bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity in α‐thalassemia interactions in Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia
Authors: Wee Yong‐Chui , Tan Kim‐Lian , Chow Teresa Wai‐Ping , Yap Sook‐Fan , Tan Jin‐Ai Mary Anne 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAim: Interactions between different determinants of α‐thalassemia raises considerable problems, particularly during pregnancies where antenatal diagnosis is necessary. This study aims to determine the different types of deletional α‐thalassemia and Hemoglobin Constant Spring (HbCS), and their frequency in Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.Methods: DNA from 650 pregnant women from the Antenatal Clinic of the University of Malaya Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who showed mean cell volume ≤89 fL and/or mean cell hemoglobin ≤28 pg were analyzed for the double α‐globin gene South‐East Asian deletion (‐‐SEA), the ‐α3.7 and ‐α4.2 single α‐globin gene deletions and HbCS.Results: One hundred and three (15.8%) of the pregnant women were confirmed as α‐thalassemia carriers: 25 (3.8%) were α‐thalassemia‐1 carriers with the ‐‐SEA/αα genotype, 64 (9.8%) were heterozygous for the ‐α3.7 rightward deletion (‐α3.7/αα), four (0.6%) were heterozygous for the ‐α4.2 leftward deletion (‐α4.2/αα), nine (1.4%) were heterozygous for HbCS (αCSα/αα) and one (0.2%) was compound heterozygous with the ‐α3.7/αCSα genotype. The double α‐globin gene ‐‐SEA deletion was significantly higher in the Chinese (15%) compared to the Malays (2.5%) and not detected in the Indians studied. The ‐α3.7 deletion was distributed equally in the three races. HbCS and ‐α4.2 was observed only in the Malays.Conclusion: The data obtained gives a better understanding of the interactions of the different α‐thalassemia determinants in the different ethnic groups, thus enabling more rapid and specific confirmation of α‐thalassemia in affected pregnancies where antenatal diagnosis is necessary.
Predicting fetal anemia by using reference centile charts for liver length, spleen perimeter and umbilical vein maximum flow velocity in Thai fetuses throughout gestation
Authors: Chawanpaiboon Saifon , Titapant Vitaya , Sutantawibul Anuwat , Kanokpongsakdi Sujin , Kangkagate Charuwan 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAim: To create reference centile charts for liver length, spleen perimeter and umbilical vein maximum flow velocity (UVVmax) in Thai fetuses in order to predict fetal anemia in Thai fetuses.Methods: The study was a prospective, cross‐sectional study, carried out at the Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. A total of 780 pregnant women between 13 and 40 weeks’ gestation, who attended the antenatal clinic at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, were recruited. Each fetus was measured only once for the purpose of this study. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were estimated at each week of gestation using linear regression modeling. A total of 752 fetuses were measured for fetal liver length, spleen perimeter and UVVmax. Linear regression models were fitted to estimate the mean 95% confidence interval for liver length, spleen perimeter and UVVmax at each gestational age. The centile charts of those parameters were also presented.Conclusion: Reference centile charts for fetal liver length, spleen perimeter and UVVmax of Thai fetuses were created.
Fetal hydrops associated with congenital pulmonary myofibroblastic tumor
Authors: Horikoshi Tsuguhiro , Kikuchi Akihiko , Matsumoto Yasuhiro , Tatematsu Mikiko , Takae Kentaro , Ogiso Yoshifumi , Nakayama Masahiro , Unno Nobuya 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe report on a fetus with a congenital pulmonary myofibroblastic tumor, the prenatal detection of which with imaging modalities has not been reported up until now. A 32‐year‐old woman was referred to our hospital at 29 weeks’ gestation because of severe fetal hydrops. Sonograms and magnetic resonance imaging showed a large solid tumor in the left thorax. The fetus died in utero the next day. Autopsy confirmed that the tumor was confined to the lower lobe of the left lung, and circulatory insufficiency from compression by the tumor was considered to be the cause of fetal hydrops and demise. Histologic examination revealed that the tumor was composed of uniform short spindle cells with no atypia and a large number of vessels. In addition, with immunohistochemical studies, the tumor cells were stained for calponin but not for cluster differentiation (CD)‐31, CD‐34, α‐smooth muscle actin or S‐100.
Occurrence of fetal choroid plexus cysts in siblings: Concerns regarding recurrence and chromosomal abnormality
Authors: Koyama Shinsuke , Kimura Tadashi , Tokugawa Yoshihiro , Koyama Masayasu , Murata Yuji , Shimizu Takashi 
Published: November 2005

AbstractChoroid plexus cysts (CPC) are a well‐known ultrasound aneuploidy marker easily detectable at second‐trimester ultrasound examination. However, their genetic etiology is totally unknown. We report two cases of Japanese mothers who carried two and three siblings respectively; all the fetuses that had CPC were noticed at second trimester. Genetic amniocentesis revealed that each fetus had different karyotypes, that is, trisomy 18 and 46,XX in the case of one mother, and trisomy 18, 46,XY and trisomy 21 in the case of the other. These observations indicate that the genetic basis of the cysts is not linked to abnormal chromosomes. We propose that careful ultrasound observation and genetic counseling of the siblings should be offered to patients who have previously had a baby with CPC, despite that baby having a normal karyotype.
Discordance in the decline in regional lean and bone mass with advancing age
Authors: Kuwahata Riki , Kuwahata Tomoki , Iwamoto Ichiro , Douchi Tsutomu 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAim: To investigate whether regional mineral‐free lean mass (lean mass) and bone mineral density (BMD) decrease equally with advancing age.Methods: Subjects were 420 premenopausal women and 239 postmenopausal women with right‐side dominance. Age, height, weight, and body mass index were recorded. Lean mass of the arms, trunk and legs were measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA). BMD of the same segmental regions was measured by DEXA.Results: Trunk and bilateral leg lean mass were inversely correlated to age (r = −0.240, P < 0.0001, −0.167, P < 0.0001, and −0.183, P < 0.0001, respectively), but arm lean mass did not decrease with aging. Regional lean mass was positively correlated to regional BMD (r = 0.284–0.449, P < 0.0001). BMD was inversely correlated to age in all segmental regions (r = −0.586 to −0.449, P < 0.0001).Conclusions: Decline in regional lean mass and decline in BMD with advancing age are discordant. Arm lean mass may not contribute to ‘age‐related decline’ in arm BMD, because arm lean mass does not decrease with advancing age in the general population of women.
Case of a giant mucinous ovarian carcinoma with bone metastasis
Authors: Nakamura Manabu , Saitoh Maki , Miyamoto Sumitaka , Kubo Yuko , Tomita Hatsuo , Andoh Akihiko 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe report the case of a 51‐year‐old Japanese woman with a giant (50.75‐kg) ovarian tumor. The histopathologic diagnosis was mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. After surgery, the patient was intubated and connected to a respirator for 8 days. Thereafter, she was diagnosed with bone metastasis to the hip bone and the femur.
Metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma to the pancreas
Authors: Iwamoto Ichiro , Fujino Toshinori , Higashi Yohichi , Tsuji Takahiro , Nakamura Noboru , Komokata Teruo , Douchi Tsutomu 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground: Metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma to the pancreas is extremely rare.Case: A 46‐year‐old woman presented with hypermenorrhea and dysmenorrhea and underwent surgery. The histologic and immunohistochemical diagnosis was uterine leiomyosarcoma stage I with no metastasis to the ovaries or the pelvic lymph nodes. The mitotic count was very high. Thereafter, recurrences in the lung and subsequently in the pancreas were detected. The lesions in the lung and pancreas were resected and diagnosed as metastases of uterine leiomyosarcoma based on histology and immunohistochemistry.Conclusion: We report an extraordinarily rare case of uterine leiomyosarcoma with metastasis to the pancreas following initial metastasis to the lung, both of which were diagnosed using histology and immunohistochemistry of the specimens obtained at surgery.
Ecological resistance, seed density and their interactions determine patterns of invasion in a California coastal grassland
Authors: Thomsen Meredith A. , D'Antonio Carla M. , Suttle Kenwyn B. , Sousa Wayne P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractRelatively little experimental evidence is available regarding how ecological resistance and propagule density interact in their effects on the establishment of invasive exotic species. We examined the independent and interactive effects of neighbour cover (biotic resistance), winter vs. spring water addition (abiotic resistance) and seed density on the invasion of the European perennial grass Holcus lanatus into a California coastal grassland dominated by exotic annual grasses. We found that decreased competition from resident exotic grasses had no effect. In contrast, increased late‐season water availability eroded the abiotic resistance offered by naturally dry conditions, facilitating invasion. Finally, watering treatment and seed density interacted strongly in determining seedling survival: while seedling mortality was close to 100% in ambient and winter water addition plots, survivor numbers increased with seed density in spring‐watered plots. Thus, decreased abiotic resistance can amplify the effect of increased propagule density on seedling establishment, thereby increasing the likelihood of invasion.
Maladaptive changes in multiple traits caused by fishing: impediments to population recovery
Authors: Walsh Matthew R. , Munch Stephan B. , Chiba Susumu , Conover David O. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractSome overharvested fish populations fail to recover even after considerable reductions in fishing pressure. The reasons are unclear but may involve genetic changes in life history traits that are detrimental to population growth when natural environmental factors prevail. We empirically modelled this process by subjecting populations of a harvested marine fish, the Atlantic silverside, to experimental size‐biased fishing regimes over five generations and then measured correlated responses across multiple traits. Populations where large fish were selectively harvested (as in most fisheries) displayed substantial declines in fecundity, egg volume, larval size at hatch, larval viability, larval growth rates, food consumption rate and conversion efficiency, vertebral number, and willingness to forage. These genetically based changes in numerous traits generally reduce the capacity for population recovery.
Treatment of localized prostate cancer using high‐intensity focused ultrasound
Authors: UCHIDA TOYOAKI , OHKUSA HIROSHI , NAGATA YASUNORI , HYODO TORU , SATOH TAKEFUMI , IRIE AKIRA 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biochemical disease‐free survival (DFS), predictors of clinical outcome and morbidity of patients with localized prostate cancer treated with high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a noninvasive treatment that induces complete coagulative necrosis of a tumour at depth through the intact skin.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 63 patients with stage T1c‐2bN0M0 localized prostate cancer underwent HIFU using the SonablateTM system (Focus Surgery, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA). None of the patients received neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy. Biochemical recurrence was defined according to the criteria recommended by the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus definition, i.e. three consecutive increases in prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level after the nadir. The median (range) age, PSA level and follow‐up were 71 (45–87)  years, 8.5 (3.39–57.0) ng/mL and 22.0 (3–63)  months, respectively.RESULTSThe overall biochemical disease‐free rate was 75% (47 patients). The 3‐year biochemical DFS rates for patients with a PSA level before HIFU of <10, 10.01–20 and >20 ng/mL were 82%, 62% and 20% (P < 0.001), respectively. The 3‐year biochemical DFS rates for patients with a PSA nadir of <0.2, 0.21–1 and >1 ng/mL were 100%, 74% and 21% (P < 0.001), respectively. Final follow‐up sextant biopsies showed that 55 (87%) of the patients were cancer‐free. Multivariate analysis showed that the PSA nadir (P < 0.001) was a significant independent predictor of relapse.CONCLUSIONHIFU therapy appears to be a safe, effective and minimally invasive therapy for patients with localized prostate cancer, and the PSA nadir is a useful predictor of clinical outcome.
Frequency and nocturia after successful renal transplantation: a normal situation?
Authors: ZERMANN DIRK‐HENRIK , JANITZKY ANDREAS , HÖHNE MATTHIAS , SCHUBERT JÖRG 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo analyse lower urinary tract function before and after successful renal transplantation and compare the data with those from a healthy control group.PATIENTS AND METHODSData were gathered by retrospective analysis of 331 charts of patients transplanted between March 1998 and May 2003, using written questionnaires and personal interview, and investigation of 150 patients. The control group consisted of 150 urologically healthy volunteers.RESULTSFrequency and nocturia were the main lower urinary tract symptoms. Frequency of more than six voids/day was reported by 87% and nocturia of more then one void/night by 93% of all patients after successful renal transplantation. There was no significant correlation with fluid intake, diuretic medication, gender or age. Over the years the number of voids tended to decrease but remained higher than in the control group. However, 94% of all patients were happy with the quality of life after renal transplantation.CONCLUSIONFrequency and nocturia are the two main characteristics of lower urinary tract function after renal transplantation, probably through a combination of high fluid intake, a long‐term defunctionalized urinary bladder during renal replacement therapy, a denervated donor kidney, concomitant diseases and psychosocial distress. Quality of and satisfaction with life were not compromised.
Functional outcomes and oncological efficacy of Vattikuti Institute prostatectomy with Veil of Aphrodite nerve‐sparing: an analysis of 154 consecutive patients
Authors: KAUL SANJEEV , SAVERA ADNAN , BADANI KETAN , FUMO MICHAEL , BHANDARI AKSHAY , MENON MANI 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVESTo report updated results, at 1 year of follow‐up, of a modified nerve‐sparing robotic radical prostatectomy that preserves the lateral prostatic fascia (Veil of Aphrodite).PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom January to December 2003, 154 consecutive men had a Vattikuti Institute prostatectomy with Veil of Aphrodite nerve‐sparing by one surgeon. A prospective database recorded patient demographics, intraoperative, peri‐operative, and pathological variables. Peri‐operative complications were recorded using the Clavien classification. Patients had serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels measured every 3 months and self‐administered the International Prostate Symptom Score and Sexual Health Inventory for Male questionnaires before and at 1 year after surgery.RESULTSThe men had a mean age of 57.4 years, a mean body mass index of 27.2 kg/m2, and a mean PSA level before surgery of 5.11 ng/mL. The mean operative duration was 122 min. At 1 year, 96% of the men reported having had intercourse and 71% had recovered normal erectile function. One man had a Clavien grade II complication, 4.6% of men with organ‐confined disease had positive surgical margins, and no patient had a PSA recurrence at 12 months; 97% of the men were continent at 1 year, and the median time to continence was 14 days.CONCLUSIONVeil of Aphrodite nerve‐sparing surgery provides better recovery of sexual function at 1 year than in contemporary series from centres of excellence, without compromising cancer control and urinary function.
Alterations in purinergic and cholinergic components of contractile responses of isolated detrusor contraction in a rat model of partial bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: BANKS FREDERICK C.L. , KNIGHT GILLIAN E. , CALVERT ROBERT C. , MORGAN ROBERT J. , BURNSTOCK GEOFFREY 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of 3 weeks of partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), compared to a sham operation, on the cholinergic and purinergic components of detrusor contractile responses to agonists and to electrical field stimulation (EFS); the expression of P2X receptor subtypes was also examined.MATERIALS AND METHODSPartial BOO was induced in female Sprague–Dawley rats by surgically applying a jeweller's silver ‘jump’ ring around the urethra, such that the urethra was constricted but not closed. Sham‐operated female rats underwent an identical procedure without placement of a ring.RESULTSAfter 3 weeks of partial BOO the rat bladders became significantly hypertrophied, doubling in weight. Spontaneous activity was markedly increased, but the contractile response to a single bolus of KCl (120 m m) was unaltered. The neurogenic‐induced contractile responses of strips of detrusor from obstructed bladders were significantly greater than those from sham‐operated bladders, and the responses of strips of detrusor from obstructed bladders to EFS showed a significantly greater atropine‐sensitive component than sham‐operated detrusor. However, the response of detrusor strips to EFS that was susceptible to desensitization by α,β‐methylene ATP was not significantly changed in obstructed bladders. The sensitivity of the strips from obstructed bladders to carbachol, ATP and β,γ‐methylene ATP was less than in sham‐operated detrusor. Immunohistochemical studies showed no difference in the P2X receptor subtypes expressed on detrusor smooth muscle from obstructed and sham‐operated rats.CONCLUSIONIn the rat, after moderate bladder hypertrophy, the atropine‐sensitive component was significantly up‐regulated, but the ATP‐sensitive component was marginally reduced, although not significantly. These results suggest that up‐regulation of the P2X component of bladder contraction seen in humans with bladder instability, and in other species models of BOO, is not mirrored in the rat, or occurs later in the pathological process of bladder hypertrophy.
A bipartite system for the constitutive and inducible expression of high levels of foreign proteins in plants
Authors: Cañizares M. Carmen , Liu Li , Perrin Yolande , Tsakiris Estratios , Lomonossoff George P. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryWe have developed combined transgene/virus vector systems for the expression of heterologous proteins in plants. The systems are based on the bipartite RNA plant virus, cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), and involve the amplification of integrated copies of either full‐length or deleted versions of RNA‐2 carrying a foreign gene. In the case of plants transgenic for full‐length versions of RNA‐2 carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP), amplification can be achieved by supplying RNA‐1 either exogenously or by crossing. This allows either inducible or constitutive expression of the foreign gene and results in an infection that can be passaged to further plants. Replication of deleted versions of RNA‐2 harbouring GFP requires the presence of both RNA‐1 and a suppressor of gene silencing, a function which we show can be supplied by HcPro from potato virus Y. Replication of the deleted versions of RNA‐2 can be achieved by supplying the suppressor and RNA‐1 either exogenously or by crossing, showing that this system can also be used in an inducible and constitutive format. The use of deleted forms of RNA‐2 has the advantage that no infectious virus is produced, providing an effective method of biocontainment. The CPMV‐based systems have advantages over existing plant expression systems in terms of the expression levels obtainable and the simplicity and flexibility of use, and should be of great practical benefit in the development of plants as bioreactors.
Evidence‐based review of hair removal using lasers and light sources
Authors: Haedersdal M , Wulf HC 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Unwanted hair growth remains a therapeutic challenge and there is a considerable need for an effective and safe treatment modality.Objective  From an evidence‐based view to summarize efficacy and adverse effects from hair removal with ruby, alexandrite, diode, and Nd:YAG lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL).Methods  Original publications of controlled clinical trials were identified in Medline and the Cochrane Library.Results  A total of 9 randomized controlled (RCTs) and 21 controlled trials (CTs) were identified. The best available evidence was found for the alexandrite (three RCTs, eight CTs) and diode (three RCTs, four CTs) lasers, followed by the ruby (two RCTs, six CTs) and Nd:YAG (two RCTs, four CTs) lasers, whereas limited evidence was available for IPL sources (one RCT, one CT). Based on the present best available evidence we conclude that (i) epilation with lasers and light sources induces a partial short‐term hair reduction up to 6 months postoperatively, (ii) efficacy is improved when repeated treatments are given, (iii) efficacy is superior to conventional treatments (shaving, wax epilation, electrolysis), (iv) evidence exists for a partial long‐term hair removal efficacy beyond 6 months postoperatively after repetitive treatments with alexandrite and diode lasers and probably after treatment with ruby and Nd:YAG lasers, whereas evidence is lacking for long‐term hair removal after IPL treatment, (v) today there is no evidence for a complete and persistent hair removal efficacy, (vi) the occurrence of postoperative side‐effects is reported low for all the laser systems.Conclusion  The evidence from controlled clinical trials favours the use of lasers and light sources for removal of unwanted hair. We recommend that patients are pre‐operatively informed of the expected treatment outcome.
Correlation between Bcl‐2 and Bax in atrophic and hypertrophic type of actinic keratosis
Authors: Tomas D , Krušlin B , Čupič H , Stanimirovič A , Bošnjak B , Lovričevič I , Belicza M 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Recent investigations consider actinic keratosis (AK) as an earliest visible pattern of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We have analysed the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins TP53, Bcl‐2 and Bax in 30 atrophic and 30 hypertrophic AK cases.Material and methods  Immunohistochemical analysis was performed following microwave streptavidin immunoperoxidase protocol on DAKO TechMateTM Horizon automated immunostainer (DAKO, Copenhagen, Denmark). Monoclonal antibody for TP53 and Bcl‐2 and polyclonal antibody for Bax (DAKO, Copenhagen, Denmark) were used.Results  Expression of TP53 showed no significant differences between two analysed groups (χ2‐test, P = 0.35636) whereas expression of Bcl‐2 and Bax protein was significantly higher in atrophic compared to hypertrophic AK (χ2‐test, P = 0.01458 and P = 0.00358, respectively). Comparison of Bcl‐2 : Bax ratio in two analysed AK showed significantly higher value in hypertrophic compared to atrophic AK (Mann–Whitney U test, P = 0.02272). Statistical analysis did not show any correlation between patient's sex and age, localization and size of the lesion with expression of investigated oncoproteins (anova, P > 0.05).Conclusions  Our results may indicate higher resistance of keratinocytes on apoptotic stimuli in hypertrophic compared to atrophic AK. Thus, we suppose that keratinocytes in hypertrophic AK live longer and probably have higher propensity for additional mutations and conversion to overt SCC.
Pneumococcal cellulitis in an immunocompetent adult
Authors: Bachmeyer C , Martres P , Blum L 
Published: November 2005

Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare cause of cellulitis that develops mainly in patients with underlying chronic disease or those immunocompromised by drug or alcohol abuse. We report here a case of pneumococcal cellulitis in an immunocompetent patient.