bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of CoFe2O4 Nanocrystallites by Solvothermal Process and Its Catalytic Activity on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate
Authors: Zhao Shusen , Ma Dongxu
Published: August 2010

Nanometer cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) was synthesized by polyol‐medium solvothermal method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Further, the catalytic activity and kinetic parameters of CoFe2O4 nanocrystallites on the thermal decomposition behavior of ammonium perchlorate (AP) have been investigated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry analysis (TG‐DSC). The results imply that the catalytic performance of CoFe2O4 nanocrystallites is significant and the decrease in the activation energy and the increase in the rate constant for AP further confirm the enhancement in catalytic activity of CoFe2O4 nanocrystallites. A mechanism based on an proton transfer process has also been proposed for AP in the presence of CoFe2O4 nanocrystallites.
Relationships between Irritable Bowel Syndrome Pain, Skin Temperature Indices of Autonomic Dysregulation, and Sensitivity to Thermal Cutaneous Stimulation
Authors: Wong Fong , Rodrigues Anthony C. , King Christopher D. , Riley Joseph L. , Schmidt Siegfried , Vierck Charles J. , Mauderli Andre P.
Published: August 2010

This study evaluated relationships between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pain, sympathetic dysregulation, and thermal pain sensitivity. Eight female patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS and ten healthy female controls were tested for sensitivity to thermal stimulation of the left palm. A new method of response-dependent thermal stimulation was used to maintain pain intensity at a predetermined level (35%) by adjusting thermal stimulus intensity as a function of pain ratings. Clinical pain levels were assessed prior to each testing session. Skin temperatures were recorded before and after pain sensitivity testing. The temperature of palmar skin dropped (1.5) when the corresponding location on the opposite hand of control subjects was subjected to prolonged thermal stimulation, but this response was absent for IBS pain patients. The patients also required significantly lower stimulus temperatures than controls to maintain a 35% pain rating. Baseline skin temperatures of patients were significantly correlated with thermode temperatures required to maintain 35% pain ratings. IBS pain intensity was not significantly correlated with skin temperature or pain sensitivity. The method of response-dependent stimulation revealed thermal hyperalgesia and increased sympathetic tone for chronic pain patients, relative to controls. Similarly, a significant correlation between resting skin temperatures and thermal pain sensitivity for IBS but not control subjects indicates that tonic sympathetic activation and a thermal hyperalgesia were generated by the chronic presence of visceral pain. However, lack of a significant relationship between sympathetic tone and ratings of IBS pain casts doubt on propositions that the magnitude of IBS pain is determined by psychological stress.
Dynamics of Spreading and Alignment of Cells CulturedIn Vitroon a Grooved Polymer Surface
Authors: Peterbauer Thomas , Yakunin Sergii , Siegel Jakub , Hering Steffen , Fahrner Marc , Romanin Christoph , Heitz Johannes
Published: August 2010

We used mechanically embossed polyester films to analyze the dynamics of cell alignment and cell-specific factors modulating the response of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and of a rat myogenic cell line to the surface topography. The films used had grooves with a periodicity of approximately 750 nm and a depth of 150 nm. Both cell lines responded to the topographical feature. On unpatterned control areas, cells of both lines showed a random distribution with orientation angles close to45∘. Both cell types exhibited an elongated morphology on the patterned surface. CHO cells typically showed bipolar spreading. Their contact area increased almost exclusively along the groove direction. Likewise, freshly seeded rat myoblasts displayed protrusions emerging in parallel with the grooves. However, myoblasts frequently had more than two sites with plasma protrusions pulling the cells along different grooves. They could also develop lamellipodia expanding without a preferred direction and long filopodia.
Use of Folic Acid–Containing Supplements after a Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer in the Colon Cancer Family Registry
Authors: Holmes Rebecca S. , Zheng Yingye , Baron John A. , Li Lin , McKeown-Eyssen Gail , Newcomb Polly A. , Stern Mariana C. , Haile Robert W. , Grady William M. , Potter John D. , Le Marchand Loic , Campbell Peter T. , Figueiredo Jane C. , Limburg Paul J. , Jenkins Mark A. , Hopper John L. , Ulrich Cornelia M.
Published: August 2010

Background: Supplement use among cancer patients is high, and folic acid intake in particular may adversely affect the progression of colorectal cancer. Few studies have evaluated the use of folic acid–containing supplements (FAS) and its predictors in colorectal cancer patients.

Objective: To assess the use of FAS, change in use, and its predictors after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Design: We used logistic regression models to investigate predictors of FAS use and its initiation after colorectal cancer diagnosis in 1,092 patients recruited through the Colon Cancer Family Registry.

Results: The prevalence of FAS use was 35.4% before and 55.1% after colorectal cancer diagnosis (P = 0.004). Women were more likely than men to use FAS after diagnosis [odds ratio (OR), 1.47; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.14-1.89], as were those consuming more fruit (Ptrend < 0.0001) or vegetables (Ptrend = 0.001), and U.S. residents (P < 0.0001). Less likely to use FAS after diagnosis were nonwhite patients (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45-0.97), current smokers (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46-0.96), and those with higher meat intake (Ptrend = 0.03). Predictors of FAS initiation after diagnosis were generally similar to those of FAS use after diagnosis, although associations with race and vegetable intake were weaker and those with exercise stronger.

Conclusions: Our analysis showed substantial increases in the use of FAS after diagnosis with colorectal cancer, with use or initiation more likely among women, Caucasians, U.S. residents, and those with a health-promoting life-style.

Impact: Studies of cancer prognosis that rely on prediagnostic exposure information may result in substantial misclassification. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 2023–34. ©2010 AACR.
Does Framing Human Papillomavirus Vaccine as Preventing Cancer in Men Increase Vaccine Acceptability?
Authors: McRee Annie-Laurie , Reiter Paul L. , Chantala Kim , Brewer Noel T.
Published: August 2010

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now approved for use in males in the United States to prevent genital warts. We conducted an experiment to see whether framing HPV vaccination as also preventing cancer in men would increase men's vaccination willingness.

Methods: We conducted an online survey in January 2009 with a national sample of men ages 18 to 59 years who self-identified as gay/bisexual (n = 312) or heterosexual (n = 296). In the within-subjects experiment, men read four randomly ordered vignettes that described hypothetical vaccines that prevented either genital warts alone, or genital warts and either anal cancer, oral cancer, or penile cancer. We analyzed data using repeated measures ANOVA and tested whether perceived severity or perceived likelihood mediated the effect of disease outcome framing on men's HPV vaccination willingness.

Results: Although only 42% of men were willing to receive HPV vaccine when it was framed as preventing genital warts alone, 60% were willing to get it when it was framed as preventing cancer in addition to genital warts (P < 0.001). The effect of outcome framing was the same for heterosexual and gay/bisexual men and for the three cancer types examined. Perceived severity of disease partially mediated the association between disease outcome and HPV vaccination willingness.

Conclusions: Men may be more accepting of HPV vaccine when it is framed as preventing cancer, regardless which of the three most common HPV-related cancers in men is described.

Impact: Study findings may be useful in developing health communication messages that maximize HPV vaccine acceptability among young men. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1937–44. ©2010 AACR.
Mineral Intake and Lung Cancer Risk in the NIH-American Association of Retired Persons Diet and Health Study
Authors: Mahabir Somdat , Forman Michele R. , Dong Young Q. , Park Yikyung , Hollenbeck Albert , Schatzkin Arthur
Published: August 2010

Background: Using data from a case-control study, we previously reported that low dietary intakes of magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), but not selenium (Se) and calcium (Ca), were associated with increased lung cancer risk. Due to dietary recall bias in case-control studies, our objective was to assess whether these findings hold in a prospective cohort study.

Methods: We analyzed data from the NIH-American Association of Retired Persons Diet and Health study of 482,875 subjects (288,257 men and 194,618 women) who were cancer-free and completed a food frequency questionnaire at enrollment between 1995 and 2003. Cox proportional hazards models were computed to estimate the relative risk adjusted for potential confounders.

Results: During a mean follow-up of 7 years, 7,052 lung cancer cases were identified. For all subjects, we observed no significant associations between total (diet + supplement) Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Se, and Zn intakes and lung cancer risk. Total Ca intake was protective (P trend < 0.05) for current smokers and subjects with adenocarcinomas. Total Mg intake increased risk (P trend < 0.05) in men and current smokers. Total Fe intake was inversely associated with risk in women (P trend < 0.01). For dietary minerals, Mg increased risk (P trend < 0.05) in all subjects, among men and current smokers. Increased dietary Ca intake reduced risk in women (P trend = 0.05). Dietary Fe decreased risk in all subjects and among women (P trend < 0.05). Mineral intake from supplements did not affect lung cancer risk.

Conclusions: Dietary minerals are risk factors for lung cancer.

Impact: Dietary mineral consumption may influence lung cancer risk, but the associations differ by type of mineral and population subgroups. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1976–83. ©2010 AACR.
Melanocytic Nevi, Nevus Genes, and Melanoma Risk in a Large Case-Control Study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Newton-Bishop Julia A. , Chang Yu-Mei , Iles Mark M. , Taylor John C. , Bakker Bert , Chan May , Leake Susan , Karpavicius Birute , Haynes Sue , Fitzgibbon Elaine , Elliott Faye , Kanetsky Peter A. , Harland Mark , Barrett Jennifer H. , Bishop D. Timothy
Published: August 2010

Background: Increased number of melanocytic nevi is a potent melanoma risk factor. We have carried out a large population-based case-control study to explore the environmental and genetic determinants of nevi and the relationship with melanoma risk.

Methods: We report nevus phenotype in relation to differing patterns of sun exposure, inherited variation at loci shown in recent genome-wide association studies to be nevus genes, and risk.

Results: Increased numbers of nevi were associated with holiday sun exposure, particularly on intermittently sun-exposed body sites (test for Ptrend < 0.0001). Large nevi were also associated with holiday sun exposure (P = 0.002). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on chromosomes 9 and 22 were associated with increased numbers of nevi (P = 0.04 and P = 0.002 respectively) and larger nevi (P = 0.03 and P = 0.002), whereas that on chromosome 6 was associated only with large nevi (P = 0.01). Melanoma risk was associated with increased nevus count, large nevi, and atypical nevi for tumors in all body sites (including rare sites) irrespective of age. The risk persisted when adjusted for inheritance of nevus SNPs.

Conclusions: The at-risk nevus phenotype is associated with behaviors known to increase melanoma risk (holiday sun exposure). Although SNPs on chromosomes 6, 9, and 22 were shown to be nevus genes, they explained only a small proportion of melanoma risk and nevus phenotype; therefore, several nevus genes likely remain to be identified.

Impact: This article confirms the importance of nevi in melanoma pathogenesis and increases understanding of their genetic determinants. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 2043–54. ©2010 AACR.
Serum Pepsinogens and Helicobacter pylori in Relation to the Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study
Authors: Cook Michael B. , Dawsey Sanford M. , Diaw Lena , Blaser Martin J. , Perez-Perez Guillermo I. , Abnet Christian C. , Taylor Philip R. , Albanes Demetrius , Virtamo Jarmo , Kamangar Farin
Published: August 2010

Background: Helicobacter pylori can induce gastric atrophy in humans, which in turn increases gastric cancer risk. Whether H. pylori and gastric atrophy also affect the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), however, remains unresolved.

Methods: We performed a nested case-control study within the prospective Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study to assess these relationships. The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study is composed of 29,133 Finnish male smokers, ages 50 to 69 years, who were recruited during 1985-1988. Using baseline sera, we assessed H. pylori status (via immunoglobulin G antibodies against whole-cell and CagA antigens) and gastric atrophy status [via the biomarkers pepsinogen I (PGI) and pepsinogen II (PGII)] in 79 ESCC cases and 94 controls. Logistic regression with adjustment for age, date of blood draw, education, cigarette smoking, alcohol, body mass index, and fruit and vegetable intake was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

Results: Gastric atrophy (PGI/PGII <4) was associated with ESCC (OR, 4.58; 95% CI, 2.00-10.48). There was no evidence for an association between H. pylori and ESCC (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.40-2.24).

Conclusions: These results could be explained by misclassification of H. pylori status due to serologic amnesia, ESCC risk being dependent on the functional consequences or interactions of H. pylori rather than the infection per se, gastric atrophy having a different histogenesis in ESCC without being primarily dependent on H. pylori acquisition, or a lack of statistical power to detect an effect.

Impact: Validation of these results may warrant mechanistic studies to determine the route of association between gastric atrophy and ESCC. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1966–75. ©2010 AACR.
Serum Free Circulating DNA Is a Useful Biomarker to Distinguish Benign versus Malignant Prostate Disease
Authors: Gordian Edna , Ramachandran Kavitha , Reis Isildinha M. , Manoharan Murugesan , Soloway Mark S. , Singal Rakesh
Published: August 2010

Background: Free circulating DNA (fcDNA) has been shown to be elevated in serum of prostate cancer patients compared with benign controls. However, studies evaluating the role of fcDNA as a biomarker in a “representative” patient group who have undergone prostate cancer screening are lacking. Our study examined the use of serum fcDNA levels as a biomarker of prostate cancer in such a setting.

Methods: The study included 252 men, with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels >4 ng/mL and/or abnormal digital rectal exam. fcDNA levels in serum before prostate biopsy were quantitated by real-time PCR amplification of the glutathione S-transferase, pi, gene.

Results: Patients with PSA ≤ 10 ng/mL with fcDNA > 180 ng/mL were at increased risk for prostate cancer compared with those with fcDNA ≤180 ng/mL (odds ratio, 4.27; 95% confidence interval, 2.05-8.88; P < 0.001; area under the curve, 0.742). The multivariate model including age, race, PSA, fcDNA, and interaction between fcDNA and PSA yielded a high negative predictive value of 93.1% and increased specificity of 33.1% compared with negative predictive value of 73.3% and specificity of 6.7% in the model excluding fcDNA.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that fcDNA may improve the specificity of prostate cancer screening.

Impact: Our study shows that adding fcDNA to prostate cancer screening can reduce the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1984–91. ©2010 AACR.
A Clinical Laboratory Model for Evaluating the Acute Effects of Electronic “Cigarettes”: Nicotine Delivery Profile and Cardiovascular and Subjective Effects
Authors: Vansickel Andrea R. , Cobb Caroline O. , Weaver Michael F. , Eissenberg Thomas E.
Published: August 2010

Background: Electronic “cigarettes” are marketed to tobacco users as potential reduced exposure products (PREP), albeit with little information regarding electronic cigarette user toxicant exposure and effects. This information may be obtained by adapting clinical laboratory methods used to evaluate other PREPs for smokers.

Methods: Thirty-two smokers participated in four independent Latin-square ordered conditions that differed by product: own brand cigarette, “NPRO” electronic cigarettes (NPRO EC; 18 mg cartridge), “Hydro” electronic cigarettes (Hydro EC; 16 mg cartridge), or sham (unlit cigarette). Participants took 10 puffs at two separate times during each session. Plasma nicotine and carbon monoxide (CO) concentration, heart rate, and subjective effects were assessed.

Results: Own brand significantly increased plasma nicotine and CO concentration and heart rate within the first five minutes of administration whereas NPRO EC, Hydro EC, and sham smoking did not. Own brand, NPRO EC, and Hydro EC (but not sham) significantly decreased tobacco abstinence symptom ratings and increased product acceptability ratings. The magnitude of symptom suppression and increased acceptability was greater for own brand than for NPRO EC and Hydro EC.

Conclusions: Under these acute testing conditions, neither of the electronic cigarettes exposed users to measurable levels of nicotine or CO, although both suppressed nicotine/tobacco abstinence symptom ratings.

Impact: This study illustrates how clinical laboratory methods can be used to understand the acute effects of these and other PREPs for tobacco users. The results and methods reported here will likely be relevant to the evaluation and empirically based regulation of electronic cigarettes and similar products. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1945–53. ©2010 AACR.
Oxidatively Damaged DNA/Oxidative Stress in Children with Celiac Disease
Authors: Szaflarska-Popławska Anna , Siomek Agnieszka , Czerwionka-Szaflarska Mieczysława , Gackowski Daniel , Różalski Rafał , Guz Jolanta , Szpila Anna , Zarakowska Ewelina , Oliński Ryszard
Published: August 2010

Background: Because patients with celiac disease face increased risk of cancer and there is considerable circumstantial evidence that oxidatively damaged DNA may be used as a marker predictive of cancer development, we decided, for the first time, to characterize oxidative stress/oxidative DNA damage in celiac disease patients.

Methods: Two kinds of oxidatively damaged DNA biomarkers, namely, urinary excretion of 8-oxodG and 8-oxoGua, and the level of oxidatively damaged DNA in the leukocytes, as well as the level of antioxidant vitamins were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and HPLC/gas chromatography with isotope dilution mass detection methods. These parameters were determined in three groups: (a) children with untreated celiac disease, (b) patients with celiac disease on a strict gluten-free diet, and (c) healthy children.

Results: The mean level of 8-oxodG in DNA isolated from the leukocytes and in the urine samples of the two groups of celiacs was significantly higher than in controls, irrespective of diet. There was no statistically significant difference in these parameters between treated and untreated celiacs. The mean plasma retinol and α-tocopherol concentration in the samples of untreated celiacs was significantly lower than in treated celiacs.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that although diet can be partially responsible for oxidative stress/oxidatively damaged DNA in celiac patients, there is a factor independent of diet.

Impact: It is possible that celiac disease patients may be helped by dietary supplementation rich in vitamin A (and E) to minimize the risk of cancer development. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(8); 1960–5. ©2010 AACR.
Final Height in Patients Perinatally Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Stagi S. , Galli L. , Cecchi C. , Chiappini E. , Losi S. , Gattinara C.G. , Gabiano C. , Tovo P.A. , Bernardi S. , Chiarelli F. , de Martino Maurizio
Published: August 2010

Introduction: Data concerning final height are completely lacking in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. Design: Retrospective evaluation of auxological data up to final height in a cohort of patients with perinatal HIV infection. Patients and Methods: In 95 Caucasian patients (57 females and 38 males, median age 17.5 years) the following data were evaluated as standard deviation (SD) score: prepubertal height (PrH), height velocity (HV), final height (FH), target height (TH), FH minus PrH, predicted adult height (PAH), FH minus PAH, and FH minus TH. Results: Patients showed a significantly reduced PrH and FH compared to their TH (p < 0.001), even if no difference was evidenced between PrH and FH. Age at puberty onset displayed a negative significant correlation with PrH (p = 0.002) and CD4+ cell percentage (p < 0.01). Finally, HV displayed a significant correlation with viremia (p = 0.001), but not with CD4+ cell percentage. Conclusions: HIV perinatally infected patients show a FH significantly reduced and not in accordance with TH. Our data seem to suggest that the losses in stature accumulated throughout the total period of childhood and adolescence may contribute to their reduced FH.
Adult Height in Children with Growth Hormone Deficiency: A Randomized, Controlled, Growth Hormone Dose-Response Trial
Authors: Sas Theo C.J. , de Ridder Maria A.J. , Wit Jan M. , Rotteveel Joost , Oostdijk Wilma , Reeser H. Maarten , Otten Barto J. , de Muinck Keizer-Schrama Sabine M.P.F.
Published: August 2010

Aim: To investigate the effect of 2 growth hormone (GH) doses on adult height (AH) in GH deficiency (GHD). Methods: A multicenter, randomized, controlled dose-response trial compared attained AH minus target height (TH) between children receiving 0.7 mg/m2/day biosynthetic GH (approx. 0.025 mg/kg/day) or 1.4 mg/m2/day (approx. 0.050 mg/kg/day). The patients enrolled in the trial were 20 ‘naïve’ GHD children (had not received GH before) and 15 ‘transfer’ GHD children (already on GH for at least 1 year). Results: In the naïve group, the mean ± SD AH minus TH was –5.3 ± 6.1 and –2.2 ± 6.9 cm in patients on 0.7 and 1.4 mg/m2/day, respectively (mean ± SE difference 3.1 ± 2.9; p = 0.3). In the transfer group, the mean ± SD AH minus TH was –4.4 ± 6.4 and +0.6 ± 7.0 cm in patients on 0.7 and 1.4 mg/m2/day, respectively (mean ± SE difference 5.0 ± 3.5; p = 0.17). Spontaneous puberty started 1.1 years earlier in children on 1.4 compared to 0.7 mg/m2/day. Induction of puberty was more often delayed in transfer children on 0.7 than on 1.4 mg/m2/day. Conclusion: In our GHD patients, AH was 4–5 cm less than TH in patients on 0.7 mg/m2/day GH, while it was 0–2 cm less in patients on 1.4 mg/m2/day GH, but this difference did not reach statistical significance, probably due to limited numbers of patients, considerable variability in the growth response and earlier spontaneous puberty and pubertal induction in the children on 1.4 mg/m2/day.
N-Terminal C-Type Natriuretic Propeptide Is Associated with the Endosteal Apposition of Bone in Females with a Persistent Eating Disorder
Authors: Fricke Oliver , Beccard Ralf , Semler Oliver , Stabrey Angelika , Tutlewski Baerbel , Lehmkuhl Gerd , Schoenau Eckhard
Published: August 2010

Background/Aim: Females with anorexia nervosa (AN) are often affected by osteoporosis. The study intends to investigate the association between serum levels of the N-terminal propeptide of the C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proCNP) and bone development in anorexic females. Subjects and Methods: In a catamnestic visit, 21 females, formerly treated for AN, were assessed for the presence of eating disorders and analyzed for bone parameters of the distal radius (4% site) with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), for maximal isometric grip force (MIGF) and for NT-proCNP serum levels. Results: The 9 females with a persistent eating disorder had lower height and weight than the recovered girls. NT-proCNP was correlated with the cortical area (r = 0.521), the endosteal circumference (CE, r = –0.468) and the ratio of MIGF to cross-sectional bone area (r = 0.434). CE explained 40% of the variance of NT-proCNP in females with persistent eating disorders, but was not associated with NT-proCNP in recovered girls (p = 0.691). The association between CE and NT-proCNP was not existent when the correlation was controlled for the duration of amenorrhea and the supplemented cumulative dose of ethinylestradiol (p = 0.275). Conclusion: NT-proCNP reflects metaphyseal inwaisting which is modified by estrogens and the pressure on the growth plate.
Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentrations in Prepubertal Girls with and without Premature Adrenarche: The Influence of Body Mass Index
Authors: Utriainen Pauliina , Jääskeläinen Jarmo , Voutilainen Raimo
Published: August 2010

Background: A connection between premature adrenarche (PA) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been proposed. We investigated whether anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) production is increased in prepubertal girls with PA, as it is in women with PCOS and in their prepubertal daughters. Methods: Fifty-two prepubertal girls with PA and 48 prepubertal age-matched controls were studied. Serum AMH concentrations were determined by a specific ELISA assay and correlated with baseline steroid hormone, GnRH-stimulated LH and FSH, and glucose and insulin concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Results: Girls with PA had lower serum AMH concentrations than their controls (2.65 vs. 3.43 ng/ml, p = 0.035). This difference between the study groups vanished when adjusted for BMI SDS score (SDS) or body fat percentage. In the entire cohort, serum AMH concentration was negatively correlated with BMI SDS (r = –0.23, p = 0.019) and androstenedione (r = –0.22, p = 0.03), but not with age, GnRH-stimulated LH or FSH, baseline or OGTT insulin concentrations. Within the control group only, there was an inverse relationship of serum AMH with DHEAS (r = –0.32, p = 0.028) concentrations. Conclusions: Unlike prepubertal daughters of PCOS women, PA girls do not have abnormalities in serum AMH concentrations at prepubertal age.
Ovarian Adrenal Rest Tumor in a Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Patient with Adrenocorticotropin Hypersecretion following Adrenalectomy
Authors: Tiosano Dov , Vlodavsky Euvgeni , Filmar Shlomo , Weiner Zeev , Goldsher Dorit , Bar-Shalom Rachel
Published: August 2010

Objective: Ovarian adrenal rest tumors (OARTs) are rare in contrast to testicular adrenal rest tumors. We report a case of OART in a patient with congenital adrenal hyperplasia who developed Nelson’s syndrome after bilateral adrenalectomy. Methods: We describe the clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings of the patient and review the relevant literature regarding OART and the possible interaction between ACTH and brown adipose tissue. Results: An 18-year-old female with congenital adrenal hyperplasia, who had undergone bilateral adrenalectomy at the age of 10 years, presented with severe hyperpigmentation and hirsutism. Rectal ultrasonography showed a mass in the right ovary. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT revealed intense uptake both in this mass and in brown adipose tissue located in typical supradiaphragmatic sites. Laparoscopic removal of the ovarian mass confirmed the diagnosis of OART. A systematic review revealed 9 documented cases of OART. As in our case, all presented with elevated ACTH levels. Conclusions: Common to all documented cases of OART are sustained high ACTH levels that activate the adrenal anlagen tissue in the ovaries.
Precise Centromere Positioning on Chicken Chromosome 3
Authors: Zlotina A. , Galkina S. , Krasikova A. , Crooijmans R.P.M.A. , Groenen M.A.M. , Gaginskaya E. , Deryusheva S.
Published: August 2010

Despite the progress of the chicken (Gallus gallus) genome sequencing project, the centromeric sequences of most macrochromosomes remain unknown. This makes it difficult to determine centromere positions in the genome sequence assembly. Using giant lampbrush chromosomes from growing oocytes, we analyzed in detail the pericentromeric region of chicken chromosome 3. Without knowing the DNA sequence, the centromeres at the lampbrush stage are detectable by immunostaining with antibodies against cohesin subunits. Immunostaining for cohesin followed by FISH with 23 BAC clones, covering the region from 0 to 23 Mb on chicken chromosome 3 (GGA3), allowed us to map the GGA3 centromere between BAC clones WAG38P15 and WAG54M22 located at position 2.3 and 2.5 Mb, respectively. This corresponds to the gap between 2 supercontigs at the 2.4-Mb position in the current GGA3 sequence assembly (build 2.1). Furthermore, we have determined that the current putative centromeric gap at position 11.6–13.1 Mb corresponds in fact to a long cluster of tandem chicken erythrocyte nuclear membrane repeats (CNM).
Different Fusion Configurations of Evolutionarily Conserved Segments in Karyotypes of Potamochoerus porcus and Phacochoerus africanus
Authors: Musilova P. , Kubickova S. , Hornak M. , Cernohorska H. , Vahala J. , Rubes J.
Published: August 2010

The karyotype of the red river hog Potamochoerus porcus (2n = 34) differs from that of the domestic pig by the presence of 2 fusion chromosomes homologous to pig chromosomes 13/16 and 15/17. Moreover, chromosomes corresponding to pig chromosomes 13/16 and 1 are both acrocentric. Hybridization with region-specific painting probes confirmed tandem fusion of pig chromosomes 13 and 16, and a pericentric inversion of the pig chromosome 1p equivalent in P. porcus. The chromosome complement of the wart hog Phacochoerus africanus (2n = 34) differs from the pig karyotype in 2 centric fusions, 13/16 and 15/17. Karyotypic relationships among different Suidae species are discussed in the article. Besides fusions 13/16 and 15/17, which are common to several suids, another fusion of pig chromosomes 14 and 18 is suggested to exist in the karyotype of Sus cebifrons.
Hypospadias: Surgery and Complications
Authors: Aigrain Y. , Cheikhelard A. , Lottmann H. , Lortat-Jacob S.
Published: August 2010

The aim of this review is to summarize the various steps of the surgical procedures to treat a hypospadias. Hundreds of procedures have been described but most of them follow the same principles. They include correction of a ventral curvature, the urethroplasty itself and penile skin reconstruction. Most of the affected children may be treated with a one-stage procedure. Each hypospadias surgeon has to know a variety of techniques and tailor the procedure used for each individual child. Complications are frequent after the hypospadias correction. Fistulas are the more frequent of these complications occurring in less than 5% of anterior cases, but up to 50% in posterior cases. Long-term follow-up is mandatory to evaluate the sexual outcome of the adults operated on during childhood for a posterior hypospadias, even if the available data seem reassuring.
Comparison of Central Retinal Thickness in Healthy Children and Adults Measured with the Heidelberg Spectralis OCT and the Zeiss Stratus OCT 3
Authors: Chopovska Yaroslava , Jaeger Melanie , Rambow Ronny , Lorenz Birgit
Published: August 2010

Background/Aims: To compare retinal thickness measurements obtained by the Spectralis and Stratus OCT 3 in healthy children and adults. Methods: Central volume scan (25-scan pattern) and macular thickness map protocols were performed subsequently using the Spectralis OCT and Stratus OCT 3 on a randomly selected eye of 34 healthy adults (18–50 years) and 20 children (6–17 years). Nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) subfields were analyzed and compared between the children and adults. Results: All retinal thickness measurements obtained by the Spectralis OCT were greater than those measured with the Stratus OCT 3 (p < 0.01). In adults, the mean paired difference of measurements with both devices was 64.9 ± 13.2 µm (central minimum) and 75.8 ± 4.7 µm (central subfield). In children, the respective values were 56.6 ± 13.1 µm and 69.7 ± 9.1 µm, being significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In healthy eyes, measurements with the Stratus OCT 3 can be adjusted to measurements obtained using the Spectralis OCT by the values mentioned above, considering differences between children and adults.
Auxology: An Update
Authors: Hermanussen Michael
Published: August 2010

Human growth is a dynamic process that needs careful documentation. It is recommended to refer individual growth to a reference population, and to transform and plot individual measurements into percentiles or standard deviation score (SDS) scales. A certain amount of percentile or SDS crossing is a physiological phenomenon that occurs at all ages and relates to the individual changes in developmental tempo. Between early childhood and adulthood, two thirds of all children and adolescents cross >1 SD in height. Particularly during pubertal age, SDS crossings can lead to several characteristic patterns such as sharp downward or upward SDS peaks. Upward SDS peaks indicate faster than average tempo, downward SDS peaks indicate slower than average tempo. Almost half of the pubertal height variation consists of variation in tempo. Applying functional data analysis and principal component analysis, the two main sources of height variance, i.e. tempo and amplitude, can be statistically separated and quantified. This review aims to renew some of the old debates on how to assess growth, and to facilitate forthcoming consensus upon how to appropriately evaluate height and changes in height at brief and clinically relevant intervals.
Intravitreal Triamcinolone
Authors: Tao Yong , Jonas Jost B.
Published: August 2010

Background: To provide an update on the intravitreal use of triamcinolone acetonide. Methods: Review of literature regarding triamcinolone-related research. Results: After the introduction of bevacizumab and ranibizumab into clinical practice, intravitreal triamcinolone has lost its leading position as the drug most often injected intravitreally. Due to its properties as a long-acting steroid, triamcinolone has still been used for various conditions such as diffuse diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusions, pseudophakic cystoid macular edema, chronic prephthisical ocular hypotony and uveitis, and in combination with bevacizumab or ranibizumab. The complications of intravitreal triamcinolone therapy include secondary ocular hypertension in about 40% of the eyes injected, cataract and postoperative infectious or noninfectious endophthalmitis. Conclusions: Due to its widespread biological effects as a steroid and due to a relatively large therapeutic window, intravitreal triamcinolone has remained in clinical use for a variety of intraocular disorders, and it may be a promising candidate for intravitreal medical combination therapies.
Accuracy and Long-Term Prognostic Value of Pacing Stress Echocardiography Compared with Dipyridamole Tl201 Emission Computed Tomography in Patients with a Permanent Pacemaker and Known or Suspected Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Shimoni Sara , Goland Sorel , Livshitz Shay , Arditi Alexander , Ayzenber Oded , Kusniec Fabio , Gendelman Gera , Edri Orly , Lutati Gabi , Levi Rosa , Caspi Avraham , Epstein Menashe
Published: August 2010

Objectives: Myocardial ischemia is difficult to assess by noninvasive methods in patients with a permanent pacemaker. Pacing stress echocardiography (PASE) has been used successfully in the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, there are no data comparing PASE and other methods. Methods: We compared agreement and accuracy of PASE and radionuclide tomography (SPECT) in detecting CAD in 58 patients, mean age 75 ± 7 years, with a permanent pacemaker and known or suspected CAD. Thirty-nine patients underwent coronary angiography. The prognostic value of these tests was determined by prediction of cardiac events and cardiac death. Results: PASE and SPECT were positive in 39 and 43 patients, respectively. The agreement between the tests was 75%; kappa value 0.64. The sensitivity was 87 and 96% and the specificity 78 and 57%, respectively. With median follow-up of 51 months, there were 24 cardiac events and 8 cardiac deaths. Multivariable analysis determined that positive PASE was the only independent predictive factor associated with cardiac events and cardiac death. Conclusions: PASE is a feasible and effective method for detection of significant CAD in patients with permanent-pacemaker and allows effective risk stratification. PASE merits further study in larger prospective comparative studies.
Minimizing Wound Contamination in a ‘Clean’ Surgery: Comparison of Chlorhexidine-Ethanol and Povidone-Iodine
Authors: Sistla Sarath Chandra , Prabhu Ganesh , Sistla Sujatha , Sadasivan Jagdish
Published: August 2010

Purpose: There is limited work analyzing the efficacy of different antiseptics in reducing wound contamination by the skin flora during hernia repair and its influence on the incidence of wound infection, which continues to be a major problem in the developing world. This study was designed to test if chlorhexidine-ethanol has superior antimicrobial efficacy compared with povidone-iodine. Methods: In a prospective randomized trial, the efficacy of chlorhexidine-ethanol and povidone-iodine in the reduction of colony counts of the skin flora and the incidence of surgical site infection was compared. Results: Both povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine-ethanol produced significant reduction in the skin bacterial colony counts, from 18.66 × 102 to 2.34 × 102 colony-forming units with povidone-iodine (59%) and from 12.34 × 102 to 0.93 × 102 colony-forming units (82%) with chlorhexidine-ethanol. Infection rates with the use of povidone-iodine and chlorhexidine-ethanol groups were not significantly different (9.5 vs. 7.0; p = 0.364). The reduction in colony counts in those who developed infection was only 15.6% compared with 77.1% in those who did not develop infection. Conclusions: The antibacterial efficacy of chlorhexidine-ethanol and povidone-iodine is comparable in open hernia repair.
Transforming Growth Factor Alpha Stimulation of Mucosal Tissue Cultures from Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Increases Chemoresistance to Cisplatin
Authors: Baumeister Philipp , Reiter Maximilian , Schwenk-Zieger Sabina , Harréus Ulrich
Published: August 2010

The monoclonal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab (Erbitux™) was recently approved by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in combination with a platinum-based chemotherapy. Since the antibody has only a limited effect as a monotherapy, possible explanations for the synergistic effect with cisplatin are enhanced antibody-dependent cytoxicity and increased sensitivity to the drug. Most of our knowledge of EGFR biology in HNSCC is based on studies using EGFR inhibitors and/or antibodies. Our study was designed to evaluate the impact of EGFR stimulation on cisplatin-induced DNA damage. Therefore, tissue cultures were produced of tumor-free oropharyngeal mucosa biopsies of HNSCC patients and controls. In a previous study, overexpression of EGFR in tissue cultures from tumor patients compared to controls was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Twenty-four-hour stimulation of tissue cultures with transforming growth factor α (TGF-α), a specific EGFR ligand, resulted in a reduction of cisplatin-induced DNA damage by 35% in cases, whereas in controls TGF-α had no effect. This reflects a statistically significant increase in cellular chemoresistance to cisplatin following TGF-α stimulation and helps to further understand effects of EGFR antisense therapy in combination with chemotherapy.
Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria at a Tertiary-Care Teaching Hospital in Mexico: Special Focus on Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Garza-González Elvira , Llaca-Díaz Jorge Martín , Bosques-Padilla Francisco Javier , González Gloria M.
Published: August 2010

Our aim was to determine the prevalence of multidrug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii and other pathogens at a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Mexico over a 3-year period. Clinical isolates of A. baumannii (n = 550), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 250), some Enterobacteriaceae species (n = 500) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 250) collected over a 3-year period were included. Susceptibility tests were performed by the broth microdilution method. 74% of A. baumannii, 40% of Escherichia coli, 34% of P. aeruginosa, 22% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 9% of Enterobacter cloacae, and 7% of Serratia sp. were multidrug resistant. 59% of A. baumannii clinical isolates were meropenem-resistant. A. baumannii isolates from the lower respiratory tract were the most susceptible, followed by urine clinical isolates. Species from Enterobacteriaceae showed susceptibility rates higher than 90% to meropenem and tigecycline and Serratia sp. showed the highest susceptibility to the drugs evaluated. For P. aeruginosa, the most potent drug was levofloxacin, followed by meropenem and piperacillin-tazobactam. With regard to S. aureus, 96% of the isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, followed by tigecycline and minocycline (91% of strains susceptible). The high multidrug resistance observed underscores the need for surveillance of bacterial drug resistance.
Buddhism, Taoism, Folk Religions, and Rebellions: Empirical Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Chang Wen-Chun
Published: August 2010

This study investigates the influences of religion in determining whether to support what might be perceived to be rebellious actions in Taiwan where most people are adherents of Buddhism, Taoism, and folk religions. Using data from the Taiwan Social Change Survey 2004, the estimations of the probit model suggest that there are some strong links between religion and the attitudes toward rebellious actions. In particular, being a Taoist reduces the probability of protest participation while being a Buddhist and being a folk religionist cut the likelihood of signing a petition. Moreover, the frequencies of religious attendance are positively associated with the probabilities of participating in a protest, signing a petition, and taking actions against injustice or harmful regulations.
Inside Electoral Democracy: Gift-Giving and Flaunting in Political Campaigning in Cameroon
Authors: Hansen Ketil F
Published: August 2010

This article focuses on political electoral campaigning in a given town in Cameroon. The intention is to bring about a deeper understanding of the nature of ‘democracy’ and its implications for political power sharing and accountability in a given locality in Africa. Based on extensive field research, interviews and participative observation the empirical data gathered are analysed with references to recent academic approaches on democratic developments in Africa. The article discusses concrete ways politicians use to convince potential voters to vote for their party in relation to theories of gift-giving and symbolic capital.
Liquid Terrorism: Altruistic Fundamentalism in the Context of Liquid Modernity
Authors: Best Shaun
Published: August 2010

Liquid life is the name that Zygmunt Bauman gives to the experience of life within ‘liquid modernity’ — a form of modernity in which social frameworks and institutions experience a process of accelerating liquefaction. On the basis of a narrative analysis of martyr videos recorded by the 7 July 2005 London bombers and eight men who stood trial in the United Kingdom for planning to bomb transatlantic airliners with home-made liquid explosives, a core set of altruistic motivations were found to emerge. Liquid modernity appears to have no space for martyrs who reject the instant survival-and-gratification consumerism for other longer term communal goals. Such a stance is incomprehensible and irrational for the liquid moderns. Fundamentalism rooted in a form of Durkheimian altruism provides confidence, trust and self-assurance to people who would otherwise be stripped of human dignity and humiliated in the face of consumer revelry.
Difference and Distinction?
Authors: Raghuram Parvati , Henry Leroi , Bornat Joanna
Published: August 2010

In recent years the role of social networks and of social capital in shaping migrants’ lived experiences and, particularly, their employment opportunity has increasingly come to be recognized. However, very little of this research has adopted a relational understanding of the migrant experience, taking the influence of nonmigrants’ own networks on migrants as an important factor in influencing their labour market outcomes. This article critiques the alterity and marginality automatically ascribed to migrants that is implicit in existing ways of thinking about migrant networks. The article draws on oral history interviews with geriatricians who played an important role in the establishment of the discipline during the second half of the 20th century to explore the importance and power of non-migrant networks in influencing migrant labour market opportunities in the UK medical labour market.
Educational Field of Study and Social Mobility: Disaggregating Social Origin and Education
Authors: van de Werfhorst Herman G. , Luijkx Ruud
Published: August 2010

We examine the relationship between social origin and education by looking at it in more detail than is usually done. Rather than seeing origin and education as hierarchical characteristics, we argue that both should be disentangled in more detailed combinations of hierarchical levels and horizontal fields. Using Dutch survey data for men, we show that children often choose fields of study in which affinity is found with the class fraction of their father. This way, social selection into fields of study is guided by the domain of the father’s occupation. Importantly, affinity in domains across generations hampers intergenerational social mobility.
Pharmaceuticalization of Society in Context: Theoretical, Empirical and Health Dimensions
Authors: Abraham John
Published: August 2010

Sociological interest in pharmaceuticals has intensified, heightening awareness of ‘pharmaceuticalization’. It is argued that pharmaceuticalization should be understood by reference to five main biosociological explanatory factors: biomedicalism, medicalization, pharmaceutical industry promotion and marketing, consumerism, and regulatory-state ideology or policy. The biomedicalism thesis, which claims that expansion of drug treatment reflects advances in biomedical science to meet health needs, is found to be a weak explanatory factor because a significant amount of growth in pharmaceuticalization is inconsistent with scientific evidence, and because drug innovations offering significant therapeutic advance have been declining across the sector, including areas of major health need. Some elements of consumerism have undermined pharmaceuticalization, even causing de-pharmaceuticalization in some therapeutic sub-fields. However, other aspects of consumerism, together with industry promotion, medicalization, and deregulatory state policies are found to be drivers of increased pharmaceuticalization in ways that are largely outside, or sub-optimal for, significant therapeutic advances in the interests of public health.