bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innate and adaptive immunity in patients with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy
Authors: Perniola R. , Congedo M. , Rizzo A. , Damiani A. Sticchi , Faneschi M. L. , Pizzolante M. , Lobreglio G. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAutoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is an autosomal recessive syndrome characterised by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) and multiple endocrine failures. While the spectrum and modalities of autoimmunity are the main objects of current research into APECED, unequivocal data on the efficiency of immune responses to infectious agents are still elusive. The in vitro ability of monocytes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes to phagocytise and kill bacteria and fungi, and the degree of activation of lymphocytes cultured with mitogens and Candida albicans were investigated by flow cytometry in 11 APECED patients and healthy subjects. In addition, a comparison of γ‐globulin and immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations was performed, and a correlation was sought between oral fungal load and the anti‐Candida antibody titre. No difference between APECED patients and healthy subjects was observed in the phagocyte function, although the patients had a larger number of monocytes. Similarly, cultured lymphocytes were equally activated in the two groups. The concentration of γ‐globulins was higher among APECED patients, and anti‐Candida IgM and IgG correlated with current and past oral candidiasis respectively. APECED patients have efficient innate and adaptive immune responses against exogenous stimuli, and currently, the mechanisms of mucocutaneous anergy leading to the high prevalence of CMC in this syndrome remain to be elucidated.
Current scenario of cryptococcosis and antifungal susceptibility pattern in India: a cause for reappraisal
Authors: Capoor Malini Rajinder , Mandal Piyali , Deb Monorama , Aggarwal Pushpa , Banerjee Uma 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThis study analysed the spectrum, antifungal susceptibility pattern, clinical course and molecular epidemiology of cryptococcosis. Four hundred and thirty‐nine samples obtained from 378 meningitis patients were processed by standard procedures. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole and amphotericin B for the isolates was tested by broth micro dilution and by E‐strip method. Molecular analysis by random amplified polymorphic DNA‐PCR of eight isolates was performed using M13 primer. Cryptococcosis was diagnosed in 35 patients [HIV‐1 seropositive (19) and apparently immunocompetent (16)]. Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans (serotype A and D) was the predominant isolate on phenotypic identification. Three C. neoformans var. gattii were isolated from HIV‐1 seropositive (2) and apparently immunocompetent (1) patients. MIC 90 for amphotericin B and fluconazole were 1 and 8 μg ml−1 respectively. On RAPD‐PCR, less diversity was seen among Indian isolates. AIDS remains the single most important risk factor for cryptococcosis. Rising MIC of the available induction and maintenance drugs is of grave concern. The DNA typing technique showed less diversity among Indian strains. Routine surveillance and application of molecular typing methods are crucial to know the baseline and existing pattern of cryptococcosis.
Carcinoid tumours of the testis
Authors: Stroosma Otto B. , Delaere Karl P.J. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo review previous reports of carcinoid (an endocrine tumour mostly of the gastrointestinal tract) tumours of the testis.METHODSCarcinoid tumours of the testis are rare and can be divided into primary carcinoid (group 1), testicular metastasis from another location (group 2) and carcinoid within a testicular teratoma (group 3). A case of testicular carcinoid within our clinic prompted us to review previous reports; all the cases found were assessed for patient and tumour characteristics, diagnostic tools used, treatment and prognosis.RESULTSIn all, 62 cases were assessed and divided into groups 1 (44 patients), 2 (six) and 3 (12), respectively. Seven patients in group 1 developed metastases. A wide variety of diagnostic tools was used to search for other tumour sites. All patients were treated with orchidectomy. Three patients with a primary carcinoid were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (two) or radiotherapy (one), with unknown results. All but one of the nine patients who died were known to have metastasis, either from a primary testicular carcinoid or testicular metastases from an intestinal carcinoid.CONCLUSIONWhen a testicular carcinoid tumour is discovered, other tumour sites should be excluded. The most useful diagnostic tools for this purpose seem to be urinary 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid measurement, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy, computed tomography and video‐capsule endoscopy. Localized testicular carcinoid tumours have an excellent prognosis after orchidectomy.
Re‐operation rates after permanent sacral nerve stimulation for refractory voiding dysfunction in women
Authors: Blandon Roberta E. , Gebhart John B. , Lightner Deborah J. , Klingele Christopher J. 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVESTo describe the development of screening tests and to identify re‐operation rates after the permanent implant phase, and its characteristics, of the Interstim® (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MI, USA) device for sacral nerve stimulation (SNS).PATIENTS AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the charts of women who had SNS between January 1998 and December 2005; their demographic, clinical and surgical information was abstracted. Descriptive statistics, chi‐square and analysis of variance were used to compare the results.RESULTSIn all, 95 patients had 105 test procedures; 30 peripheral nerve evaluation (PNE) and 75 staged tined leads. Response rates were lower in the PNE than in the tined lead (40% vs 67%, P = 0.01). The indication for SNS was associated with the response rate, with urinary retention having the highest response (71%, P = 0.01). For the 55 implanted devices, there were 18 revisions (33%) and eight explants (15%). The main reasons for revision or explants were loss of efficacy (16/26) and pain at the implant site (six of 26). The median (range) time to intervention after implantation was 17 (1.2–75.0) months, and this was significantly associated with the indication. Revisions due to pain at the implant site were within the first year, and re‐operations due to loss of efficacy after 1–2 years, whereas battery replacement was required on average 4 years after initial implantation.CONCLUSIONSThis study confirms the higher response rates of the tined‐lead staged technique over PNE. Unobstructive urinary retention had the highest response rates. The reason for revision appeared to be largely predicted by the length of time since implantation.
Outcomes related to placing an artificial urinary sphincter using a single‐incision, transverse‐scrotal technique in high‐risk patients
Authors: Sotelo Tiffany M. , Westney O. Lenaine 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo determine, in a retrospective review, whether the single‐incision technique for placing an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is as effective and as safe as the traditional two‐incision approach in high‐risk patients, as there have been questions about the efficacy and safety of a single incision, transverse‐scrotal technique for placing the AUS.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom January 2000 to May 2006, 83 patients had an AUS placed using a single‐incision, transverse‐scrotal approach. Emphasis was put on placing the cuff around the proximal aspect of the bulbar urethra. The charts of the patients were reviewed retrospectively and the patients completed standardized questionnaires during the follow‐up.RESULTSOf the 83 patients, 24 (29%) had a history of radiation therapy and four had cryotherapy of the prostate. The mean follow‐up was 18.8 months and 14 (17%) patients required revision or explantation (for any reason), nine of whom had had previous radiation therapy. The mean (sd) number of pads used per day before and after surgery was 6.7 (4.0) and 1.1 (1.6), respectively. Overall, 83% of the patients (79% of the irradiated and 85% of the unirradiated) used one or fewer pads per day after surgery.CONCLUSIONSEven in high‐risk patients there is no greater risk associated with using the single‐incision, transverse‐scrotal technique than in related series. Outcomes for pad use after surgery, rate of erosion, infections and mechanical malfunctions were similar to those in other series using the traditional technique.
Is robotically assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy less invasive than retropubic radical prostatectomy? Results from a prospective, unrandomized, comparative study
Authors: Fracalanza Simonetta , Ficarra Vincenzo , Cavalleri Stefano , Galfano Antonio , Novara Giacomo , Mangano Angelo , Plebani Mario , Artibani Walter 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate whether robotically assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) is less invasive than radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), as experimental studies suggest that the acute phase reaction is proportional to surgery‐induced tissue damage.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween May and November 2006, all patients undergoing RRP or RALP in our department were prospectively assessed. Blood samples were collected 24 h before (T0), during surgery (T1), at the end of anaesthesia (T2), and 12 (T3) and 24 h after surgery (T4), and assayed for interleukin(IL)‐6 and IL‐1α, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and lactate. The Mann‐Whitney U‐, Student’s t‐ and Friedman tests were used to compare continuous variables, and the Pearson chi‐square and Fisher test for categorical variables, with a two‐sided P < 0.05 considered to indicate significance.RESULTSIn all, 35 and 26 patients were assessed for RALP and RRP, respectively; the median (interquartile range) age was 62 (56–68) and 68.5 (59.2–71.2) years, respectively (P < 0.009). Baseline levels (T0) of IL‐1, IL‐6, CRP and lactate were comparable in both arms. IL‐6, CRP and lactates levels increased during both kinds of surgery. The mean IL‐6 and CPR values were higher for RRP at T1 (P = 0.01 and 0.001), T2 (P = 0.001 and <0.001), T3 (P = 0.002 and <0.001) and T4 (P < 0.001 and 0.02), respectively. Lactate was higher for RRP at T2 (P = 0.001), T3 (P = 0.001) and T4 (P = 0.004), although remaining within the normal ranges. IL‐1α did not change at the different sample times.CONCLUSIONSThis study showed for the first time that RALP induces lower tissue trauma than RRP.
Standard‐dose efavirenz vs. standard‐dose nevirapine in antiretroviral regimens among HIV‐1 and tuberculosis co‐infected patients who received rifampicin
Authors: Manosuthi W , Mankatitham W , Lueangniyomkul A , Chimsuntorn S , Sungkanuparph S 
Published: April 2008

BackgroundThere is limited comparative data between efavirenz (EFV) 600 mg/day and nevirapine (NVP) 400 mg/day‐based antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV‐1 patients with tuberculosis (TB) and receiving rifampicin.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted in all ART‐naïve patients who were receiving rifampicin between January 2002 and December 2005.ResultsOf 188 patients, 77 and 111 patients were initiated on EFV‐based ART (EFV group) and NVP‐based ART (NVP group), respectively. Overall, median [interquartile range (IQR)] CD4 count was 36 (15–77) cells/μL and median (IQR) viral load was 5.6 (5.2–5.9) HIV‐1 RNA log copies/mL. At 48 weeks, 77.9% (60/77) in the EFV group and 67.6% (75/111) in the NVP group achieved HIV‐1 RNA <50 copies/mL (P=0.140, odds ratio =0.590, 95% confidence interval=0.302–1.153). At 24 and 48 weeks, respective median CD4 counts were 174 and 254 cells/μL in the EFV group and 156 and 218 cells/μL in the NVP group (P>0.05). By binary logistic regression, treatment group was not associated with HIV‐1 RNA <50 copies/mL (P>0.05). No patient in the EFV group and eight (7.2%) patients in the NVP group discontinued ART because of adverse reactions (P=0.084).ConclusionsFor HIV–TB co‐infected patients who receive rifampicin, efficacy of 600 mg EFV‐based and 400 mg NVP‐based ART may be similar, although adverse events tend to be higher in NVP‐based ART.
Impact of hepatitis B virus co‐infection on response to highly active antiretroviral treatment and outcome in HIV‐infected individuals: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Omland LH , Weis N , Skinhøj P , Laursen AL , Christensen PB , Nielsen HI , Møller A , Engsig F , Sørensen HT , Obel N 
Published: April 2008

BackgroundThe impact of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on viral suppression, immune recovery and mortality in HIV‐1 infected patients on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) is a matter of debate. The impact of HBeAg status is unknown.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included all adult Danish HIV‐1 infected patients who started HAART between 1 January 1995 and 1 December 2006 (3180 patients). Patients were classified as chronic HBV‐infected (6%), HBV‐negative (87%) or HBV‐unknown (7%). HBV‐positive patients were divided into HBeAg‐positive or ‐negative (3.0 vs. 2.6%). Study endpoints were viral load, CD4 cell count and mortality.ResultsHBV co‐infection had no impact on response to HAART regarding viral suppression or immune recovery. HBV co‐infection was associated with several outcomes: overall mortality [mortality rate ratio (MRR) 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–2.1], liver‐related mortality (MRR 4.0; 95% CI 1.6–9.9) and AIDS‐related deaths (MRR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0–3.0). The presence of HBeAg did not influence patients' response to HAART.ConclusionsIn HIV patients, chronic HBV infection has no impact on response to HAART concerning viral load and increase in CD4 cell count. However, co‐infected patients have an increased mortality compared to HIV‐monoinfected patients.
Insight into diversity, body size and morphological evolution from the largest Early Cretaceous enantiornithine bird
Authors: Zhou Zhonghe , Clarke Julia , Zhang Fucheng 
Published: April 2008

AbstractMost of Mesozoic bird diversity comprises species that are part of one of two major lineages, namely Ornithurae, including living birds, and Enantiornithes, a major radiation traditionally referred to as ‘opposite birds’. Here we report the largest Early Cretaceous enantiornithine bird from north‐east China, which provides evidence that basal members of Enantiornithes share more morphologies with ornithurine birds than previously recognized. Morphological evolution in these two groups has been thought to be largely parallel, with derived members of Enantiornithes convergent on the ‘advanced’ flight capabilities of ornithurine birds. The presence of an array of morphologies previously thought to be derived within ornithurine and enantiornithine birds in a basal enantiornithine species provides evidence of the complex character evolution in these two major lineages. The cranial morphology of the new specimen is among the best preserved for Mesozoic avians. The new species extends the size range known for Early Cretaceous Enantiornithes significantly and provides evidence of forelimb to hind limb proportions distinct from all other known members of the clade. As such, it sheds new light on avian body size evolution and diversity, and allows a re‐evaluation of a previously proposed hypothesis of competitive exclusion among Early Cretaceous avian clades.
Evidence for overlapping genetic influences on autistic and ADHD behaviours in a community twin sample
Authors: Ronald Angelica , Simonoff Emily , Kuntsi Jonna , Asherson Philip , Plomin Robert 
Published: April 2008

Background:  High levels of clinical comorbidity have been reported between autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study takes an individual differences approach to determine the degree of phenotypic and aetiological overlap between autistic traits and ADHD behaviours in the general population.Methods:  The Twins Early Development Study is a community sample born in England and Wales. Families with twins born in 1994–6 were invited to join; 6,771 families participated in the study when the twins were 8 years old. Parents completed the Childhood Asperger Syndrome Test and the Conners’ DSM‐IV subscales. Teacher data were also collected on a sub‐sample. High scores on the Conners’ subscales were used to identify possible ADHD cases. Potential ASD cases were interviewed using the Development and Well‐Being Assessment. Multivariate structural equation model‐fitting was employed, as well as DeFries Fulker extremes analysis and liability threshold model‐fitting.Results:  Significant correlations were found between autistic and ADHD traits in the general population (.54 for parent data, .51 for teacher data). In the bivariate models, all genetic correlations were >.50, indicating a moderate degree of overlap in genetic influences on autistic and ADHD traits, both throughout the general population and at the quantitative extreme. This phenotypic and genetic overlap still held when sex, IQ and conduct problems were controlled for, for both parent and teacher data. There was also substantial overlap in suspected cases (41% of children who met criteria for an ASD had suspected ADHD; 22% with suspected ADHD met criteria for an ASD).Conclusions:  These results suggest there are some common genetic influences operating across autistic traits and ADHD behaviours throughout normal variation and at the extreme. This is relevant for molecular genetic research, as well as for psychiatrists and psychologists, who may have assumed these two sets of behaviours are independent.
Contrasting deficits on executive functions between ADHD and reading disabled children
Authors: Marzocchi Gian Marco , Oosterlaan Jaap , Zuddas Alessandro , Cavolina Pina , Geurts Hilde , Redigolo Debora , Vio Claudio , Sergeant Joseph A. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  The object of this study was to analyze the executive functioning of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or reading disability (RD) independent of their non‐executive deficits.Methods:  Three carefully diagnosed groups of children, aged between 7 and 12 years (35 ADHD, 22 RD and 30 typically developing children), were tested on a wide range of tasks related to five major domains of executive functioning (EF): inhibition, visual working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility, and verbal fluency. Additional tasks were selected for each domain to control for non‐executive processing.Results:  ADHD children were impaired on interference control, but not on prepotent and ongoing response suppression. ADHD showed deficits on visual working memory, planning, cognitive flexibility and phonetic fluency. RD children were impaired on phonetic fluency. The only EF measure that differentiated ADHD from RD was planning.Conclusions:  The present sample of ADHD children showed several EF deficits, whereas RD children were almost spared executive dysfunction, but exhibited deficits in phonetic fluency.
Preventing conduct problems and improving school readiness: evaluation of the Incredible Years Teacher and Child Training Programs in high‐risk schools
Authors: Webster‐Stratton Carolyn , Jamila Reid M. , Stoolmiller Mike 
Published: April 2008

Background:  School readiness, conceptualized as three components including emotional self‐regulation, social competence, and family/school involvement, as well as absence of conduct problems play a key role in young children's future interpersonal adjustment and academic success. Unfortunately, exposure to multiple poverty‐related risks increases the odds that children will demonstrate increased emotional dysregulation, fewer social skills, less teacher/parent involvement and more conduct problems. Consequently intervention offered to socio‐economically disadvantaged populations that includes a social and emotional school curriculum and trains teachers in effective classroom management skills and in promotion of parent–school involvement would seem to be a strategic strategy for improving young children's school readiness, leading to later academic success and prevention of the development of conduct disorders.Methods:  This randomized trial evaluated the Incredible Years (IY) Teacher Classroom Management and Child Social and Emotion curriculum (Dinosaur School) as a universal prevention program for children enrolled in Head Start, kindergarten, or first grade classrooms in schools selected because of high rates of poverty. Trained teachers offered the Dinosaur School curriculum to all their students in bi‐weekly lessons throughout the year. They sent home weekly dinosaur homework to encourage parents’ involvement. Part of the curriculum involved promotion of lesson objectives through the teachers’ continual use of positive classroom management skills focused on building social competence and emotional self‐regulation skills as well as decreasing conduct problems. Matched pairs of schools were randomly assigned to intervention or control conditions.Results:  Results from multi‐level models on a total of 153 teachers and 1,768 students are presented. Children and teachers were observed in the classrooms by blinded observers at the beginning and the end of the school year. Results indicated that intervention teachers used more positive classroom management strategies and their students showed more social competence and emotional self‐regulation and fewer conduct problems than control teachers and students. Intervention teachers reported more involvement with parents than control teachers. Satisfaction with the program was very high regardless of grade levels.Conclusions:  These findings provide support for the efficacy of this universal preventive curriculum for enhancing school protective factors and reducing child and classroom risk factors faced by socio‐economically disadvantaged children.
Meta‐analysis of randomized, controlled treatment trials for pediatric obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Watson Hunna J. , Rees Clare S. 
Published: April 2008

Objective:  To conduct a meta‐analysis on randomized, controlled treatment trials of pediatric obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD).Method:  Studies were included if they employed randomized, controlled methodology and treated young people (19 years or under) with OCD. A comprehensive literature search identified 13 RCTs containing 10 pharmacotherapy to control comparisons (N = 1016) and five cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) to control comparisons (N = 161).Results:  Random effects modeling yielded statistically significant pooled effect size (ES) estimates for pharmacotherapy (ES = .48, 95% CI = .36 to .61, p < .00001) and CBT (ES = 1.45, 95% CI = .68 to 2.22, p = .002). The results were robust to publication bias.Conclusions:  This is the first meta‐analysis of treatment RCTs for pediatric OCD. CBT and pharmacotherapy were the only treatments effective beyond control in alleviating OCD symptoms. CBT showed a greater ES than pharmacotherapy. Previous meta‐analyses that included uncontrolled trials exaggerated the efficacy of both treatments.
Heterogeneity in antisocial behaviours and comorbidity with depressed mood: a behavioural genetic approach
Authors: Rowe Richard , Rijsdijk Fruhling V. , Maughan Barbara , Eley Thalia C. , Hosang Georgina M. , Eley Thalia C. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  Antisocial behaviour is often comorbid with depressed mood but is itself a collection of heterogeneous behaviours. Using a genetically informative design, we examine heterogeneity in antisocial behaviour and overlaps between different forms of antisocial behaviour with depressed mood.Methods:  Data were drawn from the G1219 large‐scale community sample containing self‐report questionnaire data from 941 twin pairs and 328 sibling‐pairs aged 12–21 years.Results:  Inter‐correlations among oppositionality, physical aggression and delinquency, and between the antisocial subscales and depressed mood, were mediated by genetic and non‐shared environmental influences. Genetic factors generally contributed more to the correlations than the non‐shared environment.Conclusions:  These results indicate that many genetic and non‐shared environmental influences were common to all the traits studied, but there was also evidence for trait‐specific effects.