bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Reported versus Measured Height, Weight and Body Mass Index in Spanish Mediterranean Teenagers: Effects of Gender, Age and Weight on Perceptual Measures of Body Image
Authors: Farré Rovira Rosaura , Frasquet Pons Isabel , Martínez Martínez Maria Isabel , Romá Sánchez Raquel
Published: April 2003

Background: To have a good physical appearance is a determining factor by which adolescents show a tendency to worry excessively about their weight. The aim of this work is to study the possible relationship between actual and perceived body weight, how it is considered and what strategies are followed for weight control among adolescents residing in Valencia. Methods: A sample of 568 students, 325 girls and 243 boys, aged 14–20 years, were selected from public high schools in Valencia. Their height and weight were used to calculate their actual body mass index (BMIO). The subjective perception of their physical measurements (BMIS) was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. The statistical treatment of data was done with commercially available software. Results: There is a relatively large proportion of underweight subjects among the participants of the survey. Differences between the BMIO and BMIS indicate a misperception of height (overestimated) and weight (underestimated) that is greater in girls than in boys. Girls tend to undergo restrictive dietary measures when they consider themselves overweight. A general lack of knowledge about adequate weight was observed. Conclusion: Valencia teenagers show a poor knowledge of their body size and of the weight that should be adequate for their age and tallness.
Symbolische Einstellung und Reverie als eine Grundlage der psychotherapeutischen Behandlungstechnik1
Authors: Bovensiepen Gustav
Published: April 2003

Im Vergleich zu den 70er und 80er Jahren haben wir heute mehr als früher Kinder und Jugendliche in Behandlung, die infolge traumatischer Erfahrungen von Gewalt oder Missbrauch, von Deprivation oder von chronischen körperlichen Erkrankungen nicht ausreichend in der Lage sind, ihre Symbolfunktion zu gebrauchen. Der Artikel beschäftigt sich mit der behandlungstechnisch wichtigen Frage, welche Qualität und welche analytische Haltung wir innerhalb der analytischen Situation bereitstellen sollten oder können, um dem Kind zu helfen, von seiner Symbolisierungsfähigkeit – und mag sie noch so unzureichend entwickelt oder blockiert sein – wieder Gebrauch machen zu können. Im Gegensatz zu Jung und manchen jungianischen Analytikern ist der Autor der Meinung, dass die transzendente Funktion zwar «ein natürlicher Vorgang» (Jung) und damit archetypisch fundiert ist, aber nicht einfach spontan wirkt, sondern zu ihrer Entfaltung eine Matrix benötigt, deren Grundmodell die früheste Beziehungserfahrung des Kindes ist, die innerhalb der Behandlung reinszeniert werden kann. Jungs sehr allgemeines Konzept der «symbolischen Einstellung» ergänzt und spezifiziert der Autor durch Bions Auffassung der mütterlichen/therapeutischen «Reverie», die wesentlich zur Symbolbildung innerhalb der Übertragung/Gegenübertragung beiträgt. Diese Auffassung wird anhand der Behandlung eines 10 Jahre alten Jungen mit einer schweren angeborenen Darmerkrankung (Hirschsprungsche Erkrankung) illustriert, dessen Symbolisierungsfähigkeit blockiert war. Behandlungstechnisch wird als eine modifizierte Form der aktiven Imagination das wechselseitige Zeichnen von Comics eingeführt, wodurch es dem Jungen allmählich gelang, einen symbolischen Raum innerhalb der Therapie und einen inneren psychischen Raum zu entwickeln.
In vitro Activity of FK463, a Novel Lipopeptide Antifungal Agent, against a Variety of Clinically Important Molds
Authors: Nakai T. , Uno J. , Otomo K. , Ikeda F. , Tawara S. , Goto T. , Nishimura K. , Miyaji M.
Published: April 2003

The in vitro antifungal activity of FK463 against a variety of clinically important opportunistic molds was compared with amphotericin B, itraconazole and fluconazole by using the broth microdilution method M27-A specified by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. FK463 exhibited potent activity against Aspergillus species, which was superior to those of all other compounds tested. FK463 was also active against the dematiaceous fungi Cladosporium trichoides, Exophiala spinifera, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, and Exophiala dermatitidis except for certain clinical isolates. However, FK463 had no activity against Fusarium solani, Pseudallesheria boydii, and the zygomycetes Absidia corymbifera, Cunninghamella elegans, Rhizopus oryzae, and Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis. These results suggest that FK463 has potential utility for the treatment for infections caused by Aspergillus species and dematiaceous fungi.
Long-Term Results of Elective Stenting for Severe Carotid Artery Stenosis in Taiwan
Authors: Kao Hsien-Li , Lin Lian-Yu , Lu Chien-Jung , Jeng Jiann-Shing , Yip Ping-Keung , Lee Yuan-Teh
Published: April 2003

Stenting for severe carotid stenosis has been proposed as an alternative for patients with high surgical risk for endarterectomy, but its effectiveness and safety has never been evaluated in large case series in a pure Asian population. One hundred and eighteen ethnic Chinese patients (mean age 72.8 years) with 129 severely narrowed carotid arteries were stented electively using self-expanding stents. The mean pre-treatment diameter stenosis was 85% and final residual diameter stenosis 14%. The peri-procedural stroke and death rate was 4.2%. One (0.8%) late ischemic stroke and 2 (1.7%) deaths occurred during a mean follow-up of 16.3 months, and the restenosis rate was 3.1%. Carotid stenting, therefore, can be done safely and effectively in Chinese patients.
Lung Uptake of Technetium-99m Tetrofosmin in Healthy Subjects Is Related to Smoking Habits
Authors: Tsou Shi Sheng , Shiau Yu-Chien , Kao Chia-Hung , Lin Cheng Chieh , Lee Cheng Chun
Published: April 2003

To determine the influence of smoking on lung uptake of technetium-99m tetrofosmin (Tc-TF) during myocardial perfusion imaging, we examined 50 healthy subjects with normal myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography findings, normal coronary angiograms, and no evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. The 50 healthy subjects were divided into two groups. Group 1: 25 healthy subjects had smoking histories of at least 10 pack-years. Group 2: 25 healthy subjects were nonsmokers. Lung to heart ratios (L/H ratios) calculated from anterior planar images during exercise and rest states of Tc-TF myocardial perfusion imaging were obtained for all of the 50 healthy subjects. L/H ratios calculated from Tc-TF myocardial perfusion imaging in smokers were significantly higher than in nonsmokers during both exercise and rest states. However, no significant difference in L/H ratios was found between exercise and rest states in smokers and nonsmokers. In addition, a positive but nonsignificant correlation was found between smoking pack-years and either rest or exercise L/H ratios. When L/H ratios are used as a clinical diagnostic tool in Tc-TF myocardial perfusion imaging, we must consider that L/H ratios in smokers are higher than in nonsmokers.
Minimal Intervention Prosthodontics: Current Knowledge and Societal Implications
Authors: Bowley John
Published: April 2003

Minimal intervention prosthodontics can be considered a treatment option for a country’s overall dental health care plan. Prosthodontics can cover a range of increasingly aggressive treatment interventions depending on the severity and progression of the disease. The ‘shortened dental arch’ concept is a minimal treatment intervention approach that has been advocated for a wide range of partially edentulous patients. This concept favors limited prosthodontic intervention to achieve patient-perceived acceptable function levels in the presence of multiple missing teeth. The implementation of minimal interventions should be balanced by considering risk-to-benefit ratios, as well as the consequences of nonintervention or low-level prosthodontic interventions. The ‘nonintervention’ approach and low-level prosthodontic interventions have inherent consequences and well-documented risks; professional ethics dictate that a practitioner present these risks as well as the known benefits of all treatment options. Developing countries are under significant pressure to effectively utilize limited resources, increase skilled human resources, provide advanced levels of care to very large numbers of patients and plan for the future dental health care of their society. Many developing countries are prime candidates for inadvertent abuse and misappropriation of prosthodontic materials, treatment modalities and human resources in trying to provide cost-effective prosthodontic care. A developing country can learn from the mistakes that developed countries have made in the past and use the evidence from these experiences to plan for a better future state of dental health for their society.
Clinical Trial of a New Glass Ionomer for an Atraumatic Restorative Treatment Technique in Class I Restorations Placed in Latvian School Children
Authors: Ziraps Armands , Honkala Eino
Published: April 2003

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new glass ionomer filling material (ChemFlex™) using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) approach in class I cavities in the permanent dentition of Latvian schoolchildren. Methods: A total of 63 fillings (40 test and 23 control) were placed using the ART technique in 41 schoolchildren in Riga at the Stomatology Institute of the Medical Academy of Latvia. These fillings were then blindly assessed after 2 years. Results: The complete success rate for both the test and the control material fillings were 92.5 and 94.9%, respectively. Conclusion: The new glass ionomer filling has shown a good performance in terms of retention, marginal failure and fractures in class I cavities.
An in vitro Oral Biofilm Model for Comparing the Efficacy of Antimicrobial Mouthrinses
Authors: Shapiro S. , Giertsen E. , Guggenheim B.
Published: April 2003

The ability of commercial mouthrinses to reduce total viable counts of mixed microbial populations was examined using a previously developed in vitro model of supragingival plaque. Exploratory experiments aimed at fine-tuning the model indicated that optimal correspondence between in vitro and clinical results for chlorhexidine-containing formulations were obtained at a saliva:medium ratio of 70:30 (v/v); moreover, expanding the microbial population from 5 bacterial species to 5 bacterial species + Candida albicans had no noticeable impact on overall results. The efficacies of 12 different mouthrinse proprietary products containing chlorhexidine, hexetidine, octenidine, Triclosan, plant extracts, or aminefluoride/stannous fluoride vis-à-vis biofilm clearance were compared. All mouthrinses promoted a statistically significant reduction in microbial load compared to distilled water. The herbal- and phenolic-based products were substantially less effective than most chlorhexidine-containing mouthrinses, or mouthrinses containing hexetidine or octenidine. No significant difference between the plaque-clearing plaque-clearing abilities of Listerine® and Meridol® was observed. This polyspecies biofilm model can be a valuable tool for preclinical testing of antiplaque formulations, particularly during the product development stage.
Factor VII Deficiency and a Copper Metabolism Disorder in a Patient with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome
Authors: Mueller Nicolas J. , Schiller Peter , Shimizu Norikazu , Flury Renata , Aschwanden Markus , Widmer Urs , Enzler Thomas
Published: April 2003

We report on a patient with Klippel-Trenaunay (KT) syndrome, a factor VII deficiency and a copper metabolism disorder. The KT syndrome involved the left leg and, histologically, the liver. Dermatological examination, duplex ultrasonography and a skin and liver biopsy verified the KT syndrome. A long prothrombin time prompted clotting studies revealing a factor VII deficiency while the other factors were in the normal range. Further laboratory examinations showed a copper metabolism disorder similar to Wilson’s disease with a low serum ceruloplasmin level, elevated copper concentration in the urine and increased copper deposition in the liver. Neither liver cirrhosis nor a Kayser-Fleischer corneal ring was present. Sequencing analysis of the Wilson’s disease gene ATB7B showed no mutations. The occurrence of these three uncommon pathologies in a single patient has not been described to date, which may suggest a mutation in a hypothetical common regulatory gene leading to this unusual phenotype.
Transport Kinetics of Alpha-Aminoisobutyric Acid and Water in Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies: An in vitro Study
Authors: Nandakumaran Moorkath , Omu Alexander , Diejomaoh Michael , Al-Yatama Majda , Harouny Assem K. , Sugathan Thattaruparambil N.
Published: April 2003

Objective: To investigate the transport kinetics of a model amino acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), in the maternal-fetal direction in placentae from pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Methods: Transport kinetics of the amino acid was assessed in vitro using perfusion of human placental lobules. Control placental lobules were perfused for comparison. National Culture and Tissue Collection-135 medium diluted with Earle’s buffered salt solution was used as the perfusate, and tritiated water served as the internal reference marker. AIB along with reference marker was injected as a single bolus into the maternal arterial perfusate, and serial perfusate samples were collected from maternal and fetal venous circuits for a study period of 5 min. Results: The differential transport rate of the amino acid for various efflux fractions differed significantly between control and experimental groups when compared to that of the reference marker. The transport rate (corresponding to 50% of efflux into the fetal vein), transport fraction, absorption and elimination rates of the amino acid differed significantly compared to the reference marker values in study and control groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that amino acid transport function is compromised in placentae of pre-eclamptic pregnancies.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Features
Authors: Makar R.R. , Al-Waheeb S. , John B. , Junaid T.A.
Published: April 2003

Objectives: To study the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: Hematoxylin- and eosin-stained sections of primary gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a panel of antibodies to determine muscle and neural differentiation, the incidence of CD117 and CD34 expression, as well as bcl-2 and cytokeratin expression. Each stain was interpreted as negative or positive. The staining intensity of positive cases was graded as weak, moderate or strong. Results: The age range was 25–80 with an average age of 54 and a male:female ratio of 3:2. The stomach was the most common site for these tumors, followed by the small intestine. Histologically, 46% were classified as malignant and 54% were benign. Most of the malignant tumors occurred in males, particularly in the stomach or small intestine. There was no significant difference in patient age between malignant and benign tumors. The most sensitive markers were muscle-specific actin for muscle differentiation and glial fibrillary acidic protein for neural differentiation. CD117 expression was seen in 81% and CD34 in 54% of all tumors. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the stomach is the most common site for these tumors, that malignant tumors are more likely to occur in the small intestine than in the stomach, and that there is no difference between benign and malignant tumors with regard to age. Our findings are comparable to those of other workers, although our male:female ratio was slightly higher.
Is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy a Safe Procedure for Patients Receiving Anticoagulant Therapy?
Authors: Hasaniah Wael Fathi , El-Sayed Metwalli Afifi , Al-Sayer Hilal , Juma Talib Hashim , Al-Hadeedi Sabah
Published: April 2003

Objective: To evaluate the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy. Methods: Four patients were involved in this study on whom the procedure was performed in a conventional manner paying meticulous attention to haemostasis. The oral anticoagulant was resumed the night of the operation, and the patient was discharged and acceptable international normalised ratio was achieved postoperatively. Results: There was no thrombo-embolic or haemorrhagic complication. The mean hospital stay was 5 days. Conclusion: LC can be safely performed in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy.
Current Issues in Cochlear Gene Transfer
Authors: Lalwani Anil K. , Jero Jussi , Mhatre Anand N.
Published: April 2003

Cochlear gene therapy represents a potential experimental and therapeutic tool to understand and treat deafness. In designing cochlear gene transfer studies, the chosen route of delivery of vector and the choice of gene therapy vector have to be given careful consideration. Several different routes of delivery have been tested in our laboratory including infusion with osmotic minipump, direct microinjection into the cochlea and application of vector-transgene complex-soaked Gelfoam® into the direct contact with the round window membrane. In our experience, the latter is an easy, safe and atraumatic technique to deliver gene into the cochlea. A number of different gene transfer vectors have been investigated in vivo for their efficacy, utility and safety in intracochlear gene transfer. Vectors successfully studied include cationic liposomes, adeno-associated virus, adenovirus, lentivirus, herpes simplex virus and vaccinia virus. While the viral vectors offer clear experimental advantages, human gene therapy in the future will likely utilize nonviral vectors to maximize safety. Finally, safety issues regarding dissemination of gene transfer vectors beyond the target cochlea will need to be adequately addressed.
Mechanisms of Cell Death in the Injured Auditory System: Otoprotective Strategies
Authors: Lefebvre Philippe P. , Malgrange Brigitte , Lallemend François , Staecker Hinrich , Moonen Gustave , van de Water Thomas R.
Published: April 2003

Oxidative stress insults such as neurotrophin withdrawal, sound trauma, hypoxia/ischemia, ototoxic antibiotics, and chemotherapeutic agents have been shown to induce apoptosis of both auditory hair cells and neurons. In this paper, we review some components of the apoptotic pathways leading to the death of hair cells and auditory induced by growth factor withdrawal or cisplatin intoxication: (1) reactive oxygen species and free radicals are formed as by-products of several metabolic pathways and these molecules can themselves cause cell damage by reacting with cellular proteins; (2) activation of caspases, and (3) activation of calpain. These mechanisms have several different points at which inhibitors could be targeted to protect cells from programmed cell death, including the prevention of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and the activation of caspases and calpains.
Outcome of Treatment in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Southern Brazil Using a Modified German Multicenter Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Protocol
Authors: Fogliatto L. , Bittencourt H. , Nunes A.S. , Salenave P.R. , Silva G.S. , Daudt L.E. , Job F.M. , Bittencourt R. , Onsten T. , Silla L.M.R.
Published: April 2003

Reports on treatment outcomes in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Brazil are sparse. To evaluate the outcome of patients with ALL managed by the public healthcare system, we studied 42 adults treated from 1990 to 1997 in the Division of Hematology at Hospital de Clínicas, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Of these patients, 14/42 were females and their median age at diagnosis was 26 (17–64) years. The diagnosis of ALL was based on cytological examination of marrow smears, and immunophenotypic and cytogenetic studies, when available. Fifty percent of the patients expressed CD10, 30% were CD10 negative and CD19 positive and 20% expressed T markers. Philadelphia chromosome was found in 4 (7.14%). The chemotherapy protocol was adapted from the German Multicenter ALL (GMALL) 02-84 protocol. The complete remission rate was 93% and the overall survival at 5 years was 41%. No particular risk factor was identified in our series. These results are comparable to the findings of other international studies.
Spectral Karyotyping Refined the Identification of a der(Y)t(Y;1)(q11.1 or .2;q12) in the Blast Cells of a Patient with Atypical Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Ohsaka Akimichi , Hisa Tomoko
Published: April 2003

We report a case of atypical chronic myeloid leukemia who showed leukocytosis with immature granulocytes and dysplastic features but no monocytosis or basophilia. Cytogenetic analysis by conventional G-banding showed an abnormal clone, which was interpreted as 46,X,-Y,+der(?)t(?;1)(?;q?1), and no Philadelphia chromosome. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction did not show either major or minor BCR-ABL chimeric mRNA. Spectral karyotyping (SKY) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) refined the karyotype to 46,X,der(Y)t(Y;1)(q11.1 or .2;q12). The der(Y)t(Y;1) abnormality was reported previously in 9 cases and associated with myelodysplastic syndrome or chronic myeloproliferative disorders. SKY in combination with the standard banding method and FISH may be useful for exploring undefined chromosome abnormalities in hematological disorders.
De novo CD5-Positive Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Solely Presenting as Multiple Subcutaneous Nodules
Authors: Takahashi Tohru , Kazama Yoshie , Shimizu Haruo , Yoshimoto Mitsuru , Tsujisaki Masayuki , Imai Kohzoh
Published: April 2003

Lymphomas may involve the subcutaneous tissue as a manifestation of generalized disease. However, they rarely present with multiple involvement of the subcutaneous fat tissue without other sites of the disease. We describe a patient with CD5+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBL) that was confined to the subcutaneous tissue. A 74-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis was admitted because of multiple subcutaneous nodules. The patient had not been treated with cytotoxic drugs or methotrexate. The biopsied specimen disclosed diffuse infiltration of large cells with a starry sky-like appearance. The cells were positive for CD5, CD19, CD20, CD25, IgM, λ-chain, and negative for CD10, CD23 or cyclin D1. Thus a diagnosis of CD5+ DLBL was made. The patient was treated with a modified CHOP protocol and complete remission was achieved.
Topical Provocation in Fixed Drug Eruption from Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Authors: Gonçalo Margarida , Oliveira Hugo S. , Fernandes Bárbara , Robalo-Cordeiro Margarida , Figueiredo Américo
Published: April 2003

Objective: Evaluate the importance of topical lesional provocation in the study of fixed drug eruption (FDE) from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Patients and Results: We studied 14 patients with FDE imputed with high probability to piroxicam (8 patients), nimesulide (5) and feprazone (1). One patient with FDE from piroxicam suffered lesion reactivation after intravenous tenoxicam. The suspected drug and related compounds were patch tested on residual lesional skin and on the normal back skin. Positive results were obtained, only in affected areas, in 13 out of 14 patients (92.9%): in all cases due to feprazone and nimesulide and in 7/8 cases of FDE due to piroxicam. The 7 patients reactive to piroxicam also had positive tests to tenoxicam, and 1 out of 5 reacted to meloxicam. None reacted to thiosalicylic acid. Comments and Conclusions: Topical lesional provocation is a safe, sensible and specific complementary method for drug imputation in FDE from these NSAID, namely for nimesulide, as it reproduced a positive test in the 5 patients. In the case of FDE from piroxicam, our studies confirm cross-reactivity with tenoxicam whereas in piroxicam-induced photosensitivity tenoxicam can be used safely. In photosensitivity the responsible moiety is a UVA photoproduct of piroxicam antigenically and structurally similar to thiosalicylic acid, a moiety which is not involved in FDE.
Creatinine Inhibits D-Amino Acid Oxidase
Authors: Nohara Y. , Suzuki J. , Kinoshita T. , Watanabe M.
Published: April 2003

Inhibition of D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) activity by various uremic retention products and guanidino compounds was investigated. Creatinine (CTN) was found to inhibit DAO at a similar concentration in the sera of uremic patients. The inhibition was competitive and the Ki value was 2.7 mM. Moreover, CTN was shown to interact with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), a coenzyme of DAO. The UV spectral change of FAD bound to DAO was observed in the visible region by addition of CTN. These findings suggest that the increase in serum and tissue CTN concentrations might be responsible, in part, for the increase in D-amino acids in the sera of uremic patients.
Biliary and Total Extrarenal Clearance of Inulin and Iohexol in Pigs
Authors: van Westen D. , Almén T. , Chai Chun-ming , Frennby B. , Månsson S. , Sterner G.
Published: April 2003

Biliary clearance, total extrarenal clearance, body and renal clearance of inulin and iohexol were determined in 11 normal and 11 nephrectomized pigs. The biliary clearance of inulin, calculated as biliary excretion divided by the plasma concentration, was 0.04 and 0.01 ml min–1 10 kg–1 and of iohexol 0.21 and 0.1 ml min–1 10 kg–1 , in normal, respectively, nephrectomized pigs (p < 0.05). The extrarenal clearance of inulin, calculated as body minus renal clearance, was 2.7 and 0.7 ml min–1 10 kg–1 and of iohexol 3.7 and 0.7 ml min–1 10 kg–1 in normal, respectively, nephrectomized pigs (p < 0.05). Some hours after injection of the markers their plasma concentrations were much higher in the nephrectomized pigs. This higher plasma concentration was not matched by an equally higher biliary excretion and therefore biliary clearance decreased. The smaller total extrarenal clearance in nephrectomized pigs, i.e. the overestimation of GFR when calculated as body clearance, indicates that this source of error decreases with decreasing renal function.
Bradykinin Induces a Calcium-Store- Dependent Calcium Influx in Mouse Mesangial Cells
Authors: Campos Alexandre H. , Calixto João B. , Schor Nestor
Published: April 2003

Bradykinin (BK) elicits extracellular-dependent [Ca2+]i elevations in mouse mesangial cells (MMC) that are not blocked by verapamil, nifedipine, L-nicardipine, NiCl2, or LaCl3. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanisms involved in calcium influx induced by BK in MMC. [Ca2+]i was analyzed through spectrofluorometry employing fura-2-AM, and the data were expressed as [Ca2+]i obtained/[Ca2+]i basal ratio. Heparin (IP3, a receptor antagonist) almost abolished the effects of BK in MMC (1.85 ± 0.15 vs. 1.13 ± 0.02, n = 4, p = 0.001). Following external and intracellular calcium store depletion, BK’s effect was absent even after successful extracellular calcium replenishment. ML-7 (a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor) blocked responses to thapsigargin (2.62 ± 0.13 vs. 1.11 ± 0.04, n = 4, p < 0.001), but not those of BK (6.51 ± 0.39, n = 6, vs. 5.86 ± 1.17, n = 4, p = 0.39). On the other hand, genistein (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) was able to inhibit thapsigargin (3.12 ± 0.22, n = 5, vs. 1.28 ± 0.16, n = 4, p < 0.001) as well as BK responses (6.46 ± 0.66 vs. 2.89 ± 0.61, n = 4, p < 0.05). Econazole (a P-450 monooxygenase inhibitor) inhibited the responses to both thapsigargin (3.45 ± 0.16 vs. 1.03 ± 0.03, n = 4, p < 0.001) and BK (6.49 ± 0.83, n = 6, vs. 1.17 ± 0.08, n = 4, p = 0.01). Finally, responses to BK were not affected by indomethacin (6.69 ± 0.66 vs. 6.57 ± 0.87, n = 4, p = 0.916). Thus, BK promotes an IP3-sensitive store-dependent calcium influx in MMC. This phenomenon seems to involve tyrosine kinase and P-450 monooxygenase products in its transduction pathway.
Erythropoietin Is Beneficial in Mitomycin-Induced Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Catalano C. , Gianesini C. , Fabbian F.
Published: April 2003

Mitomycin C is a powerful antineoplastic agent. If used at high dosage, it may cause a secondary form of adult hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Blood transfusions worsen the evolution of this peculiar form of HUS. We describe a patient who developed HUS after treatment with mitomycin C (total dose 144 mg/m2) due to a carcinoma of the ascending colon. Repeated blood transfusions were associated with rapidly evolving renal failure coupled with anemia and thrombocytopenia. Haptoglobin was undetectable. Soon after starting subcutaneous erythropoietin, the velocity of progression of renal failure slowed whilst no more blood transfusions were required and haptoglobin levels returned to normal. Thereafter, the patient’s renal function slowly worsened and she started chronic hemodialysis 5 years later. Up to now, all investigations have failed to show a relapse of her adenocarcinoma. A possible explanation of these data is that erythropoietin permitted the termination of blood transfusions which both triggered and perpetuated the syndrome. However, we cannot exclude a primitive effect of erythropoietin on the endothelium or on the platelets.
Delayed High-Dose Intravesical Epirubicin Therapy of Superficial Bladder Cancer
Authors: Bassi PierFrancesco , Spinadin Renato , Longo Fabrizio , Saraeb Salim , Pappagallo Giovanni Luigi , Zattoni Filiberto , Pagano Francesco
Published: April 2003

Introduction: Intravesical epirubicin is a widely used agent for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. A direct relationship between dose and activity has been reported: unfortunately the dose increase also increased the frequency and the intensity of treatment-related side effects. Materials and Methods: A phase 2 trial was designed to evaluate the toxicity and the activity of a delayed (biweekly) high-dose (80 mg) epirubicin therapy of superficial bladder cancer. Thirty patients with intermediate risk superficial bladder cancer (stage mTa, G2) have been treated with transurethral resection and epirubicin intravesical therapy: the patients were given 80 mg epirubicin in 50 ml sterile saline every 2 weeks for 6 times (delayed regimen). The follow-up ranged from 3 to 26 months. Eleven of 30 (37%) patients experienced a local adverse reaction to intravesical epirubicin requiring specific medication (grade ≧2 according to NCI-CTC v.2.0, 1999). No systemic toxicity related to the treatment was observed. Results: Out of the 29 evaluable patients, 22 (76%) were free of disease after the induction course, 6 (21%) had superficial bladder cancer recurrences and 1 (3%) experienced tumor progression. Conclusion: A delayed (biweekly instillation) high-dose (80 mg) intravesical epirubicin regimen was acceptable in terms of side effects and showed a worthwhile therapeutical impact in patients with intermediate risk superficial bladder cancer.
Predicting the Extent of Prostate Cancer Using a Combination of Serum Prostate-Specific Antigen-Alpha1-Antichymotrypsin Complex and Systematic Biopsy
Authors: Miyake Hideaki , Hara Shoji , Yamanaka Nozomu , Ono Yoshiharu , Eto Hiroshi , Yamada Yuji , Takechi Yoshizumi , Arakawa Soichi , Kamidono Sadao , Hara Isao
Published: April 2003

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the combined systematic biopsy with serum prostate-specific antigen-α1-antichymotrypsin complex (PSA-ACT) level to predict the extent of prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients with clinically organ-confined disease who underwent radical prostatectomy were evaluated for serum PSA and PSA-ACT levels, systematic biopsy, and the pathological stage. Results: The incidence of extraprostatic disease in patients with more than half the biopsy cores positive or ≧8 ng/ml PSA-ACT was significantly higher than those with less than half positive or <8 ng/ml PSA-ACT, respectively, whereas cancer in bilateral lobes or ≧10 ng/ml PSA could not be used as a predictor of extraprostatic disease. Furthermore, in those with more than half the biopsy cores positive and ≧8 ng/ml PSA-ACT or those with more than half the biopsy cores positive and ≧10 ng/ml PSA, extraprostatic disease was significantly more common than in those with less than half positive and <8 ng/ml PSA-ACT or those with less than half positive and <10 ng/ml PSA, respectively. However, the incidence of extraprostatic disease predicted by these three variables was not significantly better than those by the two variables (percentage positive biopsy cores plus serum PSA-ACT or PSA). Conclusions: The combined systematic biopsy with serum PSA-ACT or PSA could be used as a useful predictor for the extent of prostate cancer. Patients with more than half the biopsy cores positive and ≧8 ng/ml PSA-ACT or ≧10 ng/ml PSA could avoid a prostatectomy because there is a high probability that they have extraprostatic disease.
Relationship between the Shape of Passive Urethral Resistance Relation and Prostatic Histology in Patients with Bening Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Ichiyanagi Osamu , Sasagawa Isoji , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Ishigooka Manabu , Nakada Teruhiro
Published: April 2003

We assessed the relationship between the type of passive urethral resistance relation (PURR) and prostatic histology in 28 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate. PURR was classified into three types according to pressure-flow plots, and resected specimens were analyzed by quantitative morphometry. Patient age, prostatic volume and the area densities of each histological component did not show significant differences among the three groups. However, there was a trend to correlation between prostates with a high glandular component and urethral compliance. Further studies of larger populations are needed to validate this assumption.
Arteriosclerosis of Penile Arteries: Histological Findings and Their Significance in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Grein Ulrich , Schubert Günter E.
Published: April 2003

Objectives: In this pathomorphological study, location, distribution, and degree of arteriosclerotic stenoses in penile arteries from unselected cadavers are investigated. The findings are discussed in the context of penile revascularization and may explain the poor results of this form of surgery in older patients with general arteriosclerosis. Materials and Methods: 120 penile specimens from 120 cadavers were examined histologically after van Gieson staining. Transverse sections were performed at the level of the pubic bone, in the middle of the penis, and at the sulcus coronarius. At these levels the dorsal and deep penile arteries were examined. Results: We found arteriosclerotic stenoses of the penile arteries in 65% of the specimens. Of these stenotic lesions, 20.4% were situated proximally, 37.1% centrally, and 42.5% distally. Conclusions: In patients with arteriosclerotic stenoses of the penile arteries, microsurgical penile revascularization to the proximal part of the dorsal arteries at the base of the penis seems to be without any relevant long-lasting hemodynamic effect, because the blood flow will be impeded by the peripheral stenoses. This can explain the poor results of revascularization in this group of patients.
Solitary Contralateral Adrenal Metastasis after Nephrectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Moudouni S.M. , En-Nia I. , Rioux-Leclercq N. , Guille F. , Lobel B.
Published: April 2003

Malignant involvement of the contralateral adrenal gland in cases of renal cell carcinoma is extremely rare. Solitary metachronous metastatic involvement of the contralateral adrenal gland from renal cell carcinoma is rarely diagnosed during life. In fact, clinical signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency are rare in these patients. We report a case of renal cell carcinoma with solitary metachronous contralateral adrenal metastasis occurring 9 years after radical nephrectomy.
Pheochromocytoma and Multifocal Functioning Paraganglioma in a 9-Year-Old Boy with von Hippel-Lindau Disease
Authors: Tröbs Ralf-Bodo , Reichardt Peter , Friedrich Thomas , Klöppel Rainer , Bennek Joachim
Published: April 2003

We report the case of a 9-year-old boy presenting with multifocal paraganglioma partially involving the right suprarenal gland, abdominal paraganglia, and the left para-aortal retropleural region. Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) was diagnosed exclusively by VHL-gene analysis. Other clinical signs of VHL were lacking. After a complaint-free period of 7 months the boy developed a metachronous paraganglioma adjacent to the opposite adrenal gland. Patients with VHL disease should undergo adrenal-sparing surgery.
A novel LPP fusion gene indicates the crucial role of truncated LPP proteins in lipomas and pulmonary chondroid hamartomas
Authors: Lemke I. , Rogalla P. , Bullerdiek J.
Published: April 2003

The lipoma preferred partner (LPP) gene is fused to the high mobility group protein gene HMGIC in lipomas and pulmonary chondroid hamartomas. In addition, a fusion of LPP to the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene has been described in a case of acute myeloid leukemia. Herein, a novel LPP fusion transcript of LPP in a lipoma is described that points to the possible oncogenic potential of LPP.
Molecular cytogenetic investigations define a subgroup of thyroid adenomas with 2p21 breakpoints clustered to a region of less than 450 kb
Authors: Bol S. , Belge G. , Rippe V. , Bullerdiek J.
Published: April 2003

Structural rearrangements involving chromosome band 2p21 characterize a cytogenetic subgroup of benign thyroid tumors. To narrow down the breakpoints of these aberrations, we established two cell lines from benign thyroid tumors showing translocations involving 2p21. These two cell lines and one additional primary tumor were used for FISH-studies with 18 BAC clones. All breakpoints were mapped to a cluster of about 450 kb.
Partial Molar Appearance of the Placenta in Trisomy 13
Authors: Has Recep , Ibrahimoglu Lem’i , Ergene Hale , Ermis Hayri , Başaran Seher
Published: April 2003

Although molecular studies have shown that more than 90% of partial moles are secondary to diandric triploidy, there are some rare cases with tetraploidy or unspecified aneuploidies. We diagnosed 3 cases of partial mole presentation during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy with multiple fetal abnormalities. In all 3 cases, cytogenetic studies showed trisomy 13. We present the cases and discuss the clinical and pathological aspects of the conditions presented as partial moles.
Screening for Paternal Alcoholism: Reliability of a German Version of the F-SMAST
Authors: Demmel Ralf , Hagen Jutta
Published: April 2003

The development of screening instruments for the detection of paternal alcoholism is of both clinical and research interest. F-SMAST, an adapted version of the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST), has proven to be a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of an individual’s father’s drinking history. The present investigation examines the reliability of a German version of the F-SMAST. Internal consistency and test-retest stability (Pearson correlation coefficients on unweighted total scores; ĸ statistics and Yule’s Y of the individual items) are evaluated in a sample of undergraduates (n = 202). Internal consistency of the F-SMAST is re-evaluated in a second study by analysing the responses of alcohol-dependent in-patients (n = 205). The German version of the F-SMAST exhibited excellent reliability in terms of internal consistency and test-retest stability of the unweighted total scores. Test-retest agreement of the individual items was in the acceptable range. Taking into account the lifetime prevalence of alcoholism and several background variables (e.g. marital status and number of real children) a cut score of 6 or 7 on the F-SMAST seems appropriate for the detection of paternal alcoholism.
Mucosal Immunity: Its Role in Defense and Allergy
Authors: Tlaskalová-Hogenová Helena , Tučková Ludmila , Lodinová-Žádniková Rája , Štěpánková Renata , Cukrowska Bozena , Funda David P. , Střiž Ilja , Kozáková Hana , Trebichavský Ilja , Sokol Dan , Řeháková Zuzana , Šinkora Jiří , Fundová Petra , Horáková Dana , Jelínková Lenka , Sánchez Daniel
Published: April 2003

The interface between the organism and the outside world, which is the site of exchange of nutrients, export of products and waste components, must be selectively permeable and at the same time, it must constitute a barrier equipped with local defense mechanisms against environmental threats (e.g. invading pathogens). The boundaries with the environment (mucosal and skin surfaces) are therefore covered with special epithelial layers which support this barrier function. The immune system, associated with mucosal surfaces covering the largest area of the body (200–300 m2), evolved mechanisms discriminating between harmless antigens and commensal microorganisms and dangerous pathogens. The innate mucosal immune system, represented by epithelial and other mucosal cells and their products, is able to recognize the conserved pathogenic patterns on microbes by pattern recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors, CD14 and others. As documented in experimental gnotobiotic models, highly protective colonization of mucosal surfaces by commensals has an important stimulatory effect on postnatal development of immune responses, metabolic processes (e.g. nutrition) and other host activities; these local and systemic immune responses are later replaced by inhibition, i.e. by induction of mucosal (oral) tolerance. Characteristic features of mucosal immunity distinguishing it from systemic immunity are: strongly developed mechanisms of innate defense, the existence of characteristic populations of unique types of lymphocytes, colonization of the mucosal and exocrine glands by cells originating from the mucosal organized tissues (‘common mucosal system’) and preferential induction of inhibition of the responses to nondangerous antigens (mucosal tolerance). Many chronic diseases, including allergy, may occur as a result of genetically based or environmentally induced changes in mechanisms regulating mucosal immunity and tolerance; this leads to impaired mucosal barrier function, disturbed exclusion and increased penetration of microbial, food or airborne antigens into the circulation and consequently to exaggerated and generalized immune responses to mucosally occurring antigens, allergens, superantigens and mitogens.
Direct Actions of Estradiol on the Anterior Pituitary Gland Are Required for Hypothalamus-Dependent Lactotrope Proliferation and Secretory Surges of Luteinizing Hormone but Not of Prolactin in Female Rats
Authors: Yin Ping , Kawashima Kengo , Arita Jun
Published: April 2003

Estradiol induces surges of prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion as well as lactotrope proliferation in female rats. We examined whether these hypothalamus-dependent events require the direct action of estradiol on the anterior pituitary gland by selective blockade of its peripheral actions, using ICI182,780 (ICI), an antiestrogen that cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Injection of ICI into ovariectomized rats, at a dose of 250 µg/day for 4 days, almost completely inhibited estradiol-induced growth of the uterus, proliferation of lactotropes as determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, and afternoon surges of LH secretion. However, ICI only partially inhibited estradiol-induced surges of PRL secretion and had no effect on estradiol-induced tonic inhibition of LH secretion even at the highest dose of 1,000 µg/day. The inhibitory effects of ICI found at 250 µg/day were attributable to its selective peripheral, but not central actions since ICI did not alter hypothalamic expression of progesterone receptors, an estradiol-dependent brain process. Estradiol-induced increases in the number of progesterone receptor-immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus and the medial preoptic area were not inhibited by this dose of ICI but were inhibited by 500 µg/day tamoxifen, an antiestrogen that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Treatment of cycling female rats with 250 µg/day ICI beginning from diestrus day 2 was also effective in blocking estrous lactotrope proliferation and preovulatory surges of LH secretion but not PRL secretion. Finally, in ovariectomized estradiol-treated pup-deprived lactating rats, ICI did not affect suckling-induced PRL secretion but completely blocked lactotrope proliferation. These results suggest that a direct estradiol action on the anterior pituitary gland is required for lactotrope proliferation and the positive feedback action on LH secretion but not for the secretory surges of PRL or for negative feedback.
The Maracaibo Aging Study: Population and Methodological Issues
Authors: Maestre Gladys E. , Pino-Ramírez Gloria , Molero Aldrin E. , Silva Eglé R. , Zambrano Raquel , Falque Luis , Gamero María P. , Sulbarán Tulio A.
Published: April 2003

The Maracaibo Aging Study is a longitudinal, population-based, one-step multidisciplinary study of age-related diseases, with a particular focus on memory-related disorders, among subjects over 55 years living in a neighborhood of the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela. Three phases were scheduled for this study. First, a door-to-door survey was conducted in order to build a registry and to obtain general and sociodemographic characteristics. During the second phase, information regarding changes in the abilities of the subjects was collected. The third phase consisted of a full neuropsychiatric examination, cardiovascular evaluation, nutritional assessment, neuropsychological testing, routine laboratory tests and genetic analysis. 3,657 subjects were surveyed between January and August, 1998. There were more women than men, and the average number of years of formal education was low, particularly among women. The limitations and strengths of the study are discussed.
Seasonal Distribution and Epidemiology of Bell’s Palsy
Authors: Danielides Vasilis , Nousia Christina-Sophia , Patrikakos George , Katsaraki Aphrodite , Skevas Antonios
Published: April 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal and epidemic distribution of the disease in the environment of Ioannina prefecture, with a population of 158,000 and a climate of a transitive zone between Mediterranean and continental. Patients: This retrospective study included 125 patients suffering from idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis, treated from 1995 until 1999. The male:female ratio was 62:63. The age of the patients ranged from 7 to 84 years, with a mean age of 50.4 ± 21.8. The annual incidence of the disease was 15.8 per 100,000 population during the 5 years. Results: Correlation between the disease frequency and the age of the patients revealed an increased frequency in patients over 40 years (67.2%) and peak morbidity during the 7th decade (36%). There was no significant difference in the number of cases occurring during the cold – warm half of the year, the four seasons, and in the monthly distribution. By calculating the mean intervals in days between successive cases per month and per season, we observed no significant differences. Conclusions: Our study did not provide any statistically significant results that could indicate seasonal or epidemic distribution of Bell’s palsy.
Arteriovenous Malformation of the Parotid Gland: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Hamdan Abdel Latif , Hadi Usamah , Moukarbel Roger V. , Younes Abbas , Tawil Ayman
Published: April 2003

In adults, an arteriovenous malformation is a rare presentation of a parotid mass with only a few cases reported in the literature. The clinical picture and behavior may be quite misleading. Careful examination with a high index of suspicion may reveal certain characteristic symptoms, signs and radiologic findings. A rare case of arteriovenous malformation of the parotid gland is presented with a brief review of the diagnostic workup and treatment of such lesions.