bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Footwear Characteristics and Risk of Indoor and Outdoor Falls in Older People
Authors: Menz Hylton B. , Morris Meg E. , Lord Stephen R.
Published: May 2006

Background: Footwear characteristics have been shown to influence balance in older people; however, the relationship between footwear and falls is unclear. Objective: To determine the relationships between footwear characteristics and the risk of indoor and outdoor falls in older people. Methods: Footwear characteristics (shoe type, heel height, heel counter height, heel width, critical tipping angle, method of fixation, heel counter stiffness, sole rigidity and flexion point, tread pattern and sole hardness) were assessed in 176 people (56 men and 120 women) aged 62–96 (mean age 80.1, SD 6.4) residing in a retirement village. Falls were recorded over a 12-month follow-up period and comparisons made between fallers and non-fallers. Results: 50 participants (29%) fell indoors and 36 (21%) fell outdoors. After controlling for age, gender, demographic characteristics, medication use, physiological falls risk factors and foot problems, those who fell indoors were more likely to go barefoot or wear socks inside the home (OR = 13.74; 95% CI 3.88–48.61, p < 0.01). However, there were no significant differences in indoor or outdoor footwear characteristics between fallers and non-fallers. Five indoor fallers (10%) and three outdoor fallers (8%) stated that their shoes contributed to their fall. Conclusion: Footwear characteristics were not significantly associated with falls either inside or outside the home. Risk of falling indoors was associated with going barefoot or wearing socks. Older people at risk of falling should therefore be advised to wear shoes indoors where possible.
Social Contacts and Their Relationship to Loneliness among Aged People – A Population-Based Study
Authors: Routasalo Pirkko E. , Savikko Niina , Tilvis Reijo S. , Strandberg Timo E. , Pitkälä Kaisu H.
Published: May 2006

Background: Emotional loneliness and social isolation are major problems in old age. These concepts are interrelated and often used interchangeably, but few studies have investigated them simultaneously thus trying to clarify their relationship. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of loneliness among aged Finns and to study the relationship of loneliness with the frequency of social contacts, with older people’s expectations and satisfaction of their human relationships. Especially, we wanted to clarify whether emotional loneliness is a separate concept from social isolation. Methods:The data were collected with a postal questionnaire. Background information, feelings of loneliness, number of friends, frequency of contacts with children, grandchildren and friends, the expectations of frequency of contacts as well as satisfaction of the contacts were inquired. The questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 6,786 aged people (>74 years) in various urban and rural areas in Finland. We report here the results of community-dwelling respondents (n = 4,113). Main Results: More than one third of the respondents (39.4%) suffered from loneliness. Feeling of loneliness was not associated with the frequency of contacts with children and friends but rather with expectations and satisfaction of these contacts. The most powerful predictors of loneliness were living alone, depression, experienced poor understanding by the nearest, and unfulfilled expectations of contacts with friends. Conclusion: Our findings support the view that emotional loneliness is a separate concept from social isolation. This has implications for practice. Interventions aiming at relieving loneliness should be focused on enabling an individual to reflect her own expectations and inner feelings of loneliness.
Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery: Where Are We Now?
Authors: Maslekar Sushil , Beral Daniel L. , White Tim J. , Pillinger Steve H. , Monson John R.T.
Published: May 2006

Aims: This review of literature aimed to assess the role and establish the current status of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) in the management of benign and malignant rectal lesions. Methods: Areview of the literature was undertaken through the Medline database and by cross-referencing previous publications, thus identifying 54 relevant publications on TEM in the management of rectal lesions. Aggregated results of various parameters were calculated but statistical comparisons deemed unsuitable due to heterogeneity of data. Results: The TEM procedure is associated with good functional results, morbidity of 4% and zero procedure-related mortality. The local recurrence rates after TEM excision is 4.5% (range 0–14) for benign rectal lesions, 6% (0–13) for T1 cancers, 14% (range 0–50) for T2 cancers and 20% (range 14–67%) for T3 cancers. Local recurrences after TEM can be surgically salvaged with good disease free survival rates. Conclusions: The TEM procedure clearly offers the benefits of good exposure of the operative field allowing extremely precise dissection and access to high rectal lesions unresectable by other methods. For pTis and low risk pT1 lesions, the oncological results are comparable to the more traditional formal resection. The routine use of TEM for high-risk pT1 and higher stage lesions is not an oncologically sound choice at the present moment.
In vivo Drug Screening in Human Skin Using Femtosecond Laser Multiphoton Tomography
Authors: König K. , Ehlers A. , Stracke F. , Riemann I.
Published: May 2006

The novel femtosecond laser multiphoton imaging system DermaInspect forin vivotomography of human skin was used to study the diffusion and intradermal accumulation of topically applied cosmetic and pharmaceutical components. Near-infrared 80 MHz picojoule femtosecond laser pulses were employed to excite endogenous fluorophores and fluorescent components of a variety of ointments via a two-photon excitation process. In addition, collagen was imaged by second harmonic generation. A high submicron spatial resolution and 50 ps temporal resolution was achieved using galvoscan mirrors and piezodriven focusing optics together with a time-correlated single-photon counting module with a fast microchannel plate detector. Individual intratissue cells, intracellular mitochondria, melanosomes, and the morphology of the nuclei as well as extracellular matrix elements were clearly visualized due to NAD(P)H, melanin, elastin, and collagen imaging and the calculation of fluorescence lifetime images. Nanoparticles and intratissue drugs were detected by two-photon-excited fluorescence. In addition, hydration effects and UV effects were studied by monitoring modifications of cellular morphology and autofluorescence. The system was used to observe the diffusion through the stratum corneum and the accumulation and release of functionalized nanoparticles along hair shafts and epidermal ridges. The novel noninvasive 4-D multiphoton tomography tool provides high-resolution optical biopsies with subcellular resolution, and offers for the first time the possibility to study in situthe diffusion through the skin barrier, long-term pharmacokinetics, and cellular response to cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.
Semiquantitative Determination of the Penetration of a Fluorescent Hydrogel Formulation into the Hair Follicle with and without Follicular Closure by Microparticles by Means of Differential Stripping
Authors: Teichmann A. , Ossadnik M. , Richter H. , Sterry W. , Lademann J.
Published: May 2006

Recently, hair follicles were shown to be of great importance concerning the penetration and reservoir behavior of topically applied substances. Especially microparticles are known to be efficient drug carriers into the hair follicles. It has been shown in various investigations that, depending on their size, microparticles can be utilized to enhance the penetration of substances into the hair follicles. In the present study, it was investigated whether they could also be used to block the hair follicles to stop penetration. For this purpose, the follicular penetration of a sodium fluorescein-containing hydrogel and follicular reservoir depletion were investigated by means of differential stripping in vivo. In a second study design, the skin areas were pretreated with microparticles 5 µm in diameter. Subsequently, the follicular penetration of sodium fluorescein-containing hydrogel was likewise investigated by differential stripping. The results showed that the hair follicle infundibula contained a significant fluorescent signal when sodium fluorescein in hydrogel was applied. In contrast, in the case of pretreatment with microparticles, only a very low fluorescence signal was measurable in the hair follicle infundibula. The microparticles clearly blocked the follicular orifices so that a penetration of sodium fluorescein was almost completely inhibited. This was confirmed by histological investigations. Thus, depending on their size, microparticles act as efficient drug carriers or can be utilized as follicle blockers to stop the penetration of topically applied substances. This could be very useful in skin protection to prevent the storage of harmful topically applied substances in the hair follicles, known to represent long-term reservoirs.
Overcoming the Stratum Corneum: The Modulation of Skin Penetration
Authors: Trommer H. , Neubert R.H.H.
Published: May 2006

It is preferred that topically administered drugs act either dermally or transdermally. For that reason they have to penetrate into the deeper skin layers or permeate the skin. The outermost layer of the human skin, the stratum corneum, is responsible for its barrier function. Most topically administered drugs do not have the ability to penetrate the stratum corneum. In these cases modulations of the skin penetration profiles of these drugs and skin barrier manipulations are necessary. A skin penetration enhancement can be achieved either chemically, physically or by use of appropriate formulations. Numerous chemical compounds have been evaluated for penetration-enhancing activity, and different modes of action have been identified for skin penetration enhancement. In addition to chemical methods, skin penetration of drugs can be improved by physical options such as iontophoresis and phonophoresis, as well as by combinations of both chemical and physical methods or by combinations of several physical methods. There are cases where skin penetration of the drug used in the formulation is not the aim of the topical administration. Penetration reducers can be used to prevent chemicals entering the systemic circulation. This article concentrates on the progress made mainly over the last decade by use of chemical penetration enhancers. The different action modes of these substances are explained, including the basic principles of the physical skin penetration enhancement techniques and examples for their application.
Larger Prostate Causes Higher Frequency of Infectious Complications in Prostate Biopsy
Authors: Shigemura Katsumi , Arakawa Soichi , Nakano Yuzo , Hara Isao , Tanaka Kazushi , Fujisawa Masato
Published: May 2006

Introduction: Prostate biopsy (PBX) is being performed more often than ever before for the early detection of prostate cancer, but some patients may have febrile infectious complications after biopsy. The risk factors of infectious complications need to be considered. Methods: We investigated the pre-biopsy risk factors and febrile infectious complications in 120 patients who underwent PBX in our institution. The pre-biopsy risk factors set were prostate volume (≧40 ml), transitional zone (TZ) volume (≧20 ml), core number of biopsy (≧10 cores), and additional performance of TZ biopsy. We analyzed statistically the correlations between these risk factors and C-reactive protein and peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count elevation on day 1 and day 7 after biopsy. Results: Our results showed that a prostate volume ≧40 ml and a TZ volume ≧20 ml caused a significantly higher elevation of the C-reactive protein level compared with a prostate volume <40 ml (p = 0.0055 on day 1 and p = 0.0225 on day 7, respectively) on day 1 and day 7, and a TZ volume <20 ml (p = 0.0008) on day 1. Regarding WBC count, those patients with a prostate volume ≧40 ml and a TZ volume ≧20 ml had a tendency to have an elevated WBC count on day 1 compared with those patients with a prostate volume <40 ml and a TZ volume <20 ml, and however these changes were not significant. Conclusions: This study showed that a larger prostate volume and a larger TZ volume may possibly be risk factors in infectious complications after PBX, although we can perform additional TZ biopsy and increase biopsy core number safely if necessary.
Prostatic Phyto-Oestrogen Tissue Levels in Different Austrian Regions
Authors: Brössner Clemens , Petritsch Karin , Fink Klaus , Auprich Marco , Ponholzer Anton , Madersbacher Stefan , Adlercreutz Herman , Petritsch Peter
Published: May 2006

Introduction: A number of studies suggest that the low incidence of prostate cancer as well as benign prostatic enlargement in Asia depends on the extended consumption of phyto-oestrogens in these parts of the world. In most Asian men, phyto-oestrogen levels are multiple higher compared to Austrian (European) men. The aim of our study was to evaluate, according to the East-West decline, whether there were significant differences within the Austrian population. We compared prostate phyto-oestrogen tissue levels of men living in three different geographical regions of Austria. We further compared men living in rural and urban environments. Material and Methods: Prostatic tissue samples of 103 men undergoing surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer were collected and frozen at –40°C. In tissue samples, enterolactone (representative for lignans) and genistein levels (representative for isoflavones) were determined in duplicate by monoclonal antibody-based immunoassays. We subsequently compared tissue levels of men living in rural and urban environments and different geographical regions of Austria. Results: Prostatic enterolactone tissue levels were similar in men living in an urban (median 19.1 ng/g dry weight, range 1.5–76.4) or rural environment (median 15.7 range 0.6–140.6) p = 0.99. The respective values for genistein were 20.5 ng/g dry weight (range 4.6–47.4) and 9.3 (range 0.1–156.7) p = 0.77. Furthermore, enterolactone (p = 0.1) and genistein (p = 0.65) levels were similar in three different geographic regions in Austria. Conclusion: No significant differences regarding genistein and enterolactone were found between our study populations. However, we found a wide variation between individual patients.
Open Dismembered Tubularized Flap Pyeloplasty: An Effective and Simple Operation for Treatment of Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction
Authors: Salehipour Mehdi , Khezri Abdolaziz , Azizi Valiallah , Kroup Mohsen
Published: May 2006

Objective: To evaluate the success rate of dismembered tubularized flap pyeloplasty (DTFP) in the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Patients and Methods: In a prospective study from August 2002 to September 2004, 15 patients with a mean age of 21 years (range 2–47) in whom UPJO had been diagnosed by sonography, excretory urography or diuretic renography and who had a large extrarenal pelvis, underwent operation via flank intercostal incision. The proximal ureter and renal pelvis were dissected and mobilized retroperitoneally, the site of UPJO was excised and the site of insertion of the ureter on the renal pelvis was closed with a stitch. A wide based renal pelvic flap was created and tubularized to bridge the upper ureteral defect. After insertion of a nephrostomy tube, a double-J tube was inserted as an internal ureteral stent and anastomosis of the tubularized flap to the spatulated upper ureter was done and the renal pelvis window was closed. Patients were followed 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Results: Mean operation time was 1 h and mean hospital stay was 3 days. The ureteral stent was removed 4 weeks after operation and at the same time a nephrostogram was done that showed a widely patent ureteropelvic junction with good renal pelvis drainage in 12 (∼80%) of the cases, but in 3 cases (∼20%) passage of contrast materials was not seen. In these patients, methylene blue was injected via a nephrostomy tube and in 2 patients (14%) urine color turned blue 20 min later, but in 1 patient (7%) this test was also negative. The latter patient underwent percutaneous endopyelotomy later. Mean patient follow-up was 14 months. Follow-up excretory urography confirmed patent and unobstructed ureteropelvic junction in all patients. The overall success rate of DTFP was 93%. Conclusion: DTFP is a simple and effective procedure for patients with UPJO who have long or multiple upper ureteral strictures and a large extrarenal pelvis.
Oxidative and Antioxidative Status in the Testes of Rats with Acute Epididymitis
Authors: Kaya Mete , Boleken Mehmet Emin , Zeyrek Fadile , Ozardali Ilyas , Kanmaz Turan , Erel Ozcan , Yücesan Selçuk
Published: May 2006

Introduction: Epididymitis is an inflammation or infection of the epididymis, a convoluted duct that lies on the posterior surface of the testicle. Oxidative stress due to excessive production of reactive oxygen species in epididymitis, impaired antioxidant defense mechanisms, or both, precipitates a range of pathologies that are currently believed to negatively affect the male reproductive function. How oxidative stress affects the testes isstill unknown. We aimed to investigate the oxidative and antioxidative status of testes of rats with unilateral acute Escherichia coli epididymitis. Methods: The study included 36 male Wistar albino rats which were divided into three groups. In the epididymitis group (n = 12), an E. coli suspension was injected into the right ductus deferens of rats, and the same amount of saline was injected in the saline groups (n = 12). No surgery was performed in the control group (n = 12) for baseline values. Rats were sacrificed after 24 h and the epididymes and testes removed. The infection was confirmed by histopathologic evaluation and microbiological tests. The oxidative status of testes was evaluated by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and antioxidative status was evaluated by measuring total antioxidant response (TAR) and total antioxidant capacity levels (TAC). Results: MPO activity in both the ipsilateral and contralateral testes of the epididymitis group was significantly higher than those of the saline and control groups (p <0.05). The TAR and TAC levels in both testes were also significantly elevated in the epididymitis group versus the two other groups (p <0.05). Conclusions: Acute epididymitis causes an increase of oxidative stress in the ipsilateral and contralateral testes, but this condition is strived for to tolerate the increase of endogenous antioxidants.
Post-Operative Changes Mimicking the Radiographic Appearance of Recurrent Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Tolhurst Stephen R. , Rapp David E. , Lyon Mark B. , Orvieto Marcelo A. , Sokoloff Mitchell H. , Shalhav Arieh L.
Published: May 2006

Partial nephrectomy for small renal tumors is associated with excellent long-term outcomes. In the absence of positive surgical margins, local recurrence is uncommon. Although computed tomography is associated with good diagnostic accuracy, the radiographic evaluation of some renal lesions remains difficult. This difficulty can be greater in the period following surgery, when post-operative tissue changes can result in abnormal radiographic findings. We report a case of benign post-operative changes mimicking the radiographic appearance of recurrent renal cell carcinoma.
Function of Wnts in Dopaminergic Neuron Development
Authors: Castelo-Branco Gonçalo , Arenas Ernest
Published: May 2006

Dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the ventral midbrain (VM) are one of the major cell types lost in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Proof of principle exists for cell replacement therapies for PD, but wider application is halted by the unavailability of abundant sources of DA neurons. Stem cells might constitute one of these sources. However, efficient protocols promoting their specific differentiation into a DA neuronal phenotype are required. In this review, we summarize the latest findings concerning the contribution of the Wnt family of glycolipoproteins in the development of VM DA neurons. Regulators of Wnt signaling are involved in several neurodevelopmental processes. Recent results indicate that Wnts are key regulators of proliferation and differentiation of DA precursors during VM neurogenesis and different Wnts have specific and unique activity profiles. Interestingly, chemical inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3β stabilize β-catenin and increase DA differentiation in VM precursor cultures. We hereby propose that Wnts are likely to contribute in the future to improve stem/precursor cell replacement therapy approaches to PD.
Proliferation and Differentiation of Adult Endogenous Neural Stem Cells in Response to Neurodegenerative Process within the Striatum
Authors: Mazurová Yvona , Rudolf Emil , Látr Ivan , Österreicher Jan
Published: May 2006

The ongoing process of neurogenesis in the adult mammalian forebrain suggests the possible capacity for limited self-repair after brain injury. Previously, we have demonstrated that in an animal model of Huntington’s disease the neurodegenerative process initiates immediate intensive cell proliferation and differentiation resulting in characteristic enlargement of the subependymal zone (SEZ) of lateral brain ventricles. Now, our interest is focused on the architecture of the neurogenic niche of the SEZ in the identical model, particularly on characteristic features of astrocyte-like cells which are considered to be not only niche cells but also neural stem cells. Our findings prove higher activation of the lateral part of the SEZ (L-SEZ) adjacent to the degenerated striatum compared with the rostral part of the SEZ (R-SEZ). In the activated L-SEZ, niche cells which ensheathe clusters of neural progenitors are of immature astrocytic phenotype because of nestin and vimentin expression (except the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein). However, the coexpression of all three filaments is not always found. Intermediate filaments also enable us to distinguish the basic shape of astrocytic cells within the SEZ, majority of which resemble protoplasmic rather than fibrillary astrocytes. Furthermore, our results show a wide plasticity of these astrocyte-like cells in immediate response to an extensive pathological process in the brain. These observations are consistent with the fact that adult stem cells undergo different processes in an already mature environment, and therefore can exhibit some specific characteristics unlike the embryonic or fetal neural stem cells.
Neuronal Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Neural Stem-Like Cell Line
Authors: Buzanska Leonora , Jurga Marcin , Domanska-Janik Krystyna
Published: May 2006

The expanding population of neural stem/progenitor cells can be selected from human cord blood nonhematopoietic (CD34-negative) mononuclear fraction. Due to repeated expansion and selection of these cells we have established the first clonogenic, nonimmortalized human umbilical cord blood neural stem-like cell (HUCB-NSC) line. This line can be maintained at different stages of neural progenitor development by the presence of trophic factors, mitogens and neuromorphogens in culture media. Neurogenic potential of HUCB-NSC was established for serum-free and low-serum cultured cells. Commitment of HUCB-NSC by serum was shown to be important for the optimal response to the signals provided by surrounding environment in vitro. Enhanced neuronal differentiation induced by dBcAMP treatment was accompanied by expression of several functional proteins including glutamatergic, GABAergic, dopamine, serotonin and acetylcholine receptors, which was shown by microarray, immunocytochemistry and electrophysiology. Electrophysiological studies, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, revealed in differentiated HUCB-NSC two types of voltage-sensitive and several ligand-gated currents typical for neuronal cells. The above HUCB-NSC characteristic conceivably implicates that cord blood-derived progenitors could be effectively differentiated into functional neuron-like cells in vitro.
Toti-/Pluripotential Stem Cells and Epigenetic Modifications
Authors: Tada Takashi
Published: May 2006

Nuclear reprogramming induces global changes of epigenetic profile and confers pluripotency on specialized somatic nuclei. Embryonic stem (ES) cells retain nuclear reprogramming activity as shown by cell fusion with adult somatic cells. The reprogrammed somatic nuclei resemble ES cell nuclei in pluripotential competence. Changes of histone tail modifications in somatic cell-derived genome by cell fusion demonstrate that the molecular process of nuclear reprogramming is separable at least in two steps: erasure of somatic epigenetic modification (genome-wide reprogramming) and establishment of pluripotential epigenetic modification (gene-specific reprogramming). In the latter step, the newly identified transcriptional factor Nanog functions in maintaining pluripotency in cooperation with other key gene Oct4. Somatic-derived Nanog is reactivated in the reprogrammed nuclei in hybrid cells and also in cloned blastocysts. It is unclear which key molecules are responsible for the nuclear reprogramming. It is, however, evident that adult somatic cell nuclei are capable of being reprogrammed in vitro by cell fusion with ES cells. A technological innovation for eliminating ES-derived chromosomes from the hybrid nuclei could make the production of personalized pluripotential stem cells without the need for therapeutic cloning possible.
The Developing Human Spinal Cord Contains Distinct Populations of Neural Precursors
Authors: Ferretti Patrizia , Mackay Melanie , Walder Sally
Published: May 2006

It is becoming apparent that neural stem cells display some differences in their behaviour depending on the region of the CNS they originate from and on whether they are derived from embryonic or adult tissue. Whereas much work has focused on brain neural stem cells, less attention has been paid to spinal cord neural precursors, particularly in the developing human embryo. We briefly review here some of our work which points at some similarities between neural precursors in developing human spinal cords and in animals which can regenerate their spinal cord (e.g. tailed amphibians), and at differences in the properties of human neural precursors with spinal cord development. Altogether these studies suggest the existence of dynamic neural stem cell populations within the developing spinal cord. They also support the notion that thorough characterization of neural stem cells under different culture conditions and analysis of how these may affect their differentiation in vivo after grafting into different injury models is imperative if we are to develop effective cell therapy strategies for spinal cord injury and diseases.
Developmental Perspectives on Human Midbrain-Derived Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Schwarz Johannes , Schwarz Sigrid C. , Storch Alexander
Published: May 2006

Regeneration or restoration of lost or damaged neurons is very likely to profoundly alter the disability and needs of many patients. The replacement of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in patients with Parkinson’s disease via implantation of embryonic midbrain tissue was taken from animal experiments to clinical applications. Ethical concerns related to the use of fetal tissue derived from abortions further argue for the search for alternative tissue sources. Today, it seems possible to generate functional DA neurons from a variety of stem cells, including embryonic and neural stem cells. Bone marrow stromal cells are another source for cell replacement. Neural stem cells derived from human fetal midbrain tissue maintain a considerable capacity to self-renew and to differentiate into DA neurons. Therefore, these cells may be a promising source to generate functional human DA neurons.
Nidogen and Nidogen-Associated Basement Membrane Proteins and Neuronal Plasticity
Authors: Köhling Rüdiger , Nischt Roswitha , Vasudevan Anju , Ho Matthew , Weiergräber Marco , Schneider Toni , Smyth Neil
Published: May 2006

Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are thought to subserve structural functions as, for example, tissue barriers as well as guidance structures during cell growth, differentiation and tissue repair. Deletion of basement membrane (BM) components results in malformations of different organs, including the brain. Recent data, however, suggest that interference with cellular membrane-associated proteins interacting with ECM can alter neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity without obvious underlying structural damage. This does not only apply to classical ECM proteins such as laminin, reelin and tenascin, but also to molecules of a rather specialized ECM, the BM. Here, nidogen (also termed entactin) appears to subserve a function in neuronal plasticity. Nidogen ablation leads to epileptic activity in vivo and the appearance of spontaneous epileptiform activity in vitro. This raises the intriguing question whether the BM protein nidogen may directly influence neuronal function in the CNS, opening the possibility of modulatory mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and excitability reaching beyond classical processes confined to cellular interactions.
Magnetic Resonance Tracking of Transplanted Stem Cells in Rat Brain and Spinal Cord
Authors: Syková Eva , Jendelová Pavla
Published: May 2006

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging provides a noninvasive method to study the fate of transplanted cells in vivo. Objective: We studied the fate of embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles (Endorem®) and human CD34+ cells labeled with magnetic MicroBeads (Miltenyi) in rats with a cortical or spinal cord lesion. Methods: Cells were grafted intracerebrally, contralaterally to a cortical photochemical lesion, or injected intravenously. Results: During the 1st week after transplantation, transplanted cells migrated to the lesion and were visible in the lesion on MR images as a hypointensive signal, persisting for more than 30 days. In rats with a balloon-induced spinal cord compression lesion, we observed an increase in functional recovery and hind limb sensitivity after implantation of Endorem-labeled mesenchymal stem cells or a freshly prepared mononuclear fraction of bone marrow cells or after injection of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Morphometric measurements in the center of the lesions showed an increase in white matter volume in cell-treated animals. Prussian blue staining confirmed a large number of Prussian blue-positive cells, and the lesions were considerably smaller than in control animals. Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that magnetic resonance imaging of grafted adult as well as embryonic stem cells labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles is a useful method for evaluating their migration and fate in CNS.
Wnt Signal Pathways and Neural Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Lange Christian , Mix Eilhard , Rateitschak Katja , Rolfs Arndt
Published: May 2006

Self-renewal, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells are controlled by a variety of pleiotropic signal molecules. Members of the morphogen family of Wnt molecules play a crucial role for developmental and repair mechanisms in the embryonic and adult nervous system. A strategy of disclosure of the role of different canonical (glycogen synthase kinase-3β/β-catenin-dependent) and noncanonical (Ca2+- and JNK-dependent) signal pathways for progenitor cell expansion and differentiations is illustrated at the example of the rat striatal progenitor cell line ST14A that is immortalized by stable retroviral transfection with a temperature-sensitive mutant of the SV40 large T antigen. A shift from permissive 33°C to nonpermissive 39°C leads to proliferation stop and start of differentiation into glial and neuronal cells. Investigation of expression of Wnts, Wnt receptors and Wnt-dependent signal pathway assay point to a stage-dependent involvement of canonical and noncanonical signaling in proliferation and differentiation of ST14A cells, whereby a mutual suppression of pathway activities is likely. Canonical Wnt molecules are not detected in proliferating and differentiating ST14A cells except Wnt2. The noncanonical Wnt molecules Wnt4, Wnt5a and Wnt11 are expressed in proliferating cells and increase during differentiation, whereas cellular β-catenin decreases in the early phase and is restored in the late phase of differentiation. Accumulation of β-catenin at the membrane in undifferentiated proliferating cells and its nuclear localization in nondividing undifferentiated cells under differentiation conditions argues for a distinct spatially regulated role of the molecule in the proliferation and early differentiation phase. Ca2+-dependent and JNK-dependent noncanonical Wnt signaling is not detected during differentiation of ST14A cells. Complete exploration of the role of Wnt pathways, for differentiation of the neural progenitor cells ST14A will require Wnt overexpression and exposure of ST14A cells to exogenous Wnts either with purified Wnts or by co-cultures with Wnt producers.
Erythropoietin, a Cytoprotective and Regenerative Cytokine, and the Hypoxic Brain
Authors: Pacary Emilie , Petit Edwige , Bernaudin Myriam
Published: May 2006

Hypoxia and ischemia in the brain often result in brain dysfunctions and neuronal death during both the neonatal and adult periods. Though the mechanisms contributing to brain injury secondary to hypoxia-ischemia are more clearly defined, there are still no pharmacological treatments available to reduce cell death in the ischemic brain. This review highlights the beneficial effects of hypoxia-inducible factors, such as the transcriptional factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and its target genes, as both cytoprotective and regenerative factors, and focuses in particular on one of the most well-known: erythropoietin. Altogether, the data presented in this review suggest that further insights into the role of hypoxia-inducible factors would help develop promising strategies to improve the outcome of hypoxia/ischemia-related brain pathologies.
The Kuwait Cataract Outcome Study: A 12-Month Evaluation
Authors: Abdelmoaty S. , Behbehani A.M. , Aljazzaf A. , Grigis N. , Eslah E. , Marouf T. , Almuteri S. , Alzafiri Y.
Published: May 2006

Objective: To assess the frequency of intraopertive difficulties, postoperative complications and the visual outcome in cataract surgery performed at the Al-Bahar Eye Center, Kuwait. Subjects and Methods: This case series study is comprised of 350 eyes from 325 subjects (169 male, 156 female; 30–78 years, mean age 64 years) undergoing consecutive cataract surgery performed at the Al-Bahar Eye Center, Kuwait from July 2001 to June 2002. All the eyes underwent extensive ophthalmic examinations before and after surgery. Details of surgical procedures, including the type of the cataract surgery, intraoperative difficulties or complications, postoperative complications, and the visual outcome were documented. Results: The extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) technique was used for 50.2% of the eyes and for the remaining 49.8%, the small-incision phacoemulsification technique was used. Of the 350 eyes operated upon, 9.7% had coexisting ocular disease which may have affected the best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). Complications included posterior capsule tears and vitreous loss (10%), cystoid macular edema (0.6%) and endophthalmitis (0.9%) of the eyes. A BSCVA of 6/12 or better was achieved in 78.3% of the cases. Conclusion: A high success rate in terms of visual acuity outcome was achieved in the cataract surgery. The operative and postoperative complications were similar for both techniques, ECCE and phacoemulsification.
Physicians’ Perceptions and Expectations of Pharmacists’ Professional Duties in Government Hospitals in Kuwait
Authors: Matowe L. , Abahussain E.A. , Al-Saffar N. , Bihzad S.M. , Al-Foraih A. , Al-Kandery A.A.
Published: May 2006

Objective:The objectives of this study were to evaluate the perceptions, expectations and experience of physicians with hospital-based pharmacists in Kuwait. Materials and Methods: A piloted self-administered questionnaire was hand delivered to 200 physicians practicing in four government hospitals in Kuwait. Main sections of the questionnaire comprised a series of statements pertaining to physicians’ perceptions, expectations and experiences with pharmacists. Results: One hundred and twenty (60%) questionnaires were returned. At least 57% of physicians in Kuwait appear comfortable with pharmacists carrying out patient-directed roles. In addition, they appeared to have high expectations of pharmacists, with 79% of them regarding pharmacists as knowledgeable drug therapy experts. Less than 60% considered pharmacists as applying their drug knowledge in practice and only 29% agreed that pharmacists routinely counselled their patients. There was no correlation between physician variables such as number of years since graduation from medical school, age, area of practice and their perceptions of pharmacists. Conclusion: Physicians in Kuwait appear comfortable with pharmacists providing a broad range of services but appear somewhat less comfortable with pharmacists’ provision of direct patient care. Physicians considered pharmacists knowledgeable drug therapy experts, but regarded them as not routinely providing a broad range of higher-level pharmacy services.
Seasonal and Temporal Variations in the Population and Biting Habit of Mosquitoes on the Atlantic Coast of Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Afolabi B.M. , Amajoh C.N. , Adewole T.A. , Salako L.A.
Published: May 2006

Objectives: To determine the hourly density of vector mosquitoes in coastal Nigeria, compare seasonal human-biting and sporozoite rates in the vector density, locate breeding sites of mosquitoes, and determine larval population at breeding sites. Materials and Methods: Indoor and outdoor mosquitoes of a coastal Nigerian community were caught during early and late wet seasons and in the harmattan period, a time of dusty wind from the Sahara on the western coast of Africa. Larvae were collected from various locations during the study period. The mosquitoes were physically characterized and their salivary glands dissected for sporozoite rate. Larvae density was calculated. Human-biting rate was calculated for Anopheles gambiae complex. Results: Of the 4,317 female A. gambiae complex collected during the night bait catches, 3,543 (82.1%) were from outdoors and 774 (17.9%) from indoors during the three seasons. The maximum human-biting rate approached 25/h and the sporozoite rate was almost 3.0%. These vector mosquitoes were mainly outdoor biting and midnight feeding. Of the 1,269 Anopheles mosquitoes collected with pyrethrum spray catches, 1,245 (98.1%) were A. gambiae complex. There was no significant difference in the entomological inoculation or sporozoite rates during the three seasons of study. There was a preponderance of A. gambiae complex larvae from larval collection. Conclusion: Findings from this study should be useful in the implementation of Integrated Vector Management for the control of malaria in coastal and noncoastal areas of Nigeria.
Impact of Operator on Determining Functional Parameters of Nuclear Medicine Procedures
Authors: Mohammed A.M. , Naddaf S.Y. , Mahdi F.S. , Al-Mutawa Q.I. , Al-Dossary H.A. , Elgazzar A.H.
Published: May 2006

Objective: The study was designed to assess the significance of the interoperator variability in theestimation of functional parameters forfour nuclear medicine procedures. Materials andMethods: Three nuclear medicine technologists with varying years of experience processed the following randomly selected 20 cases with diverse functions of each study type: renography, renal cortical scans, myocardial perfusion gated single-photon emission computed tomography (MP-GSPECT) and gated blood pool ventriculography (GBPV). The technologists used the same standard processing routines and were blinded to the results of each other. The means of the values and the means of differences calculated case by case were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The values were further analyzed using Pearson correlation. Results: The range of the mean values and standard deviation of relative renal function obtained by the three technologists were 50.65 ± 3.9 to 50.92 ± 4.4% for renography, 51.43 ± 8.4 to 51.55 ± 8.8% for renal cortical scans, 57.40 ± 14.3 to 58.30 ± 14.9% for left ventricular ejection fraction from MP-GSPECT and 54.80 ± 12.8 to 55.10 ± 13.1% for GBPV. The difference was not statistically significant, p > 0.9. The values showed a high correlation of more than 0.95. Calculated case by case, the mean of differences ± SD was found to range from 0.42 ± 0.36% in renal cortical scans to 1.35 ± 0.87% in MP-GSPECT with a maximum difference of 4.00%. The difference was not statistically significant, p >0.19. Conclusion: The estimated functional parameters were repro ducible and operator independent as long as the standard processing instructions were followed.
Comparative Evaluation of BacT/ALERT 3D and BACTEC Systems for the Recovery of Pathogens Causing Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Jamal Wafaa , Tamaray Gigette , Pazhoor Aleyamma , Rotimi V.O.
Published: May 2006

Objective: To compare BacT/ALERT (BTA) and BACTEC 9240 (BAC), two continuously monitoring automated blood culture systems, for the recovery of bloodstream pathogens and standard media available for these systems. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 100 adults and 50 paediatric patients suspected of having bloodstream infections were inoculated at the bedside into non-vented BTA and BAC standard blood culture bottles and incubated in their respective instruments. The time to growth detection (TD) was recorded for each bottle that became positive. A quantitative assay was also carried out with 5 standard bloodstream pathogens to assess TD of each pathogen as well as the quantity of organisms recovered. Results: A total of 23 isolates representing true infections were recovered by both BTA and BAC bottles, indicating ablood culture positivity rate of 15.3%, 18 (78.3%) by BTA bottles and 13 (56.5%) by BAC. Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium perfringens were recovered only by the BTA system. The average TDs were 19.0 and 24.6 h for BTA and BAC, respectively. Analysis of the quantitative growth of known pathogens in both systems was more or less the same for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa but slightly different for Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The anaerobic bottle ofthe BTA did not support the growth of H. influenzae below an inoculum of 1010 CFU/ml whereas the BAC did so at a lower inoculum of 108 CFU/ml. TD for S. pneumoniae in the BTA was about half of that in the BAC. Conclusions: The BTA system appears to be more efficient in detecting common bloodstream pathogens asa higher inoculum is needed for the BAC system to detect the same organism.
Varicella-Associated Purpura Fulminans: Chicken Pox Is Not Always Benign
Authors: Abdulmalik A. , Al-Ateeqi W. , Al-Khawari M. , Al-Osaimi S.
Published: May 2006

Objective: To report a 6-year-old boy with post-chicken pox purpura fulminans (PF). Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 6-year-old boy presented with purpura of the legs that rapidly progressed to other parts of the limbs and the buttocks. The patient had had chicken pox 10 days prior to presentation. He was afebrile and the chicken pox lesions were dry. He received anti-coagulants, a large volume of fresh frozen plasma, immunoglobulin and steroids. The skin lesions regressed but both hands and parts of the lower limbs remained necrotic; the patient was transferred to an orthopaedic hospital for amputation and skin grafting. Conclusion: This case report shows that PF can occur as a post-infection syndrome after primary varicella. Early and aggressive treatment of post-chicken pox PF might reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with this condition.
Disseminated Penicillium marneffei Infection with Fungemia and Endobronchial Disease in an AIDS Patient in China
Authors: Zhiyong Zong , Mei Kang , Yanbin Liu
Published: May 2006

Objective:To present a rare Chinese case ofdisseminated Penicilliummarneffei infection with fungemia and endobronchial disease in an AIDS patient. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 26-year-old policeman who had resided in Guangxi Province, China, for 3 years presented to his county hospital with a 2-month history of high fever and cough. A provisional diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was made. Accordingly, the patient was treated with anti-TB drugs for 1 month but with no clinical improvement; he was then referred toWest China Hospital. Blood and bone marrow cultures as well as a bronchoscopic biopsy were positive for P. marneffei. A confirmatory serologic test for HIV was positive. A combination therapy with amphotericin B and itraconazole was instituted, and the patient responded well to treatment. Conclusion: This case showsendobronchial involvement caused by an emerging fungal microorganism. HIV-positive patients with a history of residence in or travel to southern China and a clinical presentation suggestive of TB but responding poorly to anti-TB treatment may have P. marneffei infection.
Accuracy of Proximal Caries Depth Measurements: Comparison between Limited Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Storage Phosphor and Film Radiography
Authors: Akdeniz B. Güniz , Gröndahl Hans-Göran , Magnusson Bengt
Published: May 2006

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of limited cone beam computed tomography (LCBCT), an image plate system and F-speed film in assessing the depth of proximal carious lesions. Radiographs of a dry mandible with sound and carious teeth were obtained with all three methods. In 41 molar and premolar proximal surfaces, 2 observers independently measured lesion depth on the images from the three modalities. The correlation of measurements was assessed with Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results from imaging modalities and histological sectioning (gold standard) were compared using Bland-Altman plots. Overall comparison of the depth measurements from the imaging modalities and the gold standard was done using repeated-measures ANOVA. Pairwise comparisons of systems were done by the Bonferroni t test. The correlation between the measurements of the two observers was 0.977 for film, 0.997 for image plate system and 0.998 for LCBCT. Bland-Altman plots revealed that LCBCT agreed very closely with the gold standard while the agreement between the latter and the image plate – or film – images was moderate. The mean difference and 95% limits of agreement between LCBCT and the gold standard were smaller than those between either image plate or F-speed film and the gold standard. The LCBCT method appears as a promising tool for detection and monitoring of proximal carious lesions.