bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Relevance of Clustering Ventricular Arrhythmias in Defibrillator Recipients
Authors: STUBER THOMAS , EIGENMANN CHRISTA , DELACRÉTAZ ETIENNE 
Published: July 2005

Introduction: Studies of recurrent ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) have been limited to “electrical storms,” where recurrent arrhythmias necessitate repeated external cardioversions or defibrillations. Patients with an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) may also suffer frequently recurrent arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to analyze the temporal pattern and the clinical relevance of clustering ventricular arrhythmias in ICD recipients.
Methods: The incidence and the type of arrhythmias were determined by reviewing stored electrograms. VT/VF clusters were defined as the occurrence of three or more adequate and successful ICD interventions within 2 weeks. Two hundred and fourteen consecutive ICD recipients were followed during an average of 3.3 ± 2.2 years (698 patient‐years).
Results: Fifty‐one patients (24%) suffered 98 VT/VF clusters 21 ± 22 months after ICD implantation, 93% of these clusters consisting of recurrent regular VT. Monomorphic VT as index event leading to ICD implantation was the only factor predicting VT/VF clusters. Kaplan‐Meier estimates of the combined end‐point of death or heart transplantation showed a 5‐year event‐free survival of 67% versus 87% in patients with and without clusters, respectively (P = 0.026). Adjusted hazard ratios for death or heart transplantation in the group with arrhythmia clusters was 3.5 (95% confidence interval 1.5–7.9 P = 0.003).
Conclusions: VT/VF clusters are frequent late after ICD implantation particularly in patients who had VT as index‐event. As arrhythmias and recurrent ICD interventions are responsible for an important morbidity, there is a possible role for a prophylactic intervention. Furthermore, VT/VF clusters are an independent marker of increased risk of death or need for heart transplantation.
Validation of Dual‐Chamber Pacemaker Diagnostic Data Using Dual‐Channel Stored Electrograms
Authors: NOWAK BERND , McMEEKIN JAMES , KNOPS MARIE , WILLE BERND , SCHRÖDER EBERHARD , MORO CONCEPCION , OELHER MATTHIAS , CASTELLANOS EDUARDO , COUTU BENOIT , PETERSEN BEN , PFEIL WOLFGANG , KREUZER JOACHIM ,   on behalf of the Stored EGM in PulsarMax II and Discovery II Study Group
Published: July 2005

Background: Pacemaker diagnostic counters are used to guide device programming and patient management. However, these data are susceptible to inappropriate classification of events. The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate pacemaker diagnostic data using stored intracardiac electrograms (EGMs).
Methods: The study included 351 patients (191 males, aged 71 ± 10 years) with standard indications for dual‐chamber pacemaker implantation. EGM triggers were atrial tachycardia (AT), ventricular tachycardia (VT), sudden bradycardia response (SBR), and pacemaker‐mediated tachycardia (PMT). For this study, the devices could store up to 5 EGMs of 8s each (with marker annotation and onset recording). After 3 months, the EGMs were analyzed and classified as “confirmed” if the EGM validated the trigger and as “false positive” if the EGM showed an event different from the trigger.
Results: Of the 1,003 EGMs available, the triggers were AT in 640 EGMs, VT in 76, SBR in 105, and PMT in 178 EGMs. Four EGMs were triggered by magnet application. The trigger was confirmed in 614 EGMs (62%): 62% of AT episodes, 18% of VT episodes, 100% of SBR episodes, and 54% of PMT episodes. In 385 cases (45%), the EGMs revealed false‐positive events due to far‐field sensing (39%), noise and myopotential sensing (26%), sinus tachycardias (21%), double counting (9%), exit block (4%), and undersensing (1%).
Conclusion: This large‐scale study of stored EGMs revealed their value in validating diagnostic counter data. Therapeutic decisions should not be based on diagnostic counters alone; they should be validated by sophisticated tools like stored EGMs.
Central Venous Occlusion Is Not an Obstacle to Device Upgrade with the Assistance of Laser Extraction
Authors: GULA LORNE J. , AMES ALYSON , WOODBURN ASHLEY , MATKINS JOHN , McCORMICK MICHAEL , BELL JEFFREY , SINK DEBORAH , McCONVILLE JAMES , EPSTEIN LAURENCE M. 
Published: July 2005

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of laser‐assisted lead extraction for upgrade of existing pacemakers and defibrillators in patients with central venous obstruction.
Background: Implantable cardiac defibrillators and biventricular pacing have become the accepted therapeutic measures for patients with congestive heart failure. Many patients who are candidates for device therapy, however, already have existing right ventricular leads and the presence of central venous obstruction. Upgrade of existing devices in these patients is a dilemma, which is increasingly encountered by device‐implanting physicians. Laser‐assisted extraction of existing leads can facilitate access for device upgrade and provide an alternative to lead abandonment and contralateral implant.
Methods: We review our experience with laser‐assisted lead extraction in patients, referred for upgrade of existing devices, who were found to have, or known to have, ipsilateral subclavian vein occlusion.
Results: Over the past 3 years, 18 patients (13 men, 5 women; mean age 63.9 ± 16 years) with subclavian vein occlusion underwent successful laser‐assisted lead extraction (total 29 leads) and upgrade of existing leads to defibrillators and/or biventricular systems. Mean implant duration prior to extraction was 70.8 ± 43.5 (11–192) months. Cannulation of the coronary sinus and placement of a transvenous left ventricular lead were achieved in all 13 patients in whom it was attempted. No complications occurred.
Conclusions: Laser‐assisted lead extraction is a safe and effective approach, allowing for ipsilateral device upgrade in patients with existing devices and central venous obstruction.
Effect of Concomitant Antiarrhythmic Therapy on Survival in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: HO ANDREW T. , PAI SUDHA M. , TIMOTHY PAM , PAI RAMDAS G. 
Published: July 2005

Background: Application of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy is expanding to include both primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death and has been proven to be superior to conventional antiarrhythmic therapies. Concomitant antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with ICD is common. These drugs are potentially proarrhythmic, alter defibrillation thresholds, and may affect response to device therapy. However, the impact of concomitant antiarrhythmic drug therapy on survival in patients with ICD devices is unknown.
Methods: We investigated the effect of different antiarrhythmic drugs on survival when given concomitantly in 360 consecutive ICD patients from our university medical center. Mortality data were obtained from the national death index. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Corrections for significant covariates and group differences were made using the Cox regression model.
Results: Patients were followed up for 4.4 ± 3.7 years. There were 68 deaths over this period with a 5‐year survival of 80%. Patient characteristics were: age 62 ± 13 years, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) 33 ± 17%, ischemic etiology of LV dysfunction 68%, diabetes mellitus 19%, hypertension 49%, atrial fibrillation 23%, digoxin 43%, β‐blocker 46%, amiodarone 28%, and sotalol 9%. The use of β‐blockers was associated with a better survival (P = 0.0005). This effect persisted after correcting for age, heart rate, EF, and ischemic etiology. The beneficial effect of β‐blocker was unrelated to its effect on heart rate. Digoxin use was associated with a lower survival only on univariate analysis (P = 0.006), but not after adjusting for other variables on a Cox regression model (P = 0.093). Amiodarone and sotalol were found to have a neutral effect on survival.
Conclusion: In patients with ICDs, β‐blockers had a favorable effect on survival. Sotalol and amiodarone had a neutral effect on survival. There was a trend toward a deleterious effect with digoxin use. These findings suggest a need for further investigation addressing survival effects of antiarrhythmic drugs when given concomitantly in patients with ICDs.
Clinical issues in perinatal mental health: new developments in the detection and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Authors: Austin M.‐P. , Priest S. R. 
Published: July 2005

Objective:  This paper presents evidence of new developments in the detection and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders that have relevance for clinicians.Method:  An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO and The Cochrane Library Database for the interval 1995–2005 for papers published in English.Results:  New developments were identified as follows:  i) Broadening frames of reference within perinatal mental health.  ii) Impact of disorders upon offspring.  iii) Identifying women at risk of mental health problems.  iv) Prevention and early intervention strategies.  v) Treatments.Conclusion:  Perinatal mental health is a rapidly expanding field that impacts upon the health and wellbeing of all members of families with infants and young children. An evidence base for best practice is slowly emerging but considerable work is still needed in relation to the identification of women at risk, standardisation of diagnostic procedures, reduction of adverse outcomes for women and infants, prevention, early intervention, and treatment of clinical disorders.
Adjunctive bright light in non‐seasonal major depression: results from clinician‐rated depression scales
Authors: Martiny K. , Lunde M. , Undén M. , Dam H. , Bech P. 
Published: July 2005

Objective:  To investigate the use of bright light therapy as an adjunct treatment to sertraline in non‐seasonal major depression.Method:  In a randomised double‐blind trial, 102 patients were treated for 5 weeks with either white bright light (10 000 lux, 1 h daily) or red dim light (50 lux, 30 min daily). All patients were treated with sertraline in a fixed dose of 50 mg daily. The clinician‐rated depression scales used were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D17), Hamilton six‐item subscale (HAM‐D6), Melancholia Scale (MES) and the seven ‘atypical’ items from the SIGH‐SAD.Results:  One‐hundred and two patients were included in the study. Analyses showed that the reduction in depression scores in the bright light group was statistically significantly larger than in the dim light group on all scales. The scale most sensitive at endpoint was the HAM‐D6, which includes the core symptoms of depression.Conclusion:  The study results support the use of bright light as an adjunct treatment to antidepressants in non‐seasonal depression.
One‐year outcome with antidepressant – treatment of bipolar depression
Authors: Joffe R. T. , MacQueen G. M. , Marriott M. , Young L. T. 
Published: July 2005

Objective:  To examine the risk of relapse into mania or depression with varying duration of antidepressant treatment in a cohort of 59 patients with bipolar disorder.Method:  An open naturalistic evaluation using life charting methods of patients with 1 year follow‐up, who responded to antidepressant treatment and who then less or more than 6 months of antidepressant treatment.Results:  Patients who received more than 6 months of antidepressant treatment were less likely to relapse into depression at follow‐up of 1 year. There was no difference in relapse rates for mania in the different antidepressant treatment duration groups. Gender and bipolar subtype did not significantly affect relapse rates for depression or mania.Conclusion:  Our data, taken with other studies, suggest that the duration of optimal antidepressant treatment in bipolar disorder must be further evaluated.
Palatine tonsils in smoker and non‐smoker patients: a pilot clinicopathological and ultrastructural study
Authors: Torre Valerio , Bucolo Sebastiano , Giordano Carlo , Cicciarello Rocco , Cavallari Vittorio , Garofalo Loredana , Beatrice Fabio 
Published: July 2005

Background:  Tobacco smoke is a well‐known source of toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic agents. The aim of the present preliminary study was to investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on lymphoid and non‐lymphoid tonsillar tissue.Methods:  The study group consisted of 12 smoker and 10 non‐smoker patients complaining recurrent tonsillitis. Clinical data, histological findings and scanning electron microscopic analyses were considered. To the best of our knowledge, such an approach has not been previously adopted in a similar experimental model.Results:  Smoker patients showed a longer history of recurrent tonsillitis, difficulties in clinical management and evident morphostructural changes than non‐smokers.Conclusions:  These preliminary results suggest a possible interference of cigarette smoking with the therapy response as well as a possible role of tobacco smoke in impairment of inflammatory response. Results are critically analysed and discussed. Literature data on this subject are reviewed.
Recurrent herpes labialis: a pilot study of the efficacy of zinc therapy
Authors: Femiano F. , Gombos F. , Scully C. 
Published: July 2005

Background:  The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of zinc on recurrent herpes labialis.Materials/Methods:  Twenty patients (12 females; median age 26.6 years) with a history of recurrent herpes labialis >6 episodes each year were treated with systemic zinc sulphate 22.5 mg twice daily for the months of February, March, September and October. All patients were followed for 12 months.Results:  Herpetic lesions reduced to <4 episodes (average 3) for the 12 months and the duration was <7 days for each episode (average 5.7).Conclusions:  Systemic zinc sulphate appeared to reduce both the number of episodes and the time to recovery of herpes labialis.
Immunohistochemical detection of β‐catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli in ameloblastomas
Authors: Kumamoto H. , Ooya K. 
Published: July 2005

Background:  To clarify the roles of the Wnt signaling pathway in oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of odontogenic tumors, expression of β‐catenin and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) was analyzed in ameloblastomas as well as in tooth germs.Methods:  Tissue specimens of 10 tooth germs, 40 benign ameloblastomas, and five malignant ameloblastomas were examined immunohistochemically with the use of antibodies against β‐catenin and APC.Results:  Immunohistochemical reactivity for β‐catenin was detected in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of most odontogenic epithelial cells in tooth germs and ameloblastomas. Nuclear β‐catenin expression was recognized in nine of 40 ameloblastomas and two of five malignant ameloblastomas, but not in tooth germs. APC was evidently expressed in odontogenic epithelial cells neighboring the basement membrane in tooth germs and ameloblastomas, and the reactivity was significantly lower in benign and malignant ameloblastomas than in tooth germs. Follicular ameloblastomas and acanthomatous ameloblastomas tended to show high nuclear β‐catenin expression and low APC reactivity, as compared with other ameloblastoma variants.Conclusion:  Expression of β‐catenin and APC in tooth germs and ameloblastomas suggests that aberration of the Wnt signaling pathway might play a role in oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of odontogenic epithelium via deregulation of cell proliferation.
Parotid mycobacteriosis is frequently caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in advanced AIDS
Authors: Rangel A. L. C. A. , Coletta R. D. , Almeida O. P. , Graner E. , Lucena A. , Saldiva P. H. N. , Vargas P. A. 
Published: July 2005

Background:  Tuberculosis is one of the leading infectious diseases in the world, with more than 2 million new cases annually. It is one of the main causes of death of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive patients, involving multiple organs and particularly the lungs. Nevertheless there are few consistent studies about tuberculosis involving the parotid of HIV patients. The objective of this work was to describe the histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of 10 cases of mycobacteriosis involving the parotid of autopsied patients with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), including identification of the Mycobacterium species.Methods:  Detection of ‘M. tuberculosis complex’ was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ligase chain reaction (LCR) and Mycobacterium avium by PCR.Results:  All cases showed involvement of intraparotid lymph nodes, but the glandular parenchyma was affected in only three cases. Most of the cases (80%) presented a chronic non‐caseating granulomatous inflammation, and in two cases predominated foamy macrophages, full of bacteria, and no granuloma formation. In areas of mycobacteriosis, macrophages predominated followed by TCD8, B and TCD4 lymphocytes. All cases were infected by Mycobacterium genus and ‘M. tuberculosis complex’ was detected in five cases by LCR and in eight by PCR, while M. avium was positive in one case only, which was also positive for M. tuberculosis.Conclusions:  Parotid mycobacteriosis in advanced AIDS is characterized by intraparotid lymph node non‐caseating inflammatory granulomatous lesion, caused mainly by M. tuberculosis.
Contact dermatitis to quinoline, corticosteroids and antibiotics after short time treatment of delayed wound healing following malignant melanoma excision in a young woman
Authors: Praessler Jana , Bauer Andrea , Elsner Peter , Kaatz Martin 
Published: July 2005

Background: We describe a 20‐year old woman with retarded healing after a melanoma excision. After short time application of several creams containing antiseptic, antibiotic and anti‐inflammatory ingredients she developed a severe contact dermatitis. Patch testing revealed sensitizations against corticosteroids, an antibiotic and quinoline.Conclusion: In our case multiple relevant contact sensitizations appeared within a short period of two months after excision of a malignant tumour.
Non‐invasive preoperative assessment of basal cell carcinoma of nodular and superficial types
Authors: Kuzmina Natalia , Talme Toomas , Lapins Jan , Emtestam Lennart 
Published: July 2005

Background/aims: Although various biophysical properties can be used to distinguish basal cell carcinoma (BCC) tissue from normal skin, none permits typing of the tumour. In this study, we assessed nodular (NBCC) and superficial (SBCC) types of BCC using three different non‐invasive instruments and placed special emphasis on their clinical value as diagnostic tools.Methods: We included 35 patients with 35 tumours (15 NBCC and 20 SBCC), which had been diagnosed clinically. All lesions were evaluated preoperatively with an instrument measuring electrical impedance (IMP). Methods for determining transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and laser Doppler (LD) were also used. Measurements were also made in healthy skin on the contralateral side as reference. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination.Results: We found clear differences between the lesions and their reference values, using all three bioengineering techniques for NBCC and SBCC. The biophysical parameters of all types vary with anatomical location. Since most of the NBCC were located on the face and most SBCC on the trunk, their baseline impedance characteristics (i.e., impedance indices magnitude index (MIX) and imaginary part index (IMIX)) differed significantly. We therefore compared delta (a difference between the reference and tumour) MIX and IMIX of NBCC and SBCC instead of the absolute figures. We found no significant differences in TEWL, blood flow and IMP between the two types of BCC and attribute this to biological variation and electromagnetic noise.Conclusions: As with LD and TEWL, definite differences in IMP were detected between healthy skin and BCC lesions. However, at this stage of development of the bioimpedance technique, we were unable to distinguish between the two types of BCC. An improved IMP device with semi‐ invasive probes or a more sophisticated type of data analysis may increase the diagnostic usefulness of the IMP method.
Human Cytomegalovirus TRS1 and IRS1 Gene Products Block the Double-Stranded-RNA-Activated Host Protein Shutoff Response Induced by Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Cassady Kevin A. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) attachment and entry stimulates the expression of cellular interferon-inducible genes, many of which target important cellular functions necessary for viral replication. Double-stranded RNA-dependent host protein kinase (PKR) is an interferon-inducible gene product that limits viral replication by inhibiting protein translation in the infected cell. It was anticipated that HCMV encodes gene products that facilitate the evasion of this PKR-mediated antiviral response. Using a Δγ
1
34.5 herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) recombinant that triggers PKR-mediated protein synthesis shutoff, experiments identified an HCMV gene product expressed in the initial hours of infection that allows continued protein synthesis in the infected cell. Recombinant HSV-1 viruses expressing either the HCMV TRS1 or IRS1 protein demonstrate that either of these HCMV gene products allows the Δγ
1
34.5 recombinant viruses to evade PKR-mediated protein shutoff and maintain late viral protein synthesis.
Two Subclasses of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lytic Cycle Promoters Distinguished by Open Reading Frame 50 Mutant Proteins That Are Deficient in Binding to DNA
Authors: Chang Pey-Jium , Shedd Duane , Miller George 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT
A transcriptional activator encoded in open reading frame 50 (ORF50) of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) genome initiates the viral lytic cycle. Here we classify four lytic cycle genes on the basis of several characteristics of the ORF50 response elements (ORF50 REs) in their promoters: nucleotide sequence homology, the capacity to bind ORF50 protein in vitro, the ability to bind the cellular protein RBP-Jκ in vitro, and the capacity to confer activation by DNA binding-deficient mutants of ORF50 protein. ORF50 expressed in human cells binds the promoters of PAN and K12 but does not bind ORF57 or vMIP-1 promoters. Conversely, the RBP-Jκ protein binds ORF57 and vMIP-1 but not PAN or K12 promoters. DNA binding-deficient mutants of ORF50 protein differentiate these two subclasses of promoters in reporter assays; the PAN and K12 promoters cannot be activated, while the ORF57 and vMIP-1 promoters are responsive. Although DNA binding-deficient mutants of ORF50 protein are defective in activating direct targets, they are nonetheless capable of activating the lytic cascade of KSHV. Significantly, DNA binding-deficient ORF50 mutants are competent to autostimulate expression of endogenous ORF50 and to autoactivate ORF50 promoter reporters. The experiments show that ORF50 protein activates downstream targets by at least two distinct mechanisms: one involves direct binding of ORF50 REs in promoter DNA; the other mechanism employs interactions with the RBP-Jκ cellular protein bound to promoter DNA in the region of the ORF50 RE. The DNA binding-deficient mutants allow classification of ORF50-responsive genes and will facilitate study of the several distinct mechanisms of activation of KSHV lytic cycle genes that are under the control of ORF50 protein.