bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: H3N2 Influenza A Virus Replicates in Immortalized Human First Trimester Trophoblast Cell Lines and Induces Their Rapid Apoptosis
Authors: Trinh Quang Duy , Izumi Yasuyuki , Komine‐Aizawa Shihoko , Shibata Toshikatsu , Shimotai Yoshitaka , Kuroda Kazumichi , Mizuguchi Masashi , Ushijima Hiroshi , Mor Gil , Hayakawa Satoshi 
Published: August 2009

Problem  Epidemiological data suggested that pandemic influenza increased the risks of spontaneous abortion and premature labor, while seasonal influenza also increased the risk of schizophrenia in adolescence. However, their pathogenesis is so far unknown.Method of study  The first trimester trophoblast cell lines, namely, Swan71 and HTR8 cells were challenged with A/Udorn/72 influenza virus (H3N2). At indicated time points, cells were examined for expression of influenza proteins. Viral replication in culture media, apoptosis and the expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐G were also examined.Results Intracellular localization of viral proteins was observed. Twenty‐four hours after inoculation, virus was detected in culture media while most cells fell into apoptosis. During apoptosis, expression of HLA‐G was unchanged.Conclusion  We revealed replication of low pathogenic influenza virus in the first trimester trophoblast cell lines. Placental damages are likely to be induced by direct cytopathic effects of influenza virus and subsequent apoptosis rather than down regulation of HLA‐G expression and subsequent rejection by maternal immune system.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Women with Pre‐Eclampsia Have an Altered NKG2A and NKG2C Receptor Expression on Peripheral Blood Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Bachmayer Nora , Sohlberg Ebba , Sundström Yvonne , Hamad Rangeen Rafik , Berg Louise , Bremme Katarina , Sverremark‐Ekström Eva 
Published: August 2009

Problem  Preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder, is associated with exaggerated inflammation and increased serum monokines. Uterine natural killer (NK) cells are implicated in preeclampsia pathology, but little is known regarding peripheral NK cells in the disease.Method of Study  We examined blood NK cells at delivery in women with preeclampsia, in healthy pregnant women and in healthy non‐pregnant blood donors as a reference.Results  Although the percentages of both NKG2A‐ and NKG2C‐positive NK cells were normal in preeclamptic women, the levels of NKG2A and NKG2C on NK cells were significantly up‐regulated in these women. In vitro stimulation of PBMCs from healthy pregnant women and blood donors with monokines resulted in increased percentage of NKG2A+ NK cells and increased NKG2A levels, while levels of NKG2C were decreased.Conclusions  Our results suggest that the peripheral NK‐cell pool is skewed in preeclampsia and possibly under the influence of monokines like interleukin (IL)‐15 and IL‐12.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Cytokine Array Comparisons of Plasma from Cycling Fertile Women on Cycle Day 5 and Ovulation
Authors: Hatta Kota , Bilinski Michael J. , Haladyn J. Kimberly , Roy Jessica J. , Horrocks Julie , Van Den Heuvel Marianne J. , Han Victor K. , Croy B. Anne 
Published: August 2009

Problem  To identify plasma immuno‐regulatory molecules up or down regulated between the follicular phase and ovulation of the human menstrual cycle.Method of study  RayBio® cytokine arrays were used to screen 174 immuno‐regulatory molecules in plasma collected during the follicular phase at menstrual cycle day 5 and at ovulation from five healthy, non‐smoking, fertile women of reproductive age not using hormonal contraception.Results  A total of 23 differentially expressed molecules were found: 10 molecules were differentially up‐regulated and 13 down‐regulated at ovulation compared with that at the follicular phase (α = 0.05, false discovery rate of 0.45).Conclusion  Circulating immuno‐regulatory molecules fluctuate over the menstrual cycle in healthy women. The combination of differentially expressed molecules suggests roles in cyclical regulation of angiogenesis and immune cell trafficking.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Impact of Female Sex Hormones on the Maturation and Function of Human Dendritic Cells
Authors: Segerer Sabine E. , Müller Nora , Van Den Brandt Jens , Kapp Michaela , Dietl Johannes , Reichardt Holger M. , Rieger Lorenz , Kämmerer Ulrike 
Published: August 2009

Problem  During pregnancy, the immune and the endocrine system cooperate to ensure that the fetal allograft develops without eliciting a maternal immune response. This is presumably in part achieved by dendritic cells (DCs) that play a dominant role in maintaining peripheral tolerance. In this study, we investigated whether female sex hormones, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone (Prog), and estradiol (E2), which are highly elevated during pregnancy, induce the differentiation of DCs into a tolerance‐inducing phenotype.Methods/Results  Immature DCs were generated from blood‐derived monocytes and differentiated in the presence of hCG, Prog, E2, or Dexamethasone (Dex) as a control. Unlike Dex, female sex hormones did not prevent the upregulation of surface markers characteristic for mature DCs, such as CD40, CD83, and CD86, except for hCG, which inhibited HLA‐DR expression. Similarly, hCG, Prog, and E2 had any impact on neither the rearrangement of the F‐actin cytoskeleton nor the enhanced chemokine secretion following DC maturation, both of which were strongly altered by Dex. Nevertheless, the T‐cell stimulatory capacity of DCs was significantly reduced after hCG and E2 exposure.Conclusion  Our findings suggest that the female sex hormones hCG and E2 inhibit the T‐cell stimulatory capacity of DCs, which may help in preventing an allogenic T‐cell response against the embryo.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Plasma C3a‐des‐Arg Levels in Women with and without Endometriosis
Authors: Fassbender Amelie , D’Hooghe Thomas , Mihalyi Attila , Kyama Cleophas , Simsa Peter , Lessey Bruce A. 
Published: August 2009

Problem  The lack of a reliable method for early non‐invasive detection of endometriosis often results in delayed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the plasma concentration of complement factor C3a (anaphylatoxin) can be used as a non‐invasive test in the diagnosis of endometriosis.Method of study  The C3a concentration was analyzed using ELISA in 160 patients with (n = 109) or without (n = 51) endometriosis during menstruation (n = 49), follicular phase (n = 55), and luteal (n = 56) phase.Results  Plasma C3a concentration was comparable between patients with [102 (27–2213) ng/mL] and without [105 (32–2340) ng/mL] (P = 0.84) endometriosis, also when assessed separately during menstruation, follicular phase, and luteal phase.Conclusion  We found no difference in C3a levels between women with and without endometriosis and did not confirm our hypothesis that plasma C3a levels can be used as diagnostic test for endometriosis.
The Association Between Varicocele, Premature Ejaculation and Prostatitis Symptoms: Possible Mechanisms
Authors: Lotti Francesco , Corona Giovanni , Mancini Mario , Biagini Carlo , Colpi Giovanni M , Innocenti Selene Degli , Filimberti Erminio , Gacci Mauro , Krausz Csilla , Sforza Alessandra , Forti Gianni , Mannucci Edoardo , Maggi Mario 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
No study has ever systematically evaluated the impact of varicocele on sexual function.

Aim
Two cross-sectional studies were performed in patients attending an andrology unit either for male sexual dysfunction (study 1) or couple infertility (study 2). In study 1, we evaluated the impact of varicocele on sexual function. In study 2, we retrospectively evaluated a possible association between varicocele and prostatitis signs and symptoms.

Methods
Study 1 refers to a consecutive series of 2,448 (mean age 52.0 ± 12.9 years) subjects. Study 2 consists of a consecutive series of 139 male subjects (mean age 37.3 ± 6.3).

Main Outcome Measures
In study 1, varicocele was clinically classified into three grades according to Dubin criteria. Different hormonal parameters were also evaluated. All the patients of study 2 underwent simultaneous scrotal and transrectal color-Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) along with seminal characteristics and interleukin-8, a surrogate marker of prostatitis.

Results
After adjusting for age, subjects with severe varicocele (N = 284, 11.6%; Dubin grade 2 and 3) showed a reduction of testicular volume (P &lt; 0.01), higher luteinizing hormone (LH) (P &lt; 0.05), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (P &lt; 0.0001) and prolactin (P &lt; 0.05) levels, and also an enlarged or tender prostate at digito-rectal examination (P &lt; 0.05). Premature ejaculation was the only sexual symptoms significantly associated with varicocele (29.2% vs. 24.9% in subjects with or without varicocele, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). In study 2, subjects with severe echographic-defined varicocele (basal venous reflux increasing or not after Valsalva’s maneuver; N = 28, 20.1%) showed CDU features of prostatitis and higher seminal inteleukin-8 levels. The presence of any degree of varicocele (N = 40, 28.8%) was also associated with prostatitis symptoms, as measured by the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index scoring (P &lt; 0.05), and in particular with the pain domain (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
In conclusion, signs and symptoms of prostatitis are more common in varicocele patients, who more often complain of premature ejaculation.
Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder and Trazodone. Morphometric and Vascular Modifications of the Clitoris. A Case Report
Authors: Battaglia Cesare , Venturoli Stefano 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD) is an unwanted genital arousal which occurs in absence of sexual interest and desire.

Aim
To report a case of PGAD presumably due to the use of trazodone in a young eumenorrheic woman.

Methods
A young (29 years old), eumenorrheic (menstrual cycle of &gt;25 and &lt;35 days) woman suffered of unwanted genital arousal and uncontrollable orgasms. In the past, the patient undertook trazodone treatment. The patient was submitted, in the periovulatory (day 12) phase of the menstrual cycle, to bi- and tri-dimensional ultrasonographic and color Doppler analyses of the clitoral structures prior and after an unwanted orgasm.

Main Outcomes Measures
2D ultrasonographic evaluation of the clitoral body volume and color Doppler evaluation of the dorsal clitoral arteries; 3D power Doppler reconstruction of the clitoral vascularization.

Results
The clitoral volume was 1.33 mL before the orgasm and resulted 1.36 mL and 1.33 mL, respectively after 1 minute and 15 minutes from the orgasm. The Pulsatility Index (PI) of the dorsal clitoral artery was 1.05 before the orgasm. It resulted lower after 1 minute (PI = 0.82) and 15 minutes (PI = 0.85) from the orgasm.

Conclusions
A subtle and intermittent clitoral priapism may favor the feeling of arousal persistence and elicit unbidden and unwelcomed orgasms.
Endothelial Antioxidant Administration Ameliorates the Erectile Response to PDE5 Regardless of the Extension of the Atherosclerotic Process
Authors: Vicari Enzo , La Vignera Sandro , Condorelli Rosita , Calogero Aldo Eugenio 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe lack of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor effects in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) of arterial origin may be caused by an endothelial dysfunction that causes a series of biochemical alterations leading to a reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and increased oxidative stress.AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the treatment with endothelial antioxidant compounds (EAC) on the erectile response to sildenafil in patients with arterial ED already treated with sildenafil (100 mg twice a week for 8 weeks).Mean Outcome MeasuresA patient was considered responsive when the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire score increased by &gt;5 points.MethodsFifty-three patients with arterial ED, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were randomly given, for 8 weeks, EAC (1 dose/day) and, after a wash out of 8 weeks, sildenafil (100 mg) plus EAC. The patients were divided into the following four groups: A (N=12): patients with ED alone; B (N=14): patients with ED plus atheromasic plaques and/or increased intima-media thickness of common carotid arteries; C (N=14): patients with ED plus lower limb artery abnormalities; and D (N=13): patients with ED plus carotid and lower limb artery abnormalities.ResultsThe administration of EAC plus sildenafil resulted in a significantly higher number of responsive patients (N=36, 68%) compared with sildenafil alone (N=24, 45%) or EAC alone (N=17, 32%). The percentage of patients who successfully responded to the combined treatment increased in the various groups. It was 83%, 64%, 71%, and 54%, respectively, for groups A, B, C, and D. Furthermore, patients treated with EAC and sildenafil reached a successful response in a shorter length of time (3 weeks) compared with patients responsive to sildenafil (5.2 weeks) or EAC (5.7 weeks) alone.ConclusionEAC administration to patients with arterial ED improved the success rate to sildenafil. These data suggest that, in such patients, a combined treatment may be considered to increase bioavailable NO and to neutralize radical oxygen species, which in turn inactive NO.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a Shared Sexual Concern of Couples II: Association of Female Partner Characteristics with Male Partner ED Treatment Seeking and Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Utilization
Authors: Fisher William A. , Eardley Ian , McCabe Marita , Sand Michael 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition that impacts on both patients and their female partners. ED may therefore be regarded as a shared sexual concern for couples. The current analysis of the Female Experience of Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (FEMALES) study data addresses women’s perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes concerning their partner’s ED, and whether these are associated with the likelihood of the male partner seeking medical advice and utilizing phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.

Aim
The current research sought to explore the association of female partners’ perceptions of male partners’ ED and male partners’ medical consultation and treatment seeking for ED.

Methods
Questionnaires were sent to partners of men who participated in the Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) 2004 study, and who consented to their partner’s involvement. A modified version of the questionnaire used in the MALES study was developed for the FEMALES study, reflecting the female partner’s perspective.

Main Outcome Measure
A 65-item questionnaire assessing women’s perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes regarding various aspects of ED.

Results
Women’s perceptions of the nature and causes of their partner’s ED were significantly associated with men’s treatment seeking and utilization. Significant associations were observed between women’s level of satisfaction with the relationship before ED onset; perceptions of the impact of ED on quality of life; desire to deal with ED; attitudes to ED treatment; and the treatment-seeking behavior of the male partner. Multivariate regression analyses identified a mixture of female and male partner perceptions and attitudes that uniquely accounted for &gt;30% of the variance in men’s ED treatment-seeking behavior and treatment utilization.

Conclusion
This study illustrates the importance of the female partner’s attitudes to ED in men’s ED treatment-seeking behavior. These findings strongly support the potential benefits of partner integration into ED consultation and treatment strategies.
atetra, a new software program to analyse tetraploid microsatellite data: comparison with tetra and tetrasat
Authors: VAN PUYVELDE K. , VAN GEERT A. , TRIEST L. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractDespite the importance of tetraploid species, most population genetic studies deal with diploid ones because of difficulties in analysing codominant microsatellite data in tetraploid species. We developed a new software program—atetra—which combines both the rigorous method of enumeration for small data sets and Monte Carlo simulations for large ones. We discuss the added value of atetra by comparing its precision, stability and calculation time for different population sizes with those obtained from previous software programs tetrasat and tetra. The influence of the number of simulations on the calculation stability is also investigated. atetra and tetrasat proved to be more precise when compared with tetra, which, however, remains faster. atetra has the same precision than tetrasat, but is much faster, can handle an infinite number of partial heterozygotes and calculates more genetic variables. The more user‐friendly interface of atetra reduces possible mistakes.
Significance of Wip1 overexpression in breast cancer: Strong association with hormone receptor expression and nodal metastasis
Authors: Choi Jene , Kim Mi‐Jung , Han Hye‐Sook , Gong Gyungyub , Yu Eunsil 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Background and aim: Wild‐type p53‐induced phosphatase (Wip1), a serine/threonine phosphatase encoded by Ppm1d, is a protein, induced by p53 in response to DNA damage. Recently, correlation between Ppm1d amplification and erbB2 expression has been reported in breast cancers. However, in vitro experiments provide evidences suggesting a relationship between Wip1 and hormone receptor (HR) activity. The aim of the current study was to clarify the relationship between Wip1 overexpression and the expression of HR and erbB2, and to investigate the prognostic significance of Wip1 in breast cancer. Methods: Using tissue microarrays that contained 743 cases of primary invasive breast cancers, we analyzed Ppm1d copy number and examined the expression of Wip1, HRs, p53 and erbB2 by immunohistochemistry. Results:Ppm1d was amplified in 4.7% of breast cancer tumors, while Wip1 was overexpressed in 20.8%. Wip1 overexpression was associated with low nuclear grade (P= 0.032), higher expression of progesterone receptor (P= 0.001), and increased nodal metastasis (P= 0.013). No statistically significant correlations were identified among other clinicopathologic parameters. Conclusions: The close correlation between Wip1 overexpression, progesterone receptor expression and nodal metastasis suggest that Wip1 expression is closely associated with HR activity and might heighten the malignant properties of breast cancers through hormone‐mediated tumor growth and progression.
Clinicopathologic significance of survivin expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Na Woong , Jang Se Min , Jun Young Jin , Song Young Soo , Jang Ki‐Seok , Lee Kang Hong , Lee Kyeong Geun , Han Hong Xiu , Paik Seung Sam 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Background and aim: Survivin, an antiapoptotic protein, is involved in both the control of the cell division and the inhibition of apoptosis. The regulation of apoptotic cell death may have a profound effect on the carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer. This study was designed to evaluate the survivin expression in colorectal tissues and to investigate whether the survivin expression is associated with the clinicopathologic characteristics and the patient survival. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of survivin was performed using the tissue microarrays of 622 colorectal tissue samples from 529 colorectal adenocarcinomas, 40 normal mucosa, 34 adenomatous polyps, and 59 metastatic lymph nodes. Results: Normal colorectal mucosa were completely negative for survivin (0/40, 0%), but survivin was expressed in adenomatous polyps (8/34, 23.5%), adenocarcinomas (327/529, 61.8%), and metastatic lymph nodes (27/59, 45.8%). In the analyses between the survivin expression and clinicopathologic parameters, the survivin expression was correlated with tumor location in colon (P= 0.026), lymph node metastasis (P= 0.003) and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage (P= 0.040). The patient survival was significantly associated with age, histologic grade, AJCC stage, and lymphovascular invasion. On stage wise analyses of patient survival, the survivin expression was significantly correlated with overall survival (P < 0.001) and disease free survival (P < 0.001), especially in stage II colorectal adenocarcinomas. Conclusions: The results suggest that the survivin expression is a relatively frequent early event of colorectal carcinogenesis and may play an important role in the adenoma‐carcinoma transition sequence. Survivin expression provides important prognostic information and an apoptosis‐based therapeutic target in colorectal adenocarcinomas.
History of reimbursement system for routine histopathology services by the National Health Insurance in Korea
Authors: Seo Jeong‐Wook , Jang Se Jin , Kim Min Suk , Kang Chang Suk , Han Woon Sup 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTIn January 2009, a new classification of pathology services was been launched for the reimbursement by the National Health Insurance system in Korea. Five basic types of surgical pathology services are reclassified into 13 types and their resource based relative value scores are adjusted. In this report, we summarize the history of the classification system for the reimbursement on pathology services and report the impact of the change in January 2009 on the distribution of cases and contribution on the income of the department of pathology from each class at the Seoul National University Hospital.
Cotransfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes and a

hyl
Efm

-Containing Virulence Plasmid in
Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Arias Cesar A. , Panesso Diana , Singh Kavindra V. , Rice Louis B. , Murray Barbara E. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

The

hyl
Efm

gene (encoding a putative hyaluronidase) has been found almost exclusively in
Enterococcus faecium
clinical isolates, and recently, it was shown to be on a plasmid which increased the ability of
E. faecium
strains to colonize the gastrointestinal tract. In this work, the results of mating experiments between

hyl
Efm

-containing strains of
E. faecium
belonging to clonal cluster 17 and isolated in the United States and Colombia indicated that the

hyl
Efm

gene of these strains is also carried on large plasmids (>145 kb) which we showed transfer readily from clinical strains to
E. faecium
hosts. Cotransfer of resistance to vancomycin and high-level resistance (HLR) to aminoglycosides (gentamicin and streptomycin) and erythromycin was also observed. The
vanA
gene cluster and gentamicin resistance determinants were genetically linked to

hyl
Efm

, whereas
erm
(B) and
ant(6)-I
, conferring macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance and HLR to streptomycin, respectively, were not. A

hyl
Efm

-positive transconjugant resulting from a mating between a well-characterized endocarditis strain [TX0016 (DO)] and a derivative of a fecal strain of
E. faecium
from a healthy human volunteer (TX1330RF) exhibited increased virulence in a mouse peritonitis model. These results indicate that
E. faecium
strains use a strategy which involves the recruitment into the same genetic unit of antibiotic resistance genes and determinants that increase the ability to produce disease. Our findings indicate that the acquisition of the

hyl
Efm

plasmids may explain, at least in part, the recent successful emergence of some
E. faecium
strains as nosocomial pathogens.