bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Approach for Complete Isolation of the Posterior Left Atrium Including Pulmonary Veins for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: KUMAGAI KOICHIRO , MURAOKA SOICHI , MITSUTAKE CHIHARU , TAKASHIMA HIDEO , NAKASHIMA HIDEKO 
Published: July 2007

Introduction: Esophageal injury is a potential complication after catheter ablation of the posterior left atrium (LA). Therefore, we describe a new approach for complete isolation of the posterior LA including all pulmonary veins (PVs) without vertical lesions along the esophageal aspect of the posterior LA, namely Box isolation. Methods and Results: Ninety‐one patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent Box isolation. Continuous lesions at the anterior portions of the ipsilateral PVs were initially created and then linear ablation of LA roof and bottom was performed to isolate the posterior LA. Continuous vertical lesions at the posterior portions of PVs along the esophageal aspect of the posterior LA were not created. Ablation was performed with an 8‐mm‐tip catheter. The endpoint was the absence of electrical activity and the inability to pace the posterior LA and all PVs in sinus rhythm. Complete isolation of the posterior LA was achieved in 82 patients (90%). Ablation resulted in the termination of AF in 65%, and subsequent noninducibility of AF in 71% of the patients. A repeat ablation was performed in six of nine patients with recurrence of arrhythmia. At 13 ± 3 months of follow‐up, 86 patients (95%) were arrhythmia‐free without antiarrhythmic drugs. Conclusion: This study shows that it is possible to achieve complete isolation of the posterior LA including all PVs without posterior vertical lesions. Box isolation is associated with a high clinical success rate.
Eat or be eaten: prevalence and impact of egg cannibalism on two‐spot ladybirds, Adalia bipunctata
Authors: Roy H. E. , Rudge H. , Goldrick L. , Hawkins D. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractLadybirds commonly engage in cannibalistic behaviour. Egg cannibalism by first instars is considered advantageous to the cannibal, because it not only results in direct metabolic gain but also a reduction in potential competitors. In this study, we quantified the effect of cannibalism on the development rate and survival of Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae through development to the adult stage. We also assessed the synchrony of egg‐hatching in relation to laying order and compared the proportion of eggs cannibalized in egg batches laid as clusters or linearly. Larvae that had consumed a conspecific egg after hatching reached the adult stage 1.65 days earlier than those larvae that had not. Larval and pupal mortality was lower for cannibals compared to non‐cannibals; only 46% of non‐cannibalistic individuals reached the adult stage whereas 81% of cannibals pupated successfully. Egg cannibalism is undoubtedly advantageous to A. bipunctata larvae both in terms of faster development and increased survival. There is a positive correlation between laying and hatching order for eggs laid linearly or in a cluster. There was no significant difference in the proportion of eggs hatching in clusters or in a line (80 and 77%, respectively). The remaining eggs were either cannibalized or did not hatch. The ecological implications of these results are discussed with particular reference to trophic egg plasticity.
Treatment of depression with associated anxiety: comparisons of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Montgomery S. A. , Judge R. 
Published: July 2007

Montgomery SA, Judge R. Treatment of depression with associated anxiety: comparisons of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 9–16. © Munksgaard 2000.Objective: Evidence indicates that alleviating anxiety symptoms early in the treatment of depression improves treatment compliance, limits treatment discontinuations and contributes to a positive treatment outcome. Because of their sedating effects, the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have historically been the first‐choice agent in treating comorbid depression and anxiety. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also be suitable therapy.Method: We reviewed literature regarding the use of TCAs and SSRIs in depressed patients with comorbid anxiety.Results: SSRIs are at least as effective as TCAs in the treatment of both overall depression as well as anxiety symptoms. TCAs can cause significant and sometimes unacceptable side effects which limit their therapeutic potential. SSRIs, on the other hand, have little or no effect on cholinergic, histaminergic or adrenergic receptors, and have a very favourable tolerability profile.Conclusion: The traditional selection of antidepressants based on the presence or absence of anxiety has little scientific support. In considering the overall risk:benefit ratio, SSRIs should be the first line treatment for depression with associated anxiety.
Safety and tolerability considerations: tricyclic antidepressants vs. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Peretti S. , Judge R. , Hindmarch I. 
Published: July 2007

Peretti S, Judge R, Hindmarch I. Safety and tolerability considerations: tricyclic antidepressants vs. selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 17–25. © Munksgaard 2000.Objective: An important consideration in the choice of an antidepressant is its safety and tolerability.Method: We present a review of literature, clinical trials and meta‐analyses regarding the safety and tolerability of the tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in depressed patients.Results: The SSRIs have a very favourable side‐effect profile compared to the TCAs and are associated with fewer treatment discontinuations. Unlike the TCAs, they do not cause anticholinergic, hypotensive or sedating reactions, and are not associated with impaired cognitive function. Their most common side‐effects (nausea, vomiting, nervousness, insomnia, headache and sexual dysfunction) are usually mild and typically disappear as treatment continues. The SSRTs also exhibit lower toxicity and lower lethality when taken in an overdose situation. Although the safety profiles of the principal SSRTs appear to be comparable, there is some data showing important differences in the severity and frequency of specific adverse events.Conclusion: The SSRTs have a more favourable safety profile than the TCAs in both acute and long‐term treatment of major depression.
Compliance with antidepressant therapy and antidepressant discontinuation symptoms
Authors: Demyttenaere K. , Haddad P. 
Published: July 2007

Demyttenaere K, Haddad P. Compliance with antidepressant therapy and antidepressant discontinuation symptoms.Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 50–56. © Munksgaard 2000.Objective: Compliance with antidepressant medication is important in order to achieve all the goals of antidepressant therapy. These goals include symptom resolution, restoration of normal functioning and prevention of relapse or recurrent episodes.Method: We discuss compliance and review adverse symptoms that may occur when antidepressant treatment is abruptly discontinued or interrupted.Results: The physician's role in managing compliance includes preventing or minimizing the risk for discontinuation symptoms, counselling patients regarding the risk for symptoms if doses are missed and choosing pharmacotherapy that is forgiving of non‐compliance. Physicians also need to recognize the symptoms of discontinuation syndrome in order to differentiate patients who are non‐compliant from patients who require a dosage adjustment or adjunctive therapy. Finally, physicians need to understand how to treat discontinuation symptoms when they do occur.Conclusion: Since published data indicate that between 30% and 60% of patients do not take their medications as prescribed, non‐adherence to antidepressant medication is likely to be a significant clinical issue in the management of many patients.
Antidepressant use patterns in clinical practices: comparisons among tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Authors: Donoghue J. 
Published: July 2007

Donoghue J. Antidepressant use patterns in clinical practices: comparisons among tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.Acta Psychiatr Scand 2000: 101: 57–61. © Munksgaard 2000.Objective: Antidepressant use in clinical practice may differ from that in randomized controlled trials due to the complex interaction between patients, prescribers and the health‐care system.Method: A review of studies using data from actual clinical practice has found consistent differences in the prescribing patterns of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).Results: Patients who initiate therapy on SSRIs are more likely to complete a course of adequate dose and duration of antidepressant therapy than patients who initiate therapy on a TCA. Differences in prescribing patterns have also emerged among the most common SSRIs, fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine, that are also consistent over time, settings and countries.Conclusion: Given that the drugs studied are one constant across all the studies, the antidepressants' underlying pharmacological differences in tolerability and other properties may provide an explanation for differences in prescribing patterns.
Compound heterozygosity of Hb DIran (β22 Glu→Gln) and β0‐thalassemia (619 bp‐deletion) in India
Authors: Agrawal Meenal G. , Bhanushali Aparna A. , Dedhia Pratiksha , Jeswani Kanchan D. , Dayanand Sucheta , Dasgupta Amar , Das Bibhu R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe present report describes the hematologic and molecular study of the second case of Hb DIran associated with β0‐thalassemia (619 bp‐deletion) found in India and the first case in which the mutations have been identified at molecular level. The patient showed hypochromic, microcytic red cell picture with reduced red cell indices. The characterization of the hemoglobinopathy was made by electrophoretic and chromatographic techniques and confirmed by sequencing of the beta‐globin gene. Both the propositus and her father were found to be carriers of the gene for β0‐thalassemia owing to the 619 bp‐deletion mutation as seen by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Single base substitution GAA > CAA (indicative of Hb DIran) in the heterozygous form was seen in the propositus as well as the mother by sequencing.
Analysis of 6q deletion in Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Authors: Chang Hong , Qi Xiaoying , Xu Wei , Reader Jocelyn C , Ning Yi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe frequency and prognostic significance of chromosome 6q deletion were investigated in a cohort of patients with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM). By interphase cytoplasmic fluorescence in situ hybridization with probes for 6q21 and 6q25, we detected hemizygous 6q deletions in the clonal lymphoplasmacytic cells in 13 (38%) out of 34 patients. Patients with 6q deletions had a lower IgM paraprotein levels than non‐deleted patients (P = 0.04). There was no correlation between 6q deletion and other clinical features of WM. There was no significant difference in overall survival between 6q deleted and non‐6q deleted groups (P = 0.92). Our study confirms that 6q deletion is a frequent event, but it does not appear to be a prognostic marker for patients with WM.
Haemoglobin Hope in a northern Thai family: first identification of homozygous haemoglobin Hope associated with haemoglobin H disease
Authors: Sura Thanyachai , Busabaratana Manisa , Youngcharoen Supak , Wisedpanichkij Raewadee , Viprakasit Vip , Trachoo Objoon 
Published: July 2007

AbstractHaemoglobin (Hb) Hope [β136(H14)Gly→Asp(GGT→GAT)] is one of the unstable haemoglobin variants of the β‐globin chain, which is demonstrated in people of various ethnic backgrounds. Here we report a Thai female patient with clinical thalassaemia intermedia since childhood. This patient had experienced neither blood transfusion nor hospitalisation. Hb Bart’s‐H and a large amount of Hb Hope were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay and the diagnosis of homozygous Hb Hope was definitely achieved by direct sequencing of exon 3 of β‐globin gene. Furthermore, we could identify that her brother carried the mutation of homozygous Hb Hope without abnormal α globin chain involvement, and another family member had heterozygous Hb Hope in association with –α3.7 mutation, and both of them were clinically silent.
Low‐dose thalidomide plus low‐dose dexamethasone therapy in patients with refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Murakami Hirokazu , Handa Hiroshi , Abe Masahiro , Iida Sinsuke , Ishii Akihiro , Ishikawa Takayuki , Ishida Tadao , Oota Masatsugu , Ozaki Shuji , Kosaka Masaaki , Sakai Akira , Sawamura Morio , Shimazaki Chihiro , Shimizu Kazuyuki , Takagi Toshiyuki , Hata Hiroyuki , Fukuhara Takashi , Fujii Hiroshi , Miyata Akira , Wakayama Toshio , Takatsuki Kiyoshi 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe report the results of a non‐randomized phase II study of low‐dose thalidomide plus low‐dose dexamethasone therapy in 66 patients with refractory multiple myeloma. The overall response rate (near complete, partial and minimal response) was 63.6%, and progression‐free and overall survival periods were 6.2 and 25.4 months. In adverse events, the incidence of peripheral neuropathy and deep vein thrombosis was lower than the data reported in USA and Europe. On the other hand, leukopenia was observed in 41% of patients, including 11% of those with Grade 3. Leukopenia was closely related to pretreatment pancytopenia, especially thrombocytopenia. The incidence of adverse events related to dexamethasone was low. In conclusion, low‐dose thalidomide plus low‐dose dexamethasone therapy was as effective as high‐dose thalidomide plus high‐dose dexamethasone therapy in patients with refractory multiple myeloma. Leukopenia is one of the most serious adverse events in Japanese patients, especially in patients with pretreatment pancytopenia.
Vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium infection in patients with hematologic malignancy: patients with acute myeloid leukemia are at high‐risk
Authors: Worth Leon J. , Thursky Karin A. , Seymour John F. , Slavin Monica A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground:  Vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE) are significant nosocomial pathogens in patients with hematologic malignancy. Identification of risk factors for infection is necessary for targeted prevention and surveillance.Objectives and methods:  An outbreak of VRE infection occurred at a tertiary cancer hospital between 1 August 2003 and 30 June 2005. Infection control measures recommended by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America were used throughout the outbreak period. A matched case–control study was performed to identify risk factors for VRE infection.Results:  Fourteen VRE infections (13 episodes of bacteremia, one urinary tract infection) occurred a median of 10.5 d following hospital admission. All were due to Enterococcus faecium vanB. Univariate analysis identified the following variables to be significantly associated with VRE infection: presence of neutropenia, neutropenia ≥7 d, underlying diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and receipt of vancomycin, metronidazole or carbapenem antibiotic therapy in the 30 d prior to infection. On multivariate analysis, an underlying diagnosis of AML [odds ratio (OR), 15.00; P = 0.017] and vancomycin therapy during the previous 30 d (OR, 17.96; P = 0.036) were retained as independent risk factors for infection.Conclusions:  Risk stratification for development of VRE infection is possible for patients with hematologic malignancy. Patients with AML represent a high‐risk population, and targeted prevention strategies must include improved antibiotic stewardship, particularly judicious use of vancomycin therapy.
Perioperative management of MYH9 hereditary macrothrombocytopenia (Fechtner syndrome)
Authors: Selleng Kathleen , Lubenow Lena E. , Greinacher Andreas , Warkentin Theodore E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  Hereditary thrombocytopenias characterized by mutations in the gene for non‐muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMMHC‐IIA) are known as MYH9‐related hereditary macrothrombocytopenia, and include the May–Hegglin anomaly, Sebastian platelet syndrome, Fechtner syndrome, and Epstein syndrome. Despite the presence of thrombocytopenia, these patients often have only mild or non‐bleeding phenotypes. A major risk for these patients can be inappropriate treatment with long‐term corticosteroids or splenectomy for misdiagnosed chronic autoimmune thrombocytopenia, as well as inadequate peri‐ and postoperative management.Methods:  Using the case of a 44‐yr‐old male with Fechtner syndrome (macrothrombocytopenia, leukocyte inclusions, sensorineural deafness, glomerulonephritis) who underwent neurosurgery for an intracerebral arteriovenous malformation, we describe current methods to diagnose hereditary MYH9‐related macrothombocytopenia by analysis of the blood smear, immunofluorescence staining of the NMMHC‐IIA in leucocytes, and by MYH9‐gene sequencing.Results:  Clusters of NMMHC‐IIA in granulocytes and a R1165C mutation in the MYH9‐gene in two macrothrombocytopenic family members confirmed the diagnosis of a MYH9‐related disease. The patient had no bleeding diathesis by history or physical examination. Thus no perioperative prohemostatic pharmacologic therapies or transfusions were given, with only minimal bleeding observed. Postoperative antithrombotic thromboprophylaxis was not given because of anticipated enhanced risk for bleeding. However, the patient developed symptomatic pulmonary embolism on postoperative day 6, which was successfully managed with 8 months of anticoagulation.Conclusion:  MYH9‐related hereditary macrothrombocytopenia does not necessarily protect against postoperative venous thromboembolism, and affected patients who do not evince bleeding diathesis should be considered for routine postoperative pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis.
Interferon‐γ +874A/T and interleukin‐4 intron3 VNTR gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Chen Xiaoli , Xu Jianhui , Chen Zhenping , Zhou Zeping , Feng Xiaoming , Zhou Yuling , Ren Qian , Yang Renchi , Han Zhong Chao 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjectives:  The polarization of Th1/Th2 towards Th1 contributes to the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Cytokines may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of ITP. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the interferon (IFN)‐γ +874(A/T) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron3 polymorphisms may be responsible in part for genetic susceptibility to ITP.Methods:  Genotyping of IFN‐γ +874A/T and IL‐4 intron3 VNTR was performed in 196 patients with ITP and 128 healthy individuals by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific primers and direct PCR respectively.Results:  There was no association between IFN‐γ +874A/T and IL‐4 intron3 VNTR polymorphism and ITP risk when all patients, as a group, were analyzed. When the patients were subdivided into two groups: childhood ITP and adult ITP, no statistical differences were found in the genotype and allele frequencies of IFN‐γ +874A/T and IL‐4 intron3 VNTR between the two groups and the controls. Similar results were observed between acute childhood ITP, chronic childhood ITP, acute adult ITP or chronic adult ITP and the controls.Conclusion:  These polymorphisms were distributed similarly between the patients with ITP and the controls, demonstrating that these two candidate gene polymorphisms are not attributed to ITP susceptibility.
Study of skin–fabric interactions of relevance to decubitus: friction and contact‐pressure measurements
Authors: Gerhardt L.‐C. , Mattle N. , Schrade G. U. , Spencer N. D. , Derler S. 
Published: July 2007

Background/purpose: Prolonged pressure as well as friction and shear forces at the skin–textile interface are decisive physical parameters in the development of decubitus. The present article describes the contact phenomena at the skin–textile interface and the development of a purpose‐built textile friction analyser (TFA) for the tribological assessment of skin–fabric interactions, in connection with decubitus prevention.Methods: Interface pressure distributions were recorded in the pelvic and femoral regions between supine persons and a foam mattress. Fabrics made of various natural and synthetic yarns were investigated using the TFA. A vertical load of 7.7 kPa was applied to the swatches, simulating high interface pressures at the skin–fabric interface and clinical conditions of bedridden persons. Fabrics were rubbed in reciprocating motions against a validated skin‐simulating material to determine static as well as dynamic friction coefficients (COFs).Results: Maximum contact pressures ranged from 5.2 to 7.7 kPa (39–58 mmHg) and exceeded the capillary closure pressure (32 mmHg) in all investigated bedding positions. For both COFs, a factor of 2.5 was found between the samples with the lowest and highest values. Our results were in a similar range to COFs found in measurements on human skin in vivo. The results showed that our test method can detect differences of 0.01 in friction coefficients.Conclusion: TFA measurements allow the objective and reliable study of the tribology of the skin–textile biointerface and will be used to develop medical textiles with improved performance and greater efficacy for decubitus prevention.
Interfacial kinetics effects on transdermal drug delivery: a computer modeling
Authors: Xing Malcolm M. Q. , Pan Ning , Zhong Wen , Hui Xiaoyin , Maibach Howard I. 
Published: July 2007

Background/purpose: Percutaneous permeation is a frequently used approach in drug delivery, but the detailed physics process in the patch – stratum corneum (SC) – viable epidermis system remains unclear: the influence of the interphases in the multilayered structure has been little studied.Methods: This paper applied the finite‐element method to develop a contact algorithm with an interphase element to account for the interphase barrier on drug diffusion and chemical absorption during a transdermal drug delivery process. A more realistic multilayer structure, including the patch, SC and viable epidermis, are incorporated into the algorithm. Both interphases between the patch and SC, and between SC and viable epidermis are considered.Results: Our study confirms that the interphase transfer coefficients have a direct connection with drug concentration and flux distribution along the diffusion paths. The simulation results suggested a potential for the optimal control of drug diffusion. The partition coefficients and other interphase barrier factors can be incorporated into the model.Conclusions: The algorithm can deal with complicated geometrical conditions, which is difficult using classical analytical approaches. Furthermore, calibrated against experiments, the model may predict more realistically the drug delivery process and drug distribution profiles so as to assist in the patch and even drug design.