bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interferon‐α treatment in children and young adults with chronic hepatitis B: a long‐term follow‐up study in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Hong‐Yuan , Tsai Hsiu‐Yuan , Wu Tzee‐Chung , Chiang Cheng‐Lun , Ni Yen‐Hsuan , Chen Pei‐Jer , Chang Mei‐Hwei 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground/Aims: The short‐ and long‐term benefits of interferon (IFN)‐α therapy in young patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) acquiring infection perinatally or during early childhood have been questioned.Methods: Twenty‐one Taiwanese hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg)‐positive CHB patients aged 1.8–21.8 years (median 14.0 years) with alanine aminotransferase (ALT)>80 IU/L at entry were enrolled for IFN‐α therapy. They received IFN‐α therapy with a dose of 3 MU/m2/day three times a week for 24 weeks. A control group included untreated 21 CHB patients closely matched for gender, age, duration of ALT >80 IU/L and HBeAg status. All 42 patients were prospectively followed for 6.5–12.5 years after the end of therapy.Results: The cumulative rate of virological response [anti‐HBe seroconversion and serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐DNA <105 copies/ml] was not different between the IFN‐treated patients and control patients at 1 year (41 vs 44%) and at 6 years (88 vs 89%) after stopping treatment. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen loss occurred in two (9.5%) treated patients and in one (4.8%) control patient. Patients with a successful treatment response (anti‐HBe seroconversion, HBV‐DNA <102 copies/ml and ALT normalization at 1 year after stopping treatment) were younger than those without a successful response (P=0.03). A lower pretreatment serum HBV‐DNA level (<2 × 108 copies/ml) is not only a significant factor to predict successful treatment response (P=0.008) but also has a beneficial effect on the long‐term cumulative rate of virological response in IFN‐treated patients (P=0.021), but not in control patients. Genotype difference or emergence of a precore stop codon mutant before treatment was not predictive for HBeAg clearance.Conclusion: For young CHB patients in Taiwan with infection occurring perinatally or in early childhood, the real advantage of IFN‐α therapy was not observed. IFN‐α therapy showed a beneficial effect on short‐ and long‐term virological outcomes only in those with a lower pretreatment serum HBV‐DNA level.
An aphidiine parasitoid Monoctonia vesicarii (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and three chalcidoid hyperparasitoids of Pemphigus matsumurai (Homoptera: Aphididae) forming leaf galls on Populus maximowiczii in Japan
Authors: TAKADA Hajimu , KAMIJO Kazuaki , TORIKURA Hidenori 
Published: June 2010

AbstractMore than 300 unopened leaf galls formed by the pemphigine aphid Pemphigus matsumurai on Populus maximowiczii were collected at Nakasatsunai, Hokkaido, Japan, in July and September 2007 and kept in cold conditions during winter. From mummified fundatrices in the galls an aphidiine parasitoid Monoctonia vesicarii and three species of hyperparasitoids belonging to Pteromalidae, Eupelmidae and Eulophidae emerged from March to May 2008. Monoctonia vesicarii, which is new to Japan, is redescribed. The eulophid hyperparasitoid is described as a new species, Aprostocetus (Aprostocetus) doronokianus, and the pteromalid and eupelmid hyperparasitoids are identified as Pachyneuron sp. and Eupelmus sp., respectively. Approximately 180 unopened mummies of P. matsumurai were dissected in August and November 2008 and a living larva of M. vesicarii was found in each of 17 of them. These observations suggest that some individuals of M. vesicarii pass through two‐year cycles. The implications of the three species of hyperparasitoids to P. matsumurai galls are discussed.
Two new genera, Caveana gen. nov. and Triviola gen. nov., and two new Torodora species from Thailand (Lepidoptera: Lecithoceridae)
Authors: PARK Kyu‐Tek 
Published: June 2010

AbstractTwo new genera, Caveana, gen. nov. and Triviola, gen. nov., belonging to the subfamily Torodorinae (Lecithoceridae) are described, based on Caveana diemseoki, sp. nov. and Triviola puiensis, sp. nov. At the same time, two new Torodora species, T. karismata, sp. nov. and T. youwon, sp. nov., are also described from Thailand. Images of adults and genitalia are given.
Ethanol Alters Cell Fate of Fetal Human Brain‐Derived Stem and Progenitor Cells
Authors: Vangipuram Sharada D. , Lyman William D. 
Published: June 2010

Background:  Prenatal ethanol (ETOH) exposure can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). We previously showed that ETOH alters cell adhesion molecule gene expression and increases neurosphere size in fetal brain‐derived neural stem cells (NSC). Here, our aim was to determine the effect of ETOH on the cell fate of NSC, premature glial‐committed precursor cells (GCP), and premature neuron‐committed progenitor cells (NCP).Methods:  NSC, GCP, and NCP were isolated from normal second‐trimester fetal human brains (n = 3) by positive selection using magnetic microbeads labeled with antibodies to CD133 (NSC), A2B5 (GCP), or PSA‐NCAM (NCP). As a result of the small percentage in each brain, NSC were cultured in mitogenic media for 72 hours to produce neurospheres. The neurospheres from NSC and primary isolates of GCP and NCP were used for all experiments. Equal numbers of the 3 cell types were treated either with mitogenic media or with differentiating media, each containing 0 or 100 mM ETOH, for 120 hours. Expression of Map2a, GFAP, and O4 was determined by immunoflourescence microscopy and western blot analysis. Fluorescence intensities were quantified using Metamorph software by Molecular Devices, and the bands of western blots were quantified using densitometry.Results:  ETOH in mitogenic media promoted formation of neurospheres by NSC, GCP, and NCP. Under control conditions, GCP attached and differentiated, NSC and NCP formed neurospheres that were significantly smaller in size than those in ETOH. Under differentiating conditions, Map2a expression increased significantly in NSC and GCP and reduced significantly in NCP, and GFAP expression reduced significantly in GCP and NCP, and Gal‐C expression reduced significantly in all 3 cell types in the presence of ETOH compared to controls.Conclusions:  This study shows that ETOH alters the cell fate of neuronal stem and progenitor cells. These alterations could contribute to the mechanism for the abnormal brain development in FASD.
Effects of Alcohol Cue Exposure on Response Inhibition in Detoxified Alcohol‐Dependent Patients
Authors: Gauggel Siegfried , Heusinger Anne , Forkmann Thomas , Boecker Maren , Lindenmeyer Johannes , Miles Cox W. , Staedtgen Mario 
Published: June 2010

Background:  There is evidence that exerting self‐control during alcohol craving can diminish performance on subsequent tasks that require self‐control. Based on the resource depletion model (Muraven and Baumeister, 2000), we examined the influence of alcohol cue exposure on detoxified alcohol‐dependent patients’ ability to inhibit ongoing responses.Methods:  Twenty alcohol‐dependent patients were randomly assigned to an alcohol‐cue exposure and a control‐cue exposure condition and thereafter had to perform an inhibition task (i.e., stop‐signal task).Results:  Participants who sniffed alcohol before performing the inhibition task reported a stronger urge to drink alcohol than the control group that sniffed water. Participants who sniffed alcohol were also impaired in their inhibitory performance but not in their noninhibitory performance on the stop‐signal task.Conclusions:  The urge to drink presumably reduced participants' self‐control, and this interfered with their ability to inhibit responding.
Interactions of Stress and CRF in Ethanol‐Withdrawal Induced Anxiety in Adolescent and Adult Rats
Authors: Wills Tiffany A. , Knapp Darin J. , Overstreet David H. , Breese George R. 
Published: June 2010

Background: Repeated stress or administration of corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) prior to ethanol exposure sensitizes anxiety‐like behavior in adult rats. Current experiments determined whether adolescent rats were more sensitive to these challenges in sensitizing ethanol withdrawal‐induced anxiety and altering CRF levels in brain during withdrawal.Methods: Male adult and adolescent Sprague–Dawley rats were restraint stressed (1 hour) twice 1 week apart prior to a single 5‐day cycle of ethanol diet (ED; stress/withdrawal paradigm). Other rats received control diet (CD) and three 1‐hour restraint stress sessions. Rats were then tested 5, 24, or 48 hours after the final withdrawal for anxiety‐like behavior in the social interaction (SI) test. In other experiments, adolescent rats were given two microinjections of CRF icv 1 week apart followed by 5 days of either CD or ED and tested in social interaction 5 hours into withdrawal. Finally, CRF immunoreactivity was measured in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) after rats experienced control diet, repeated ethanol withdrawals, or stress/withdrawal.Results: Rats of both ages had reduced SI following the stress/withdrawal paradigm, and this effect recovered within 24 hours. Higher CRF doses were required to reduce SI in adolescents than previously reported in adults. CRF immunohistochemical levels were higher in the PVN and CeA of CD‐exposed adolescents. In adolescent rats, repeated ethanol withdrawals decreased CRF in the CeA but was not associated with decreased CRF cell number. There was no change in CRF from adult treatments.Conclusions: In the production of anxiety‐like behavior, adolescent rats have equal sensitivity with stress and lower sensitivity with CRF compared to adults. Further, adolescents had higher basal levels of CRF within the PVN and CeA and reduced CRF levels following repeated ethanol withdrawals. This reduced CRF within the CeA could indicate increased release of CRF, and future work will determine how this change relates to behavior.
Milk Fat Globule EGF Factor 8 Attenuates Sepsis‐Induced Apoptosis and Organ Injury in Alcohol‐Intoxicated Rats
Authors: Wu Rongqian , Chaung Wayne W. , Zhou Mian , Ji Youxin , Dong Weifeng , Wang Zhimin , Qiang Xiaoling , Wang Ping 
Published: June 2010

Background:  Despite advances in our understanding of excessive alcohol‐intake‐related tissue injury and modernization of the management of septic patients, high morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases in alcohol abusers remain a prominent challenge. Our previous studies have shown that milk fat globule epidermal growth factor‐factor VIII (MFG‐E8), a protein required to opsonize apoptotic cells for phagocytosis, is protective in inflammation. However, it remains unknown whether MFG‐E8 ameliorates sepsis‐induced apoptosis and organ injury in alcohol‐intoxicated rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether recombinant murine MFG‐E8 (rmMFG‐E8) attenuates organ injury after acute alcohol exposure and subsequent sepsis.Methods:  Acute alcohol intoxication was induced in male adult rats by a bolus injection of intravenous alcohol at 1.75 g/kg BW, followed by an intravenous infusion of 300 mg/kg BW/h of alcohol for 10 hours. Sepsis was induced at the end of 10‐hour alcohol infusion by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). rmMFG‐E8 or vehicle (normal saline) was administered intravenously 3 times (i.e., at the beginning of alcohol injection, the beginning of CLP, and 10 hours post‐CLP) at a dose of 20 μg/kg BW each. Blood and tissue samples were collected 20 hours after CLP in alcoholic animals for various measurements.Results:  Acute alcohol exposure per se did not affect the production of MFG‐E8; however, it primed the animal and enhanced sepsis‐induced MFG‐E8 downregulation in the spleen. Administration of rmMFG‐E8 reduces alcohol/sepsis‐induced apoptosis in the spleen, lungs, and liver. In addition, administration of rmMFG‐E8 after alcohol exposure and subsequent sepsis decreases circulating levels of TNF‐α and interleukin‐6 and attenuates organ injury.Conclusions:  rmMFG‐E8 attenuates sepsis‐induced apoptosis and organ injury in alcohol‐intoxicated rats.
The P‐Selectin Gene Polymorphism Val168Met: A Novel Risk Marker for the Occurrence of Primary Ventricular Fibrillation During Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: ELMAS ELIF , BUGERT PETER , POPP TATJANA , LANG SIEGFRIED , WEISS CHRISTEL , BEHNES MICHAEL , BORGGREFE MARTIN , KÄLSCH THORSTEN 
Published: June 2010

The P‐Selectin Gene Polymorphism Val168Met. Aims: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Family history of SCD is described as risk factor for primary VF during acute AMI. Genetic factors may be associated with primary VF. We examined polymorphisms in genes related to the activation and adhesion of blood platelets in patients with and without VF in the setting of AMI and among healthy controls. Methods: Two hundred and forty patients with a history of AMI and 475 healthy controls were studied. Seventy‐three patients (30%) had primary VF during AMI. By using PCR techniques with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP), we genotyped 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in P‐selectin (SELP) (V168M, S290N, N592D, V599L, T715P), 2 SNPs (M62I, S273F) in P‐selectin glycoprotein ligand‐1 (SELPLG), 5 SNPs in CD40LG (−3459A>G, −122A>C, −123A>C, 148T>C, intr4–13T>C), the H558R SNP in SCN5A, and rs2106261 in ZFHX3. In addition, length polymorphisms in SELPLG (36bp‐tandem repeat) and CD40LG (CA‐repeat) were genotyped by PCR methods. Results were evaluated by 2‐sided t‐tests, chi‐square tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results: None of the gene polymorphisms showed significant differences between AMI patients and healthy controls. Among patients with a history of VF, however, the SELP 168M variant showed a significantly higher prevalence (14/73 patients; 19.2%) as compared with patients without VF (13/167 patients; 7.8%; P < 0.01). This association remained significant in a logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age and gender (P = 0.013; odds ratio 2.8; 95% confidence interval 1.2–6.3). Conclusions: This is the first description of an association of the SELP gene variant 168M with primary VF during acute MI. This variant may be a candidate polymorphism for evaluating the susceptibility for VF in the setting of acute MI. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1260‐1265, November 2010)
The Venture Capital Perspective on Collaboration with Large Corporations/MNEs in London and the South East: Pursuing Extra‐Regional Knowledge and the Shaping of Regional Venture Capital Networks?
Authors: Watkins Andrew 
Published: June 2010

AbstractA seeming paradox of globalization is that while innovation and the industries and institutions that support it transcend local and national boundaries, high‐tech innovative activity continues to agglomerate in a select number of high‐capacity regions. Research, however, suggests that innovative regions must—through collaborative activity and related networks—both economize regional capacities while remaining open to global knowledge and finance. Collaboration and network formation are viewed as critical in this regard, as the competitive pressures of globalization are forcing firms to adopt collaborative and open innovation practices: forging relationships with external partners. Two important sources of knowledge and finance are regionally concentrated venture capital firms and large corporations, often globe‐straddling multinational enterprises. While collaboration occurs between these two actors, an understanding of the processes and implications has only begun to emerge. Focusing on collaborative venture capital activity in London and the South East, this exploratory paper presents a preliminary understanding as to the role that this particular collaborative activity plays in the pursuit of complementary, extra‐regional knowledge and expertise, and the extent to which this collaboration is recharacterizing the shape of regionally based venture capital networks.
Patient morbidity and root coverage outcome after subepithelial connective tissue and de‐epithelialized grafts: a comparative randomized‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Zucchelli Giovanni , Mele Monica , Stefanini Martina , Mazzotti Claudio , Marzadori Matteo , Montebugnoli Lucio , De Sanctis Massimo 
Published: June 2010

Zucchelli G, Mele M, Stefanini M, Mazzotti C, Marzadori M, Montebugnoli L, de Sanctis M. Patient morbidity and root coverage outcome after subepithelial connective tissue and de‐epithelialized grafts: a comparative randomized‐controlled clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 728‐738 doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2010.01550.x.AbstractAims: The aim of this randomized‐controlled clinical trial was to compare the patient morbidity and root coverage outcomes of a coronally advanced flap (CAF) with connective tissue (CTG) or de‐epithelialized gingival (DGG) grafts.Methods: Fifty patients with one recession each were treated. In the control group, the CTG was harvested using the trap‐door approach while in the test group the CTG resulted from the de‐epithelialization of a free gingival graft.Results: No statistically significant differences were demonstrated between groups in patients's pain killer consumption, post‐operative discomfort and bleeding. Lower stress and better ability to chew were demonstrated in the CTG group. Analgesic consumption increased with increasing height of the graft and in the case of dehiscence/necrosis of the primary flap. Pain was negatively correlated with the residual thickness of soft tissue covering the palatal bone. A statistically greater increase in buccal soft tissue thickness was observed in the DGG group.Conclusions: No differences were demonstrated in the post‐operative pain and root coverage outcome in patients subjected to CAF with CTG or DGG.
Metastatic cutaneous carcinoid tumor mimicking an adnexal poroid neoplasm
Authors: Puri Puja Kumari , Galan Anjela , Glusac Earl J. , Cowper Shawn E. 
Published: June 2010

Objective:  Metastatic cutaneous neoplasms may be difficult to differentiate from primary cutaneous neoplasms. Herein, we report an unusual case of metastatic cutaneous carcinoid tumor mimicking an adnexal poroid neoplasm.Methods:  A 53‐year‐old male man presented with a neoplasm on the vertex of the scalp, clinically resembling a pigmented basal cell carcinoma.Results:  A shave biopsy was suggestive of an apocrine poroma, however, a metastatic carcinoma could not be excluded. After acquiring additional clinical information and the complete excision of the neoplasm, further immunohistochemical stains supported the diagnosis a metastatic carcinoid tumor.Conclusion:  To our knowledge, this is the first case of metastatic carcinoid tumor reported that has mimicked a poroid neoplasm.
Incontinentia pigmenti revisited. A novel nonsense mutation of the IKBKG gene
Authors: Fryssira Helen , Kakourou Talia , Valari Manthoula , Stefanaki Kaliopi , Amenta Stella , Kanavakis Emmanuel 
Published: June 2010

AbstractAim:  To describe and evaluate the clinical and molecular findings of patients with incontinentia pigmenti (IP) in Greece.Methods:  We examined 12 female patients, initially aged 2 weeks to 7 months with clinical diagnosis of IP. Standard tests were performed including skin biopsies and ocular, dental and neurologic examinations. Molecular analysis was carried out on 8 out of 12 cases.Results:  The initial clinical examination was stage 1 (vesicular lesions), stage 2 (verrucous lesions) or stage 3 (hyperpigmented linear lesions of the trunk/limbs). At the final clinical examination, 10 of our patients had typical vesicular, verrucous or mixed hyper‐hypopigmented skin lesions which had persisted from the neonatal period; seven had delayed dentition or conical teeth; two had developmental delay; one had microcephaly and strabismus and two had scarring alopecia. In seven patients, deletion of exons 4–10 of the IKBKG gene was found. In one patient, skewed X‐inactivation was demonstrated and a novel mutation p.Gln332X was found. The mothers’ DNA analyses were all normal.Conclusion:  In our sample, all the cases were sporadic and the diagnosis of IP was based mainly on clinical features and confirmed with skin histology. Molecular analysis was used to find the mutations, in some cases to confirm diagnosis and to identify the carriers, which are crucial for prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis.
Symmetrical peripheral digital gangrene following severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria‐induced disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
Authors: Ghafoor Sana ZA , MacRae Eva A , Harding Keith G , Patel Girish K 
Published: June 2010

Ghafoor SZA, MacRae EA, Harding KG, Patel GK. Symmetrical peripheral digital gangrene following severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria‐induced disseminated intravascular coagulopathy.Symmetrical peripheral digital gangrene is a life‐changing complication, caused by a pro‐thrombotic life‐threatening disease, such as disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) secondary to systemic infection. We describe the unusual case of a woman who developed symmetrical peripheral digital gangrene following DIC because of malaria. While initial treatment led to cure of the infection, in this report we describe also the subsequent management of symmetrical peripheral digital gangrene.
Pelvimetric Dimensions do not Impact upon Nerve Sparing or Erectile Function Recovery in Patients Undergoing Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy
Authors: von Bodman Christian , Matikainen Mika P. , Favaretto Ricardo L. , Matsushita Kazuhito , Mulhall John P. , Eastham James A. , Scardino Peter T. , Akin Oguz , Rabbani Farhang 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The impact of unfavorable pelvic anatomy on the likelihood of having a nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and the potential correlation between pelvic dimensions and recovery of erectile function (EF) after RRP have not been previously evaluated.

Aim
To determine the impact of different pelvic bony and soft tissue dimensions as well as apical prostate depth on the likelihood of performing bilateral nerve sparing and on recovery of EF after RP.

Methods
Between November 2001 and June 2007, 644 potent men undergoing RRP had preoperative MRI where pelvimetry was performed with bilateral nerve sparing in 504 men. Outcomes including varying degrees of recovery of EF (level 1: normal; level 2: partial erections routinely sufficient for intercourse; level 3: partial erections occasionally sufficient for intercourse) were assessed. Median follow-up was 44.1 (interquartile range: 29.2, 65.3) months. We evaluated independent predictors of performing a bilateral nerve sparing procedure and of recovery of EF using multivariable Cox proportional hazards methods.

Main Outcome Measures
Likelihood of performing bilateral nerve sparing as well as recovery of EF after RRP.

Results
Patients with higher clinical stage and biopsy Gleason score are less likely to undergo bilateral nerve sparing. Surgeon is also a factor in the likelihood of having bilateral nerve sparing RRP. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, factors predictive of recovery of EF were age, pretreatment erectile function, surgeon, and modified Charlson score. None of the pelvimetric dimensions were significant predictors of any degree of recovery of EF. However, the study is limited by its retrospective nature and by being based on MRI evaluations useful for cancer staging rather than anatomical evaluation of pelvimetric dimensions.

Conclusions
We did not find unfavorable pelvic anatomy to impact the likelihood of performing a nerve sparing procedure or to be predictive of any degree of recovery of EF after RRP.