bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contact dermatitis in students practicing sports: incidence of rubber sensitisation
Authors: Ventura M T , Dagnello M , Matino M G , Di Corato R , Giuliano G , Tursi A 
Published: July 2002

Background—Over the last few years, changes in cutaneous homoeostasis resulting from sports activities have been reported. In particular, alterations in sweating mechanisms, the hydrolipid barrier, and surface bacterial flora, together with exposure to atmospheric conditions and the need to use medicaments, detergents, and other topical substances, predispose subjects to allergic contact dermatitis.Objective—To evaluate the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis in a group of young people practising sports activities.Methods—Patch tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis of irritant or allergic dermatitis; in addition, the radioallergoabsorbent test (RAST) to latex was evaluated in the group studied.Results—Allergic contact dermatitis caused by thiourams (23.3%) and mercaptobenzothiazole (20.9%) was prevalent. Other haptens, such as benzocaine and nickel, which are contained in clothing, equipment, topical medicaments, and creams used for massage, were also allergenic. In two cases, RAST positivity to latex was registered.Conclusions—The results suggest that close contact with sports equipment may increase the incidence of allergic contact dermatitis. Students practising certain sports may have “professional” allergic contact dermatitis to additives used in the production of rubber.
The acute phase response and exercise: court and field sports
Authors: Fallon K E , Fallon S K , Boston T 
Published: July 2002

Objective—To determine the presence or absence of an acute phase response after training for court and field sports.Participants—All members of the Australian women's soccer team (n = 18) and all members of the Australian Institute of Sport netball team (n = 14).Methods—Twelve acute phase reactants (white blood cell count, neutrophil count, platelet count, serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin, percentage transferrin saturation, α1antitrypsin, caeruloplasmin, α2acid glycoprotein, C reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) were measured during a rest period and after moderate and heavy training weeks in members of elite netball and women's soccer teams.Results—Responses consistent with an acute phase response were found in five of 24 tests in the soccer players, and in three of 24 tests in the netball players. Responses in the opposite direction were found in seven of 24 tests in the soccer players and two of 24 tests in the netballers. The most sensitive reactant measured, C reactive protein, did not respond in a manner typical of an acute phase response.Conclusion—An acute phase response does not seem to occur as a consequence of the levels of training typical of elite female netball and soccer teams. This has implications for the interpretation of biochemical variables in these groups.
Pathogenesis of non-familial colorectal carcinomas with high microsatellite instability
Authors: Shitoh K , Konishi F , Miyaki M , Iijima T , Furukawa T , Tsukamoto T , Nagai H 
Published: July 2002

Aims—Microsatellite instability (MSI) was first observed in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC) and was subsequently seen in non-familial colorectal carcinoma. The relation between MSI and cancer associated genes in non-familial colorectal carcinomas has yet to be evaluated. To clarify this matter, changes in cancer associated genes were examined in non-familial colorectal carcinomas.Methods—Alterations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), p53, and Ki-ras genes were analysed in 24 MSI high (alterations in four to seven of seven loci), nine MSI low (alterations in one to three of seven loci), and 31 MSI negative non-familial carcinomas. The hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes were also analysed in 24 MSI high carcinomas.Results—Both the frequencies and types of alterations in the APC and p53 genes in MSI high carcinomas were the same as those in MSI low and MSI negative carcinomas; however, they were different from those seen in HNPCC. The frequency of Ki-ras mutation was significantly lower in the MSI high cases (two of 24; 8%) than in the others (15 of 38; 39%). Somatic mutation of hMSH2 or hMLH1 was detected in six of 24 (25%) of the MSI high cases.Conclusions—These results suggest that APC and p53 alterations occur irrespective of microsatellite instability status in non-familial colorectal carcinomas, and that Ki-ras mutation is not involved in MSI high non-familial colorectal carcinoma. The pathogenesis of these carcinomas may differ from both the usual adenoma–carcinoma sequence and HNPCC carcinogenesis.
Colorectal cancer registration: the central importance of pathology
Authors: Manser M D , Levine D F , Pheby D F H , Pitcher R W 
Published: July 2002

Background—Changes in cancer care have increased the importance of cancer registries in monitoring trends and outcomes. Registries are increasingly using computerised systems, such as patient administration and histopathology, as data sources. Omissions by registries can cause interpretation errors, but use of multiple data sources can overcome this.Methods—Registrations of new colorectal cancers in Cornwall were compared with cases identified from primary sources over one year.Results—Two hundred and thirty cases were identified locally, 93% in documentary records, 89.6% via histopathology, and 81.3% in the clinical data capture module of the patient administration system. Two hundred and forty four cases were known to the regional registry, but after eliminating wrongly assigned and unconfirmed cases only 201 remained. Twenty nine cases identified locally, particularly cases of advanced disease, were unknown to the registry.Conclusions—District registers based on histopathology augmented from other sources would provide more accurate and less biased information than existing regionally based methods.
Necropsy diagnosis of myocarditis: a retrospective study using CD45RO immunohistochemistry
Authors: Feeley K M , Harris J , Suvarna S K 
Published: July 2002

Aim—To use CD45RO immunohistochemistry to investigate the numbers of T lymphocytes found in sections of myocardium from a routine necropsy series, and to determine the incidence of myocarditis in this series.Methods—Myocardial sections from 163 routine hospital necropsies were stained with CD45RO and the numbers of positive lymphocytes/mm2were counted. The results were correlated with the H/E opinion and the clinical context of the necropsy.Results—Most (143) cases showed low numbers (0–3) of CD45RO positive lymphocytes/mm2. Fifteen cases showed 7–13 positive lymphocytes/mm2, comprising a wide variety of clinical conditions, generally with no specific cardiac pathology. Five cases showed 14 or more positive lymphocytes/mm2, comprising one case of active myocarditis, three cases of cardiac transplant rejection, and one post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, all conditions in which large numbers of lymphocytes would be expected.Conclusions—The incidence of myocarditis in our series was 0.6%. In most cases the normal myocardium has a low T lymphocyte count (0–3/mm2). In some cases immunohistochemistry shows more positive cells than would have been expected on light microscopy. Immunohistochemistry is a useful and reliable means of confirming a diagnosis of myocarditis. The results support the conclusion of the 1997 ISFC task force that 14 or more lymphocytes or macrophages/mm2of myocardium in the appropriate clinical context is a reliable threshold for the diagnosis of chronic myocarditis.
Apoptosis in cervical squamous carcinoma: predictive value for survival following radiotherapy
Authors: Paxton J R , Bolger B S , Armour A , Symonds R P , Mao J H , Burnett R A 
Published: July 2002

Background—Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, can be induced by radiotherapy. The extent of apoptosis in a tumour before treatment may have important implications for response to radiotherapy and long term survival.Aim—To examine the extent of apoptosis in tumour tissue from patients with squamous carcinoma of the cervix before radiotherapy, and to correlate this with response to treatment and prognosis.Methods—The percentage of apoptotic cells was assessed in 146 carcinomas of the cervix from patients scheduled to receive radiotherapy. The CAS 200 static image analysis system was used to count the number of tumour nuclei per high power field, while the numbers of apoptotic cells in the same field were visualised simultaneously on the image analyser and recorded manually.Results—The median apoptotic level was 0.73%. Patients were divided into two groups around the median. There was no statistically significant difference in outcome between the two groups as determined by long term survival following radiotherapy.Conclusions—The CAS 200 static image analyser system can be used to assist in the rapid semiautomated assessment of apoptosis in conventionally prepared tissue. The results suggest that the apoptotic state of a tumour before treatment is of no value in predicting response to radiotherapy and subsequent prognosis. Tumour stage, size, and BrdU labelling index, as a measure of proliferation rate, remain the most important prognostic factors in terms of predicting local tumour control.
Expression of a homeobox gene (SIX5) in borderline ovarian tumours
Authors: Winchester C , Robertson S , MacLeod T , Johnson K , Thomas M 
Published: July 2002

Aims—To assess the expression of SIX5 (a homeobox gene) mRNA in surface coelomic epithelium, endocervical epithelium, Fallopian tube epithelium, and benign, borderline, and malignant epithelial ovarian tumours.Methods—10 normal premenopausal ovaries, 10 normal Fallopian tubes, 10 normal cervices, 10 normal postmenopausal ovaries, 10 benign epithelial ovarian tumours, 10 malignant epithelial ovarian tumours, and 40 borderline epithelial ovarian tumours were studied retrospectively. The tissues had been fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax. The tumours had previously been typed into mucinous, serous, or mixed tumours and assigned to the borderline category according to the FIGO/WHO criteria. Expression was assessed by in situ binding of SIX5 specific sense and antisense riboprobes. Hybridisation of the riboprobes was detected using a standard immunohistochemical technique and the results correlated with expression in the normal epithelium of the endocervix, Fallopian tube, surface coelomic epithelium, and ovarian tumours.Results—Expression of SIX5 mRNA was demonstrated in normal Fallopian tube epithelium and normal endocervical epithelium. SIX5 mRNA was not detected in normal ovarian epithelial tissue at any of the times studied during the menstrual cycle. Expression of SIX5 was not shown in benign epithelial ovarian tumours or in any of the malignant epithelial ovarian tumours. In 31 of 37 borderline epithelial ovarian tumours (84%), SIX5 expression was found in the epithelial cells.Conclusions—SIX5 expression is present in the normal epithelium throughout most of the female reproductive tract, suggesting it may have a role in maintaining epithelial differentiation in these tissues. SIX5 expression appears to be restricted to borderline epithelial ovarian tumours and may be a marker of epithelial differentiation in these tumours; thus borderline ovarian tumours may not be part of a continuum of disease between benign and malignant epithelial ovarian tumours. Further investigation of expression of SIX5 may clarify the molecular processes that promote differentiation of the ovarian surface epithelium.
Starting clinical trials of xenotransplantation—reflections on the ethics of the early phase
Authors: Welin Stellan 
Published: July 2002

What kind of patients may be recruited to early clinical trials of xenotransplantation? This is discussed under the assumption that the risk of viral infection to the public is non-negligible. Furthermore, the conditions imposed by the Helsinki declaration are analysed. The conclusion is that only patients at risk of dying and with no alternative treatment available should be recruited to xenotransplantation trials in the early phase. For some of the less dangerous cell or islet cell xenotransplantation other categories might be recruited. The risk of cell and islet cell xenotransplantation should, however, be weighted against the development of other technologies.In order to safeguard the public, the opt-out clause in the Helsinki declaration should not be fully applied. Legally binding rules on obligatory monitoring and restrictions should be imposed—before clinical trials start. Journal of Medical Ethics
Occupational exposure tocis-1,3-dichloropropene: biological effect monitoring of kidney and liver function
Authors: Verplanke A J W , Bloemen L J , Brouwer E J , Van Sittert N J , Boogaard P J , Herber R F M , De Wolff F A 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the possible effects of occupational exposure to the nematocidecis-1,3-dichloropropene (cis-DCP) on function of the kidney and liver in the starch potato growing region in The Netherlands.METHODSThe study involved 13 commercial application workers exposed tocis-DCP for 117 days, and 22 matched control workers. The inhalatory exposure of the application workers was estimated from biological monitoring data. All workers collected urine and serum samples before, during, and after the fumigation season for monitoring of variables for kidney and liver function. Renal effect variables were alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), retinol binding protein (RBP), and albumin (ALB) in urine, and β2-microglobulin (β2M-S) and creatinine in serum (Creat-S). Liver variables were alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TBIL) in serum and the urinary ratio of 6-β-hydroxycortisol to free cortisol (βOHC/COR).RESULTSThe geometric mean exposure of the application workers was 2.7 mg/m3(8 hour time weighted average (8 hour TWA)); range 0.1–9.5 mg/m3. No differences were found between the values of the renal effect variables or the liver variables of the exposed group and the control group, except a lower urinary ratio of βOHC/COR in the exposed group. This was not considered to be related to the exposure tocis-DCP. No dose-effect relations were found between the exposure indices and the effect variables.CONCLUSIONSThe present study does not provide evidence that occupational exposure tocis-DCP in the starch potato growing region causes adverse effects on the kidney or liver at 8 hour TWA exposure concentrations below 9.5 mg/m3(2 ppm).
Iodine deficiency as a cause of brain damage
Authors: Delange F 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
This editorial reviews the impact of iodine deficiency (1) on thyroid function in pregnant women and neonates and (2) on the neurointellectual development of infants and children.
All degrees of iodine deficiency (mild: iodine intake of 50–99 μg/day, moderate: 20–49 μg/day, and severe: &lt;20 μg/day) affect thyroid function of the mother and the neonate as well as the mental development of the child. The damage increases with the degree of the deficiency, with overt endemic cretinism as the severest consequence. Maternal hypothyroxinaemia during early pregnancy is a key factor in the development of the neurological damage in the cretin. Selenium deficiency combined with iodine deficiency partly prevents the neurological damage but precipitates severe hypothyroidism in cretins.
Iodine deficiency results in a global loss of 10–15 IQ points at a population level and constitutes the world’s greatest single cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation.
Isolated splenic metastasis from carcinoma of the breast
Authors: Iype S , Akbar M A , Krishna G 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
A case of isolated splenic metastasis from carcinoma of the breast in a 54 year old woman, two years after treatment for breast carcinoma, is presented. There was no involvement of other organs like liver, bone, lungs, etc. The patient underwent splenectomy and recovered without any complications. This case is being reported because of the rarity of the lesion.
Rescue percutaneous coronary intervention for failed thrombolysis: results from a district general hospital
Authors: Balachandran K P , Miller J , Pell A C H , Vallance B D , Oldroyd K G 
Published: July 2002

Abstract

Objective
To assess the outcome of a policy of emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction and electrocadiographic (ECG) evidence of failed reperfusion after thrombolysis.

Design
Observational study.

Setting
District general hospital.

Patients
A total of 109 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent emergency angiography and angioplasty for failed reperfusion diagnosed on the basis of standard ECG criteria.

Main outcome measures
In-hospital mortality; death, infarct territory reinfarction, and reintervention by PCI or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) during follow up; in-lab resource utilisation.

Results
At initial angiography, 76 patients had Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) trial 0/1 flow and 33 had TIMI 2/3 flow. Fourteen patients were in cardiogenic shock. TIMI 3 flow was established or maintained in 93 patients (85%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 9%. It was 3% in non-shock patients, 50% in shocked patients, and 40% when the procedure was unsuccessful (TIMI 0/1 flow post-procedure). Over a mean follow up of 30 months (&gt;12 months of follow up in all patients) there were 19 further events (one death, five reinfarctions, and 13 revascularisations (nine CABG and four PCI)). The cost of rescue PCI was not significantly higher than comparable elective interventions.

Conclusion
A policy of emergency angiography and PCI for failed reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction can be carried out in a hospital without on-site surgical backup with good medium term clinical outcomes.
NONLINEAR SIGMA MODEL ON CONIFOLDS
Authors: PARTHASARATHY R. , VISWANATHAN K. S. 
Published: July 2002

Explicit solutions to the conifold equations with complex dimension n = 3, 4 in terms of complex coordinates (fields) are employed to construct the Ricci-flat Kähler metrics on these manifolds. The Kähler two-forms are found to be closed. The complex realization of these conifold metrics are used in the construction of two-dimensional nonlinear sigma model with the conifolds as target spaces. The action for the sigma model is shown to be bounded from below. By a suitable choice of the "integration constants", arising in the solution of Ricci flatness requirement, the metric and the equations of motion are found to be non-singular. As the target space is Ricci-flat, the perturbative one-loop counterterms being absent, the model becomes topological. The inherent U(1) fiber over the base of the conifolds is shown to correspond to a gauge connection in the sigma model. The same procedure is employed to construct the metric for the resolved conifold, in terms of complex coordinates and the action for a nonlinear sigma model with resolved conifold as target space, is found to have a minimum value, which is topological. The metric is expressed in terms of the six real coordinates and compared with earlier works. The harmonic function, which is the warp factor in Type II-B string theory, is obtained and the ten-dimensional warped metric has the AdS5 × X5 geometry.
BEHAVIOR IN ELECTRIC FIELDS OF SIMPLE BIOLOGICAL MEMBRANES
Authors: HONCIUC MARIA , SLAVNICU ELENA 
Published: July 2002

The latest studies in biophysics and biochemistry have revealed the major role that liquid crystals (LC) and related phenomena play in biological processes. To account for a number of membrane mechanisms in view of the theoretical model developed by S. J. Singer, studies were carried out on mixtures of fatty acids (arachidic, lauric, butyric) and cholesterol in different weight percentages. Such mixtures may help one understand some mechanisms on which the operation of biological membranes relies. To this end, the way these mixtures behave in an electric field was studied. Electric measurements were conducted from which the average time of electric relaxation (τ) and average electric permittivity (ε r ) were determined. Depending on cholesterol percentage, changes by more than one order of magnitude were found to occur in the electric relaxation time. The ratio between the various fatty acid components did not influence the average time τ in any significant manner. By contrast, the relative electric permittivity ε r was seen to decrease by at least one order of magnitude with raising the cholesterol percentage. The electric properties of such systems essentially depend on changing the amount of cholesterol in the system.
Scheduler activations
Authors: Anderson Thomas E. , Bershad Brian N. , Lazowska Edward D. , Levy Henry M. 
Published: July 2002

Threadsare the vehicle for concurrency in many approaches to parallel programming. Threads can be supported either by the operating system kernel or by user-level library code in the application address space, but neither approach has been fully satisfactory.This paper addresses this dilemma. First, we argue that the performance of kernel threads isinherentlyworse than that of user-level threads, rather than this being an artifact of existing implementations; managing parallelism at the user level is essential to high-performance parallel computing. Next, we argue that the problems encountered in integrating user-level threads with other system services is a consequence of the lack of kernel support for user-level threads provided by contemporary multiprocessor operating systems; kernel threads are thewrong abstractionon which to support user-level management of parallelism. Finally, we describe the design, implementation, and performance of a new kernel interface and user-level thread package that together provide the same functionality as kernel threads without compromising the performance and flexibility advantages of user-level management of parallelism.
Compiling for shared-memory and message-passing computers
Authors: Larus James R. 
Published: July 2002

Many parallel languages presume a shared address space in which any portion of a computation can access any datum. Some parallel computers directly support this abstraction with hardware shared memory. Other computers provide distinct (per-processor) address spaces and communication mechanisms on which software can construct a shared address space. Since programmers have difficulty explicitly managing address spaces, there is considerable interest in compiler support for shared address spaces on the widely available message-passing computers.
At first glance, it might appear that hardware-implemented shared memory is unquestionably a better base on which to implement a language. This paper argues, however, that compiler-implemented shared memory, despite its short-comings, has the potential to exploit more effectively the resources in a parallel computer. Hardware designers need to find mechanisms to combine the advantages of both approaches in a single system.