bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implantation of Left Ventricular Leads Using a Telescopic Catheter System
Authors: ZANON FRANCESCO , BARACCA ENRICO , PASTORE GIANNI , AGGIO SILVIO , RIGATELLI GIANLUCA , DONDINA CRISTINA , MARRAS GILLA , BRAGGION GABRIELE , BOARETTO GRAZIANO , CARDAIOLI PAOLO , GALASSO MARIAPAOLA , ZONZIN PIETRO , BAROLD S. SERGE 
Published: November 2006

Background: Implantation procedures for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remain challenging with regard to coronary sinus (CS) cannulation and left ventricular (LV) lead positioning. Technologic advances in catheter design may facilitate CS cannulation and LV lead placement.
Aims: To evaluate two different telescoping dual‐catheter systems, RAPIDO Guiding Catheter System (Group R) and RAPIDO ADVANCE Guiding Catheter System (Group A) (Guidant Inc., St. Paul, MN, USA), during implantation of a CRT device.
Methods: Seventy‐four consecutive patients randomly received a CRT device using the R or A system.
Results: An LV lead was successfully implanted in 74 patients (100%). (1) Median times for CS cannulation in groups R and A were 0.3 minutes (range from 0.05 to 14 minutes) and 0.5 minutes (range from 0.05 to 9 minutes), respectively (P = NS). (2) Median times for LV lead placement were 8 minutes (range from 0.8 to 100 minutes) and 3.5 minutes (range from 0.25 to 30 minutes), respectively, for groups R and A (P = 0.032). (3) Median total fluoroscopy times were 12.33 minutes (range from 5 to 70 minutes) and 14.33 minutes (range from 6 to 53 minutes) for groups R and A, respectively (P = NS). (4) Median procedural times for CRT implantation were 80 minutes (range from 40 to 200 minutes) and 75 minutes (range from 45 to 180 minutes) (P = NS) in groups R and A, respectively. There were no major complications.
Conclusion: CS cannulation and LV lead placement with a telescopic dual‐catheter system is a safe and feasible approach that may reduce fluoroscopy and overall CRT implantation times. Our observations suggest that the RAPIDO ADVANCE System is faster than the RAPIDO System in terms of median time for LV lead positioning.
RF Catheter Ablation: Lessons on Lesions
Authors: WITTKAMPF FRED H.M. , NAKAGAWA HIROSHI 
Published: November 2006

The present treatment of atrial fibrillation by radiofrequency catheter ablation requires long continuous lesions in the thin walled left atrium where side effects may lead to serious complications. Better understanding of the physical processes that take place during ablation may help to improve the quality, safety, and outcome of these procedures. These processes include the distribution of power between blood, tissue, and patient; the mechanisms of tissue heating and coagulum formation; the relation between tissue and electrode temperatures; and the effects of increased electrode size and internal and external electrode cooling. With normal electrode‐tissue contact, only a fraction of all power is effectively delivered to the tissue. Due to the variability of blood flow cooling, applied power and electrode temperature rise are poor indicators of lesion formation. With a longer electrode, the efficiency of tissue heating is decreased and the greater variation in tissue contact caused by electrode orientation makes lesion formation even more unpredictable. The absence of impedance rise during ablation does not guarantee the absence of blood clot formation on the tissue contact site. Blood clots may unnoticeably be created on the lesion surface and are caused by thermal denaturization of blood proteins, independent of heparinization. Irrigated ablation with external flush may prevent blood clot formation. Irrigation minimally affects lesion size by cooling the tissue surface. Larger lesions may only be created by the application of higher power levels. Electrode cooling, however, impedes electrode temperature feed back and blinds the operator for excessive tissue heating. External cooling alone with preservation of temperature feed back is a promising concept that may lead to improved procedural safety and success.
Development and usefulness of an instrument for the standard description and comparison of services for disabilities (DESDE)
Authors: Salvador‐Carulla L. , Poole M. , Gonzalez‐Caballero J. L. , Romero C. , Salinas J. A. , Lagares‐Franco C. M. ,   for RIRAG/PSICOST Group and DESDE Consensus Panel
Published: November 2006

Objective:  Mental health research has made significant progress in international comparison and instrument development. This study reports the adaptation of the European Service Mapping Schedule (ESMS) to the assessment of services for persons with disabilities.Method:  Qualitative groups were used to develop the Description and Evaluation of Services for Disabilities in Europe (DESDE). The psychometric analysis of DESDE covered: feasibility, inter‐rater reliability, descriptive validity and internal validity. A demonstration study was also carried out.Results:  Compared to the original ESMS, a new main branch and several sub‐branches were added. We identified 826 services for persons with disabilities, which provided 1284 main types of care. The feasibility and reliability was good for the majority of codes. Only 6% of services were not properly classified. The Boolean factor analysis supported the internal validity of DESDE.Conclusion:  DESDE is a useful and reliable instrument for the assessment of services for persons with disabilities.
Cost‐effectiveness of different clinical interventions for reducing the burden of schizophrenia in Spain
Authors: Gutierrez‐Recacha P. , Chisholm D. , Haro J. M. , Salvador‐Carulla L. , Ayuso‐Mateos J. L. 
Published: November 2006

Objective:  To estimate the cost‐effectiveness of interventions for reducing the burden of schizophrenia in Spain.Method:  The study examined the cost‐effectiveness of seven different types of clinical interventions at the level of Spanish population: i) current situation; ii) older antipsychotics alone; iii) new antipsychotics alone (risperidone); iv) older antipsychotics plus psychosocial treatment; v) new antipsychotics plus psychosocial treatment; vi) older antipsychotics plus case management and psychosocial treatment; vii) new antipsychotics plus case management and psychosocial treatment.Results:  Interventions based on the combination of haloperidol with psychosocial treatment or psychosocial treatment plus case management proved to be the most efficient strategies.Conclusion:  The relatively modest additional cost of concurrent psychosocial treatment has significant health gains, thereby making such a combined strategy for schizophrenia more cost‐effective than pharmacology alone.
Titanium surface modification and its effect on the adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis: an in vitro study
Authors: Pier‐Francesco Amoroso , Adams Robert J. , Waters Mark G. J. , Williams David W. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAim: Titanium dental implants are an important treatment option in the replacement of missing teeth. Implant failures can, however, occur and may be promoted by the loss of tissue as a result of local bacterial infection (peri‐implantitis).Objectives: Bacterial adherence to implant surfaces is believed to be influenced by material surface roughness and surface‐free energy parameters. Consequently, the aim of this study was to modify these properties of titanium and identify what effect these modifications had on subsequent bacterial adherence.Materials and methods: In this study, 16 titanium samples of different roughness (Ra 34.57–449.42 nm) were prepared using specific polishing procedures. A further six samples were chemically altered by argon plasma discharge treatment and immersion in silane solutions to produce different surface hydrophobicities. An in vitro adhesion assay using Porphyromonas gingivalis was used to assess the effect of modification on bacterial adherence.Results: A significant reduction in adhesion to materials categorised as being ‘very smooth’ (Ra 34.57±5.79 nm) was evident. This reduction did not occur with ‘smooth’ (Ra 155.00±33.36 nm), ‘rough’ (Ra 223.24±9.86 nm) or ‘very rough’ (Ra 449.42±32.97 nm) surfaces. Changing material surface hydrophobicity was also not found to effect bacterial adhesion.Conclusions: Adhesion of P. gingivalis to titanium was inhibited at surface roughness levels below those generally encountered for implant collars/abutments (Ra 350 nm). Considerations of these findings may be beneficial in the production of titanium implants in order to reduce bacterial colonisation.
Retrospective evaluation of mandibular incisor replacement with narrow neck implants
Authors: Cordaro Luca , Torsello Ferruccio , Mirisola Di Torresanto Vincenzo , Rossini Carlo 
Published: November 2006

Abstract: The authors have retrospectively evaluated the clinical results of mandibular incisors replacement with narrow neck implants (NNI). Thirty‐one patients treated consecutively for single or multiple lower incisor replacement with NNI with a mean follow‐up of 23 months (range 18–42 months) were included in the study and were divided into three groups: single tooth, multiple unit restoration and restorations on adjacent implants.Survival and success rates and soft tissue parameters such as modified plaque index (mPI), peri‐implant probing depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and the papilla index were analyzed. Subjective evaluation was performed by patients and clinicians on visual analogue scales. The implants and prostheses showed a survival rate of 100% and an overall success rate of 94%. The distribution of mPI outcomes showed better results for the single tooth group. BOP was present in four of eight implants (50%) in the adjacent implant group, in one out of 20 implants in the single tooth group (5%) and in one out of 16 implants in the multi unit group (6%). The adjacent implant group showed a statistically significant increase in PPD. The Papilla Index showed a better outcome distribution in single tooth and multi unit groups. Patients' evaluation of treatment outcome was satisfactory in all groups, even though the best esthetic and functional results were found in single tooth and multi unit groups. The professional evaluation showed good outcomes for the single tooth and multi unit groups and statistically significant poorer results in the adjacent implants group. With the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that the replacement of lower incisors with NNI leads to favorable functional and esthetic results in cases of single‐tooth or multiple‐unit replacement. Worse results are achieved if two adjacent mandibular incisors are replaced with adjacent implants.
Bioavailability of selenium from the selenotrisulphide derivative of lipoic acid
Authors: Alonis Melenie , Pinnell Sheldon , Self William T. 
Published: November 2006

Background/Purpose: Selenium is a required micronutrient in mammals, needed for the activity of enzymes that contain selenocysteine at their active site. Several isoenzymes of glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductase contain selenocysteine and thus the nutritional status of selenium in tissues can have significant impact on the steady state level of reactive oxygen species. The aims of this study were to evaluate the bioavailability of selenium derived from the selenotrisulfide derivative of lipoic acid (LASe) and determine the ability of this compound to be absorbed into skin.Methods: Bioavailability of selenium derived from LASe was determined using a keratinocyte cell model (HaCat). Efficiency of utilization of selenium was assessed by following the decrease in the incorporation of radiolabeled selenite (75Se) in the presence of increasing concentration of selenium compounds. Percutaneous absorption of LASe was measured by determining selenium levels in full thickness biopsy of skin using a Yorkshire pig model.Results: LASe was efficiently absorbed topically into pig skin, a good model of human skin. In a keratinocyte cell line LASe was an efficient source of selenium for selenoprotein synthesis, demonstrating that LASe is a good candidate as a topical selenium micronutrient. Both L‐selenomethionine and selenate were found to be poor sources of selenium for selenoprotein synthesis in the skin cell model and L‐selenomethionine was poorly absorbed into pig skin.Conclusion: These results indicate that stable selenotrisulfides, such as LASe, are good candidates for testing as topical selenium supplements.
Pain induced by photodynamic therapy of warts
Authors: Stender I.‐M. , Molke Borgbjerg F. , Villumsen J. , Lock‐Andersen J. , Wulf H.‐C. 
Published: November 2006

Background: Photodynamic therapy with topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA), followed by irradiation with red light (ALA‐PDT), is used for non‐melanoma skin cancer and other dermatological diseases. Pain during and after light exposure is a well‐known adverse advent that may be a limiting factor for treatment, particularly, in viral warts.Methods: To assess the pain induced by ALA‐PDT, we asked 45 patients enrolled in a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial with six consecutive ALA‐ and placebo‐PDT treatments for recalcitrant foot and hand warts to fill in questionnaires about pain immediately and 24 h after each treatment.Results: Immediately and 24 h after each of the six treatments, pain intensity was significantly higher in warts treated with ALA‐PDT than in warts treated with placebo‐PDT (P<0.028). Severe or unbearable pain was reported from a median of 17% (6–31%) of the ALA ‐treated warts and from a median of 2% (0–15%) from the placebo‐treated warts immediately after the treatments. With increasing treatments, no significant change in pain intensity was observed and no significant relation was found between the pain intensity and the relative change in wart area. The pain was primarily characterized as burning and shooting. The pain lasted about 30 h (range: 1–96 h).Conclusion: We conclude that pain induced by ALA‐PDT is of such intensity in about one‐fifth of the warts that pain relief is indicated.
Injuries among Swedish female elite football players: a prospective population study
Authors: Jacobson I. , Tegner Y. 
Published: November 2006

Injury occurrence in all 12 female elite senior football teams in premiere league was registered during 1 year. Of 269 players, 129 (48%) sustained 237 injuries. The total injury incidence was 4.6/1000 h of football. The injury incidence during practice was 2.7 and during the game time was 13.9/1000 h. The highest injury incidence during practice was to the knee (0.8/1000 h) and thigh (0.5/1000 h), and during game time was to the knee (4.4/1000 h) and head (2.2/1000 h). In total, the location for the highest injury incidence was the knee with 1.5 injuries/1000 h of football.The majority of injuries (82%) were localized to the lower extremities. Sixty‐six injuries (28%) were re‐occurring injuries (re‐injuries). The incidence of traumatic injuries was 3.3/1000 h of football and for overuse injuries 1.3/1000 h. Overuse injuries occurred mainly during the preseason and at the beginning of the spring season.Thirty‐nine percent of the injuries were slight or minor causing absence from practice or game time of less than 1 week, 39% were moderate (absence 7–28 days) and 22% were major (absence more than 28 days). The major injuries occurred often owing to trauma and were mainly to the knee.
Secondary Serological Response of Patients with Chronic Hepatosplenic Suppurative Brucellosis
Authors: Díaz R. , Ariza J. , Alberola I. , Casanova A. , Rubio M. F. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
Chronic hepatosplenic suppurative brucellosis (CHSB) is a local reactivation of a previous brucellosis, coursing with an immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA secondary immunological response. The observation of two cases of CHSB with an apparent IgM response gave rise to a detailed serological study of three of our patients. We studied the first sample from all three patients and successive samples from two of them. In cases 1 and 2, we found samples with positive IgM lateral flow and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results concomitantly with rheumatoid factor (RF); after absorption with anti-RF serum, these results were rendered negative. In patients 2 and 3 the diagnosis of brucellosis was delayed, because none of the test results were initially very significant. However, a clear seroconversion of IgG antibodies was observed in subsequent months; titers of the Brucellacapt and Coombs tests increased in similar ways, although Brucellacapt decreased more rapidly than Coombs, which persisted at high titers for years. In patient 3 a relapse was observed in the fourth year of follow-up, detected by Coombs and also by IgG lateral flow and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), although not by the rose bengal, agglutination, or Brucellacapt tests. Serological changes in CHSB may sometimes be mild and are detected mainly by the Coombs test. Brucellacapt does not offer additional information, although IgG lateral flow and CIEP may be of some use. Careful surveillance of titer changes in the Coombs test is the best marker of infection activity. As the disease progresses, an intense IgG response may develop and RF sometimes appears, simulating an IgM response.
A DNA Vaccine for Ebola Virus Is Safe and Immunogenic in a Phase I Clinical Trial
Authors: Martin Julie E. , Sullivan Nancy J. , Enama Mary E. , Gordon Ingelise J. , Roederer Mario , Koup Richard A. , Bailer Robert T. , Chakrabarti Bimal K. , Bailey Michael A. , Gomez Phillip L. , Andrews Charla A. , Moodie Zoe , Gu Lin , Stein Judith A. , Nabel Gary J. , Graham Barney S. ,   the VRC 204 Study Team The VRC 204 Study Team includes Margaret M. McCluskey, Brenda Larkin, Sarah Hubka, Lasonji Holman, Laura Novik, Pamela Edmonds, Steve Rucker, Michael Scott, Colleen Thomas, LaChonne Stanford, Ed Tramont, Woody Dubois, Tiffany Alley, Erica Eaton, Sandra Sitar, Ericka Thompson, Andrew Catanzaro, Joseph Casazza, Janie Parrino, Laurence Lemiale, Rebecca Sheets, Ellen Turk, Laurie Lamoreaux, Jennifer Fischer, Mara Abashian, John Rathmann, and Adrienne McNeil.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

Ebola viruses represent a class of filoviruses that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with high mortality. Recognized first in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, outbreaks continue to occur in equatorial Africa. A safe and effective Ebola virus vaccine is needed because of its continued emergence and its potential for use for biodefense. We report the safety and immunogenicity of an Ebola virus vaccine in its first phase I human study. A three-plasmid DNA vaccine encoding the envelope glycoproteins (GP) from the Zaire and Sudan/Gulu species as well as the nucleoprotein was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, dose escalation study. Healthy adults, ages 18 to 44 years, were randomized to receive three injections of vaccine at 2 mg (
n
= 5), 4 mg (
n
= 8), or 8 mg (
n
= 8) or placebo (
n
= 6). Immunogenicity was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoprecipitation-Western blotting, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The vaccine was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events or coagulation abnormalities. Specific antibody responses to at least one of the three antigens encoded by the vaccine as assessed by ELISA and CD4
+
T-cell GP-specific responses as assessed by ICS were detected in 20/20 vaccinees. CD8
+
T-cell GP-specific responses were detected by ICS assay in 6/20 vaccinees. This Ebola virus DNA vaccine was safe and immunogenic in humans. Further assessment of the DNA platform alone and in combination with replication-defective adenoviral vector vaccines, in concert with challenge and immune data from nonhuman primates, will facilitate evaluation and potential licensure of an Ebola virus vaccine under the Animal Rule.
Analysis of Plasmacytoid and Myeloid Dendritic Cells in Nasal Epithelium
Authors: Hartmann Evelyn , Graefe Hendrik , Hopert Anne , Pries Ralph , Rothenfusser Simon , Poeck Hendrik , Mack Brigitte , Endres Stefan , Hartmann Gunther , Wollenberg Barbara 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
The role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC), the major producers of alpha interferon upon viral infection, in the nasal mucosa is largely unknown. Here we examined the presence of PDC together with myeloid dendritic cells (MDC) in the nasal epithelia of healthy individuals, of asymptomatic patients with chronic nasal allergy, of patients undergoing steroid therapy, and of patients with infectious rhinitis or rhinosinusitis. Considerable numbers of PDC and MDC could be detected in the nasal epithelium. Furthermore, we demonstrate the expression of SDF-1, the major chemoattractant for PDC, in the nasal epithelium. PDC levels were significantly lower for patients with allergies than for healthy individuals. Interestingly, PDC and MDC were almost absent from patients who received treatment with glucocorticoids, while very high numbers of PDC were found for patients with recent upper respiratory tract infections. Our results demonstrate for the first time a quantitative analysis of PDC and MDC in the healthy nasal epithelium and in nasal epithelia from patients with different pathological conditions. With the identification of PDC, the major target cell for CpG DNA or immunostimulatory RNA, in the nasal epithelium, this study forms the basis for a local nasal application of such oligonucleotides for the treatment of viral infection and allergy.
Association of Selective HLA Class II Susceptibility-Conferring and Protective Haplotypes with Type 2 Diabetes in Patients from Bahrain and Lebanon
Authors: Almawi Wassim Y. , Wakim-Ghorayeb Saria F. , Arekat Mona R. , Najm Pierre , Keleshian Sose H. , Al-Sayed Nasreen , Blanchon Bruno , Samaha Hanady R. , Irani-Hakime Noha 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT

The association of HLA class II with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) was investigated in Bahraini and Lebanese subjects.
DRB1*070101
(Lebanese and Bahraini) and
DQB1*0201
(Lebanese) were susceptibility-conferring alleles, and unique susceptibility-conferring/protective haplotypes were found in both patient groups. Regression analysis confirmed that
DRB1*070101-DQB1*0201
(Bahraini) and
DRB1*110101-DQB1*0201
(Lebanese) were susceptibility-conferring haplotypes.