bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of idiopathic normal pressure patients in neurological practice: the role of lumbar infusion testing for referral of patients to neurosurgery
Authors: Brean A. , Eide P. K. 
Published: April 2008

Background and purpose:  In neurological practice patients with tentative idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) usually are referred to neurosurgery based on clinical and radiological findings. Hydrodynamic assessment using lumbar infusion testing might be helpful in selecting patients. To retrospectively analyse lumbar infusion tests done in neurological practice in iNPH patients to see how infusion test results relate to the clinical course and shunt response. Materials and methods:  Sixty‐three consecutive patients with Possible/Probable iNPH were tested during a 1‐year period. The pre‐operative lumbar infusion tests were assessed according to two strategies: (i) Determining the resistance to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow (Rout). (ii) Quantification of the CSF pressure (CSFP) pulsatility during lumbar infusion (Qpulse). The results were related to the prospectively followed clinical course and shunt response after 12 months. Results:  The lumbar infusion‐derived parameters Rout and Qpulse related weakly. Shunt response after 12 months was not related to Rout, but was highly related to the Qpulse. False negative results of lumbar infusion testing were observed in 16% of the patients. Discussion:  In neurological practice lumbar infusion testing may be useful for determining which patients to refer to neurosurgery. Our data favour determination of CSFP pulsatility (Qpulse) rather than Rout for prediction of shunt response.
Brain barrier dysfunction in Cuban Epidemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: González‐Quevedo Monteagudo A. , Fernández Carriera R. , Santiesteban Freixas R. , Alfaro Capdegelle I. , Lara Rodríguez R. , Vicente Valdés I. , Santiago Luis González R. 
Published: April 2008

Background and purpose:  There are practically no references to cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) studies in tropical or nutritional neuropathies. In the present paper we present the results of CSF studies in patients with Cuban Epidemic Optic Neuropathy (CEON) during epidemic and endemic periods, with an appraisal as to the contribution of brain barriers′ function in the pathophysiology of this disease.Methods:  Two hundred and five patients with CEON were studied during the epidemic period (1992–1993) and 12 patients outside the outbreak (1995–1997). CSF protein determination and electrophoresis were carried out, as well as serum and CSF albumin and immunoglobulin G (IgG) quantitation for calculating IgG and Qalb indexes, in order to evaluate intrathecal IgG synthesis and the permeability of the blood–CSF barrier (B‐CSF B).Results:  One fourth of the patients had increased permeability of the B‐CSF B, but damage was more frequent between 16 and 60 days from onset of disease, disappearing after 120 days. B‐CSF B dysfunction was more prevalent in patients with severe neurological impairment, although it was not related to the severity of ophthalmological damage. The group of patients studied outside of the outbreak (endemic period) showed similar results.Discussion:  The possible association of increased permeability of the B‐CSF B with oxidative stress, which lies on the basis of this epidemic outbreak, is discussed.
Nail psoriasis: a combined treatment with 8% clobetasol nail lacquer and tacalcitol ointment
Authors: Sánchez Regaña M , Márquez Balbás G , Umbert Millet P 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  Nail involvement is a common and distressing feature in the course of psoriasis. Although much progress has been made in the treatment of the disease, the presence of psoriasis in the nail continues to pose a challenge. In recent years, vitamin D3 analogs and a new formulation containing 8% clobetasol‐17‐propionate in a colourless nail lacquer vehicle have produced good results for the control of nail psoriasis.Objective  To determine the efficacy and safety of the combined treatment of 8% clobetasol‐17‐propionate in a lacquer vehicle and tacalcitol ointment in nail psoriasis.Methods  Fifteen patients with both nail bed and nail matrix psoriasis were included in the study. They were treated with a colourless nail lacquer containing 8% clobetasol‐17‐propionate applied at bedtime at the weekend, and with tacalcitol ointment under occlusion on the remaining days, for 6 months.Results  All 15 patients responded well to treatment. The therapeutic effect was very fast and directly related to the length of therapy. All nail alterations, including nail pain, were reduced, and the modified target Nail Psoriasis Severity Index fell by an average of 78% compared to baseline levels (±59.6, P < 0.0001).Conclusions  Combined treatment with tacalcitol ointment and 8% clobetasol‐17‐propionate in a nail lacquer is a safe, effective treatment for nail bed and nail matrix psoriasis.
Anti‐desmoglein IgG autoantibodies in patients with pemphigus in remission
Authors: Kwon EJ , Yamagami J , Nishikawa T , Amagai M 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  Desmoglein (Dsg) enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a highly sensitive and specific method to detect anti‐Dsg3 and anti‐Dsg1 IgG autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF), respectively. Whereas ELISA index values fluctuate in parallel with disease activity, ELISA positivity during clinical remission has been observed.Objective  To determine the prevalence of positive Dsg ELISA index values during clinical remission. To ascertain how positive Dsg ELISA scores during remission compare with those during active disease.Methods  Dsg ELISA was performed on serum samples of PV and PF patients taken during remission (lesion‐free ≥ 3 months on ≤ 15 mg or ≤ 5 mg/day prednisolone) and active disease. We used a modified ELISA protocol with optimal serum dilutions in sera with very high initial index values, as we previously described.Results  When remission was defined as no eruption ≥ 3 months with ≤ 15 mg/day prednisolone, 20 of 43 PV patients (46.5%) and 4 of 12 PF patients (33.3%) showed Dsg3 and Dsg1 ELISA positivity, respectively. With ≤ 5 mg/day, 6 of 17 PV (35.3%) and 1 of 6 PF patients (16.7%) showed Dsg3 and Dsg1 ELISA positivity, respectively. The index value of each ELISA‐positive remission serum was consistently lower than that of its corresponding active disease serum. We observed consistent correlation between ELISA index values and indirect immunofluorescence titres.Conclusions  Circulating anti‐Dsg IgG autoantibodies are found in a considerable percentage of pemphigus patients in remission, who have high levels of antibody production during active stages.
Laboratory diagnostics for non‐viral sexually transmitted infections in St. Petersburg, Russia: current situation and hallmarks for improvements
Authors: Domeika M , Litvinenko I , Smirnova T , Gaivaronskaya O , Savicheva A , Sokolovskiy E , Ballard RC , Unemo M 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackground  The numbers and performance characteristics of laboratories providing sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnostic services, as well as the rates of morbidity due to STIs in St. Petersburg, Russia, remain largely unknown.Objective  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the range, quality and availability of diagnostic services for several non‐viral STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum and Trichomonas vaginalis) in St. Petersburg during the period September 2005 to June 2006.Methods  Survey data focusing on organization and performance characteristics of STI diagnostic services were assessed using questionnaires, telephone interviews and site visits.Results  A total of 118 laboratories providing STI diagnostic services were identified. Of the surveyed laboratories, 54% (64 of 118) diagnosed syphilis, 81% (96 of 118) gonorrhoea, 80% (94 of 118) trichomoniasis and 49% (58 of 118) chlamydial infections. Although most of the laboratories could provide a presumptive diagnosis for syphilis, most of the N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis testing of women did not adhere to international recommendations. Of the laboratories with the capacity to diagnose C. trachomatis infection, 69% still used serological testing (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) to detect antibodies to C. trachomatis.Conclusions  Overall, the diagnostic methods used to establish a laboratory diagnosis, the system of case reporting, the training of laboratory personnel and the level of interlaboratory communication clearly require improvement. This study represents the first step in a process of evaluation of the laboratory support for STI services and the establishment of an interlaboratory network in St. Petersburg.
Commissioning services for people with learning disabilities in Scotland: linking evidence and practice
Authors: Campbell Martin 
Published: April 2008

Accessible summary

This paper describes how guidance about good practice for commissioning services for people with learning disabilities was developed in Scotland.
Helping people with learning disabilities to live in their own homes or in other homely settings has been a major shift in government policy and practice in the last 10 years in Scotland and in the rest of the UK. Commissioners from local authorities and from National Health Service services have the responsibility for organising good quality care, within a budget and within other constraints. Commissioners also have to develop professional relationships with organisations from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors, involved in commissioning. These are very demanding roles for commissioners.
Although commissioning is a complex process, the main goal and steps involved in achieving that goal are well understood: to get from the starting point of what the person with learning disabilities and commissioners ideally want, to the end point of good outcomes that can be sustained. The development of a set of suggested steps in this process and a number of key questions at each step are described in this paper.

SummaryCommissioning has been defined as ‘The process of translating aspirations and need into timely and quality services’ (CSCI 2006). This paper describes the development of some practical guidance for people involved in commissioning services for individuals with learning disabilities. A national conference was organised in November 2005 to look at the question of ‘What works in learning disability services?’, i.e. what approaches have proven effectiveness in the planning, commissioning and provision of services for people with learning disabilities. This was followed by four workshops around Scotland to seek practitioners’ views on commissioning, at a strategic and at an individual level. From this, written and online guidelines were devised, based on seven steps with a number of associated key questions. These guidelines aim to inform commissioners about available research and good practice, and provide a method of recording the basis on which commissioners make their decisions for models of care and their experiences in a way that could be shared with others.
Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerases (PARPs) 1‐3 regulate astrocyte activation
Authors: Phulwani Nirmal K. , Kielian Tammy 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBesides their traditional role in maintaining CNS homeostasis, astrocytes also participate in innate immune responses. Indeed, we have previously demonstrated that astrocytes are capable of recognizing bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, a common etiologic agent of CNS infections, and respond with the robust production of numerous proinflammatory mediators. Suppression of Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1), a DNA repair enzyme, has been shown to attenuate inflammatory responses in several cell types including mixed glial cultures. However, a role for PARP‐1 in regulating innate immune responses in purified astrocytes and the potential for multiple PARP family members to cooperatively regulate astrocyte activation has not yet been examined. The synthetic PARP‐1 inhibitor PJ‐34 attenuated the production of several proinflammatory mediators by astrocytes in response to S. aureus stimulation including nitric oxide, interleukin‐1 beta, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, and CCL2. The release of all four mediators was partially reduced in PARP‐1 knockout (KO) astrocytes compared to wild‐type cells. The residual inflammatory mediator expression detected in PARP‐1 KO astrocytes was further blocked with PJ‐34, suggesting either non‐specific effects of the drug or actions on alternative PARP isoforms. Reduction in PARP‐2 or PARP‐3 expression by siRNA knock down revealed that these isoforms also contributed to inflammatory mediator regulation in response to S. aureus. Interestingly, the combined targeting of either PARP‐1/PARP‐2 or PARP‐2/PARP‐3 attenuated astrocyte inflammatory responses more effectively compared to knock down of either PARP alone, suggesting cooperativity between PARP isoforms. Collectively, these findings suggest that PARPs influence the extent of S. aureus‐induced astrocyte activation.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway mediates N‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)retinamide‐induced neuronal differentiation in the ARPE‐19 human retinal pigment epithelial cell line
Authors: Samuel William , Kutty R. Krishnan , Sekhar Sonia , Vijayasarathy Camasamudram , Wiggert Barbara , Redmond T. Michael 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe have shown previously that N‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4HPR, fenretinide), a retinoic acid derivative, induces neuronal differentiation in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells [Chen et al., J. Neurochem., 84 (2003), 972]. We asked the question whether the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is involved in the regulation of the 4HPR‐induced neuronal differentiation of RPE (ARPE‐19) cells. When we treated ARPE‐19 cells with 4HPR, c‐Raf and MEK1/2 kinase were activated resulting in activation of the downstream effector ERK1/2 and of SAPK/JNK. By blocking the upstream kinase MEK1/2 with specific inhibitor U0126 we abrogated the 4HPR‐induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK, indicating that the neuronal differentiation occurs through a positive cross‐talk between the ERK and the SAPK/JNK pathways. Both U0126 and the suppression of ERK1/2 expression with small interfering RNA effectively blocked the 4HPR‐induced neuronal differentiation of RPE cells and the expression of calretinin. The activated ERK1/2 then induced a sequential activation of p90RSK, and increase in phosphorylation of transcription factors c‐fos and c‐jun leading to transcriptional activation of AP‐1. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that c‐Raf/MEK1/2 signaling cascade involving ERK1/2 plays a central role in mediating the 4HPR‐induced neuronal differentiation and calretinin expression in the human ARPE‐19 retinal pigment epithelial cell line.
Exact optimal solutions of the minisum facility and transfer points location problems on a network
Authors: Sasaki Mihiro , Furuta Takehiro , Suzuki Atsuo 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe consider hierarchical facility location problems on a network called Multiple Location of Transfer Points (MLTP) and Facility and Transfer Points Location Problem (FTPLP), where q facilities and p transfer points are located and each customer goes to one of the facilities directly or via one of the transfer points. In FTPLP, we need to find an optimal location of both the facilities and the transfer points while the location of facilities is given in MLTP. Although good heuristics have been proposed for the minisum MLTP and FTPLP, no exact optimal solution has been tested due to the size of the problems. We show that the minisum MLTP can be formulated as a p‐median problem, which leads to obtaining an optimal solution. We also present a new formulation of FTPLP and an enumeration‐based approach to solve the problems with a single facility.
Integer programming solution approach for inventory‐production–distribution problems with direct shipments
Authors: Lejeune Miguel A. , Margot François 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe construct an integrated multi‐period inventory–production–distribution replenishment plan for three‐stage supply chains. The supply chain maintains close relationships with a small group of suppliers, and the nature of the products (bulk, chemical, etc.) makes it more economical to rely upon a direct shipment, full‐truck load distribution policy between supply chain nodes. In this paper, we formulate the problem as an integer linear program that proves challenging to solve due to the general integer variables associated with the distribution requirements. We propose new families of valid cover inequalities, and we derive a practical closed‐form expression for generating them, upon the determination of a single parameter. We study their performances through benchmarking several branch‐and‐bound and branch‐and‐cut approaches. Computational testing is performed using a large‐scale planning problem faced by a North American company.
Women with Golden Arms: Narco‐Trafficking in North America, 1910–1970
Authors: Carey Elaine 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAfter the arrests of a number of prominent women traffickers in 1975, the Federal Bureau of Investigation proclaimed that there was ‘no anti‐woman bias’ in the Latin American drug trade (New York Times, April 22, 1975). Long before, narcotics warriors in the US, Mexico, and Canada had monitored the activities of a number of prominent women traffickers. Using official documents, reports, and newspapers, this article examines five cases of women smugglers of opiates and marijuana who operated from the early 1910s to the 1960s. Two of the women lived in the US, two in Mexico, and one in China. For all of them, Mexico served as a source of supply, a site of transit, a point for contacts, and/or a place for peddling. In this study, I argue that women found lucrative opportunities in the trafficking of narcotics just as men. Moreover, this study challenges the masculine constructions of the narcotics trade by considering how female peddlers used certain spaces in the economy to develop their enterprises or how they exploited certain gendered stereotypes to undermine the law.
Neural basis of photo/chromatic sensitivity in adolescence
Authors: Yamasaki Takao , Goto Yoshinobu , Kinukawa Naoko , Tobimatsu Shozo 
Published: April 2008

Summary
Purpose: To determine a psychophysiological basis for age visual sensitivity to chromatic and achromatic stimuli.
Methods: We investigated the effects of achromatic and four isoluminant color combinations (blue/red, blue/green, green/red, and blue/yellow), luminance ratio changes in color combinations (blue/red; 1:1, 3:4, 4:3) and contrast changes (3 to 100%) on steady‐state electroretinograms (ERGs) and visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in 32 healthy teenagers and 30 young adults.
Results: We found that (1) dual peaks at 9 and 18 Hz with a dip at 12 Hz were observed in VEPs with all isoluminant color combinations, (2) VEP responses were significantly enhanced and the 12‐Hz dip became unclear with luminance ratio changes between two colors with a nonantagonistic relationship (blue/red), and (3) VEP amplitudes were significantly increased when the contrast was increased. These characteristics were more evident in teenagers than young adults; however, ERGs were qualitatively similar between the two groups.
Discussion: The visual cortex is differently modulated by different color‐luminance combinations, and higher sensitivity to color‐luminance combinations in the visual cortex in teenagers is responsible for the high prevalence of photo/chromatic sensitivity in adolescence.
A case‐control evaluation of the ketogenic diet versus ACTH for new‐onset infantile spasms
Authors: Kossoff Eric H. , Hedderick Erika F. , Turner Zahava , Freeman John M. 
Published: April 2008

Summary
Purpose: ACTH is currently the standard first‐line therapy for new‐onset infantile spasms, but it has significant side effects. We hypothesized the ketogenic diet (KD), previously reported as beneficial for intractable infantile spasms, would have similar efficacy, but better tolerability than ACTH when used first‐line.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all infants started on the KD (n = 13) and high‐dose ACTH (n = 20) for new‐onset infantile spasms at our institution since 1996.
Results: Infants were spasm‐free in 8 of 13 (62%) infants treated with the KD within 1 month, compared to 18 of 20 (90%) treated initially with ACTH, p = 0.06. When effective, median time to spasm freedom was similar between ACTH and the KD (4.0 vs. 6.5 days, p = 0.18). Those treated with ACTH were more likely to have a normal EEG at 1 month (53% vs. 9%, p = 0.02), however, use of the KD led to EEG normalization within 2–5 months in all eight who became spasm‐free. In the five children in whom the KD was unsuccessful, four became spasm‐free subsequently with ACTH or topiramate immediately. Side effects (31% vs. 80%, p = 0.006) and relapse rate after initial success (12.5% vs. 33%, p = 0.23) were lower with the KD.
Discussion: In this retrospective study, the KD stopped spasms in nearly two‐thirds of cases, and had fewer side effects and relapses than ACTH. ACTH normalized the EEG more rapidly, however. Further prospective study of the KD as, with a 2‐week time limit if unsuccesful, first‐line therapy for infantile spasms is warranted.
Plasmapheresis in asparaginase‐induced hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Kfoury‐Baz Elizabeth M. , Nassar Rabih A. , Tanios Rita F. , Otrock Zaher K. , Youssef Amira M. , Albany Costantine , Bazarbachi Ali , Salem Ziad M. 
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND: Asparaginase is an essential component of the chemotherapy regimens during the induction and intensification phases for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma. The administration of asparaginase can cause elevation of the triglyceride levels.CASE REPORT: This study reports the case of an adult patient presenting with acute pancreatitis secondary to severe hypertriglyceridemia after asparaginase treatment during the consolidation phase of lymphoblastic lymphoma. This condition was successfully treated with plasmapheresis.CONCLUSIONS: Our case demonstrates that plasmapheresis in severe cases of hypertriglyceridemia offers a safe and efficient treatment option for symptomatic patients.
Autologous serum eyedrops: literature review and implications for transfusion medicine specialists
Authors: Yamada Chisa , King Karen E. , Ness Paul M. 
Published: April 2008

Persistent corneal epithelial defects (CEDs) are caused by many diseases that are usually associated with decreased production of tears or reduced corneal sensitivity. Although surgical treatments are available for severe cases, CEDs are still difficult for ophthalmologists to treat.One treatment for CEDs that is uncommonly used in the United States is autologous serum eyedrops (ASEs). The first application of ASEs was described in 1984. This landmark report was followed by multiple studies that carefully evaluated the epithelial‐promoting properties of ASEs and refined the means of ASE preparation. A number of clinical studies suggested the efficacy of ASEs in various ophthalmologic conditions. This article reviews the efficacy and complications of ASE use reported in these studies. Given that ophthalmologists may consult the blood bank to request ASEs, transfusion medicine physicians should be aware of the issues related to ASE preparation, storage, and potential utility.