bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Capreomycin is active against non-replicating M. tuberculosis
Authors: Heifets Leonid , Simon Julie , Pham Van 
Published: April 2005

Abstract

Background
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is affecting one-third of the world population, and activation of LTBI is a substantial source of new cases of tuberculosis. LTBI is caused by tubercle bacilli in a state of non-replicating persistence (NRP), and the goal of this study was to evaluate the activity in vitro of various antimicrobial agents against non-replicating M. tuberculosis.

Methods
To achieve a state of NRP we placed broth cultures of M. tuberculosis (three strains) in anaerobic conditions, and in this model tested all known anti-TB drugs and some other antimicrobial agents (a total of 32 drugs). The potential effect was evaluated by plating samples from broth cultures for determining the number of viable bacteria (CFU/ml) during a prolonged period of cultivation. Besides drug-free controls we used metronidazole for positive controls, the only drug known so far to be effective against tubercle bacilli in anaerobic setting.

Results
On a background of non-replicating conditions in drug-free cultures and clear bactericidal effect of metronidazole none of the antimicrobial agents tested produced effect similar to that of metronidazole except capreomycin, which was as bactericidal at the same level as metronidazole.

Conclusion
The unique ability of capreomycin to be bactericidal in vitro among the anti-TB drugs against non-replicating tubercle bacilli may justify the search for other drugs among peptide antibiotics with similar activity. This phenomenon requires further studies on the mechanism of action of capreomycin, and evaluation of its activity in appropriate animal models.
Measurement properties of the UK-English version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ 4.0 (PedsQL™) generic core scales
Authors: Upton Penney , Eiser Christine , Cheung Ivy , Hutchings Hayley A , Jenney Meriel , Maddocks Alison , Russell Ian T , Williams John G 
Published: April 2005

Abstract

Background
Health related quality of life (HRQL) has been recognised as an important paediatric outcome measurement. One of the more promising measures to emerge in recent years is the Pediatric Quality Of Life Inventory (PedsQL™), developed in the US. Advantages of the PedsQL™ include brevity, availability of age appropriate versions and parallel forms for child and parent. This study developed a UK-English version of PedsQL™ generic module and assessed its performance in a group of UK children and their parents.

Methods
PedsQL™ was translated to UK-English. The psychometric properties of the UK version were then tested following administration to 1399 children and 970 of their parents. The sample included healthy children, children diagnosed with asthma, diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease and children in remission from cancer.

Results
Psychometric properties were similar to those reported for the original PedsQL™. Internal reliability exceeded 0.70 for all proxy and self-report sub-scales. Discriminant validity was established for proxy and self-report with higher HRQL being reported for healthy children than those with health problems. Sex differences were noted on the emotional functioning subscale, with females reporting lower HRQL than males. Proxy and self-report correlation was higher for children with health problems than for healthy children.

Conclusion
The UK-English version of PedsQL™ performed as well as the original PedsQL™ and is recommended for assessment of paediatric HRQL in the UK.
US physicians' perceptions of the effect of practice guidelines and ability to provide high-quality care
Authors: Bartell Jessica , Smith Maureen 
Published: April 2005

Objectives: In the USA, health care organizations frequently disseminate practice guidelines to physicians, but physicians often resist implementing guidelines when they perceive no improvements in quality of care will result. Greater involvement with a single health care organization may affect physicians' perceptions of guidelines. We examined the relationship between the perceived effect of guidelines on practice and perceived quality of care for US primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialists with varying levels of financial involvement with a single managed care organization. Methods: Data were from the 1996-1997 Community Tracking Study, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of 12,528 physicians. Data were adjusted for possible confounders using ordinal logistic regression. Results: Almost half the physicians described a moderate to very large perceived effect of guidelines (46% of PCPs, 46% of specialists). Physicians' financial involvement with a single organization was modest: PCPs received on average 24% of their revenue from their largest contract, while specialists averaged 18%. For specialists, increasing perceived effect of guidelines was associated with increasingly negative perceptions of quality of care [β= –0.16, 95% confidence interval (–0.22, –0.10)]. Similar results were obtained for PCPs with low levels of financial involvement with a single organization. However, this negative association disappeared for PCPs with higher levels of financial involvement. Conclusions: PCPs with substantial financial involvement with a single organization who perceive greater effects of guidelines on practice have less negative perceptions of their ability to provide high-quality care. Although our data cannot confirm a causal relationship, financial involvement with a single organization may be one factor linking practice guidelines to high-quality care.
Determinants of patient and surgeon perspectives on maximum acceptable waiting times for hip and knee arthroplasty
Authors: Conner-Spady Barbara , Estey Angela , Arnett Gordon , Ness Kathleen , McGurran John , Bear Robert , Noseworthy Tom ,   The Steering Committee of the Western Canada Waiting List Project
Published: April 2005

Objectives: Lengthy waiting times for hip and knee arthroplasty have raised concerns about equitable and timely access to care. The Western Canada Waiting List project has developed priority criteria scores linked to maximum acceptable waiting times (MAWT) for different levels of priority. Our study purpose was to assess the determinants of patient- and surgeon-rated MAWT, and to test whether the anticipated waiting time has an independent influence after adjusting for age, sex and patient urgency. A second aim was to compare MAWT, waiting time and anticipated waiting time for different levels of urgency assessed using the priority criteria score. Methods: Orthopaedic surgeons assessed 233 consecutive patients waiting for arthroplasty in terms of their urgency (assessed using the priority criteria score and a visual analogue scale), MAWT and anticipated waiting time. Patient data included urgency (assessed by a visual analogue scale), MAWT and the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis index. We used hierarchical linear regression to test the models. Results: After adjusting for age and sex, urgency (assessed by priority criteria score and visual analogue scale) and anticipated waiting time accounted for 40% of the variance in surgeon MAWT. The patient model accounted for 30% of the variance in patient MAWT. Older patients preferred signficantly shorter MAWTs ( P <0.05). Anticipated waiting time added significantly to both the surgeon and patient MAWT models ( R2 change 0.11 and 0.07, respectively). Actual waiting time was weakly correlated with urgency assessed using the priority criteria score ( r = –0.25, P <0.0001). Conclusions: Patients' and surgeons' views are critical to a fair process of establishing MAWT for elective procedures. Anticipated waiting time may influence the perspectives on MAWT and must be considered in their interpretation.
Glutathione S-Transferase P1 *C Allelic Variant Increases Susceptibility for Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease: Association Study and Relationship with Apolipoprotein E ε4 Allele
Authors: Bernardini Sergio , Bellincampi Lorenza , Ballerini Sabrina , Federici Giorgio , Iori Roberta , Trequattrini Alberto , Ciappi Fabrizio , Baldinetti Francesca , Bossù Paola , Caltagirone Carlo , Spalletta Gianfranco 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Background: Oxidative stress and neuronal cell death have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). Considering that the glutathione transferase (GST) supergene family encodes isoenzymes that appear to be critical in protection against oxidative stress, we aimed at determining the various GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms and ApoE genotypes to investigate their role as susceptibility genes for late-onset AD (LOAD).
Methods: We included 210 LOAD patients and 228 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and educational level in our case–control genetic association study. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were studied by conventional PCR, whereas GSTP1 and ApoE genotypes were determined by real-time PCR on the LightCycler.
Results: We found a significant association between LOAD and the GSTP1*C allelic variant [odds ratio (OR) = 1.9; P &lt;0.05], but no association between the GSTM1 and GSTT1 deleted genotypes and LOAD. In addition, a preliminary result suggested that carriers of both the GSTP1*C and ApoE ε4 allelic variants were at increased risk of LOAD (OR = 19.98; P &lt;0.0001).
Conclusion: The GSTP1*C allelic variant should be considered a candidate for LOAD, particularly in persons having the ApoE ε4 allelic variant, because the GSTP1 and ApoE gene products are implicated in oxidative stress and apoptosis processes leading to β-amyloid-mediated neurodegeneration.
Medium optimization for hen egg white lysozyme production by recombinant Aspergillus niger using statistical methods
Authors: Gheshlaghi R. , Scharer J.M. , Moo‐Young M. , Douglas P.L. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractStatistics‐based experimental design was used to investigate the effect of medium components (starch, peptone, ammonium sulfate, yeast extract, and CaCl2 · 2H2O) on hen's egg white lysozyme production by Aspergillus niger HEWL WT‐13‐16. A 25−1 fractional factorial design augmented with center points revealed that peptone, starch, and ammonium sulfate were the most significant factors, whereas the other factors were not important within the levels tested. The method of steepest ascent was used to approach the proximity of optimum. This task was followed by a central composite design to develop a response surface for medium optimization. The optimum medium composition for lysozyme production was found to be: starch 34 g L−1, peptone 34 g L−1, ammonium sulfate 11.9 g L−1, yeast extract 0.5 g L−1, and CaCl2 · 2H2O 0.5 g L−1. This medium was projected to produce, theoretically, 212 mg L−1 lysozyme. Using this medium, an experimental maximum lysozyme concentration of 209 ± 18 mg L−1 verified the applied methodology. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of anion channels and Ca2+ in addition to K+ channels in the physiological volume regulation of murine spermatozoa
Authors: Yeung Ching‐Hei , Barfield Jennifer P. , Cooper Trevor G. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractStudies in the human, transgenic mice, and cattle indicate that sperm cell volume regulation plays an important role in male fertility as spermatozoa encounter a hypo‐osmotic challenge upon ejaculation into the female tract. Physiological regulatory volume decrease (RVD) was examined using flow cytometry in murine sperm released into incubation medium mimicking uterine osmolality and including putative channel inhibitors. The involvement of K+ channels was indicated by the recovery of volume regulation by the K+ ionophore valinomycin in defective sperm from infertile transgenic mice, and from blockage of RVD by quinine in normal sperm. However, in neither case was the recovery complete. The involvement of volume‐sensitive osmolyte and anion channels (VSOAC) were investigated using blockers effective in other cell types. NPPB (5‐nitro‐2(3‐phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid) and tamoxifen inhibited RVD but SITS (4‐acetamido‐4′‐isothiocyanato‐stilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid) at 0.4 and 1 mM had no effect whereas DIDS (di‐isothiocyanato‐stilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid) at 1 mM enhanced RVD. Verapamil, but not another P‐glycoprotein antagonist cyclosporin, caused sperm swelling which persisted in the presence of valinomycin, in Ca2+‐free medium and in the presence of thapsigargin, but swelling was abolished by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Nifedipine was slightly effective in blocking RVD. Analysis by Western blotting failed to reveal ClC‐2 and ClC‐3 members of the chloride channel family in murine or rat sperm proteins despite signal bands in positive tissue controls. These findings implicate the involvement of some unidentified VSOAC in sperm volume regulation, which is probably Ca+‐dependent. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mediolateral Graft Tympanoplasty for Anterior or Subtotal Tympanic Membrane Perforation
Authors: Jung Timothy T. K. , Park Seong Kook 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE:To describe and evaluate the mediolateral graft tympanoplasty for the reconstruction of anterior or subtotal tympanic membrane (TM) perforation.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:Retrospective study of 100 patients who underwent the mediolateral graft tympanoplasty at community and tertiary care centers from 1995 to 2001. All patients underwent preoperative and postoperative audiograms. Posterior tympanomeatal flap is elevated same as in the medial (underlay) graft tympanoplasty. Anterior‐medial canal skin is elevated down to the annulus. At the annulus, only squamous epithelial layer of TM is elevated up to anterior half of the TM perforation. Temporalis fascia is grafted medial (underlay) to the posterior half of the perforation and lateral (overlay) to the anterior half of the de‐epithelialized TM perforation, up to the annulus. Anterior canal skin is rotated to cover the fascia graft and TM perforation as a second‐layer closure. Patients were followed for at least 6 months. Outcome was considered successful if the TM is intact.RESULTS:There were 3 failures (97% success rate), attributable to a postoperative infection, anterior blunting, and recurrent cholesteatoma, respectively. There was no significant postoperative hearing loss compared with preoperative hearing. More than 70% of the operated ears had hearing improvement of 0‐40 dB (0‐10 dB in 19% of ears, 11‐20 dB in 44%, 21‐30 dB in 7%, and 31‐40 dB in 4%) even without ossiculoplasty. With ossiculoplasty using either partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP, 15%) or total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP, 11%), there were various degree of hearing improvement from 11 to 30 dB.CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE:The mediolateral graft method is superior to the traditional medial or lateral graft technique for the reconstruction of large anterior or subtotal TM perforation. This new method should help otologic surgeons to improve outcome of tympanoplasty for anterior or total TM perforation. EBM rating: C‐1.
Multilevel Temperature‐Controlled Radiofrequency for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Extended Follow‐up
Authors: Steward David L. , Weaver Edward M. , Woodson B. Tucker 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE:To determine long‐term effectiveness of multilevel (tongue and palate) temperature‐controlled radiofrequency tissue ablation (TCRFTA) for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:Prospective, 2‐institution case series. Twenty‐nine subjects with mild to moderate OSAS and who were at least 1 year from completion of multilevel TCRFTA were included, representing a subset of subjects who were enrolled in a previously published controlled trial. Exclusion criteria for this extended follow‐up study included any additional treatment for OSAS after completion of TCRFTA.RESULTS:Median follow‐up was 23 months. Daytime sleepiness and OSAS‐related quality of life were significantly improved at extended follow‐up (both P 0.001). Median reaction time testing and apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) were also significantly improved at long‐term follow‐up (P = 0.03 and 0.01). Body mass index was unchanged (P = 0.94).CONCLUSIONS:Multilevel TCRFTA treatment of mild to moderate OSAS resulted in prolonged improvement in daytime somnolence, OSAS‐related quality of life, psychomotor vigilance, and AHI in this group of subjects at extended follow‐up.
Gastric Reflux is Uncommon in Acute Post‐Tympanostomy Otorrhea
Authors: Antonelli Patrick J. , Lloyd Kristen M. , Lee James C. 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE:Acute post‐tympanostomy otorrhea (APTO) is a common complication of tympanostomy tube placement. APTO has been related primarily to viral upper respiratory infections and external ear contamination. Elevated levels of gastric enzymes have been found in a large proportion of chronic middle ear effusions, implicating gastric reflux (GR) in its pathogenesis. Thus, our objective was to determine whether GR may be a contributing factor in the development of APTO.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING:Prospective, nonrandomized design. Otorrhea samples were collected from children with APTO. Total pepsinogen concentrations were measured with a commercial ELISA, using a pepsinogen I–specific capture antibody and horseradish peroxidase detection antibody.RESULTS:Twenty‐six samples from 24 patients were collected and analyzed. Eight samples demonstrated measurable pepsinogen I, but the measured concentrations, 2‐17 mg/L, were below the normal serum reference ranges.CONCLUSIONS:GR does not play a major role in the development of APTO in children.
Use of Mometasone Furoate Aqueous Nasal Spray in the Treatment of Rhinitis Medicamentosa: An Experimental Study
Authors: Tas Abdullah , Yagiz Recep , Yalcin Omer , Uzun Cem , Huseyinova Gulara , Adali Mustafa K. , Karasalihoglu Ahmet R. 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE:We aimed to investigate, histopathologic changes in the nasal mucosa of guinea pig's after prolonged administration of oxymetazoline and the development of rhinitis medicamentosa, and the efficacy of mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray and saline in reversing the ultrastructural changes attributable to rhinitis medicamentosa.METHODS:In the study, 24 male guinea pigs (500 to 600 gr) were used. Oxymetazolin (0.05%) was sprayed into the nasal cavities of the guinea pigs 3 times daily for 8 weeks. At the end of this period, 6 guinea pigs were killed and examined to make sure that the animals had developed rhinitis medicamentosa. The remaining guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups. In the first group, one spray‐puff of 0.05% mometasone furoate aqueous nasal spray (50 μg) was applied twice daily for 14 days. In the second group, saline solution (0.9% NaCl) was applied twice daily for 14 days. No treatment was performed in the third group. At the end of the treatment period, nasal mucosal changes were evaluated by light microscopy and electron microscopy.RESULTS:After oxymetazolin application for 8 weeks, the main histologic changes were edema, congestion, proliferation of subepithelial glands, and squamous cell metaplasia. After topical mometasone furoate aqueous spray application for 2 weeks, the edema fluid was found to diminish markedly. In the saline and no treatment groups, edema and congestion continued. In these groups of guinea pigs, fibrosis has been seen in the nasal mucosa.CONCLUSION:We found that mometasone furoate nasal spray was effective against experimentally induced rhinitis medicamentosa in guinea pigs. Mometasone furoate nasal spray may have value in the treatment of patients with rhinitis medicamentosa.
Primary Parapharyngeal Space Tumors in a Mexican Cancer Center
Authors: Luna‐Ortiz Kuauhyama , Navarrete‐Alemán Jaime Esteban , Granados‐García Martín , Herrera‐Gómez Angel 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE:To describe clinical and demographic characteristics of the parapharyngeal space tumors and assess surgical approaches used to treat them at our institution.METHODS:A retrospective and descriptive study of the parapharyngeal space tumors, excluding paragangliomas, treated from June 1991 to October 2002 in a cancer center. The study population included 21 patients, 8 men and 13 women, average age of 41 years (range, 20 to 70 years). Fine needle biopsy was done in 5 (24%) patients. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in all patients, and only a few required magnetic resonance image (MRI).RESULTS:Surgical approaches included transcervical alone or in combination with parotidectomy, transoral, or transmandibular (mandibular swing) approach. Laminectomy and segmentary approaches were also performed in 1 patient each. Sixteen (76%) patients had benign lesions and 5 (24%) had malignant tumors. Neurogenic tumors represented 57% of all tumors. Mean tumor size was of 6.7 cm (range, 3 to 11 cm). Six (29%) patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Complications occurred in 6 (29%) patients, 4 (19%) of which were nervous injuries associated with peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Median disease‐free follow‐up survival was 33 months (range, 2 to 184 months) despite being an heterogeneous group of histologies.CONCLUSION:Parapharyngeal space is a rare location for head and neck tumors. Cervical approach should be the first choice for large tumors; transoral approach is reserved for tumors less than 3 cm. Conversion to mandibular swing approach when the cervical approach is not offering proper exposure for tumor resection is indicated. Preoperative histologic diagnosis is not required. Nevertheless, CT scan should always be performed in order to exclude paragangliomas, distinguish prestyloid from poststyloid lesions, and to assess the extension of the tumor as well as its relationship with adjacent structures.
Ultrastructural Detection of Nitric Oxide in Human Nasal Mucosa
Authors: Knipping Stephan , Holzhausen Hans Jürgen , Berghaus Alexander , Bloching Marc , Riederer Andreas 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE:Nasal vasculature and seromucous glands are exposed to complex mechanisms influenced by external as well as internal stimuli. In addition to classic and peptidergic neurotransmitters, nitric oxide (NO) was increasingly found to be important in the control of various physiologic functions. NO modulates nasal immunology, influences macrophage activity, and has antiviral and bacteriostatic properties. The aim of this study was to show the localization of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) I and III in the normal human nasal mucosa by using immunoelectron microscopical techniques.STUDY DESIGN:Specimens of noninflammed inferior turbinates from 35 patients who underwent nasal surgery were fixed in phosphate‐buffered glutaraldehyde. After dehydration, incubation in unicryl and polymerization, ultrathin sections were cut. Primary antibodies against NOS I and III were applied and the immunocomplexes were visualized by an immunocytochemical staining‐technique using gold‐labeled antibodies. Immunostained structures were photodocumented using a transmission electron microscope.RESULTS:NOS‐immunoreactive nerve fibers were mainly co‐located in parasympathetic nerves in the adventitia of arterial vessels and in periglandular axons. Electron microscopy showed that NOS‐positive axons were in close contact with acinus cells. A strong NOS III‐immunoreactivity was found in endothelial cells of capillaries near the glands as well as in arterial vessels. Furthermore, immunoreaction products were deposited throughout the cytoplasm of fibroblasts.CONCLUSION:Nitric oxide in nerve fibers, seromucous glands, and endothelial cells of capillaries and arterial vessels suggest that NO takes part in the regulation of physiologic processes of the human nasal mucosa. NOS was co‐localized in para‐sympathetic nerves and plays a role in the neurotransmission and neuromodulation of the vascular tone and glandular secretion. Arteries showed a distinctly developed nitrergic innervation and endothelial accumulation. The NO production in axons of the adventitia and in the endothelium of arteries demonstrated that these vessels are influenced by a dual NO system. NO could mainly act on these structures with vasodilatatory effects. Finally, NO would be able to influence the functions of perivascular fibroblasts.