bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management of Graves’ Disease during Pregnancy: The Key Role of Fetal Thyroid Gland Monitoring
Authors: Luton Dominique , Le Gac Isabelle , Vuillard Edith , Castanet Mireille , Guibourdenche Jean , Noel Michèle , Toubert Marie-Elisabeth , Léger Juliane , Boissinot Christine , Schlageter Marie-Hélène , Garel Catherine , Tébeka Brigitte , Oury Jean-François , Czernichow Paul , Polak Michel 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Background: Fetuses from mothers with Graves’ disease may experience hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism due to transplacental transfer of antithyroid drugs (ATD) or anti-TSH receptor antibodies, respectively. Little is known about the fetal consequences. Early diagnosis is essential to successful management. We investigated a new approach to the fetal diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction and validated the usefulness of fetal thyroid ultrasonograms.
Methods: Seventy-two mothers with past or present Graves’ disease and their fetuses were monitored monthly from 22 wk gestation. Fetal thyroid size and Doppler signals, and fetal bone maturation were determined on ultrasonograms, and thyroid function was evaluated at birth. Thyroid function and ATD dosage were monitored in the mothers.
Results: The 31 fetuses whose mothers were anti-TSH receptor antibody negative and took no ATDs during late pregnancy had normal test results. Of the 41 other fetuses, 30 had normal test results at 32 wk, 29 were euthyroid at birth, and one had moderate hypothyroidism on cord blood tests. In the remaining 11 fetuses, goiter was visualized by ultrasonography at 32 wk, and fetal thyroid dysfunction was diagnosed and treated; there was one death, in a late referral, and 10 good outcomes with normal or slightly altered thyroid function at birth. The sensitivity and specificity of fetal thyroid ultrasound at 32 wk for the diagnosis of clinically relevant fetal thyroid dysfunction were 92 and 100%, respectively.
Conclusion: In pregnant women with past or current Graves’ disease, ultrasonography of the fetal thyroid gland by an experienced ultrasonographer is an excellent diagnostic tool. This tool in conjunction with close teamwork among internists, endocrinologists, obstetricians, echographists, and pediatricians can ensure normal fetal thyroid function.
Contractile Activity of Human Decidual Stromal Cells. II. Effect of Interleukin-10
Authors: Kimatrai Maria , Blanco Osmany , Muñoz-Fernández Raquel , Tirado Irene , Martin Francisco , Abadía-Molina Ana Clara , Olivares Enrique G. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractContext: Human decidual stromal cells (DSC) are myofibroblast-like cells that express α-smooth muscle (α-SM) actin, a protein associated with cell contractility. Several lines of experimental evidence in humans and mice show that antiinflammatory cytokines favor normal pregnancy, whereas Th1 and inflammatory cytokines play a role in abortion. We previously demonstrated that IL-2, a Th1 cytokine, increased the contractility of human DSC.Objective: We studied the effect of the antiinflammatory cytokines IL-10 and IL-4 on the contractility of DSC from first-trimester pregnancy.Setting and Patients: We studied 10 healthy women who underwent elective vaginal termination of first-trimester pregnancy at Clínica El Sur, Málaga, and Clínica Ginegranada, Granada.Main Outcome Measure(s): After isolation of DSC, cell contractility was measured with the collagen gel contraction assay. α-SM actin was detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence.Results: We found that IL-10, but not IL-4, increased the volume of the collagen gel matrixes in which the cytokine-treated DSC were cultured, showing that IL-10 decreased DSC contractility. By Western blotting we demonstrated that this effect was not related to an alteration in the synthesis of α-SM actin. Nevertheless, we observed by immunofluorescence microscopy that DSC treated with IL-10 exhibited stress fibers with a lower content of α-SM actin than untreated control DSC.Conclusions: IL-10 relaxes DSC by reducing the incorporation of α-SM actin into their stress fibers. This relaxing activity may be of relevance for the maintenance of pregnancy.
Impaired Nuclear Translocation, Nuclear Matrix Targeting, and Intranuclear Mobility of Mutant Androgen Receptors Carrying Amino Acid Substitutions in the Deoxyribonucleic Acid-Binding Domain Derived from Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome Patients
Authors: Kawate Hisaya , Wu Yin , Ohnaka Keizo , Tao Rong-Hua , Nakamura Kei-ichiro , Okabe Taijiro , Yanase Toshihiko , Nawata Hajime , Takayanagi Ryoichi 
Published: November 2005

AbstractContext: Recent imaging studies revealed that androgen receptor (AR) is ligand-dependently translocated from the cytoplasm into the nucleus and forms intranuclear fine foci. In this study, we examined whether intracellular dynamics of mutant ARs detected in two androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) patients was impaired.Objective: ARs with mutations in the DNA-binding domain were functionally characterized and compared with the wild-type AR.Patients: In a complete AIS patient (subject 1), cysteine residue 579 in the first zinc finger motif of AR was substituted for phenylalanine (AR-C579F). Another mutation (AR-F582Y) was found in a partial AIS patient (subject 2).Results: AR-F582Y retained less than 10% of the transactivation activity of the wild-type AR, whereas no ligand-dependent transactivation was detected for AR-C579F. Image analyses of the receptors fused to green fluorescent protein showed that the wild-type AR was ligand-dependently translocated into the nucleus in which it formed fine subnuclear foci. Surprisingly, after the addition of dihydrotestosterone, the two mutant ARs initially formed large cytoplasmic dots, many of which were found to be close to mitochondria by electron microscopy. Subsequently, a part of the ligand-bound mutant ARs gradually entered the nucleus to form a smaller number of larger dots, compared with the wild-type AR. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching analysis revealed that the intranuclear mobility of the mutant ARs decreased, compared with that of the wild-type AR.Conclusions: These results suggest that the abnormal translocation, localization, and mobility of the mutant ARs may be the cause of AIS in these subjects.
Residual Pituitary Function after Brain Injury-Induced Hypopituitarism: A Prospective 12-Month Study
Authors: Aimaretti Gianluca , Ambrosio Maria Rosaria , Di Somma Carolina , Gasperi Maurizio , Cannavò Salvatore , Scaroni Carla , Fusco Alessandra , Del Monte Patrizia , De Menis Ernesto , Faustini-Fustini Marco , Grimaldi Franco , Logoluso Francesco , Razzore Paola , Rovere Silvia , Benvenga Salvatore , degli Uberti Ettore Ciro , De Marinis Laura , Lombardi Gaetano , Mantero Franco , Martino Enio , Giordano Giulio , Ghigo Ezio 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Context: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are conditions at high risk for the development of hypopituitarism.
Objective: The objective of the study was to clarify whether pituitary deficiencies and normal pituitary function recorded at 3 months would improve or worsen at 12 months after the brain injury.
Design and Patients: Pituitary function was tested at 3 and 12 months in patients who had TBI (n = 70) or SAH (n = 32).
Results: In TBI, the 3-month evaluation had shown hypopituitarism (H) in 32.8%. Panhypopituitarism (PH), multiple (MH), and isolated (IH) hypopituitarism had been demonstrated in 5.7, 5.7, and 21.4%, respectively. The retesting demonstrated some degree of H in 22.7%. PH, MH, and IH were present in 5.7, 4.2, and 12.8%, respectively. PH was always confirmed at 12 months, whereas MH and IH were confirmed in 25% only. In 5.5% of TBI with no deficit at 3 months, IH was recorded at retesting. In 13.3% of TBI with IH at 3 months, MH was demonstrated at 12-month retesting. In SAH, the 3-month evaluation had shown H in 46.8%. MH and IH had been demonstrated in 6.2 and 40.6%, respectively. The retesting demonstrated H in 37.5%. MH and IH were present in 6.2 and 31.3%, respectively. Although no MH was confirmed at 12 months, two patients with IH at 3 months showed MH at retesting; 30.7% of SAH with IH at 3 months displayed normal pituitary function at retesting. In SAH, normal pituitary function was always confirmed. In TBI and SAH, the most common deficit was always severe GH deficiency.
Conclusion: There is high risk for H in TBI and SAH patients. Early diagnosis of PH is always confirmed in the long term. Pituitary function in brain-injured patients may improve over time but, although rarely, may also worsen. Thus, brain-injured patients must undergo neuroendocrine follow-up over time.
Rare Causes of Hypercalcemia
Authors: Jacobs Thomas P. , Bilezikian John P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractContext: Although hypercalcemia is usually caused by primary hyperparathyroidism or malignancy, a number of other conditions can be important to consider. This review considers unusual causes of hypercalcemia that are generally not found in reviews on this subject.Evidence Acquisition: Articles describing rarely reported associations between hypercalcemia and unusual causes were identified through a computer search of the terms hypercalcemia/etiology and through the references listed in those articles. We grouped the 58 different reports into categories defined by a presumed etiology: increased levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or PTHrP, occult milk-alkali syndrome, and undefined mechanisms. Reports in infants and children are listed separately, as are reports of pseudohypercalcemia, situations that are not truly hypercalcemic because the ionized calcium is normal.Evidence Synthesis: In some situations, as this review points out, a number of unusual causes of hypercalcemia are important to consider. The search for an elusive cause of hypercalcemia is best accomplished by the most likely potential mechanism. An orderly search in this manner is likely to reveal the underlying cause.Conclusions: That so many patients have been described with rare and usually poorly understood causes of hypercalcemia highlights our incomplete understanding of calcium metabolism in humans and suggests additional areas in which directed clinical investigation might improve our knowledge of the normal metabolism of calcium.
Distinctive Inhibitory Mechanisms of Age and Relative Visceral Adiposity on Growth Hormone Secretion in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women Studied under a Hypogonadal Clamp
Authors: Veldhuis Johannes D. , Erickson Dana , Mielke Kristi , Farhy Leon S. , Keenan Daniel M. , Bowers Cyril Y. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Background: Aging, body composition, and sex steroids jointly determine GH production. However, the actions of any given factor are confounded by the effects of the other two.
Hypothesis: Age and abdominal visceral fat (AVF) mass govern GH secretion via individually distinctive mechanisms, which can be unmasked by short-term sex steroid deprivation.
Design/Subjects: In a university setting, healthy pre- and postmenopausal volunteers underwent GnRH agonist-induced down-regulation for 6 wk to deplete ovarian sex steroids. GH secretion was evaluated by frequent blood sampling, saline vs. dual secretagogue infusions, an irregularity statistic, variable waveform deconvolution analysis, and a simplified feedback model. Computerized tomography was used to estimate AVF mass.
Outcomes/Measures: In the sex steroid-deficient milieu, postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women exhibited 1) lower concentrations of IGF-I (P = 0.028) and GH (P &lt; 0.05); 2) reduced pulsatile, but elevated basal, GH secretion (P &lt; 0.05); 3) more irregular GH patterns (P = 0.027); 4) an attenuated GH response to simultaneous GHRH/GH-releasing peptide-2 stimulation (P &lt; 0.01); and 5) more rapid onset of GH release within secretory bursts (P &lt; 0.01). In contrast, AVF negatively forecast GH responses to l-arginine/GH-releasing peptide-2 (r2 = 0.45; P &lt; 0.001) and l-arginine/GHRH (r2 = 0.57; P = 0.007). From these marked contrasts, model-based analyses predicted distinguishable mechanisms by which aging and AVF alter pulsatile GH production.
Conclusion: Under limited confounding by sex steroids, age and body composition modulate GH secretion via highly selective peptidyl pathways in healthy women.
Reproductive Hormone Reference Intervals for Healthy Fertile Young Men: Evaluation of Automated Platform Assays
Authors: Sikaris Ken , McLachlan Robert I. , Kazlauskas Rymantas , de Kretser David , Holden Carol A. , Handelsman David J. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Context: Management of male infertility and/or androgen deficiency requires accurate hormonal measurements with valid reference intervals.
Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a valid reference panel of blood samples from healthy eugonadal young men with verified normal reproductive function and to use this panel to evaluate the performance of seven fully automated, commercial multiplex immunoassay platforms used to measure serum total testosterone (T), LH, and FSH.
Design: This was an observational study of consistency among seven different automated immunoassays for each of total T, LH, and FSH. Each method was implemented in two laboratories, with each repeating the analysis of the full reference panel samples twice. Serum T concentrations were also measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and serum inhibin B levels were determined by an ELISA.
Setting: The study was performed at commercial, high-volume, clinical pathology laboratories.
Participants: From 147 men screened, sera from 124 healthy, reproductively normal men (age, 21–35 yr) with normal sperm output were used as a reference panel. All laboratories selected for elite performance in the national immunoassay quality assurance program agreed to participate.
Main Outcome Measure(s): For each of the 868 assays, descriptive statistics were calculated in the natural and log-transformed scales and were analyzed by nested, repeated measures ANOVA after log transformation. Reference intervals, defined as 95% confidence limits, were calculated using arithmetic (natural scale), geometric (log scale) and nonparametric methods.
Results: Descriptive statistics and reference intervals for serum T, LH, and FSH differed widely and significantly between methods, but variation between laboratories for the same assay was negligible. All T methods showed significant differences in regression slope and intercept in deviance plots as well as in estimated reference ranges compared with the independent GC/MS reference method. Although similar between-method differences existed for gonadotropin assays, the smaller quantitative discrepancies allowed assignment of consensus reference intervals for serum FSH (1.3–8.4 IU/liter) and LH (1.6–8.0 IU/liter), although these differed from manufacturers’ currently quoted expected values.
Conclusions: Using a reference panel of sera from healthy eugonadal young men with verified normal reproductive function, major differences exist between commercial T immunoassays as well as divergence from the GC/MS standard. This impairs their clinical diagnostic utility and requires substantial improvements in automated T immunoassay technologies or a switch to GC/MS methods. Gonadotropin assays showed less variability, but current high-throughput immunoassays remain suboptimal to confirm accurate diagnosis of azoospermia or androgen deficiency.
Polymorphisms in Exon 13 and Intron 14 of the RET Protooncogene: Genetic Modifiers of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma?
Authors: Baumgartner-Parzer S. M. , Lang R. , Wagner L. , Heinze G. , Niederle B. , Kaserer K. , Waldhäusl W. , Vierhapper H. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Context: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the RET protooncogene (RET) could modify disease susceptibility and clinical phenotype in patients with sporadic or familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC).
Objective/Design of the Study: Because frequencies of RET SNPs have not yet been evaluated in patients with elevated serum concentrations of calcitonin (hCt), a biochemical marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), we studied RET SNPs in patients with FMTC (n = 22), patients with sporadic MTC (n = 45), and 71 subjects presenting with moderately elevated hCt concentrations (basal, &gt;10 pg/ml; pentagastrin stimulated, &gt; 50 &lt; 100 pg/ml) in comparison with an age- and gender-matched control group (n = 79) with basal hCt concentrations in the normal range (&lt;5 pg/ml).
Methods: After DNA extraction from citrated whole blood, RET exons 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16 and exon/intron boundaries were analyzed by PCR-based cycle sequencing for RET germ line mutations, exonic (G691S, L769L, S836S, S904S) and intronic (IVS13+158; NCBI rs2472737 = IVS14–24) SNPs.
Results: In FMTC patients, the F791Y mutation was found to be associated (P = 0.001) with the L769L SNP. The exonic SNPs (G691S, L769L, S836S, and S904S) were not different among the four groups. The intron 14 SNP (IVS14–24), however, was more frequent in individuals with elevated hCt serum concentrations (P = 0.016) and patients with sporadic MTC (P &lt; 0.001) when compared with the control group.
Conclusions: These data suggest that the exon 13 (L769L) and the intron 14 (IVS14–24) SNPs could act as genetic modifiers in the development of some forms of hereditary and sporadic MTC, respectively.
A New Nitrite-selective Fluorescent Sensor Fabricated from Surface-initiated Atom-transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Peng Qiang , Xie Ming-Gui , Neoh Koon-Gee , Kang En-Tang 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
A highly selective sensor for nitrite has been developed from surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization on silicon wafer, using PEGMA and pyrene derivatives as spacer and fluorophore, respectively.
Covalent Immobilization of Metal-binding Motifs of Enzymes on Quartz Surface. [Ni(Cys-X2-Cys)2]2− of Hydrogenases
Authors: Sakaniwa Daisuke , Ohe Takahiro , Misumi Takashi , Monjushiro Hideaki , Onoda Akira , Yamamura Takeshi 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
The peptide ligand, Cys-Pro-Leu-Cys, was covalently immobilized on the surface of quartz via (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) by the general peptide-synthesis method; then, Ni2+ was introduced into this surface to construct the [Ni(S-Cys)4]2− unit contained in the active site of hydrogenases.
Medications Associated with Weight Gain
Authors: Malone Margaret 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVE To review available literature regarding weight gain associated with commonly prescribed drugs and adjunctive therapy used to limit weight gain. DATA SOURCES Information was retrieved from a MEDLINE English-literature search between 1995 and July 2005, with a major subject heading of weight gain/drug effects excluding complementary alternative medicines. Other limits applied included human subjects and individuals >19 years of age. Additionally, references from retrieved articles were reviewed to identify other literature sources. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Changes in weight are generally reported as a primary or secondary outcome of many studies. Where possible, prospective, randomized, controlled trials were preferred; however, many studies were retrospective or open label. Meta-analyses and recent reviews, especially those providing a detailed description of the proposed mechanism involved in weight gain beyond the scope of this article, were included. Limited information was available from case reports. Studies were categorized by therapeutic area including psychiatry, neurology, diabetes, and other miscellaneous drug therapy. Medications used to intentionally stimulate appetite for weight gain, such as megesterol acetate, were not included. DATA SYNTHESIS Weight gain with medication is usually associated with individual agents within a class. The tendency to cause weight gain is often related to differential specificity and sensitivity of binding to receptors involved with appetite regulation. CONCLUSIONS Clinically significant weight gain is associated with some commonly prescribed medicines. There is wide interindividual variation in response and variation of the degree of weight gain within drug classes. Where possible, alternative therapy should be selected, especially for individuals predisposed to overweight and obesity.
Contrary effects of the water radiolysis product H2O2upon th dissolution of nuclear fuel in natural ground water and deionized water
Authors: Amme M. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryRadiolysis of water is a phenomenon which alters the prevailing conditions in the nearfield of a final geological repository for high-level nuclear waste (HLW), because the nominally anoxic conditions in the repository may change due to the production of oxidants close to the solid-liquid interface of the fuel, caused by the alpha radiolysis of water.The influence of water chemistry and oxidant concentration in the liquid phase was tested by experiments which simulate chemical radiolysis effects. Leaching experiments with solutions of de-ionized water (DI) and natural groundwater (GW) containing the water radiolysis product H2O2in various concentrations were performed contacting pellets of depleted UO2as a solid phase. After the experiment, U concentration was measured and the solid surfaces was examined with scanning electron microscopy and electron-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Uranium concentrations showed an unexpected behaviour; at low H2O2concentrations in solution, U concentrations were highest. U concentrations in the groundwater leachates were always lower than in pure water. The SEM-EDX examination showed the presence of different alteration phases on the sample. The sample surfaces treated in pure water showed optically a yellow discolouration and were covered with a thick layer of oxidation products. In the case of the treatment in groundwater, the samples remained black, and no dense layer was formed. Instead, crystals of octahedral shape were found on the surface, while the matrix grain structure remained intact. All alteration phases were found to contain only U (and possibly O, H, and C also). A reaction mechanism is proposed for the oxidation reactions taking place under the various conditions. Comparisons with natural analogues and previous work are made, and geochemical solubility limits of possible newly formed substances are examined. The results suggest that different polymorphs of uranium(IV) oxyhydroxides (para-, meta-schoepite, hemihydrate) and of uranium(VI) peroxide (Studtite, meta-studtite) have formed, and that in the case of the samples treated with groundwater, a scavenging mechanism, possibly controlled by an ion present in groundwater, leads to the deactivation of H2O2in the solution.
Separation of pertechnetate from molybdate by anion-exchange chromatography: Recovery of99mTc from (n, γ)99Mo and suitability for use in central radiopharmacy (CRPh)
Authors: Chattopadhyay S. , Das M. K. , Sarkar B. R. , Ramamoorthy Natesan 
Published: November 2005

SummaryA novel method for the recovery of99mTcO4−from (n, γ)99Mo using conventional anion-exchange chromatography over Dowex-1 × 8 column, followed by elution and subsequent novel purification over AgCl-alumina column is reported.99MoO42−solution (7 − 14 GBq/mg) in NaOH was passed down a Dowex-1 × 8 column (6 − 7 × 2 mm), collected and preserved for reuse on the subsequent days.99mTcO4−preferentially retained on the Dowex-1 column, was recovered quantitatively by elution with 4 ml of 4 M HNO3or 4 ml 0.2 M HClO4or 6 ml of 0.2 M NaI solution. Further purification to deliver99mTcO4−in a physiological vehicle has been achieved. Use of NaI eluent and post elution purification over a bed of 1 g AgCl + 1 g alumina developed has been adapted in preference to the other two eluents. The overall yield of99mTcO4−was 75%−85% and the quality features of99mTcO4−were compatible to radiopharmaceutical use. The method has applicability for decontamination of99gTc from spent99Mo waste solution and recovery of99gTc for research use. The procedure should also be equally applicable for recovery of188ReO4−from188WO42−in a radioisotope laboratory.