bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An unusual presentation of oropharyngeal mucosal plasmacytosis related to toothpaste
Authors: Tong D C , Leaper M R , Colquhoun A N , Rich A M 
Published: September 2007

AbstractObjective:We present the case of a 59-year-old Chinese patient with an unusual presentation of mucosal plasmacytosis involving the oropharynx, related to the use of toothpaste.Method:Case presentation and review of English medical literature involving mucosal plasmacytosis.Results:Mucosal plasmacytosis is an uncommon disease process and has been associated with hypersensitivity reactions. Most cases involve the gingival mucosa, although there have been reports of cases involving other oral mucosal sites and the upper aerodigestive tract. Our case provides an example of oropharyngeal plasmacytosis related to toothpaste. A resolution of signs and symptoms followed withdrawal of the suspected allergens.Conclusion:Mucosal plasmacytosis is a benign inflammatory process that may appear to be more sinister on clinical examination. Skin patch testing is a useful adjunct in confirming the diagnosis.
DoesLitomosoides sigmodontissynthesize dimethylethanolamine from choline?
Authors: HOUSTON K. M. , BABAYAN S. A. , ALLEN J. E. , HARNETT W. 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARYJuvenile femaleLitomosoides sigmodontissecrete a protein (Juv-p120) highly modified with dimethylethanolamine (DMAE). In an attempt to establish the source of this decoration worms were pulsed with [3H]-choline and [3H]-ethanolamine and the radio-isotope labelled products analysed. Both isotope labels were successfully taken up by the worms, as demonstrated by labelling of phospholipids with [3H]-choline, being predominantly incorporated into phosphatidylcholine and [3H]-ethanolamine into phosphatidylethanolamine. Isotope labelling of phosphatidylethanolamine was particularly striking with the worms taking up ~30 times as much labelled ethanolamine as choline. It was possible to detect faint labelling of Juv-p120 with [3H]-ethanolamine after prolonged exposure periods but, unlike the situation with the phospholipids, it was much more readily labelled with [3H]-choline. When pulsing with [3H]-ethanolamine it was also possible to detect isotope-labelled phosphatidylcholine, which may ultimately account for the low levels of labelling of Juv-p120. Overall our results raise the previously unconsidered but intriguing possibility that inL. sigmodontis, choline may be the precursor of DMAE.
Isolation and genotyping ofToxoplasma gondiifrom Ugandan chickens reveals frequent multiple infections
Authors: LINDSTRÖM I. , SUNDAR N. , LINDH J. , KIRONDE F. , KABASA J. D. , KWOK O. C. H. , DUBEY J. P. , SMITH J. E. 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARYThe genetic make-up of an infectingToxoplasma gondiistrain may be important for the outcome of infection and the risk of reactivation of chronic disease. In order to survey the distribution of different genotypes within an area, free-range chickens act as a good model species. In this study 85 chickens were used to investigate the prevalence, genotype and mouse virulence ofT. gondiiin Kampala, Uganda. Antibodies were detected in 40 chickens, of which 20 had MAT-titres of 1:20 or higher and were also positive by PCR. Genotyping of 5 loci (SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB and GRA6) showed that 6 strains belonged to genotype I, 8 to Type II and 1 to Type III. Five chickens had multiple infections; 3 individuals with Type I plus Type II and a further 2 harbouring Types I, II and III. Isolates were obtained from 9 chickens via bioassay in mice, 6 were Type II strains and 3 were from animals with mixed infection. This is the first set of AfricanT. gondiistrains to be genotyped at multiple loci and in addition to the 3 predominant lineages we found a small number of new polymorphisms and a high frequency of multiple infections.
Risk factors for physical symptoms after a disaster: a longitudinal study
Authors: van den Berg B. , Grievink L. , van der Velden P. G. , Yzermans C. J. , Stellato R. K. , Lebret E. , Brunekreef B. 
Published: September 2007

BackgroundAlthough symptoms such as fatigue, headache and pain in bones and muscles are common after disasters, risk factors for these symptoms among disaster survivors have rarely been studied. We examined predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors for these physical symptoms among survivors of a man-made disaster. In addition, we examined whether risk factors for physical symptoms differ between survivors and controls.MethodSurvivors completed a questionnaire 3 weeks (n=1567), 18 months and 4 years after the disaster. Symptoms and risk factors were measured using validated questionnaires. A comparison group was included at waves 2 and 3 (n=821). Random coefficient analysis (RCA) was used to study risk factors for symptoms.ResultsFemale gender [beta (β)=1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6–1.4], immigrant status (β=1.0, 95% CI 0.6–1.4) and pre-disaster psychological problems (β=0.8, 95% CI 0.1–1.4) were predisposing factors for symptoms. Although disaster-related factors were predictors, the relationship between symptoms and disaster-related factors was not very strong and the magnitude of this association was reduced when perpetuating factors were added. Intrusions and avoidance, depression, anxiety and sleeping problems were important perpetuating factors for physical symptoms among survivors and mediated the association between traumatic stress and physical symptoms. Risk factors for symptoms were comparable between survivors and controls.ConclusionsThe results indicate that health-care workers should be alert for physical symptoms among female survivors, immigrant survivors and individuals with a high level of psychological problems both before and after a disaster.
The role of internalizing and externalizing liability factors in accounting for gender differences in the prevalence of common psychopathological syndromes
Authors: Kramer Mark D. , Krueger Robert F. , Hicks Brian M. 
Published: September 2007

BackgroundWe hypothesized that gender differences in average levels on the internalizing and externalizing factors that account for co-morbidity among common psychopathological syndromes in both men and women account for gender differences in the prevalence of specific syndromes.MethodThe latent structure of 11 syndromes was examined in a middle-aged (mean age=52.66 years, s.d.=5.82) sample of 2992 (37% men) members of the community-based Minnesota Twin Registry (MTR) assessed using 10 scales of the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ) and an adult antisocial behavior scale. Confirmatory factorial invariance models were applied to a best-fitting, internalizing–externalizing model.ResultsA ‘strong gender invariance model’ fit best, indicating that gender differences in the means of individual syndromes were well accounted for by gender differences in mean levels of internalizing and externalizing. Women exhibited higher mean levels of internalizing (d=0.23) and lower mean levels of externalizing (d=−0.52) than men.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that risk factors for common mental disorders exhibiting gender differences may influence prevalence at the latent factor level. Future research may benefit from focusing on both the latent factor and individual syndrome levels in explaining gender differences in psychopathology.
Risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a systematic scoping review of multiple predictor studies
Authors: Hempel S. , Chambers D. , Bagnall A.-M. , Forbes C. 
Published: September 2007

BackgroundThe aetiology of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is still unknown. The identification of risk factors for CFS/ME is of great importance to practitioners.MethodA systematic scoping review was conducted to locate studies that analysed risk factors for CFS/ME using multiple predictors. We searched for published and unpublished literature in 11 electronic databases, reference lists of retrieved articles and guideline stakeholder submissions in conjunction with the development of a forthcoming national UK guideline. Risk factors and findings were extracted in a concise tabular overview and studies synthesized narratively.ResultsEleven studies were identified that met inclusion criteria: two case-control studies, four cohort studies, three studies combining a cohort with a case-control study design, one case-control and twin study and one cross-sectional survey. The studies looked at a variety of demographic, medical, psychological, social and environmental factors to predict the development of CFS/ME. The existing body of evidence is characterized by factors that were analysed in several studies but without replication of a significant association in more than two studies, and by studies demonstrating significant associations of specific factors that were not assessed in other studies. None of the identified factors appear suitable for the timely identification of patients at risk of developing CFS/ME within clinical practice.ConclusionsVarious potential risk factors for the development of CFS/ME have been assessed but definitive evidence that appears meaningful for clinicians is lacking.
Emergence of increasing linezolid-resistance in enterococci in a post-outbreak situation with vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium
Authors: SCHULTE B. , HEININGER A. , AUTENRIETH I. B. , WOLZ C. 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARYDuring 2004 and at the start of 2005 a university hospital in Southwest Germany was affected by an extensive outbreak of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium(VRE). Although the outbreak was contained, linezolid-resistant enterococci emerged during and after the outbreak as the usage of linezolid became more common. Linezolid resistance was no longer limited to VRE. Nosocomial spread of linezolid-resistant but vancomycin-susceptibleE. faeciumwas detected and these strains also emerged in patients without prior drug exposure. Linezolid should therefore be used with caution and the susceptibility of isolates monitored over time. Isolation precautions and screening of contacts should be considered to avoid spread of resistant isolates.
Epidemiological and virological characterization of a large community-wide outbreak of hepatitis A in southern Italy
Authors: PONTRELLI G. , BOCCIA D. , DI RENZI M. , MASSARI M. , GIUGLIANO F. , CELENTANO L. PASTORE , TAFFON S. , GENOVESE D. , DI PASQUALE S. , SCALISE F. , RAPICETTA M. , CROCI L. , SALMASO S. 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARYA large outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occurred in 2004 in Campania, a region of southern Italy, with 882 cases reported between 1 January and 1 August. The local public health authorities and the Italian National Institute of Health carried out investigations in order to characterize the agent, identify the source of infection and the route of transmission, and implement appropriate control measures. A web-based reporting system enhanced the flow of information between public health authorities, providing real-time epidemic curves and frequency distributions. The same 1B HAV genotype was found in 90% of sera from a subset of patients with acute disease, suggesting a local common source. A case-control study in the municipality with the highest attack rate showed that raw seafood consumption, in particular if illegally sold in water, was strongly associated with HAV illness. Samples of seafood systematically collected from retailers were found contaminated by HAV.
HTLV-1 infection is associated with a history of active tuberculosis among family members of HTLV-1-infected patients in Peru
Authors: VERDONCK K. , GONZÁLEZ E. , SCHROOTEN W. , VANHAM G. , GOTUZZO E. 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARYThe purpose of this study was to assess the association between human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) and a lifetime history of active tuberculosis (TB) among relatives of HTLV-1-infected patients. We reviewed clinical charts of all relatives of HTLV-1-infected index cases who attended our institute in Lima from 1990–2004. The data of 1233 relatives was analysed; 394 (32·0%) were HTLV-1 positive. Eighty-one subjects (6·6%) had a history of active TB, including 45/394 (11·4%) HTLV-1-positive and 36/839 (4·3%) HTLV-1-negative relatives (P<0·001). On multivariate analysis, three factors were associated with TB history: HTLV-1 infection (adjusted OR 2·5, 95% CI 1·6–3·9), age (adjusted OR 1·3, 95% CI 1·1–1·5 per 10-year age increase) and relation to the index case (adjusted OR 2·6, 95% CI 1·3–5·1, for siblingsvs. spouses of index cases). In conclusion, HTLV-1 infection may increase the susceptibility to active TB. In populations where both infections are frequent, such an association could affect the dynamics of TB.
Lactose intolerance and long‐standing pelvic pain after pregnancy: a case control study
Authors: GRANATH AINA , HELLGREN MARGARETA , GUNNARSSON RONNY 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground. Long‐standing pelvic pain during pregnancy and after delivery (PPP) is common. Its causes are not fully understood. A scientifically, undocumented, clinical observation is PPP patients often reporting unspecific abdominal pain and adverse reactions to milk. The main objective in this pilot study was to investigate if lactose intolerance, celiac disease or allergic propensity are risk factors for developing pelvic pain after delivery. Methods. A matched, case control study, where consecutive patients consulting a registered physiotherapist specialised in treating women with postpartum pelvic pain were compared to matched controls. Results. Lactose intolerance was found in 10 of 15 patients, and in 3 of 15 matched, healthy controls (p = 0.05). No difference was seen between groups in the prevalence of celiac disease or allergic propensity. Conclusion. This study suggests that lactose intolerance might be a possible risk factor for pelvic pain after delivery.
Low predictive value of traditional risk factors in identifying women at risk for gestational diabetes
Authors: OGONOWSKI JAROSŁAW , MIAZGOWSKI TOMASZ , HOMA KATARZYNA , CELEWICZ ZBIGNIEW , KUCZYŃSKA MAGDALENA 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground. There is no worldwide agreement on the best way to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and different diagnostic methods have been developed in order to identify women at risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictive value of the traditional risk indicators for GDM in a large group of Caucasian women. Methods. We evaluated the frequency distribution of age, body mass index (BMI), prior macrosomia, prior GDM, and family history of diabetes of 1,414 pregnant women with GDM and 1,011 healthy pregnant women. Results. The distribution of risk factors in both groups was different and significantly higher in GDM women. The cut‐off value for age was 28years, and 23kg/m2 for BMI. The accumulation of two or more risk factors was frequent in GDM, but not in healthy women. By multiple logistic regression, there were significant interactions between independent variables of interest and GDM (OR: 3.19; p<0.001; sensitivity: 57.9%, specificity: 69.8%). The strongest predictors were prior GDM (OR: 4.35; 95% CI: 2.42–7.82) and a family history of diabetes (OR: 3.03; 95% CI: 2.47–3.72); less predictive were age (OR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.44–1.99), BMI (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.28–1.77), and prior macrosomia (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.19–2.26). Conclusions. Selective screening based on traditional risk factors for GDM had relatively low sensitivity, and identified <60% of Caucasian women at risk. The cut‐off value for BMI as a risk indicator (23kg/m2) was lower than that proposed by guidelines about screening for GDM.
Endogenous antioxidant defences in plasma and erythrocytes of pregnant women during different trimesters of pregnancy
Authors: ADEMUYIWA OLADIPO , ODUSOGA OKANLAWON L. , ADEBAWO OLUGBENGA O. , UGBAJA REGINA N. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground. To assess the antioxidant capacity of pregnant women in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods. The activities of total superoxide dismutase (total SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn‐SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione transferase (GST), aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), and the concentrations of glutathione (GSH), were determined in the plasma and red blood cells of non‐pregnant (n = 20), normal healthy pregnant women during different trimesters of pregnancy (n = 90), and pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia (n = 7). Results. A 2‐fold increase in erythrocyte CAT activity was observed in the pregnant women (p<0.05), while CAT activity in the pre‐eclamptic women was not significantly different from control (p>0.05). A 3‐fold increase in plasma Mn‐SOD was observed in the pregnant women including those with pre‐eclampsia (p<0.05). ALAD activities in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy were 35, 51 and 55% of control, respectively (p<0.05), while in the women with pre‐eclampsia it was 31% of control (p<0.05). Total SOD also decreased significantly in the erythrocytes of the pre‐eclamptic women (p<0.05). Other antioxidants (GST and GSH) were not affected. Conclusions. Results suggest that oxidative stress is higher in pregnancy than in non‐pregnant state. Our findings also suggest that while plasma Mn‐SOD might play a significant role in detoxifying the superoxide anions produced in the placenta, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in erythrocytes is mainly due to CAT activity. Whether inhibition of ALAD contributes to the etiology of pre‐eclampsia remains to be elucidated.
Cardiovascular and cortisol responses to a psychological stressor during pregnancy
Authors: DE WEERTH CAROLINA , GISPEN‐DE WIED CHRISTINE C. , JANSEN LUCRES M.C. , BUITELAAR JAN K. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground. The goal of this study was to describe the physiological reactions of pregnant women confronted with an experimental psychosocial stressor, and to determine whether the protocol is adequate for stress testing during pregnancy. Methods. Healthy primiparae (n = 120) took part in a public speaking and mental arithmetic test. Results. The protocol was found to induce significant increases in saliva cortisol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. The physiological reactions were relatively large compared to those of earlier published studies using physical and psychological stressors during pregnancy, but comparable or slightly lower than those of a group of non‐pregnant participants (n = 31) tested with a similar protocol. Also, inter‐individual variability in reactivity was found, with subjects differing substantially in the magnitude of their reactions to the experimental situation. The cardiovascular responses were correlated to each other and to the overall level of cortisol during the test. Finally, reactivity showed circadian variations with cortisol and systolic blood pressure reactions significantly different (i.e. smaller or even absent) in subjects tested in the morning compared to those tested in the afternoon. Testing in the afternoon hours is recommended. Conclusions. The protocol described in this paper appears to constitute an adequate tool for studying differences in maternal stress reactivity during pregnancy, and as such, can be valuable for studies on maternal prenatal stress.
Alterations in the ‘local umbilical cord blood renin‐angiotensin system’ during pre‐eclampsia
Authors: ACAR KADIR , BEYAZIT YAVUZ , SUCAK AYHAN , HAZNEDAROGLU IBRAHIM C. , AKSU SALIH , TUNCER SERDAR , OZTURKKAN DEMET , DANISMAN NURI , PURNAK TUGRUL , MISIRLIOGLU MUGE , KEKILLI MURAT , MOLLAMAHMUTOGLU LEYLA 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground. Local autocrine‐paracrine renin‐angiotensin system (RAS), independently functioning from the circulating RAS, is present in major organs of the female reproductive tract. We have previously demonstrated ‘a local RAS in human umbilical cord’ via verifying the corresponding ACE, renin, and angiotensinogen mRNAs. The aim of this study is to search alterations of the local umbilical cord RAS during pre‐eclampsia. Methods. Cord blood samples were obtained from 19 patients with pre‐eclampsia (aged mean 26.60±5.83 (range 18–42) years) and 20 women with normal pregnancy (aged mean 28.26±7.30 (range 19–37) years). Women with uncomplicated pregnancy formed the control group. Real time quantitative PCR analysis for ACE, renin and angiotensinogen gene expressions were carried out using a LightCycler™ instrument. Results. The mean expression ratios were 0.0029±0.0015 for renin, 0.153±0.166 for angiotensinogen, and 0.220±0.294 for ACE, in control samples. The mean expression ratios of pre‐eclamptic patients were 0.0061±0.00068, 0.035±0.008, and 0.030±0.006 for renin, angiotensinogen and ACE genes, respectively. While renin expressions increased in the local cord blood of pre‐eclampsia in comparison to the normal cord blood, unpredictable decrements in the angiotensinogen and ACE expressions were observed within the same pre‐eclamptic samples. There were no statistically significant differences between intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns in respect to renin, angiotensinogen and ACE gene expressions. Conclusions. These findings indicate that the gene expression in the major components of the local RAS does not represent a constant mathematical model, but is affected from the ongoing pathobiological events associated with the disease course. Local umbilical cord blood RAS alterations at the basis of genetic expression are evident in pre‐eclampsia.
Sulforaphane induces growth arrest and apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: CHUANG LINUS T. , MOQATTASH SATEI T. , GRETZ HERBERT F. , NEZHAT FARR , RAHAMAN JAMAL , CHIAO JEN‐WEI 
Published: September 2007

AbstractObjectives. Isothiocyanates (ITC) from broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables have long been shown to have chemopreventive properties, as demonstrated in cancer models in rodents. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a major ITC present in broccoli. We examined the effects of SFN on the growth of the OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Methods. Cell cycle phase determination was performed using a Coulter flow cytometer. DNA strand breaks in apoptotic cells were measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated biotinylated UTP nick end‐labelling (TUNEL). Results. There was a concentration dependent decrease in cell density. Approximately 50% decrease was observed after 48h of incubation with SFN (2 μM). Analysis of cell cycle phase progression revealed a decrease in the cell populations in S and G2M phases, with an increase of G1 cell population, indicating a G1 cell cycle arrest. The degree of decrease in the replicating population was concentration and time dependent. Incubation of OVCAR‐3 cells in cultures with concentrations of 2, 10 and 50μM of SFN showed 6, 8 and 17% apoptosis, respectively. In addition, when OVCAR‐3 cells were exposed to SFN for various time periods (1, 2 or 3 days), the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis was directly proportional to the incubation period. In this regard, while 18% of the cells underwent apoptosis after 2 days, 42% of the cells showed apoptosis after 3 days of incubation. Conclusions. These results clearly demonstrated an effect of SFN in inducing growth arrest and apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cell lines.