bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Mechanical Thrombectomy for Massive Pulmonary Embolism Using a Conservative Treatment Strategy
Authors: SPIES CHRISTIAN , KHANDELWAL ABHA , SMITH TIMOTHY H. , JOLLY NEERAJ , KAVINSKY CLIFFORD J. 
Published: November 2008

Introduction: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) for treatment of massive pulmonary embolism (PE) has been shown to be technically feasible, although the complication rate of the procedure appears relatively high. Whether a conservative treatment approach defined by an early termination of the PMT procedure once hemodynamic and clinical parameters of the patient have improved is associated with lower complication rates is unknown. We report our experience of PMT in patients with massive PE using the Angiojet system following a conservative treatment strategy.
Methods: From April 2003 until November 2007, 13 patients underwent PMT with the Angiojet system. Indications for PMT were massive PE and either failed thrombolysis or contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. All patients were deemed high risk for surgical thrombectomy.
Results: Technical success was achieved in 12 patients (92%). Mean systemic arterial pressure increased from 87 to 106 mmHg following PMT (P = 0.011), while the heart rate decreased from 119 to 97 beats per minute (P = 0.041). In‐hospital mortality was 15% (2 of 13 patients). No complications occurred which were attributable to the PMT procedure. Right ventricular size and function improved in the majority of patients following the PMT procedure.
Conclusion: Using a conservative treatment approach of PMT for the treatment of massive PE carries a low periprocedural complication rate. The low morbidity was achieved without compromising clinical outcome, documented by an in‐hospital mortality of 15%. PMT using a conservative treatment approach may result in comparable mortality, but lower morbidity than PMT using more aggressive, angiographically guided treatment strategies.
Vascular Brachytherapy for Patients with Drug‐Eluting Stent Restenosis
Authors: BONELLO LAURENT , KANESHIGE KIMBERLY , DE LABRIOLLE AXEL , ROY PROBAL , LEMESLE GILLES , TORGUSON REBECCA , SATLER LOWELL F. , PICHARD AUGUSTO D. , LINDSAY JOSEPH , WAKSMAN RON 
Published: November 2008

Background: The rate of drug‐eluting stent (DES) in‐stent restenosis (ISR) exceeds 10% in complex subsets of patients and lesions. The optimal management of DES ISR remains undetermined. Vascular brachytherapy (VBT) is proven to be effective for the treatment of bare metal stent ISR but its outcome for DES ISR has not been established.
Methods: Ninety‐nine consecutive patients who presented with ISR following DES implantation in 122 lesions were subjected to conventional percutaneous coronary intervention with adjunct VBT using either beta radiation (Beta Rail in 74 patients [82.2%] and the Galileo system in 13 patients [14.4%]) or gamma radiation (Checkmate system in 3 patients [3.3%]). Patients were followed clinically for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during 1‐year follow‐up.
Results: A high proportion of patients in this cohort presented with complex ISR; 31.1% had recurrences of ISR to the same site, 55% had diffuse or proliferate pattern of restenosis, and 23 lesions (18.9%) were located in a saphenous vein graft. Procedural success and uneventful in‐hospital course were documented in all patients post VBT. At 12 months' follow‐up, the target lesion revascularization (TLR) rate was 11% and the overall MACE rate was 26%. Patients with multiple episodes of ISR to the same site had a TLR of 16% and MACE rate of 35.5%.
Conclusions: VBT for the treatment of DES ISR was found to be effective and safe and should be considered for the treatment of DES ISR, in particular in complex patients with multiple recurrences.
Covalent linkage of heparin provides a stable anti‐coagulation surface of decellularized porcine arteries
Authors: Liao Dan , Wang Xinwen , Lin Peter H. , Yao Qizhi , Chen Changyi 
Published: November 2008

AbstractEstablishing thrombosis‐resistant surface is crucial to develop tissue‐engineered small diameter vascular grafts for arterial reconstructive procedures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability and anti‐coagulation properties of heparin covalently linked to decellularized porcine carotid arteries. Cellular components of porcine carotid arteries were completely removed with chemical and physical means. Heparin was covalently linked to the decellularized vessels by a chemical reaction of the carboxyl end of amino acids with hydroxylamine sulphate salt and heparin‐EDC. Bound heparin contents were measured by quantitative colorimetric assay of toluidine blue staining. The average content of heparin in treated vessels was 35.6 ± 11.6 mg/cm2 tissue, which represented 6.21 ± 2.03 UPS heparin/cm2 tissue. The stability of heparin linkage was tested by incubating the heparin‐linked vessels either in PBS at 37°C or in 70% alcohol at room temperature up to 21 days, showing no significant reduction of heparin content. Anti‐coagulation property of bound heparin was determined with a clotting time assay using fresh dog blood. Standardized small pieces of non‐heparin‐bound vessels were clotted in fresh dog blood within 10 min., whereas all heparin‐bound vessels did not form clot during 1‐hr observation. In vivo platelet deposition of the vessel was determined with a baboon model of the femoral arteriovenous external shunt and 111Indium labelling of platelets. There were 1.38 ± 0.07 × 109 and 0.64 ± 0.11×109 baboon platelets deposited on the control and heparin‐linked vessels, respectively, at 60 min. These data demonstrate that covalent linkage of heparin provides an effective and stable anti‐coagulation surface of decellularized porcine carotid arteries. This study may suggest a new strategy to develop tissue‐engineered biological vascular grafts, which could be used for human coronary or low extremity artery bypasses.
Non‐viral VEGF165 gene therapy – magnetofection of acoustically active magnetic lipospheres (‘magnetobubbles’) increases tissue survival in an oversized skin flap model
Authors: Holzbach Thomas , Vlaskou Dialekti , Neshkova Iva , Konerding Moritz A. , Wörtler Klaus , Mykhaylyk Olga , Gänsbacher Bernd , Machens H.‐G. , Plank Christian , Giunta Riccardo E. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAdenoviral transduction of the VEGF gene in an oversized skin flap increases flap survival and perfusion. In this study, we investigated the potential of magnetofection of magnetic lipospheres containing VEGF165‐cDNA on survival and perfusion of ischemic skin flaps and evaluated the method with respect to the significance of applied magnetic field and ultrasound. We prepared perfluoropropane‐filled magnetic lipospheres (‘magnetobubbles’) from Tween60‐coated magnetic nanoparticles, Metafectene, soybean‐oil and cDNA and studied the effect in an oversized random‐pattern‐flap model in the rats (n= 46). VEGF‐cDNA‐magnetobubbles were administered under a magnetic field with simultaneously applied ultrasound, under magnetic field alone and with applied ultrasound alone. Therapy was conducted 7 days pre‐operative. Flap survival and necrosis were measured 7 days post‐operatively. Flap perfusion, VEGF‐protein concentration in target and surrounding tissue, formation and appearance of new vessels were analysed additionally. Magnetofection with VEGF‐cDNA‐magnetobubbles presented an increased flap survival of 50% and increased flap perfusion (P < 0.05). Without ultrasound and without magnetic field, the effect is weakened. VEGF concentration in target tissue was elevated (P < 0.05), while underlying muscle was not affected. Our results demonstrate the successful VEGF gene therapy by means of magnetobubble magnetofection. Here, the method of magnetofection of magnetic lipospheres is equally efficient as adenoviral transduction, but has a presumable superior safety profile.
Epidemiology of traumatic dental injuries – a 12 year review of the literature
Authors: Glendor Ulf 
Published: November 2008

Abstract –  Background/Aim:  A traumatic dental injury (TDI) is a public dental health problem because of its frequency, occurrence at a young age, costs and that treatment may continue for the rest of the patient’s life. The aim of this paper is to present a12‐year, international review of the prevalence and incidence of TDIs including some background factors and a quick, easy method in registering TDIs to receive a primary understanding of the extent and severity of dental trauma.Material and method:  The databases of Medline, Cochrane, SSCI, SCI and CINAHL from 1995 to the present were used.Result:  The results indicate a high prevalence of TDIs in primary and permanent teeth and that TDIs exists throughout the world. The prevalence show that one third of all preschool children have suffered a TDI involving the primary dentition, one fourth of all school children and almost one third of adults have suffered a trauma to the permanent dentition, but variations exist both between and within countries. Activities of a person and the environment are probably more determining factors of TDIs than gender and age. A risk profile why some patients sustain multiple dental trauma episodes (MDTE) is necessary to present. All dental clinics should have a prospective ongoing registration of TDIs. The NUC method (N = no TDI, U = uncomplicated TDI, C = complicated TDI) presents if there has been any TDI and the severity of that trauma.Conclusion:  The trend of TDIs seems to be stable on a high level with variations largely reflecting local differences. Because of the complexity of TDIs, every dental clinic should have a prospective ongoing registration of number and severity of TDIs.
Bivariate flood frequency analysis: Part 1. Determination of marginals by parametric and nonparametric techniques
Authors: Karmakar S. , Simonovic S.P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn flood frequency analysis, a flood event is mainly characterized by peak flow, volume and duration. These three variables or characteristics of floods are random in nature and mutually correlated. In this article, an effort is made to find out appropriate marginal distribution of the flood characteristics considering a set of parametric and nonparametric distributions, and further mathematically model the correlated nature among them. A set of parametric distribution functions and nonparametric methods based on kernel density estimation and orthonormal series are used to determine the marginal distribution functions for peak flow, volume and duration. In conventional methods of flood frequency analysis, the marginal distribution functions of peak flow, volume and duration are assumed to follow some specific parametric distribution function. The present work performs a better selection of marginal distribution functions for flood characteristics as both parametric and nonparametric estimation procedures are extensively followed. The methodology is demonstrated with 70‐year stream flow data of Red River at Grand Forks of North Dakota, USA.
Voriconazole Increases while Itraconazole Decreases Plasma Meloxicam Concentrations
Authors: Hynninen V. V. , Olkkola K. T. , Bertilsson L. , Kurkinen K. J. , Korhonen T. , Neuvonen P. J. , Laine K. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effect of voriconazole, an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) and CYP3A4, and itraconazole, an inhibitor of CYP3A4, on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of meloxicam. Twelve healthy volunteers in a crossover study ingested 15 mg of meloxicam without pretreatment (control), after voriconazole pretreatment, and after itraconazole pretreatment. The plasma concentrations of meloxicam, voriconazole, itraconazole, and thromboxane B2(TxB2) generation were monitored. Compared to the control phase, voriconazole increased the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 72 h (AUC0-72) of meloxicam by 47% (P< 0.001) and prolonged its mean half-life (t1/2) by 51% (P< 0.01), without affecting its mean peak concentration (Cmax). In contrast, itraconazole decreased the mean AUC0-72andCmaxof meloxicam by 37% (P< 0.001) and by 64% (P< 0.001), respectively, and prolonged itst1/2and time toCmax. The plasma protein unbound fraction of meloxicam was unchanged by voriconazole and itraconazole. Lowered plasma meloxicam concentrations during the itraconazole phase were associated with decreased pharmacodymic effects of meloxicam, as observed by weaker inhibition of TxB2synthesis compared to the control and voriconazole phases. Voriconazole increases plasma concentrations of meloxicam, whereas itraconazole, unexpectedly, decreases plasma meloxicam concentrations, possibly by impairing its absorption.
Nalidixic Acid Disk for Laboratory Detection of Ciprofloxacin Resistance in
Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Enríquez Rocío , Abad Raquel , Salcedo Celia , Vázquez Julio A. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Recently the CLSI recommended a disk diffusion method and breakpoints for meningococci which include breakpoints derived for nalidixic acid which serve as surrogate markers for gyrase A mutations associated with diminished fluoroquinolone susceptibility. This study presents the application of this methodology to a panel of 57 meningococcal strains isolated in Spain that include all levels of susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. In conclusion, the most useful method to predict isolates with
gyrA
mutations that decrease the activity of fluoroquinolones is the use of 30-μg nalidixic acid disks.
Chitosan Acetate Bandage as a Topical Antimicrobial Dressing for Infected Burns
Authors: Dai Tianhong , Tegos George P. , Burkatovskaya Marina , Castano Ana P. , Hamblin Michael R. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTAn engineered chitosan acetate bandage preparation (HemCon) is used as a hemostatic dressing, and its chemical structure suggests that it should also be antimicrobial. We previously showed that when a chitosan acetate bandage was applied to full-thickness excisional wounds in mice that had been infected with pathogenic bioluminescent bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, andStaphylococcus aureus), it was able to rapidly kill the bacteria and save the mice from developing fatal infections. Wound healing was also stimulated. In the present study, we asked whether a chitosan acetate bandage could act as a topical antimicrobial dressing when it was applied to third-degree burns in mice contaminated with two of these bacterial species (P. aeruginosaandP. mirabilis). Preliminary experiments established the length of burn time and the number of bacteria needed to produce fatal infections in untreated mice and established that the chitosan acetate bandage could adhere to the infected burn for up to 21 days. In the case ofP. aeruginosainfections, the survival rate of mice treated with the chitosan acetate bandage was 73.3% (whereas the survival rate of mice treated with a nanocrystalline silver dressing was 27.3% [P= 0.0055] and that of untreated mice was 13.3% [P< 0.0002]). ForP. mirabilisinfections, the comparable survival rates were 66.7%, 62.5%, and 23.1% respectively. Quantitative bioluminescent signals showed that the chitosan acetate bandage effectively controlled the growth of bacteria in the burn and prevented the development of systemic sepsis, as shown by blood culture. These data suggest that chitosan acetate bandage is efficacious in preventing fatal burn infections.
Drug-Drug Interaction Study of Ketoconazole and Ritonavir-Boosted Saquinavir
Authors: Kaeser Benoite , Zandt Hagen , Bour Fabrice , Zwanziger Elke , Schmitt Christophe , Zhang Xiaoping 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Saquinavir, a potent human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor, is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4. Saquinavir is coadministered with ritonavir, a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, to boost its exposure. Ketoconazole is a potent CYP3A inhibitor. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of ketoconazole on the pharmacokinetics of saquinavir/ritonavir and vice versa using the approved dosage regimens of saquinavir/ritonavir at 1,000/100 mg twice daily and ketoconazole at 200 mg once daily. This was an open-label, randomized two-arm, one-sequence, two-period crossover study in healthy subjects. In study arm 1, 20 subjects received saquinavir/ritonavir treatment alone for 14 days, followed in combination with ketoconazole treatment for 14 days. In arm 2, 12 subjects received ketoconazole treatment for 6 days, followed in combination with saquinavir/ritonavir treatment for 14 days. The pharmacokinetics were assessed on the last day of each treatment (days 14 and 28 in arm 1 and days 6 and 20 in arm 2). The exposures
C
max
and the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 h (AUC
0-12
) of saquinavir and ritonavir with or without ketoconazole were not substantially altered after 2 weeks of concomitant dosing with ketoconazole. The
C
max
and AUC
0-12
of ketoconazole, dosed at 200 mg once daily, were increased by 45% (90% confidence interval = 32 to 59%) and 168% (90% confidence interval = 146 to 193%), respectively, after 2 weeks of concomitant dosing with ritonavir-boosted saquinavir (1,000 mg of saquinavir/100 mg of ritonavir given twice daily). The greater exposure to ketoconazole when given in combination with saquinavir/ritonavir was not associated with unacceptable safety or tolerability. No dose adjustment for saquinavir/ritonavir (1,000/100 mg twice daily) is required when coadministered with 200 mg of ketoconazole once daily, and high doses of ketoconazole (>200 mg/day) are not recommended.
Giardia
,
Entamoeba
, and
Trichomonas
Enzymes Activate Metronidazole (Nitroreductases) and Inactivate Metronidazole (Nitroimidazole Reductases)
Authors: Pal Dibyarupa , Banerjee Sulagna , Cui Jike , Schwartz Aaron , Ghosh Sudip K. , Samuelson John 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Infections with
Giardia lamblia
,
Entamoeba histolytica
, and
Trichomonas vaginalis
, which cause diarrhea, dysentery, and vaginitis, respectively, are each treated with metronidazole. Here we show that
Giardia
,
Entamoeba
, and
Trichomonas
have oxygen-insensitive nitroreductase (
ntr
) genes which are homologous to those genes that have nonsense mutations in metronidazole-resistant
Helicobacter pylori
isolates.
Entamoeba
and
Trichomonas
also have
nim
genes which are homologous to those genes expressed in metronidazole-resistant
Bacteroides fragilis
isolates. Recombinant
Giardia
,
Entamoeba
, and
Trichomonas
nitroreductases used NADH rather than the NADPH used by
Helicobacter
, and two recombinant
Entamoeba
nitroreductases increased the metronidazole sensitivity of transformed
Escherichia coli
strains. Conversely, the recombinant nitroimidazole reductases (NIMs) of
Entamoeba
and
Trichmonas
conferred very strong metronidazole resistance to transformed bacteria. The Eh
ntr1
gene of the genome project HM-1:IMSS strain of
Entamoeba histolytica
had a nonsense mutation, and the same nonsense mutation was present in 3 of 22 clinical isolates of
Entamoeba
. While
ntr
and
nim
mRNAs were variably expressed by cultured
Entamoeba
and
Trichomonas
isolates, there was no relationship to metronidazole sensitivity. We conclude that microaerophilic protists have bacterium-like enzymes capable of activating metronidazole (nitroreductases) and inactivating metronidazole (NIMs). While
Entamoeba
and
Trichomonas
displayed some of the changes (nonsense mutations and gene overexpression) associated with metronidazole resistance in bacteria, these changes did not confer metronidazole resistance to the microaerophilic protists examined here.
A 6-Aminoquinolone Compound, WC5, with Potent and Selective Anti-Human Cytomegalovirus Activity
Authors: Mercorelli Beatrice , Muratore Giulia , Sinigalia Elisa , Tabarrini Oriana , Biasolo Maria Angela , Cecchetti Violetta , Palù Giorgio , Loregian Arianna 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTWe identified a 6-aminoquinolone compound, WC5, that inhibits human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication with a selectivity index of ∼500. WC5 also showed activity against drug-resistant HCMV strains. In contrast, it did not significantly affect the replication of human herpesvirus 6 and 8 and was ∼10-fold less active against murine cytomegalovirus. Thus, WC5 may represent a lead for the development of new, potent, and selective anti-HCMV compounds.
Abc1p Is a Multidrug Efflux Transporter That Tips the Balance in Favor of Innate Azole Resistance in
Candida krusei
Authors: Lamping Erwin , Ranchod Amrita , Nakamura Kenjirou , Tyndall Joel D. A. , Niimi Kyoko , Holmes Ann R. , Niimi Masakazu , Cannon Richard D. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Most
Candida krusei
strains are innately resistant to fluconazole (FLC) and can cause breakthrough candidemia in immunocompromised individuals receiving long-term prophylactic FLC treatment. Although the azole drug target, Erg11p, of
C. krusei
has a relatively low affinity for FLC, drug efflux pumps are also believed to be involved in its innate FLC resistance. We describe here the isolation and characterization of Abc1p, a constitutively expressed multidrug efflux pump, and investigate
ERG11
and
ABC1
expression in
C. krusei
. Examination of the
ERG11
promoter revealed a conserved azole responsive element that has been shown to be necessary for the transcription factor Upc2p mediated upregulation by azoles in related yeast. Extensive cloning and sequencing identified three distinct
ERG11
alleles in one of two
C. krusei
strains. Functional overexpression of
ERG11
and
ABC1
in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
conferred high levels of resistance to azoles and a range of unrelated Abc1p pump substrates, while small molecule inhibitors of Abc1p chemosensitized
C. krusei
to azole antifungals. Our data show that despite the presence of multiple alleles of
ERG11
in some, likely aneuploid,
C. krusei
strains, it is mainly the low affinity of Erg11p for FLC, together with the constitutive but low level of expression of the multidrug efflux pump Abc1p, that are responsible for the innate FLC resistance of
C. krusei
.
Differential Effects of Inhibiting Chitin and 1,3-β-
d
-Glucan Synthesis in Ras and Calcineurin Mutants of
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Fortwendel Jarrod R. , Juvvadi Praveen Rao , Pinchai Nadthanan , Perfect B. Zachary , Alspaugh J. Andrew , Perfect John R. , Steinbach William J. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus fumigatus
must be able to properly form hyphae and maintain cell wall integrity in order to establish invasive disease. Ras proteins and calcineurin each have been implicated as having roles in these processes. Here, we further delineate the roles of calcineurin and Ras activity in cell wall biosynthesis and hyphal morphology using genetic and pharmacologic tools. Strains deleted for three genes encoding proteins of these pathways,
rasA
(the Ras protein),
cnaA
(calcineurin), or
crzA
(the zinc finger transcription factor downstream of calcineurin), all displayed decreased cell wall 1,3-β-
d
-glucan content. Echinocandin treatment further decreased the levels of 1,3-β-
d
-glucan for all strains tested yet also partially corrected the hyphal growth defect of the Δ
rasA
strain. The inhibition of glucan synthesis caused an increase in chitin content for wild-type, dominant-active
rasA
, and Δ
rasA
strains. However, this important compensatory response was diminished in the calcineurin pathway mutants (Δ
cnaA
and Δ
crzA
). Taken together, our data suggest that the Ras and calcineurin pathways act in parallel to regulate cell wall formation and hyphal growth. Additionally, the calcineurin pathway elements
cnaA
and
crzA
play a major role in proper chitin and glucan incorporation into the
A. fumigatus
cell wall.