implantation, and a narrowing of the QRS width after implantation were identified as independent predictors of clinical positive response to CRT.
Heart Rate Changes during Acute Mental Stress with Closed Loop Stimulation: Report on Two Single‐Blinded, Pacemaker Studies
Authors: CHANDIRAMANI SHANKER , COHORN LANDON C. , CHANDIRAMANI SARIKA 
Published: July 2007

Background: Mental stress affects hemodynamic properties of the heart in patients indicated for a pacemaker, therefore highlighting the need for a rate‐adaptive sensor that responds to mental loads. One such sensor utilizes Closed Loop Stimulation (CLS), which translates right ventricular contractility into patient specific pacing rates. Clinical studies utilizing CLS [Emotional Response (ER) and Emotional Response 2 (ER2) studies] have been performed to confirm CLS provides appropriate heart rate response to acute mental stress. The objective of these studies was to compare heart rates during a mental stress test, with the patient's pacemaker programmed to a CLS pacing mode and an accelerometer pacing mode.
Methods: Patients were implanted with a BIOTRONIK Protos/CLS pacemaker (Berlin, Germany) and subjected to mental stress testing. The stress test consisted of a relaxation period followed by a color‐word test and an arithmetic challenge test. The ER2 study utilized a randomized study design, in which pacing mode testing order was randomized.
Results: Analysis included patients who exhibited at least 80% sensor‐driven heart rates during stress testing. Results for both studies demonstrated that CLS provided a statistically significant higher increase in heart rate during testing compared with an accelerometer pacing mode. The studies also showed that CLS provided a statistically significant higher peak heart rate during testing compared with an accelerometer pacing mode.
Conclusions: The ER and ER2 studies demonstrate that the CLS algorithm responds with an appropriate heart rate response to acute mental stress in patients exhibiting a high percentage of sensor‐driven pacing.