bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased interaction between heat shock protein 27 and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase) in pre‐eclamptic placentas
Authors: Shin Jeong‐Kyu , Jeong Young‐Taek , Jo Hyun‐Cheol , Kang Min‐Young , Chang In‐Suk , Baek Jong‐Chul , Park Ji‐Kwon , Lee Soon‐Ae , Lee Jong‐Hak , Choi Wan‐Sung , Paik Won‐Young 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAims:  Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is a well‐known stress response protein that is characterized by its phosphorylative capacity. Hsp27 becomes phosphorylated in response to various stimuli through interaction with several different kinases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interaction between Hsp27 and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) (p38, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase [ERK], and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase) in the human placenta derived from patients with pre‐eclampsia.Methods:  Western blot analysis was used to examine the levels of expression of Hsp27 and MAPK (p38, ERK, and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase). Immunoprecipitation analysis was used to determine the interaction between Hsp27 and MAPK (p38 and ERK).Results:  Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of Hsp27 and p‐Hsp27 in the placental tissues of the pre‐eclampsia group were significantly higher than that in the normal pregnancy group. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that the interaction between Hsp27 and MAPK (p38 and ERK) was significantly increased in the pre‐eclamptic placenta tissues.Conclusion:  The interaction between Hsp27 and MAPK was increased, suggesting that phosphorylation of Hsp27 might be induced by p38 and ERK in placentas from patients with pre‐eclampsia.
Extranodal Rosai–Dorfman disease involving bilateral ovaries in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt
Authors: Yamaguchi Masayuki , Yahata Tetsuro , Fujita Kazuyuki , Sakurada Junko , Hasegawa Go , Umezu Hajime , Naito Makoto , Tanaka Kenichi 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare condition of unknown etiology, and female genital tract involvement in RDD is uncommon. We describe the first case of RDD with bilateral ovarian involvement in a patient implanted with a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. The patient was a 17‐year‐old Japanese woman who had undergone radiotherapy, surgery for extranodal RDD involving the brain, and VP shunt insertion at age 12. Bilateral pelvic masses were incidentally detected on a computed tomography scan. She underwent laparotomy for lesion extirpation. On abdominal washing cytology, histiocytes showing emperipolesis were identified. Bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy was performed instead of extirpation, as it was difficult to identify the lesion margins. At 24 months after surgery, the patient is well and has not developed local recurrence. Thus, RDD can recur because of implantation of lesion cells into the abdominal cavity through a VP shunt, as is observed in the case of cerebral neoplasms.
Does breastfeeding induce spontaneous abortion?
Authors: Ishii Hiroshige 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim:  To verify the hypothesis that even if breastfeeding is continued during pregnancy, there are no harmful effects on pregnancy.Methods:  The outcomes of pregnancies in mothers who continued breastfeeding during pregnancy were studied. One hundred and ten pregnant women were recruited who had one full‐term baby, no experience of premature birth or abortion, and who continued to breastfeed at diagnosis of pregnancy. Age and pregnancy history matched 774 pregnant women were selected as a control group. All of the control women stopped breastfeeding at least 3 months before becoming pregnant. We reviewed the outcome of each pregnancy retrospectively from patient records. Statistical analysis was conducted using the χ2 test.Results:  Eight of 110 pregnancies (7.3%) resulted in spontaneous abortion in the breastfeeding group, and 65 of 774 pregnancies (8.4%) in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion:  Even if the mother is pregnant, breastfeeding should be continued until natural weaning occurs. Further study is required to conclude safety of breastfeeding and premature birth.
Oncostatin M as a target biological molecule of preeclampsia
Authors: Lee Guisera , Kil Gichul , Kwon Jiyoung , Kim Sajin , Yoo Jinyoug , Shin Jongchul 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim:  Given the presence of the cytokinetic effects of Oncostatin M (OSM), we hypothesized that placental expression of OSM and serum OSM levels are elevated in preeclampsia. To verify this hypothesis, we determined the expression of OSM in placenta and levels of OSM in plasma form women with preeclampsia and normal pregnant women.Methods:  Sixteen women with severe preeclampsia and 16 normal pregnancy women were studied. Placental tissues were immediately frozen and stored at −80°C until extraction of total RNA. Total RNA was extracted and real‐time quantitative PCR was carried out. Placental tissues fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde were reacted with antibodies against OSM. An independent pathologist who was blind to the origins of the samples reviewed these stained slides. The maternal serum and umbilical venous concentration of OSM were determined by commercially available ELISA analysis.Results:  The mRNA expression level of OSM in preeclamptic placenta was increased by 3.91 times which was significantly higher than those of the normal group (P = 0.028). OSM immunoreactivity was significantly higher in placentas of patients with preeclampsia than placentas from the normal group. The significantly greater OSM expressions were noted in cytotrophoblasts, syncytotrophoblasts and endothelium of preeclamptic placentas as compared to normal placentas (respectively, P = 0.004, 0.001 and 0.04). OSM concentration of preeclamptic women's serum was significantly higher than that of normal women's plasma (P = 0.016). However, OSM level of umbilical venous serum was not significantly different between two groups (P = 0.243)Conclusion:  OSM may play a biological marker for severe preeclampsia, and its action may be predominantly on the trophoblasts and endothelium of placenta villi in preeclampsia.
An acute pain service improves postoperative pain management for children undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy
Authors: FRIGON CHANTAL , LOETWIRIYAKUL WITTHAYA , RANGER MANON , OTIS ANNIK 
Published: October 2009

SummaryBackground:  A continuous epidural infusion of morphine is the pain treatment modality for children undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in our institution. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of having an organized acute pain service (APS) on postoperative pain management of these children.Methods:  We conducted a retrospective cohort study using anesthetic records and the APS database to compare the postoperative pain management of children undergoing SDR before and after the introduction of the APS at the Montreal Children’s Hospital in April 2001. Ninety‐two consecutive children who had their surgery between January 1997 and July 2006 were included. We collected data regarding postoperative pain, opioid‐induced side effects, complications (sedation, desaturations < 92%), and hospital length of stay.Results:  Pain scores were documented more frequently after the implementation of the APS (61% vs 48.5%). Sedation scores were documented only after the implementation of the APS. Postoperative desaturation was significantly more frequent in the pre‐APS group compared to the APS group (45.5% vs 6.8%, P < 0.001). Despite the fact that the epidural catheter was in place for the same duration for both groups [median of 3 days (3–3 25–75%ile)], the duration of hospitalization was 1 day shorter in the APS group compared to the pre‐APS group [median of 5 (5–5 25–75%ile) vs 6 (5–6 25–75%ile) days, P < 0.001].Conclusions:  Although we recognize that it is possible that there were changes in care not related specifically to the introduction of a dedicated APS that occurred in our institution that resulted in improvements in general postoperative care and in length of stay, our study did show that having an organized APS allowed to significantly decrease the incidence of postoperative oxygen desaturation and to decrease the hospital length of stay by 1 day.
Longevity and fecundity of Eulophus pennicornis, an ectoparasitoid of the tomato moth Lacanobia oleracea, is affected by nutritional state and diet quality
Authors: Wakefield Maureen E. , Bell Howard A. , Gatehouse Angharad M. R. 
Published: October 2009

Adult female Eulophus pennicornis require a source of nutrition, provided by sources such as pollen, nectar and honeydew or by host feeding, to promote longevity and facilitate egg production. There is potential for parasitoids to be exposed directly to contaminants, including gene products in transgenic crops, through feeding on plant materials, honeydew or hosts. Among such potential contaminants are lectins such as Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) and concanavalin agglutinin (Con A).
The effect of direct exposure to honey diets containing GNA and Con A on the longevity and fecundity of E. pennicornis was examined. These lectins have been expressed in a number of plant species for the control for various insect pests. Both GNA and Con A significantly reduced longevity and fecundity at the highest concentration used (0.5% w/v). The effect on fecundity was shown to be related to a reduction in longevity.
Examination of the gustatory response of adult female E. pennicornis to honey diet containing 1% w/v GNA or Con A revealed no significant differences in consumption rate on first exposure. A significant reduction in the time spent feeding on diet containing 1% Con A was found on the second exposure to the diet. This could have been the result of either a conditioned aversion response or the intoxication of the insect. The effect of Con A on longevity and fecundity could have been, in part, a result of reduced food intake.
Studies on nutrition and egg resorption demonstrated that the availability of honey solution prolongs the longevity of E. pennicornis and the lack of a source of nutrition promotes oosorption.
A greater understanding of feeding behaviour and ovigeny is required to understand fully the potential ecological consequence of transgenic crops on parasitoid species through routes of direct exposure to transgene products.
Erythroneura lawsoniabundance and feeding injury levels are influenced by foliar nutrient status in intensively managed American sycamore
Authors: Coyle David Robert , Aubrey Doug Patrick , Bentz Jo‐Ann 
Published: October 2009

Abundance and feeding injury of the leafhopperErythroneura lawsoniRobinson was measured in an intensively‐managed American sycamorePlatanus occidentalisL. plantation. Trees were planted in spring 2000 in a randomized complete block design, and received one of three annual treatments: (i) fertilization (120 kg N/ha/year); (ii) irrigation (3.0 cm/week); (iii) fertilization + irrigation; or (iv) control (no treatment).Foliar nutrient concentrations were significantly influenced by the treatments because only sulphur and manganese levels were not statistically greater in trees receiving fertilization.Over 116 000E. lawsoniwere captured on sticky traps during the study. Leafhopper abundance was highest on nonfertilized trees for the majority of the season, and was positively correlated with foliar nutrient concentrations. Significant temporal variation inE. lawsoniabundance occurred, suggesting five discrete generations in South Carolina.Significant temporal variation occurred inE. lawsonifoliar injury levels, with the highest injury ratings occurring in late June and August. Foliar injury was negatively correlated with foliar nutrient content, and higher levels of injury occurred more frequently on nonfertilized trees.The results obtained in the present study indicated that increasedE. lawsoniabundance occurred on trees that did not receive fertilization. Nonfertilized trees experienced greater foliar injury, suggesting that lower foliar nutrient status may have led to increased levels of compensatory feeding.
The indication and surgical results of local excision following radiotherapy for low rectal cancer
Authors: Han S.‐L. , Zeng Q.‐Q. , Shen X. , Zheng X.‐F. , Guo S.‐C. , Yan J.‐Y. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  Radical surgery of rectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity, and some patients with low‐lying lesions must accept a permanent colostomy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of local excision followed by adjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer for curative purposes.Method  One hundred and seven patients with rectal carcinoma performed with local excision were analysed retrospectively.Results  The procedures of local excision were trans‐anal resection in 83 patients, trans‐sacral resection in 16, trans‐sphincteric local resection in five, and trans‐vaginal resection in three. The overall disease‐free survival rate was 80.4% (86/107), including 90.0% (54/60) for T1 and 72.3% (34/47) for T2 tumours, respectively. Eighty‐two of 107 patients underwent adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy after local excision, and 25 did not, and the DFS rates between radiation and nonradiation group were significantly different for T2 [81.6% (31/38) vs 33.3% (3/9), P < 0.05], but not for T1 tumours (90.9%vs 87.5%, P > 0.05). The rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis were 13.1% (14/107) and 4.7% (5/106), respectively, and the median time to relapse was 15 months (range: 10–53) for local recurrence and 30 months (21–65) for distant recurrence. The risk factors for local recurrence were large tumour (≥3 cm), poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and T2 tumour.Conclusions  Local excision followed adjuvant radiotherapy is an alternative and feasible technique for small T1 rectal cancer in selected cases.
A nationwide retrospective analysis on the effect of immune therapies in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Authors: Cocito D. , Paolasso I. , Antonini G. , Benedetti L. , Briani C. , Comi C. , Fazio R. , Jann S. , Matà S. , Mazzeo A. , Sabatelli M. , Nobile‐Orazio E. ,   on behalf of The Italian Network for CIDP Register
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  The guidelines for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) therapy suggest to use immunoglobulins (IVIg) and steroid as first‐line therapies. Patients who do not respond to one of the two drugs should be switched to the other drug. We collected therapeutic outcome data in patients followed at 11 centres in order to document the clinical practice in Italy.Methods:  Clinical and electrophysiological data of patients with CIDP were entered into a central database. The clinical outcome (Rankin Scale) and drug side effects (SE) for first‐ and second‐line therapies were recorded.Results:  A total of 267 patients were included. The percentage of responders (R) to first‐line therapy [steroid or IVIg or plasma exchange (PE)] was 69%; this number increased to 81% when patients who switched to different therapies were included. Overall, the percentage of R to IVIg was similar to R to steroids (P = 0.07) and higher than R to PE (P < 0.001). Of the main therapies, PE frequently caused SE (19%), followed by steroids (12.5%) and IVIg (4%).Conclusions:  Switching between traditional therapies increases the number of responder patients. IVIg was confirmed to be a therapy with low SE.
Effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation on spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mori F. , Codecà C. , Kusayanagi H. , Monteleone F. , Boffa L. , Rimano A. , Bernardi G. , Koch G. , Centonze D. 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  Spasticity is a common disorder and a major cause of long‐term disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim was to evaluate whether a recently developed repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol, the intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is effective in modulating lower limb spasticity in MS patients.Methods:  Twenty MS patients were pseudorandomized to undergo a 2‐week daily sessions of real or sham iTBS protocol. The H/M amplitude ratio of the Soleus H reflex, a reliable neurophysiological index of spinal excitability and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for spasticity were evaluated by blinded raters before and after the stimulation protocols.Results:  Patients receiving real iTBS showed a significant reduction of H/M amplitude ratio and MAS scores 1 week after the stimulation and persisting up to 2 weeks after the end of stimulation protocol. There were no significant effects for sham stimulation.Conclusions:  These results show that iTBS, a safe, non‐invasive, well‐tolerated and feasible protocol, is a promising tool for the treatment of spasticity in MS.
Multiple sclerosis survival: a population‐based study in Sicily
Authors: Ragonese P. , Aridon P. , Mazzola M. A. , Callari G. , Palmeri B. , Famoso G. , Terruso V. , Salemi G. , D’Amelio M. , Savettieri G. 
Published: October 2009

Background and purpose:  There are few population‐based surveys on multiple sclerosis (MS) survival. To investigate MS survival in MS patients recruited during surveys conducted in Sicily.Methods:  Multiple sclerosis patients identified during previous surveys were randomly matched to two referent subjects by residence, year of birth, and gender. Living status was obtained by municipality records (end of follow‐up June, 30th 2007) and, for the deceased, date and causes of death were searched. Kaplan‐Meier plots were used to calculate differences in mortality between MS patients and referent subjects. MS risks for mortality with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated.Results:  We included 194 MS patients and 388 matched persons. Thirty MS patients (15.5%) and 28 referents (7.2%) had died until the end of follow‐up. Mean survival from onset of the disease to death was 20.6 years. Mean age at death was 55.5 for MS patients and 64.8 for the referents. Adjusted Hazard Ratios for mortality in MS was 1.81 (95% CI 1.36–2.40). Kaplan‐Meier estimates showed a higher mortality amongst patients compared to referent subjects (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  The present study confirms the higher mortality risk in MS patients with no significant gender difference. Causes of death are related to complications of high disability and to increasing age.
Molecular trait indicators: moving beyond phylogeny in arbuscular mycorrhizal ecology
Authors: Gamper Hannes A. , van der Heijden Marcel G. A. , Kowalchuk George A. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryArbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form symbiotic associations with the roots of most plants, thereby mediating nutrient and carbon fluxes, plant performance, and ecosystem dynamics. Although considerable effort has been expended to understand the keystone ecological position of AM symbioses, most studies have been limited in scope to recording organism occurrences and identities, as determined from morphological characters and (mainly) ribosomal sequence markers. In order to overcome these restrictions and circumvent the shortcomings of culture‐ and phylogeny‐based approaches, we propose a shift toward plant and fungal protein‐encoding genes as more immediate indicators of mycorrhizal contributions to ecological processes. A number of candidate target genes, involved in the uptake of phosphorus and nitrogen, carbon cycling, and overall metabolic activity, are proposed. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of future protein‐encoding gene marker and current (phylo‐) taxonomic approaches for studying the impact of AM fungi on plant growth and ecosystem functioning. Approaches based on protein‐encoding genes are expected to open opportunities to advance the mechanistic understanding of ecological roles of mycorrhizas in natural and managed ecosystems.
Hand movements at 3 months predict later hemiplegia in term infants with neonatal cerebral infarction
Authors: GUZZETTA ANDREA , PIZZARDI ALESSANDRA , BELMONTI VITTORIO , BOLDRINI ANTONIO , CAROTENUTO MARCO , D’ACUNTO GIULIA , FERRARI FABRIZIO , FIORI SIMONA , GALLO CLAUDIO , GHIRRI PAOLO , MERCURI EUGENIO , ROMEO DOMENICO , ROVERSI MARIA FEDERICA , CIONI GIOVANNI 
Published: October 2009

Aim  The aim of this study was to explore the predictive value of quantitative assessment of hand movements in 3‐month‐old infants after neonatal stroke.Method  Thirteen infants born at term (five females, eight males; mean gestational age 39.4wks, SD 1.19, range 37–41wks; mean birthweight 3240g, SD 203, range 2900–3570g) with neonatal arterial ischaemic cerebral infarction, and 13 healthy infants (mean gestational age 39.1wks, range 37–41wks, SD 1.26; mean birthweight 3190g, SD 259, range 2680–3490g) were enrolled in the study. The absolute frequency and the asymmetry of global hand opening and closing, wrist segmental movements, and independent digit movements were assessed from videotapes recorded at around 12 weeks. Neurological outcome was assessed when the infants were at least 18 months old using Touwen’s neurological examination.Results  Five of the 13 infants with neonatal stroke had normal neurological development, and eight had hemiplegia. Asymmetry of wrist segmental movements and the absolute frequency of independent digit movements were significantly different between infants with and without hemiplegia (p=0.006 and p=0.008, respectively). No differences were found in global hand movements.Interpretation  We propose that the observed abnormalities of hand movements are the result of two different mechanisms: direct disruption of the corticospinal projection to the spinal cord, and altered modulation of the central pattern generators of general movements.
Outcome of severe unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia
Authors: PORETTI ANDREA , LIMPEROPOULOS CATHERINE , ROULET‐PEREZ ELIANE , WOLF NICOLE I , RAUSCHER CHRISTIAN , PRAYER DANIELA , MÜLLER ANITA , WEISSERT MARKUS , KOTZAERIDOU URANIA , DU PLESSIS ADRE J , HUISMAN THIERRY A G M , BOLTSHAUSER EUGEN 
Published: October 2009

Aim  Complete or subtotal absence of one cerebellar hemisphere is exceptional; only single cases have been described. We aimed to assess the long‐term outcome in children with severe unilateral cerebellar hypoplasia (UCH).Method  As part of a retrospective study we describe neuroimaging features, clinical findings, and cognitive outcomes of seven children with UCH (five males, two females; age at first magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]: median 1y 3mo, range 9d–8y 10mo; age at latest follow‐up: median 6y 6mo, range 2y 3mo–14y 11mo).Results  One child had abnormalities on prenatal MRI at 21 weeks’ gestation. The left cerebellar hemisphere was affected in five children, and the right hemisphere in two children. The vermis was involved in five children. The volume of the posterior fossa was variable. At the latest follow‐up, neurological findings included truncal ataxia and muscular hypotonia in five children, limb ataxia in three patients, and head nodding in two patients. Three children had learning disability*, five had speech and language disorders, and one had a severe behavioural disorder.Interpretation  Severe UCH is a residual change after a disruptive prenatal cerebellar insult, most likely haemorrhagic. The outcome is variable, ranging from almost normal development to marked developmental impairment. Ataxia is a frequent but not a leading sign. It seems that involvement of the cerebellar vermis is often, but not consistently, associated with a poorer cognitive outcome, whereas an intact vermis is associated with normal outcome and no truncal ataxia.