bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Normal Quality of Life after the Cox-Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Melby Spencer J. , Zierer Andreas , Lubahn Jordon G. , Bailey Marci S. , Cox James L. , Schuessler Richard B. , Damiano Ralph J. 
Published: November 2008

Objective Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been shown in numerous studies to significantly decrease patient's quality of life. The Cox-Maze procedure has excellent long-term efficacy in curing AF. However, it is unknown whether this procedure improves long-term quality of life in these patients. The purpose of this study was to examine late quality of life in patients who underwent a lone Cox-Maze procedure. Methods Between 1987 and 2003, 163 patients underwent a Cox-Maze procedure for lone AF at our institution. Of these, 68 patients agreed and completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey. Scores from the age-matched general U.S. population were normalized to a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 to facilitate comparison. Collected data were compared with the norm-based score for each domain using a one-sample t test. Four patients were removed from the analysis because of AF recurrence. Results There were 52 males (81%). Mean age was 52.6 ± 9.5 years. Preoperatively, 37 patients (58%) had paroxysmal and 25 patients (39%) had persistent or permanent AF. The mean duration of AF before surgery was 9.8 ± 8.2 years. There was no statistical difference in norm-based scores between the Cox-Maze procedure group and the age-matched general U.S. population in any of the eight health domains at a mean follow-up of 8.7 ± 3.7 years. Conclusion Our results suggest that the Cox-Maze procedure cures AF in the majority of patients, and that those patients who are cured had a normal quality of life when compared with the general population at late follow-up.
Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c Predicts Sternal Wound Infection after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery with Bilateral versus Single Internal Thoracic Artery Grafts
Authors: Halkos Michael E. , Thourani Vinod H. , Lattouf Omar M. , Kilgo Patrick , Guyton Robert A. , Puskas John D. 
Published: November 2008

Objective Bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafting during coronary artery bypass (CABG) improves long-term and event-free survival but may carry a higher risk of wound complications. It is unknown whether preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a measure of long-term glucose control, predicts deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) after BITA grafting. Methods Of 6356 consecutive patients who underwent isolated CABG between January 1, 2002 and March 30, 2007 and received at least one internal thoracic artery graft, 5199 (81.8%) had preoperative HbA1c levels obtained. BITA grafting was performed in 622 (9.8%) patients. A propensity score measured each patient's probability of having BITA versus single ITA based on 52 risk factors. The primary endpoint was DSWI. Multivariable logistic models with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) examined the effect of HbA1c, BITA grafting, and their interaction on outcomes, adjusted for the propensity score and postoperative glucose levels. Results Patients undergoing BITA grafting with HbA1c ≥7% had a higher incidence of DSWI compared with patients with HbA1c <7% (5.0% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.014). After multivariable adjustment, BITA was associated with an increased risk of DSWI (AOR = 2.84, 95% confidence interval 1.41–5.74) in all patients (P = 0.004). For each unit increase in HbA1c, there was a 31% increased risk of DSWI (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.16–1.49, P < 0.001). Patients with HbA1c ≥7% had 2.88-fold increase in DSWI compared with patients with HbA1c <7%. Conclusions Elevated preoperative HbA1c and BITA grafting were significant predictors of DSWI after CABG. Elevated HbA1c level should be considered in the risk/benefit analysis when selecting patients for BITA grafting.
Intra‐hepatic arterial administration with miriplatin suspended in an oily lymphographic agent inhibits the growth of human hepatoma cells orthotopically implanted in nude rats
Authors: Hanada Mitsuharu , Baba Akemi , Tsutsumishita Yasuyuki , Noguchi Toshihiro , Yamaoka Takashi 
Published: November 2008

Miriplatin is a lipophilic platinum complex which contains myristates as leaving groups and diaminocyclohexane as a carrier ligand. In order to examine in vivo the antitumor activities of miriplatin suspended in an oily lymphographic agent (Lipiodol Ultra‐Fluide®, LPD) against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after the intra‐hepatic arterial administration, we have developed a novel orthotopic model of HCC in which the human hepatoma cell line Li‐7 was successively implanted and maintained in the liver of nude rats. Li‐7 tumors established in nude rat livers displayed a trabecular structure similar to their original morphology, and were exclusively supplied by the hepatic artery, suggesting that they exhibited in part the conditions of human HCC. Miriplatin suspended in LPD (miriplatin/LPD) administered into the hepatic artery of this model dose‐dependently inhibited the growth of Li‐7 tumors without markedly enhancing body weight loss and caused a significant reduction in the growth rate at a dose of 400 µg/head compared to LPD alone. In addition, at the therapeutic dose, miriplatin/LPD as well as cisplatin suspended in LPD (400 µg/head) was shown to be more active than zinostatin stimalamer suspended in LPD (20 µg/head) against Li‐7 tumors after a single intra‐hepatic arterial administration. These results suggest miriplatin to be a suitable candidate for use in transarterial chemoembolization (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 189–194)
Vasohibin‐1 in human breast carcinoma: A potential negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis
Authors: Tamaki Kentaro , Moriya Takuya , Sato Yasufumi , Ishida Takanori , Maruo Yohei , Yoshinaga Kousuke , Ohuchi Noriaki , Sasano Hironobu 
Published: November 2008

Vasohibin‐1 is a recently identified negative feedback inhibitor or suppressor of angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A. The status of vasohibin‐1 in human breast carcinoma has not been examined. We examined 151 breast specimens including 98 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), 12 of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 16 of fibroadenoma (FA), six of inflammatory lesion, nine of fibrocystic change and seven of non‐pathological breast tissue. We immunolocalized vasohibin‐1 and compared its immunoreactivity to that of VEGF‐A, basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), VEGF receptor 2 (Flk‐1), CD31, CD34 and Ki‐67/MIB‐1. The correlation of vasohibin‐1 immunoreactivity with overall survival (OS), and disease‐free survival (DFS) of the patients with breast carcinoma was also evaluated. In addition, we evaluated Ki‐67 and CD31, and Ki‐67 and vasohibin‐1 double‐immunostaining for further characterization of neovascularization. Vasohibin‐1 was detected in endothelial cells of human breast and its immunodensity was significantly higher in IDC and inflammatory lesions than the other types (P < 0.001). In addition, a significant positive correlation was detected between vasohibin‐1 and VEGF‐A, bFGF or Flk‐1 (P < 0.001). There was also positive associations between vasohibin‐1 and OS (P = 0.004) and between vasohibin‐1 and DFS (P ≤ 0.001) in carcinoma cases. Results of double‐immunostaining demonstrated the ratio of Ki‐67‐positive cells among vasohibin‐1‐positive endothelial cells (46.5%) was significantly higher than those among CD31‐positive cells (23.5%). This is the first study demonstrating the status of vasohibin‐1 in human breast lesions, which indicates that vasohibin‐1 is associated with neovascularization and may especially play important roles in the regulation of intratumoral angiogenesis in human breast cancer. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 88–94)
Visualization of novel virulence activities of the Xanthomonas type III effectors AvrBs1, AvrBs3 and AvrBs4
Authors: GÜRLEBECK DOREEN , JAHN SIMONE , GÜRLEBECK NORMAN , SZCZESNY ROBERT , SZUREK BORIS , HAHN SIMONE , HAUSE GERD , BONAS ULLA 
Published: November 2008

SUMMARY Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria secretes at least 20 effector proteins through the type III secretion system directly into plant cells. In this study, we uncovered virulence activities of the effector proteins AvrBs1, AvrBs3 and AvrBs4 using Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression of the corresponding genes in Nicotiana benthamiana, followed by microscopic analyses. We showed that, in addition to the nuclear‐localized AvrBs3, the effector AvrBs1, which localizes to the plant cell cytoplasm, also induces a morphological change in mesophyll cells. Comparative analyses revealed that avrBs3‐expressing plant cells contain highly active nuclei. Furthermore, plant cells expressing avrBs3 or avrBs1 show a decrease in the starch content in chloroplasts and an increased number of vesicles, indicating an enlargement of the central vacuole and the cell wall. Both AvrBs1 and AvrBs3 cause an increased ion efflux when expressed in N. benthamiana. By contrast, expression of the avrBs3 homologue avrBs4 leads to large catalase crystals in peroxisomes, suggesting a possible virulence function of AvrBs4 in the suppression of the plant defence responses. Taken together, our data show that microscopic inspection can uncover subtle and novel virulence activities of type III effector proteins.
Clinical trial: the efficacy, impact on quality of life, and safety and tolerability of prucalopride in severe chronic constipation – a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: QUIGLEY E. M. M. , VANDEPLASSCHE L. , KERSTENS R. , AUSMA J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground Chronic constipation may result in disabling symptoms, is often unsatisfactorily treated by laxatives and negatively impacts quality of life (QoL).Aim A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase III trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a selective, high‐affinity 5‐HT4receptor agonist, prucalopride, in patients with chronic constipation [≤2 spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBMs)/week].Methods Placebo, 2 or 4 mg prucalopride was administered orally once daily, for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients with ≥3 SCBMs/week, averaged over 12 weeks. Other assessments included BM frequency, constipation‐related QoL and symptoms and tolerability.Results Among 641 patients, significantly more patients taking prucalopride 2 or 4 mg (24%) than placebo (12%), achieved the primary efficacy endpoint (≥3 SCBMs/week) or an increase of ≥1 SCBMs/week; 43% and 47% vs. 28% respectively. Prucalopride‐treated patients also achieved significantly greater satisfaction with treatment and bowel function, and improved perception of constipation severity and constipation‐related QoL, compared with placebo. Most frequent treatment‐related adverse events were headache, abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea (mainly during day 1). There were no differences in comparison to placebo in the incidence of serious adverse effects or cardiovascular events.Conclusion Over 12 weeks, prucalopride was effective and well tolerated in chronic constipation.
Systematic review: pancreatic enzyme treatment of malabsorption associated with chronic pancreatitis
Authors: WALJEE A. K. , DIMAGNO M. J. , WU B. U. , SCHOENFELD P. S. , CONWELL D. L. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Pancreatic enzyme supplementation is standard treatment for malabsorption caused by chronic pancreatitis. The FDA recently required all manufacturers to submit New Drug Applications to continue to market these agents because published data demonstrated variation in formulation, bioavailability and shelf‐life while providing limited data about efficacy and safety.Aim  To review systematically the design and results of randomized, parallel‐design trials of pancreatic enzyme supplements in chronic pancreatitis patients with steatorrhea.Methods  A computer‐assisted search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed to identify relevant studies. Two authors performed duplicate data extraction on study design, improvement in coefficient of fat absorption (CFA), diarrhoea and adverse events using pre‐specified forms. Agreement between investigators for data extraction was greater than 95%.Results  Of 619 articles found through literature searching, 20 potentially relevant articles were identified and four manuscripts met inclusion criteria. No studies performed head‐to‐head comparisons of different supplements. Enzyme supplementation is more likely to improve CFA compared with placebo, but fat malabsorption remained abnormal. Important differences in patient population, study endpoint, study design, pancreatic enzyme dosage and measurement of CFA were present across trials, which precluded comparison of different agents.Conclusions  Enzyme supplementation improves CFA compared to placebo, but may not abolish steatorrhoea.
Plasma lipids and inflammation in active inflammatory bowel diseases
Authors: ROMANATO G. , SCARPA M. , ANGRIMAN I. , FAGGIAN D. , RUFFOLO C. , MARIN R. , ZAMBON S. , BASATO S. , ZANONI S. , FILOSA T. , PILON F. , MANZATO E. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) can cause metabolic and inflammatory alterations.Aim  To evaluate the relationships between inflammatory parameters, plasma lipids and phospholipid fatty acid (FA) composition in patients with active UC and CD.Methods  Diet, the Harvey–Bradshaw Activity Index (HBAI), inflammatory parameters, lipoproteins and FA composition were assessed in 60 CD and 34 UC.Results  No differences in clinical parameters were observed in the two groups. Total cholesterol correlated inversely with the number of bowel movements in both groups and directly with BMI in UC. Arachidonic acid correlated inversely with HBAI in UC and total and HDL cholesterol were inversely related to C‐reactive protein (CRP) in CD while HDL correlated with CRP in UC. Docosapentaenoic acid was the only polyunsaturated n‐3 FA that was correlated to CRP in both groups. Total cholesterol was independently associated in the multiple regression analysis with the number of bowel movements and systemic inflammation.Conclusions  Total and LDL cholesterol were lower in the active UC and CD than in the healthy subjects and were correlated with the systemic inflammatory status. Phospholipid FA composition was correlated to the systemic inflammatory status, but was unrelated to dietary intake and intestinal disease activity.
Systematic review: open, small‐incision or laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis
Authors: KEUS F. , GOOSZEN H. G. , VAN LAARHOVEN C. J. H. M. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the method of choice for gallbladder removal, although evidence of superiority over open and small‐incision cholecystectomy is lacking.Aim  To compare the effects of open, small‐incision and laparoscopic cholecystectomy techniques for patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis.Methods  We conducted updated searches until January 2007 in multiple databases. We assessed bias risk.Results  Fifty‐nine trials randomized 5556 patients. No significant differences in primary outcomes (mortality and complications) were found among all three techniques. Both minimal invasive techniques show advantages over open cholecystectomy in terms of convalescence. Small‐incision cholecystectomy showed shorter operative time compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (random effects, weighted mean difference, 16.4 min; 95% confidence interval, 8.9–23.8), but the two techniques did not differ regarding hospital stay and conversions.Conclusions  No significant differences in mortality and complications were found among all three techniques. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and small‐incision cholecystectomy are preferred over open cholecystectomy for quicker convalescence. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and small‐incision cholecystectomy show no clear differences on patient outcomes.
Clinical trial: comparison of alendronate and alfacalcidol in glucocorticoid‐associated osteoporosis in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: KITAZAKI S. , MITSUYAMA K. , MASUDA J. , HARADA K. , YAMASAKI H. , KUWAKI K. , TAKEDATSU H. , SUGIYAMA G. , TSURUTA O. , SATA M. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Bone loss is often observed in patients with ulcerative colitis, particularly if they require glucocorticoids.Aim  To determine whether the bisphosphonate, alendronate, is safe and effective in preserving bone mass compared to the active vitamin D3, alfacalcidol, in ulcerative colitis patients receiving glucocorticoids.Methods  Thirty‐nine patients with ulcerative colitis and treated with glucocorticoids were randomized to receive alendronate (5 mg/day) or alfacalcidol (1 μg/day) daily for 12 months. Loss of bone mass was evaluated by bone mineral density, bone resorption by urinary N‐telopeptide for type I collagen, and bone formation by serum bone alkaline phosphatase.Results  Alendronate, but not alfacalcidol, significantly increased bone mineral density in the lumbar spine. Alendronate decreased serum bone alkaline phosphatase levels, but alfacalcidol did not. Urinary N‐telopeptide for type I collagen levels decreased in both groups, but were significantly lower in the alendronate group. There were no significant differences in the adverse events in the two groups.Conclusion  Our study indicates that alendronate is a safe, well‐tolerated and more effective therapy than alfacalcidol for preventing glucocorticoid‐associated bone loss in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Socio‐demographic factors influence chronic proton pump inhibitor use by a large population in the Netherlands
Authors: Van BOXEL O. S. , HAGENAARS M. P. , SMOUT A. J. P. M. , SIERSEMA P. D. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Chronic proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use is common in the Western world. Socio‐economic status and socio‐demographic factors have been shown to influence decisions related to prescribing of various drugs, but the influence of these factors on chronic PPI use is uncertain.Aim  To study the influence of SES and socio‐demographic factors on chronic PPI use.Methods  Data were collected from a database of a Dutch health insurance company. Subjects having had at least one prescription for a PPI were identified and followed up for 6 months. Patients were then subdivided into chronic PPI users. Socio‐demographic status was based on neighbourhood level of residence. Logistic regression was performed to determine socio‐demographic factors associated with PPI use.Results  A total of 2 001 787 insured individuals were included, 85 253 subjects were chronic users. Both low income (OR 1.55; CI 1.52–1.58) and low educational level (OR 1.33; CI 1.31–1.36) were associated with chronic PPI use. Other independent predictive variables included use of 10 or more concomitant medications (OR 5.33; CI 4.96–5.72) and the use of prokinetic drugs (OR 10.01; CI 9.22–10.88).Conclusions  Patients of a lower socio‐demographic status are more likely to use PPIs on a chronic basis. The observed gradient in PPIs use may reflect differences in health, healthcare use or healthcare supply.
Adalimumab for Crohn’s disease with intolerance or lost response to infliximab: a 3‐year single‐centre experience
Authors: OUSSALAH A. , BABOURI A. , CHEVAUX J.‐B. , STANCU L. , TROUILLOUD I. , BENSENANE M. , BOUCEKKINE T. , BIGARD M.‐A. , PEYRIN‐BIROULET L. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground  Adalimumab is effective in inducing clinical remission in patients with Crohn’s disease who lost response or became intolerant to infliximab.Aim  To evaluate long‐term efficacy and safety of adalimumab as a second line therapy in luminal and fistulizing Crohn’s disease.Methods  We report our single‐centre experience in 53 patients. We evaluated maintenance of clinical response defined as the absence of adverse events leading to drug withdrawal, no major abdominal surgery and no loss of clinical response in initial responders. Major abdominal surgery, steroid sparing, complete fistula closure and safety were also assessed.Results  The probability of maintaining clinical response was 77.2%, 67.8% and 50.8% at 26, 52 and 130 weeks respectively. The probability of remaining major abdominal surgery‐free was 82.3% at 26, 52 and 130 weeks. Complete fistula closure occurred in six of 10 patients, and eight of 10 patients were able to taper steroid therapy. Adverse events occurred in 31 patients (58.5%) leading to adalimumab withdrawal in nine patients (17%).Conclusion  Adalimumab therapy may be effective in the long term in both luminal and fistulizing Crohn’s disease in infliximab‐failure patients, half of patients maintaining clinical response and potentially avoiding major abdominal surgery in 80% of cases.
Effects of hospital policies and practices on initiation and duration of breastfeeding
Authors: Manganaro R. , Marseglia L. , Mamì C. , Paolata A. , Gargano R. , Mondello M. , Puliafito A. , Gemelli M. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractBackground  The aim of this study was to verify if hospital policies and practices, independently of main maternal sociodemographic determinants, influence initiation and duration of breastfeeding.Methods  The study was carried out at the Immunization Centre of Messina where all infants born in the four maternity wards of Messina are vaccinated, using a structured questionnaire, constructed in conformity with the methodology suggested by the WHO.Results  Data analysis, performed by non‐parametric and multivariate analysis of variance and by Kaplan–Meier curves, showed that the highest probability rate (P < 0.001) of initiation and duration of breastfeeding, independently of maternal age, parity, education levels, smoke and work was found in infants born in a University Hospital, characterized by earlier times of first suckling, longer hospital stay and higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge.Conclusion  Our data emphasize the role and responsibility of hospital policies and practices in the promotion, and in the duration of breastfeeding.
Impact of native, heat‐processed and encapsulated hazelnuts on the allergic response in hazelnut‐allergic patients
Authors: Worm M. , Hompes S. , Fiedler E.‐M. , Illner A.‐K. , Zuberbier T. , Vieths S. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground
Pollen‐associated food allergy is common. However, systemic reactions or even life‐threatening anaphylaxis are rare.Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical impact of native, heat‐processed and encapsulated hazelnuts (HN) in patients with proven HN allergy.Methods
One hundred and thirty‐two patients with a positive history of HN allergy were recruited. Sensitization was confirmed by a skin prick test (SPT) and sIgE against HN. After an HN‐free diet, double‐blind placebo‐controlled challenges were performed with increasing amounts of native and roasted HN. A subset of patients were given HN capsules to circumvent the oral mucosa. Basophil activation was measured by flow cytometry before and after provocation but also ex vivo using native and roasted HN extracts.Results
Three groups of HN‐allergic patients were identified depending on their clinical reaction pattern. The dosages by which allergic reactions were elicitated varied for native HN from 0.01 to 2.0 g, with a median of 0.1 g, for roasted HN from 0.01 to 10.0 g, with a median of 0.23 g, and for encapsulated HN from 0.1 to 3.0 g, with a median of 0.3 g. Accordingly, the SPT was more frequently positive and resulted in greater weal reactions if native HN was used. This finding was confirmed by ex vivo basophil activation showing that significantly higher allergen extract concentrations (roasted>native) were necessary to induce 50% basophil activation.Conclusion
Our data show that heat processing of HN reduces its allergenicity. SPT but also the basophil activation test can be used to determine the reactivity of an allergen extract.