bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology of life‐threatening and lethal anaphylaxis: a review
Authors: Moneret‐Vautrin D. A. , Morisset M. , Flabbee J. , Beaudouin E. , Kanny G.
Published: February 2005

Severe anaphylaxis is a systemic reaction affecting two or more organs or systems and is due to the release of active mediators from mast cells and basophils. A four‐grade classification routinely places ‘severe’ anaphylaxis in grades 3 and 4 (death could be graded as grade 5). Studies are underway to determine the prevalence of severe and lethal anaphylaxis in different populations and the relative frequencies of food, drug, latex and Hymenoptera anaphylaxis. These studies will also analyse the risk arising from the lack of preventive measures applied in schools (personalized management protocols) and from the insufficient use of self‐injected adrenalin. Allergy‐related conditions may account for 0.2–1% of emergency consultations. Severe anaphylaxis affects 1–3 per 10 000 people, but for the United States and Australia figures are even higher. It is estimated to cause death in 0.65–2% of patients, i.e. 1–3 per million people. An increased prevalence has been revealed by monitoring hospitalized populations by reference to the international classification of disease (ICD) codes. The relative frequency of aetiological factors of allergy (food, drugs, insects and latex) varies in different studies. Food, drug and Hymenoptera allergies are potentially lethal. The risk of food‐mediated anaphylaxis can be assessed from the number of personalized management protocols in French schools: 0.065%. Another means of assessment may be the rate of adrenalin prescriptions. However, an overestimation of the anaphylaxis risk may result from this method (0.95% of Canadian children). Data from the literature leads to several possibilities. First, a definition of severe anaphylaxis should be agreed. Secondly, prospective, multicentre enquiries, using ICD codes, should be implemented. Moreover, the high number of anaphylaxis cases for which the aetiology is not identified, and the variation in aetiology in the published series, indicate that a closer cooperation between emergency specialists and allergists is essential.
Epitope recognition of antibodies that define the sialomucin, endolyn (CD164), a negative regulator of haematopoiesis
Authors: Jorgensen‐Tye B. , Levesque J.‐P. , Royle L. , Doyonnas R. , Chan J.Y.‐H. , Dwek R.A. , Rudd P.M. , Harvey D.J. , Simmons P.J. , Watt S.M.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  Endolyn (CD164) is a sialomucin that functions as an adhesion molecule and a negative regulator of CD34+ CD38– human haematopoietic precursor cell proliferation. The 105A5 and 103B2/9E10 CD164 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), which act as surrogate ligands, recognize distinct glycosylation‐dependent classes I and II epitopes located on domain I of the native and recombinant CD164 proteins. Here, we document five new CD164 mAbs, the 96 series, that rely on conformational integrity, but not glycosylation, of exons 2‐ and 3‐encoded CD164 domains, thereby resembling the class III mAbs, N6B6 and 67D2. Although all the 96 series class III mAbs labelled both the 105A5+ and 103B2/9E10+ cells, cross‐competition and immunoblotting studies allow them to be categorized into two distinct class III subgroups, i.e. the N6B6‐like subgroup that only recognizes 80–100 kDa proteins and the 67D2‐like subgroup that also recognizes a higher molecular weight (>220 kDa) form. To more closely define the reactivity patterns of mAbs to the classes I and II epitopes, the global glycosylation patterns of the soluble human (h) CD164 proteins were determined using lectin binding, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry. hCD164 recombinant proteins bound to the lectins, Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, Datura stramonium agglutinin, Sambucus nigra agglutinin, Maackia amurensis agglutinin and peanut agglutinin, indicating the presence of high mannose and complex N‐glycans, in addition to core 1 O‐glycans (the Tn antigen) and α2‐3 and α2‐6 sialic acid moieties. Our HPLC and mass spectrometry results revealed both high mannose and complex N‐glycosylation with various numbers of branches increasing the complexity of the glycosylation pattern. Most O‐glycans were small, core 1 or 2 based. High levels of sialylation in α2‐3 and α2‐6 linkages, without sialyl‐Lewis X, indicate that the majority of these hCD164 recombinant proteins are unable to bind to selectins in our assay system, but may interact with Siglec molecules.
Association of HYPA haplotype in the mannose‐binding lectin gene‐2 with Behçet's disease
Authors: Park K.S. , Min K. , Nam J.H. , Bang D. , Lee E.S. , Lee S.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic, recurrent inflammatory disease caused by the combinations of multiple genetic and environmental factors. Moreover, the MBL2 gene single‐nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes are known to increase the susceptibility to inflammatory disease and to alter the serum levels of mannose‐binding lectin (MBL. We postulated that the haplotypes of the MBL2 gene influence therapeutic response in BD, thus affecting the clinical symptoms in 282 BD patients. The promoter region, MBL2‐550*C/*C (L/L) homozygote was found to have a lower frequency in BD patients than that in controls. No difference was observed in the allele frequencies of G‐221C (Y/X), C+4T (P/Q) or Gly54Asp (A/B) of the MBL2 gene in BD patients and in controls. The HYPA haplotype contributed to BD occurrence, whereas the LYPA haplotype was negatively associated with BD. BD patients with several symptoms and with an earlier disease‐onset age had a higher HYPA haplotype frequency. BD patients showing poor response (S) to therapy had a higher HYPA frequency than those showing good response (M). It seems that possessing HYPA increases the risk of BD and that the MBL2 HYPA haplotype plays a role in MBL levels and increases the susceptibility to BD.
Development and characterization of rat monoclonal antibodies to denatured mouse angiotensin‐converting enzyme
Authors: Balyasnikova I.V. , Metzger R. , Sun Z.‐L. , Berestetskaya Y.V. , Albrecht R.F. , Danilov S.M.
Published: February 2005

Abstract: Four new rat monoclonal antibodies, generated to denatured mouse somatic angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE, CD143), detect mouse ACE with high sensitivity in Western blotting. Epitope mapping for the monoclonal antibodies – B12, 4G6 and 5C4 – was also performed. Two monoclonal antibodies – B12 and 5C4 – are directed to various epitopes on the N‐domain – i.e., they recognized only the somatic isoform of mouse ACE. The monoclonal antibody H7 recognized an epitope on the C‐domain of mouse ACE. The monoclonal antibody 4G6 was directed to a sequence on the N‐domain of mouse ACE, which is homologous to a region of the C‐domain and, as a result, also recognizes mouse testicular ACE (tACE) by means of Western blotting. In paraffin‐embedded mouse tissues, all monoclonal antibodies detected all known expression sites of somatic ACE (sACE), e.g., the epithelial cells of the kidney proximal tubules, intestine and epididymis, and heterogeneously in endothelial cells. The monoclonal antibodies 4G6 and H7 additionally stained mouse tACE in spermatozoa and in mature spermatids. The monoclonal antibody 4G6 also demonstrated cross‐reactivity with sACE from a broad spectrum of animal species, including human, rat, rabbit and bovine. However, this monoclonal antibody did not recognize the testicular isoform of ACE of these species. This set of monoclonal antibodies is useful for identifying even subtle changes in mouse ACE conformation because of denaturation. These monoclonal antibodies are also sensitive tools for the detection of mouse ACE in biological fluids and tissues by using proteomics approaches. Their high reactivity in paraffin‐embedded tissues opens up opportunities to study possible changes in the pattern of ACE expression in knockout mouse models and may prove useful for correlating ACE expression in these models with human diseases.
Conservation of MHC class II DOA sequences among carnivores*
Authors: Soll S.J. , Stewart B.S. , Lehman N.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  We obtained the nucleotide sequence for most of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II DOA locus for Weddell, leopard, northern elephant, and southern elephant seals and from the coyote and compared them to all known DOA data available to date. We found generally low levels of interspecific polymorphisms, providing further support for stabilizing selection acting on the DOA locus. This suggests that DO gene products play a substantial functional role in the regulation of antigen presentation. A seven–amino‐acid motif of VWRLPEF was found to be conserved across all DOA sequences and may be a DO‐specific recognition element.
A novel HLA‐DRB1*09 allele, HLA‐DRB1*090103*, isolated from the Han population of Guangdong, China
Authors: Hu Z. , Liu Z. , Xiong Y. , Lv F. , Fu Y. , Lin J. , Xu A.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  A novel HLA‐DRB1*09 allele, HLA‐DRB1*090103, has been identified in a Guangdong Han person. Its sequence was confirmed by sequencing polymerase chain reaction products and clones. This allele differed by one nucleotide from HLA‐DRB1*090102 at position 50(G→C), which represents a silent mutation.
Identification of a novel HLA‐DOB‐allele, DOB*010103, by sequence‐based typing in the Korean population*
Authors: Gu H. , Lee J.‐K. , Oh B.
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  A new DOB allele, DOB*010103, was identified in the Korean population during sequence‐based HLA‐DOB typing. DOB*010103 differed from DOB*01010101 only at codon 6 (GAT→GAC), corresponding to synonymous amino acid change (Asp→Asp).
Role of duplex Doppler and power Doppler sonography in transplanted kidneys with acute renal parenchymal dysfunction
Authors: Datta R , Sandhu M , Saxena AK , Sud K , Minz M , Suri S
Published: February 2005

The limited work published on the comparison of power Doppler sonography (PDS) and duplex Doppler sonography (DDS) in the assessment of acute renal allograft dysfunction has shown contradictory results. We compared the role of DDS and PDS in renal transplant recipients developing acute renal parenchymal dysfunction and correlated these findings with kidney biopsy, which was taken as the gold standard. Thirty post‐renal transplant patients with acute graft dysfunction underwent Doppler sonography, DDS and PDS using an HDI 5000 ATL machine. Patients who developed graft dysfunction as a result of vascular, obstructive or other non‐parenchymal causes were excluded. All patients underwent an allograft biopsy within 72 h of the sonography. Based on the biopsy findings, 24 patients were categorized as having acute rejection, and six patients as having no rejection. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DDS for evaluation of graft dysfunction were 54.17, 33.33, and 50.00%, respectively, and that for PDS were superior with 87.50, 33.30, and 76.67%, respectively. The low specificity can be partially attributed to the small number of cases without rejection in our study population. We conclude that PDS is superior to DDS in screening patients with acute parenchymal renal dysfunction post‐transplant. However, a normal PDS examination does not exclude the presence of acute rejection. Power Doppler sonography is a useful screening test for diagnosing acute rejection but a renal allograft biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of this condition.
Predictors of a positive baseline bone scan in breast cancer
Authors: Ho YY , Chan Y‐H
Published: February 2005

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the predictors of a positive bone scan in female patients with breast carcinoma. The participants were 126 females with newly diagnosed breast carcinoma and a baseline bone scan. Patients who had started treatment before their bone scan were excluded. Bone scans were assessed as ‘no metastases’ or ‘definite skeletal metastases’ without knowledge of the patient's predictor variables. Those with ‘possible metastases’ were correlated with other available imaging and clinical information, and recategorized as ‘no metastases’ or ‘definite skeletal metastases’. Results were compared with predictor variables. Significant predictors were increasing age, a higher histopathological grading and positive progesterone receptor status following a forward‐stepwise logistic regression analysis. Axillary nodal status, tumour size and oestrogen receptor status did not correlate with a positive bone scan. Not every patient needs a staging bone scan. This study is important because it predicts the need for baseline scintigraphy for specific patients in whom skeletal metastases are more likely to be present or to develop. The findings are particularly valuable in times of worldwide resource scarcity and evolving surgical practice.
Bilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous
Authors: Sanghvi DA , Sanghvi CA , Purandare NC
Published: February 2005

We report a case of bilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) in a 5‐month‐old infant who presented with bilateral leukokoria. The child was referred for occular ultrasound with a clinical suspicion of retinoblastoma. Grey‐scale evaluation revealed an echogenic band in the posterior segment of the left globe extending from the posterior surface of the lens capsule to the optic disc. Doppler examination revealed the presence of blood flow in the band. Ultrasound assessment of the contralateral globe showed an elevated mass of echogenic tissue in the posterior segment, in contact with the optic disc. Most cases of PHPV are sporadic and unilateral. Bilateral PHPV is rare. In a study by Pollard of 83 cases, only two patients (2.4%) had bilateral PHPV. The imaging features in this case point toward the diagnosis of bilateral PHPV. We suggest that this entity, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis while evaluating bilateral leukokoria.
Cerebral melioidosis
Authors: Bergin P , Boyes L , Sage M
Published: February 2005

Two cases of cerebral melioidosis are presented to illustrate the clinical presentation and progress and to highlight the radiological features.
A Behavioral Genetic Analysis of the Relationship Between the Socialization Scale and Self‐Reported Delinquency
Authors: Taylor Jeanette , McGue Matt , Iacono William G. , Lykken David T.
Published: February 2005

This investigation examined the genetic (A), and shared (C) and nonshared (E) environmental variance contributions to the relationship of self‐reported delinquency (as measured by the “Delinquent Behavior Inventory” [DBI; Gibson, 1967]) to the Socialization (So) scale of the California Psychological Inventory using univariate and bivariate structural equation models. The scales were administered to 222 male (145 monozygotic; 77 dizygotic) and 159 female (107 monozygotic; 52 dizygotic) 16‐ to 18‐year‐old same‐sex twin pairs. Principal components analysis with varimax rotation revealed three interpretable So factors representing family/home environment, self‐concept, and behavioral control. Univariate modeling suggested sex differences in etiological influences associated with individual differences in most scales. The bivariate ACE model fit the data, suggesting that the covariance between the So scale and self‐reported delinquency owes in part to shared etiological factors.
2004 Division 35 Presidential Address: Gender and Leadership in Higher Education
Authors: Madden Margaret E.
Published: February 2005

Literature on gender, higher education administration, and leadership is reviewed using the framework of five principles derived from feminist psychology ( Worell & Johnson, 1997 ): (a) sociocultural context influences leadership situations, (b) power dynamics impact sociocultural structures, (c) people are active agents of coping and environmental change, (d) multiple perspectives are useful, and (e) collaboration is an important technique for changing organizations. Within this framework are discussions of the effects of historical context, gender discrimination and stereotyping, hierarchical organization, masculinized context, the interconnection between gender and status, and leadership as empowerment. Examples of administrative strategies that may promote feminist leadership behavior by college administrators are given, such as understanding behavior in context, promoting structural change, using active survival strategies, changing behavioral incentives, striving for activism and social justice, fostering interdisciplinary perspectives, and encouraging collaboration. Difficulties encountered by women attempting to change the higher education context and assume feminist leadership styles are discussed.
Female Aggression Toward Male Intimate Partners: An Examination of Social Norms in a Community-Based Sample
Authors: Sorenson Susan B. , Taylor Catherine A.
Published: February 2005

We investigated the effect of assailant gender on injunctive social norms (i.e., beliefs about what ought to happen) regarding violence toward an intimate heterosexual partner. In a random-digit-dialed survey conducted in four languages, 3,769 community-residing adults were presented with five vignettes in which we experimentally manipulated characteristics of the assailant, victim, and incident. We examined the vignette variables and measured respondent characteristics using multivariate logistic regressions. Judgments about women's violence against male intimates (vs. men's violence against female intimates) were less harsh and took contextual factors more fully into account. The type of violence and the presence of a weapon played a central role in respondent judgments. Respondent demographic characteristics were largely unrelated to their judgments.
The Sexual Assault and Secondary Victimization of Female Veterans: Help-Seeking Experiences with Military and Civilian Social Systems
Authors: Campbell Rebecca , Raja Sheela
Published: February 2005

A sample of predominantly low-income, African American female veterans and reservists seeking health care in a Veterans' Administration medical clinic was screened for a history of sexual assault since age 18. Overall, 39% had been sexually assaulted in adulthood. Those who had been sexually victimized were asked to describe one assault incident in detail: 38% described an assault that occurred during military service and 62% described one that occurred before or after military service. This study also examined victims' postassault help-seeking experiences and the degree to which they encountered “secondary victimization” (i.e., victim-blaming behaviors and practices engaged in by legal and medical personnel, which exacerbates victims' trauma). Most victims who sought help from the legal or medical systems (military or civilian) reported that this contact made them feel guilty, depressed, anxious, distrustful of others, and reluctant to seek further help. Secondary victimization was significantly positively correlated with posttraumatic stress symptomatology.
Cardiovascular autonomic control in endurance‐trained and sedentary young women
Authors: Middleton N. , De Vito G.
Published: February 2005

This study aimed to investigate whether endurance‐trained (ET) female athletes demonstrate differences in cardiovascular autonomic control compared with sedentary controls. Eighteen healthy eumenorrhoeic subjects, nine trained (22·4 ± 3 years) and nine sedentary (21·0 ± 1 years), volunteered for the study. Heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) measures were adopted to assess cardiac autonomic control. HRV was recorded for 30 min under both controlled (0·25 Hz) and spontaneous breathing conditions. Cardiovagal BRS was assessed using the Valsalva manoeuvre. Analysis of the HRV showed a longer R‐R interval (1089 ± 114 ms versus 865 ± 100 ms; P<0·001) in the trained subject but only in the spontaneous breathing condition. Conversely, athletes exhibited higher normalized low frequency (LFnu, 44·2 ± 8·5% versus 29·5 ± 6·8%; P<0·001) and lower normalized high frequency (HFnu, 55·8 ± 8·5% versus 69·9 ± 7·7%; P<0·01) only during the controlled breathing condition, consequently the LF/HF ratio was also higher in the trained group in the same condition (0·83 ± 0·3 versus 0·47 ± 0·1, P<0·01). BRS was significantly lower in the ET group (7·95 ± 4·0 ms mmHg−1 versus 13·00 ± 4·4 ms mmHg−1, P<0·05). Further studies are necessary to elucidate the potential role of training and altered hormonal profile in the genesis of the observed differences in cardiovascular autonomic control between highly trained and sedentary control female subjects.
Impaired microvascular function related to poor metabolic control in young patients with diabetes
Authors: Golster Helena , Hyllienmark Lars , Ledin Torbjörn , Ludvigsson Johnny , Sjöberg Folke
Published: February 2005

The purpose of the present study was to identify whether young patients with type 1 diabetes using modern multiple insulin injection therapy (MIT) have signs of microvascular dysfunction and to elucidate possible correlations with various disease parameters. Skin blood flow on the dorsum of the foot was measured with laser Doppler perfusion imaging in 37 patients (age 10–21 years, disease duration 6·0–16 years) and 10 healthy controls. Measurements were performed at rest, after change in posture (the leg was lowered below heart level) and during postocclusive hyperaemia. Following a change in posture blood flow increased instead of decreased in a majority of the study subjects. Patients with acute HbA1c >7·5% (n = 22) had an increase in skin blood flow at rest and a significantly reduced blood flow when the leg was lowered below heart level as compared with patients with HbA1c <7·5% (0·26 V versus 0·17 V, P<0·01 and 0·12 V versus 0·23 V, P<0·05, respectively) and healthy controls. Following occlusion of the macrocirculation for 3 min a small non‐significant decrease in the hyperaemic response was seen in the patients. The postocclusive hyperaemic response and the venoarteriolar reflex were not correlated to duration of disease, long‐term metabolic control or electrophysiological signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction. It is concluded that signs of microvascular dysfunction related to poor metabolic control are present in young patients with MIT treatment and rather well‐controlled diabetes. Low resting blood flow levels are suggested to contribute to the absence of postural vasoconstrictor response.
Heart rate variability in young patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy subjects explored by Poincaré and sequence plots
Authors: Javorka Michal , Javorková Jana , Tonhajzerová Ingrid , Calkovska Andrea , Javorka Kamil
Published: February 2005

Autonomic neuropathy is a common complication of the diabetes mellitus (DM). The significance of its early diagnosis is very high because the mortality of the patients with this complication is elevated. Considering the effort to apply new mathematical methods to cardiac dysregulation diagnosis, the major aim of the study was to ascertain which of the new heart rate variability (HRV) parameters are different in young patients with DM type 1 compared with control group. The next aim was to assess the HRV changes during prolonged (40 min) supine rest. The heart rate was continuously recorded during supine rest in 17 young patients with DM type 1 (10 women, 7 men) aged 22·4 ± 1·0 years (mean ± SEM). The control group consisted of 17 healthy matched probands. The HRV (time/frequency domains, Poincaré and sequence plots, sample entropy) was analysed in two intervals – T1 starting at fifth minute and T2 starting at 30th minute of supine rest. The major results of our study are: the reduced Poincaré plot pattern measures in the young DM group; the lower percentage of points in the third quadrant of sequence plot (this parameter was not correlated with the mean heart rate) and significant changes in HRV during supine rest in DM group (in contrast to control subjects). In conclusion, HRV parameters based on nonlinear dynamics were able to distinguish cardiac dysregulation in young patients with DM from the control group. The percentage of points in the third quadrant of sequence plot provides information that is not dependent on mean heart rate. Poincaré and sequence plots, together with the rate of HRV changes during supine rest, can provide clinically relevant information usable in diagnosis of the cardiac dysregulation.
1 Low Volume Exchange Protocol for Peritoneal Dialysis After Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Plevšičnik Z , Lavre J , Vujkovac B , Pečolar S
Published: February 2005

Abdominal surgery is considered problematic if performed on dialysis patients who are on peritoneal dialysis. There is a common clinical practice to switch these patients to hemodialysis postoperatively for a period of time. Our attempt was to keep these patients on peritoneal dialysis after abdominal surgery, using a modified protocol of low volume exchanges. During the last two years, three of our patients on peritoneal dialysis underwent abdominal surgery. In one patient, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed, and abdominal hernia repair was performed in the other two. The day after the operation, we started with low volume (500 mL) exchanges with solutions with 1.36% glucose. During the daytime we prescribed four exchanges, and during the nighttime we put patients on automatic peritoneal dialysis (APD), also with low volume exchanges. After 5 days, the volume of exchanges was gradually increased and after 3 weeks all three patients were on their standard preoperative dialysis regime. Periodically, we controlled the adequacy of dialysis with Kt/V, which was not changed during these procedures. There were no complications postoperatively. We conclude that this modified protocol of peritoneal dialysis was useful and safe in all our patients and there was no need to switch patients to hemodialysis. Further clinical experience with a large number of patients might confirm the usefulness of low volume exchange protocol.
34 Chronic Immunoadsorption/Plasma Exchange in Patients With Recurrence of Focal Segmental Glomerular Sclerosis After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Ponikvar R , Kandus A , Bren A , Buturović‐Ponikvar J
Published: February 2005

Background  Recurrence of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) in a transplanted kidney can lead to graft failure. Membrane plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption (IA) have been reported to be sometimes successful in preventing of FSGS recurrence in transplanted kidneys. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of chronic PE/IA on graft function in two transplanted patients with recurrence of FSGS in transplanted kidney.

Methods  A man, 45 years old, with biopsy proven FSGS in native kidneys was transplanted in January 2001. Soon after transplantation, recurrence of FSGS in transplanted kidney was observed and therefore several cycles of IA therapy were performed after transplantation. Since August 2001 he began chronic IA therapy every 3 weeks. Fresenius‐Excorim membrane plasma exchange monitor with PF 2000 plasmafilter, (Gambro), has been used. One volume of plasma was exchanged per PE. Vascular access was by AV fistula.

A woman, 42 years old, with biopsy proven FSGS in native kidneys was transplanted in December 1998. Because of recurrence of FSGS in transplanted kidney she began (after several cycles of IA) with chronic IA in August 2001. Fresenius‐Excorim immunoadsorption monitor was used. One to 2 plasma volumes have been processed per session, and vascular access was by AV fistula.

Results  Daily proteinuria in the man decreased from 2.27 g in 2001 to 1.13 g in 2004 (50.2% decrease) and serum creatinine increased from 118 µmol/L to 130 µmol/L (9.2% increase).

Daily proteinuria in the woman decreased from 3.89 g in 2001 to 2.0 g in 2004 (48% decrease) and serum creatinine increased from 96 µmol/L to 109 µmol/L (12% increase). PE/IA therapy was otherwise uneventful.

Conclusions  Chronic PE/IA therapy stabilized renal graft function and substantially diminished daily proteinuria. The man lived with kidney graft for more than 3.5 years and woman more than 5.5 years after recurrence of FSGS occurred.
40 Does Mycophenolate Mofetil Increase the Incidence of Cytomegalovirus Disease Compared To Azathioprine After Cadaveric Kidney Transplantation?
Authors: Bubić‐Filipi L , Bašić‐Jukić N , Puretić Z , Barišić I , Šmalcelj R , Pasini J , Kes P
Published: February 2005

Although most published papers had not found an increase in the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease with the use of mycophenolate mophetil (MMF) in kidney transplant patients, we had the feeling from our everyday practice that after its introduction, the number of patients with the CMV disease increased. In order to test this hypothesis, we performed retrospective analysis of our database, comparing the incidence of CMV disease in patients treated with azathioprine (AZA) and patients treated with MMF. Cytomegalovirus disease was defined as CMV antigenemia (positive CMV pp65 determined by ELISA test) plus any of following: decreased leucocytes or thrombocytes, increased transaminases, or an increase in serum creatinine.

The azathioprine treatred group (AZA group) included 280 patients (132 female) treated for a total of 17,672 months with AZA + Cyclosporine A (CyA) + steroid, or AZA + steroid, while the MMF group included 219 patients (112 female) treated for a total 5079 months with MMF + CyA + steroid, or MMF + steroid. There was no difference in acute rejection episodes between the AZA and the MMF groups. The AZA group had 51 CMV disease episodes (1 episode per 346.5 treatment months), and the MMF group experienced 43 epizodes (1 per 118.1 months) (P < 0.01). Mean onset of the CMV disease was 32.65 ± 47.69 months (SD) after transplantation in the AZA group, and 3.72 ± 4.43 in the MMF group. There was no difference between two treatment groups regarding the donor–recipient CMV status mismatch. Despite having the increased incidence of CMV disease, the MMF group had less severe disease compared to the AZA group with decrease in leucocyte count in 11.6% vs 15.7% of episodes, decrease in thrombocyte count in 20.9% vs 21.6%, elevation of transaminases in 18.6% vs 29.4% respectively, and finally increase in serum creatinine greater than 20% in 51.2% in the MMF vs 74.5% in the AZA group. Five patients from the AZA group experienced CMV pneumonitis with the mortality rate of 80%. Only one patient from the MMF group had CMV pneumonitis, and he survived.

According to our results, patients treated with MMF have an increased risk for development of the CMV disease. However, the disease course is less severe, and less frequently accompanied with the decrease in renal function in comparison to the AZA group.
44 Infection with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C Viruses in Patients with Renal Transplants in Slovenia
Authors: Kovač J , Kandus A , Bren A F , Levičnik S
Published: February 2005

In 214 patients (pts; 89 female and 125 male; mean age 47.9 ± 10.6 years, 1SD) with functioning renal transplants and transplanted between January 2000 and August 2004, results of serologic markers of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been revised. Serologic markers were checked routinely at transplantation and 3 and 12 months after transplantation.

Results  (see Table A44)

 Patients with positive results of serologic markers of infection with HBV and HCV

Antigene‐HBs Positive
 2 (1)

Antigene‐HBs Negative

 Antibodies against‐HBc Positive
13 (9)

 Antibodies against‐HBe Positive
 1 (1)

Antibodies against HCV Positive
 5 (5)

Number in brackets represents patients who were already positive before transplantation (N = 214).

HBV infection  One patient whose antigene‐HBs were negative at transplantation has been most probably infected via transfusion of packed red cells during the first year after transplantation. Both antigene‐HBs positive patients are now under supervision of an infectologist and treated with lamivudine. In one of them viremia has already ceased. In four of 13 patients with positive antibodies against antigene‐HBc it is not known, whether they had been in contact with HBV before transplantation or not. It is possible that in one patient infection was transmitted from a donor who had antibodies against antigene‐HBc positive.

Infection with HCV  Five patients with positive antibodies against‐HCV had already been infected before transplantation. Two patients had been treated with interferon before transplantation. They are both not viremic at present. In all five patients, chronic hepatitis was confirmed histopathologicaly before transplantation but liver biopsies have not been repeated later.

In our group there are no patients infected with both viruses and no Delta antigene positive patients.

Conclusions 

Regular testing of serologic markers of viral hepatitis enables early recognition of infection with HBV or HCV in patients with renal transplants.

It is possible to transmit HBV infection with renal transplants from donors positive for antibodies against antigene‐HBc.

In all patients with any positive result of serologic markers of HBV or HCV infection (except antibodies against HBs antigene) viremia should be repeatedly excluded.

Activity of viral hepatitis after renal transplantation should be histopathologicaly assessed in all HBV or HCV positive patients.
49 Mutation Screening in Patients with Vesico‐Ureteric Reflux
Authors: Zagradišnik B , Bračič K , Varda N Marčun , Vokač N Kokalj , Gregorič A
Published: February 2005

Objectives  Primary vesico‐ureteric reflux (VUR) is a very common anomaly of urogenital tract which makes affected children susceptible to repeated, severe urinary tract infections and possible subsequent permanent damage to the kidney function. The reflux is of genetic origin in most children but no candidate genes have been identified as yet. Studies on knock‐out mice with VUR phenotype have put forward the uroplakin genes (UPK1a, UPK1b, UPK2 UPK3) and the AGTR2 (angiotensin II type 2 receptor) gene as candidate genes for reflux in humans. Also, a recent genome wide linkage study detected several loci with significant LOD scores linked to VUR which included a locus for the uroplakin 1b gene. This study reports the results from screening of the coding regions of genes AGTR2, UPK1b and UPK3 in patients with primary vesico‐ureteric reflux.

Design and methods  The sample of 85 patients diagnosed with VUR was included in the study. Sequence variation screening in coding regions of the UPK1B gene was performed with the heteroduplex analysis followed by sequencing.

Results  No sequence variations were found in the coding exon 3 of the gene AGTR2 and only polymorphisms were present in the coding region of the gene UPK3. A sequence variation changing asparagin to aspartatic acid at the codon 137 (N137D) in exon 5 of the UPK1b gene was detected in 4.7% of patients with VUR and in 0.83% of controls (OR = 5.87, 95% CI 1.54–22.33, P = 0.017).

Conclusions  These results suggest that in our sample of patients the AGTR2 gene is not involved in the pathogenesis of reflux, they exclude the UPK3 gene as a candidate gene for VUR but they also associate the UPK1b gene with primary vesico‐ureteric reflux.
5 Ocular Changes in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Pavlović D , Vatavuk Z , Vrabec R , Čala S , Sesar A , Ratković‐Gusić I , Mandić Z
Published: February 2005

Chronic renal failure is characterized by numerous disorders that involve many organs. In dialysis patients, some disorders could be the consequence of the dialysis treatment per se. The aim of our study was to evaluate the ocular changes in hemodialysis patients.

In 64 patients undergoing hemodialysis (30 female and 34 male), aged 24–83 years (mean 58 years) and on hemodialysis 1–213 months (mean 47 months), complete ocular examination was performed: visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), biomicroscopic examination, and fundoscopy. All patients were on hemodialysis 3 times a week, for 4 hours; bicarbonate dialysate was used with 1.5 mmol/L Ca concentration. Most of the patients were on calcitriol therapy and calcium carbonate were used as phosphate binders. Heparin was used during hemodialysis in all patients in a dose up to 4000 i.u. Visual acuity was impaired in 84% of patients; mean IOP was 15 mmHg (right eye) and 14 mmHg (left eye) (normal vale 11–20 mmHg). Thirty‐nine patients (60%) have cataracts, 6 of them were operated. Hypertensive vascular changes were seen in 44 (68%) patients and in 6 patients age related macular degeneration was observed. Diabetic nonprolipherative or prolipherative changes were seen in 5 of 7 diabetic patients. In 3 patients, argon laser coagulopathy was performed. Ocular calcifications were found in 14 patients. No correlation of ocular calcification and parathyroid hormone PTH level or calcium–phosphate product was observed.

Patients with CRF or who are receiving dialysis represent a unique group of patients. Pathologic changes could be found in many organs; therefore, we suggest more frequent complete ocular examination in dialysis patients.
8 Mixed Uremic Osteodystrophy – a Predominant Form of Renal Bone Disease in Slovenia
Authors: Legan M , Benedik M , Kovač D , Cör A
Published: February 2005

Objectives   To find out which form of renal osteodistrophy is predominant in our population of patients with end‐stage renal failure. To elucidate the reasons of abnormal mineralization in mixed uremic osteodystrophy and low‐turnover osteodystrophy.

Design and methods  Ninety‐three consecutive patients (58 males and 35 females, mean age 50.6 ± 12.2 years) with end‐stage renal failure underwent iliac bone biopsy (after double tetracycline labeling). Histomorphologic as well as histomorphometric analyses were performed in bone tissue sections stained by Goldner, toluidin, Pearls’ blue, tiophlavin, Alumininon, and fluorescence.

Results   Thirty‐eight (40.9%) of our patients had mixed renal bone disease, predominant hyperparathyroid bone disease was found in 31 (33.3%) patients, and low‐turnover osteodystrophy in 24 patients (25.8%). The deposits of aluminum on mineralization front were found in 10.8%, amyloid in 35.9%, and iron in 6.5%. The defective mineralization in patients with mixed and low‐turnover forms of the disease was present in 22 patients due to amyloid, in 7 patients due to aluminum deposits, in 1 to iron deposits, whereas in 6 patients the reason was the combination of 2 factors: amyloid and iron (3 patients), aluminum and iron (1 patient), amyloid and aluminum (2 patients). In 26 patients, defective mineralization was unknown (the bone sections were free of aluminum, iron and amyloid).

Conclusions In the Slovenian population of end‐stage renal failure patients, the predominant form of renal bone disease is mixed renal osteodystrophy. The most important reason for defective mineralization is amyloid deposits on the mineralization front.
Predoctoral Implant Education in U.S. Dental Schools
Authors: Lim Marie Valentine C. , Afsharzand Zahra , Rashedi Behnoush , Petropoulos Vicki C.
Published: February 2005

Purpose:
In 2002, a survey of American dental schools was conducted to determine the curricular structure, teaching philosophies, and materials used in predoctoral implant dentistry courses.

Materials and Methods:
The questionnaire was mailed to the predoctoral implant dentistry director/chairperson of 54 U.S. dental schools. Of these, 38 schools returned the completed survey resulting in a response rate of 70%.

Results:
Eighty‐four percent of the respondents indicated that an implant dentistry course is part of their school's requirements. Seventy percent indicated that this course is offered by either the Restorative or Prosthodontics Department in the third year of the predoctoral dental curriculum. For 75% of the schools, the duration of the course ranged from 3 to 6 months (mean of 5.5 months), 57% reported offering between 11 and 20 lecture hours (mean of 20.4 hours), and less than half of the schools (41%) have prosthodontists teaching the predoctoral implant dentistry course. In 78% of the schools, a laboratory course is offered in conjunction with the implant course. The majority of the schools (88%) allow predoctoral students to restore implant cases clinically. Seventy‐three percent require some of the implant‐related laboratory work to be completed by the students and the single‐tooth implant restoration is the most popular type of implant restoration for 78% of the schools.

Conclusions:
Predoctoral implant dentistry educational programs vary from school to school, yet a large percentage of schools agree on certain topics.
A Clinical Report and Overview of Scientific Studies and Clinical Procedures Conducted on the 3M ESPE Lava™ All‐Ceramic System
Authors: Piwowarczyk Andree , Ottl Peter , Lauer Hans‐Christoph , Kuretzky Timo
Published: February 2005

The Lava™ All‐Ceramic System (3M ESPE Dental Products, St. Paul, MN) is a high‐strength zirconia system, which can be utilized to create all‐ceramic crowns and fixed partial dentures (FPDs) for use in the anterior and posterior regions of the oral cavity. The following study offers an overview of previously conducted scientific studies and clinical procedures that feature the Lava™ All‐Ceramic System as well as a more general overview of zirconia ceramics. A clinical report demonstrates the use of the Lava™ All‐Ceramic System with the restoration of 2 single crowns.
Flexural Strengths of Denture Base Resin Repaired with Autopolymerizing Resin and Reinforcements After Thermocycle Stressing
Authors: Minami Hiroyuki , Suzuki Shiro , Kurashige Hisanori , Minesaki Yoshito , Tanaka Takuo
Published: February 2005

Purpose: Fracture of an acrylic denture base is a common problem in prosthodontic practice. Although various reinforcement methods have been used, when a fractured denture base is repaired with autopolymerizing resin recurrent fractures frequently occur at the repairing interface or adjacent areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the maximum flexural load of denture base resin repaired with autopolymerizing resin and several reinforcement systems after thermocycle stressing.

Materials and Methods:
Rectangular (10 × 70 × 3 mm) flexural specimens were fabricated by repairing a pair of heat‐cured denture base resin specimens using autopolymerizing resin and a series of reinforcement materials. The materials included 4 metal wires and a woven glass fiber. Each reinforcement was embedded in the center of the specimens. Flexural specimens repaired without reinforcement were prepared as controls. Specimens were subjected to 50,000 thermocycles (4∼60°C, 1‐minute dwell time). A 3‐point flexural test was carried out by loading the center of the repaired site at 5 mm/minute crosshead speed with 50 mm span jig supports. The load necessary to cause fracture was recorded for each specimen. All data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and the Bonferroni/Dunn test (α < 0.05).

Results: The average load to fracture of specimens repaired with nonreinforced autopolymerizing resin was 68.4 N after 50,000 thermocycles. Specimens reinforced with 1.2 mm diameter stainless steel wire exhibited the highest value (89.8 N). The value for specimens reinforced with 1.2 mm diameter Co–Cr–Ni wire was 86.6 N. These fracture loads were significantly higher than those for specimens without reinforcement (p < 0.05). Low elasticity reinforcement, such as pure titanium wires, woven metal wire, and woven glass fiber were not effective in increasing the load to fracture values of flexural specimens.

Conclusions: Specimens reinforced with 1.2 mm diameter stainless steel wires or Co–Cr–Ni wires resulted in significantly higher loads to fracture as compared to specimens without reinforcement. The use of pure titanium wire, woven metal wire, and woven glass fiber did not improve the fracture loads.
Modulation of extracellular matrix synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity of periodontal ligament cells by mechanical stress
Authors: Ozaki S. , Kaneko S. , Podyma‐Inoue K. A. , Yanagishita M. , Soma K.
Published: February 2005

Background:  Loss of occlusal function has been reported to induce atrophic changes in the periodontal ligament. It is likely that mechanical stress triggers the biological response of periodontal ligament. However, there have been few reports studying the correlation between mechanical stress of varying magnitude and periodontal ligament cell activities such as extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis.

Objective:  The objective of this study is to clarify the influence of the mechanical stress on changes in mRNA expression levels of type I collagen and decorin genes, as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in response to mechanical stress of varying magnitude.

Methods:  Bovine periodontal ligament cells were cultured on flexible‐bottomed culture plates and placed on the BioFlex Loading Stations™. Cells were elongated at 6 cycles/min (5 s on and 5 s off) at each of six levels of stretch (0.2, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 10, 18% increase in the surface area of the bottom) for 48 h. We measured mRNA expression levels of type I collagen and decorin genes using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), and ALP activity in periodontal ligament cell culture under cyclic mechanical stretching.

Results:  Mechanical tensional stress of low magnitude induced the increase of both type I collagen and decorin mRNA expression without changing ALP activity in periodontal ligament cells. Mechanical tensional stress of high magnitude induced the increase of type I collagen and decorin mRNA expression while decreasing ALP activity.

Conclusion:  These results suggest that different magnitude of tensional force induces different responses from periodontal ligament cells, and that mechanical stress plays an important role in remodeling and functional regulation of periodontal ligament.
Stimulation of growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis by cell extracts from Tannerella forsythia
Authors: Yoneda Masahiro , Yoshikane Toru , Motooka Noriko , Yamada Kazuhiko , Hisama Kazuhiro , Naito Toru , Okada Ichizo , Yoshinaga Masaharu , Hidaka Keitaro , Imaizumi Koichi , Maeda Katsumasa , Hirofuji Takao
Published: February 2005

Objective:  In order to examine if Tannerella forsythia stimulates the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis, an in vitro study was performed.

Background:  P. gingivalis and T. forsythia are often isolated simultaneously from active periodontitis sites, indicating that these bacteria somewhat interact in the periodontal environment. We reported previously that mixed infection of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia synergistically induced lesion formation in a murine abscess model, and gingipains of P. gingivalis played an important role in this synergism. One of the possible mechanisms of this synergism is growth promotion by coinfection of the two bacteria.

Methods:  Cell extracts of T. forsythia were added to the nutrition‐decreased medium and the promotion of growth of P. gingivalis was examined.

Results:  Sonicated extract of T. forsythia stimulated growth of P. gingivalis in nutrition‐decreased medium in a dose‐dependent manner. Proteins appeared to be the nature of growth‐promoting factor, and the cell extract of T. forsythia had no stimulating effect on the growth of P. gingivalis strain devoid of gingipain activities.

Conclusion:  A product or a component of T. forsythia seemed to stimulate growth of P. gingivalis under nutrition‐limited conditions. Gingipains are considered to play an important role in digestion or uptake of this growth‐promoting factor. The interaction between T. forsythia and P. gingivalis in growth may be in part related with the synergistic virulence in a murine model.