bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chondrosarcomas of the Jugular Foramen
Authors: Sanna Mario , Bacciu Andrea , Pasanisi Enrico , Piazza Paolo , Fois Paolo , Falcioni Maurizio 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Chondrosarcomas of the jugular foramen are extremely rare tumors. Our review of the literature revealed eleven previously reported cases. The aim of this study is to describe the presenting symptoms, radiographic findings, operative procedures, and postoperative outcome of five histologically confirmed cases of chondrosarcomas arising from the jugular foramen. A review of the literature is also presented.Study Design: Retrospective study of an quaternary referral otology and skull base private center.Methods: Five cases of surgically treated and pathologically confirmed jugular foramen chondrosarcomas were identified. The follow‐up of the series ranged from 23 to 42 months (mean, 32.8 ± 7.7 months).Results: A single stage procedure was adopted in all the cases. Two patients underwent type A infratemporal approaches, one patient underwent a transotic approach extending to the neck with ligature of the internal jugular vein, one patient underwent a petro‐occipital transigmoid approach, and one patient underwent a combined petro‐occipital transigmoid–transotic approach. Gross total tumor removal was achieved in all patients. The most common complications were lower cranial nerve deficits. To date, no recurrence or residual tumors have been observed at radiological controls.Conclusions: We believe that the primary treatment for chondrosarcomas of the jugular foramen is gross total surgical resection of the tumor. It is our philosophy to reserve postoperative radiotherapy for patients with histologically aggressive tumors, as well as in cases with subtotal resection and recurrent tumors.
Relationship Between the Frequency of Postoperative Debridement and Patient Discomfort, Healing Period, Surgical Outcomes, and Compliance After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
Authors: Lee Jae Yong , Byun Jang Yul 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: To determine the optimal frequency of postoperative care after endoscopic sinus surgery, we evaluated the relationship between the frequency of postoperative debridement and patient discomfort, healing period, surgical outcomes, and compliance.Study Design: A prospective randomized study.Methods: Patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyposis were randomly allocated to three groups (N = 10 each group), according to the frequency of office visits for postoperative debridement during a 4‐week postoperative period. Group 1 underwent debridement twice a week, group 2 once a week, and group 3 once every 2 weeks. Four weeks after the procedure, the patients in each group were asked about discomfort between visits for postoperative debridement, including nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, foul odor, postnasal drip, and headache. Responses were scored using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Six months after surgery, the healing period was evaluated and both subjective and objective surgical outcomes were assessed using the Sinonasal Outcome test 20 and endoscopic findings. Patient compliance to postoperative debridement was also evaluated using the VAS. We compared the statistical significance of these parameters among the three groups.Results: In groups 1, 2, and 3, nasal polyposis was present in eight, eight, and six patients, respectively, and five, one, and four patients had unilateral sinusitis. The VAS scores for four of the five main symptoms regarding patient discomfort differed significantly among thegroups; group 3 reported the worst scores. However, healing periods, Sinonasal Outcome test‐20 scores, and objective endoscopic findings did not show statistical differences among the groups. Patient compliance to the frequency of postoperative debridement differed significantly among the groups. Patients in group 1 reported the greatest disturbance in academic and socioeconomic activities, whereas the patients in groups 2 and 3 demonstrated similar scores.Conclusions: One‐week intervals seem to be the optimal frequency for postoperative debridement during the healing period after endoscopic sinus surgery. However, patient individualization should be taken into account depending on the extent of surgery and healing progress.
Aerodynamic Changes as a Result of Vocal Function Exercises in Elderly Men
Authors: Gorman Stephen , Weinrich Barbara , Lee Linda , Stemple Joseph C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Voice therapy can improve the vocal quality of elderly patients with voice problems, but the changes in vocal aerodynamics associated with physiologic voice therapy are not well documented. The purpose of the present study was to determine the changes in vocal aerodynamics as a result of the management program known as Vocal Function Exercises (VFEs).Study Design: Pre‐ and post‐treatment differences in VFE maximum phonation times (MPT) and measures of vocal aerodynamics were analyzed.Methods: There were 19 participants, aged 60 to 78 years, who performed VFEs twice a day for 12 weeks. Aerodynamic measures of glottal airflow and subglottic pressure were collected at comfortable, high, and low pitches both before the initiation of the exercise program and again at its conclusion. MPT data were collected weekly.Results: The participants showed continuous improvement in VFE MPT across the 12 weeks. Significant differences occurred from pre‐ to post‐therapy on some measures of vocal aerodynamics relating to glottic closure.Conclusions: Decrease in glottic airflow was achieved, with a concomitant increase in subglottic pressure, but without an increase in acoustic power (comfortable and low pitch). Improvement in VFE MPT mirrored the improvement in vocal aerodynamics.
Arabidopsis ARC6 Coordinates the Division Machineries of the Inner and Outer Chloroplast Membranes through Interaction with PDV2 in the Intermembrane Space
Authors: Glynn Jonathan M. , Froehlich John E. , Osteryoung Katherine W. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract
Chloroplasts arose from a free-living cyanobacterial endosymbiont and divide by binary fission. Division involves the assembly and constriction of the endosymbiont-derived, tubulin-like FtsZ ring on the stromal surface of the inner envelope membrane and the host-derived, dynamin-like ARC5 ring on the cytosolic surface of the outer envelope membrane. Despite the identification of many proteins required for plastid division, the factors coordinating the internal and external division machineries are unknown. Here, we provide evidence that this coordination is mediated in Arabidopsis thaliana by an interaction between ARC6, an FtsZ assembly factor spanning the inner envelope membrane, and PDV2, an ARC5 recruitment factor spanning the outer envelope membrane. ARC6 and PDV2 interact via their C-terminal domains in the intermembrane space, consistent with their in vivo topologies. ARC6 acts upstream of PDV2 to localize PDV2 (and hence ARC5) to the division site. We present a model whereby ARC6 relays information on stromal FtsZ ring positioning through PDV2 to the chloroplast surface to specify the site of ARC5 recruitment. Because orthologs of ARC6 occur in land plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria but PDV2 occurs only in land plants, the connection between ARC6 and PDV2 represents the evolution of a plant-specific adaptation to coordinate the assembly and activity of the endosymbiont- and host-derived plastid division components.
Identification of the repeated number of C and D regions of tyrosine phosphorylation motifs in Helicobacter pylori cagA using multiplex PCR
Authors: An Byungrak , Lee Gyusang , Lim Kwanhun , Moon Byung Soo , Kim Jong Bae 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTVarious tyrosine phosphorylation motif regions of H. pylori cagA exist. The number of these regions was found to have some influence on cell signaling, which was found to be more pronounced when in D (ESS) region than in C (WSS) region. A molecular biological method with multiplex PCR was developed to distinguish C and D regions, and to identify the repetition number of tyrosine phosphorylation of the cagA gene. Multiplex PCR using novel primer sets was performed on 73 strains of H. pylori isolated from Korean patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases. The Western cagA was identified in only 3 strains (4.1%) whereas East Asia cagA was identified in 69 strains (94.5%). These results were reconfirmed through a sequencing analysis. The method developed in this study would be useful for monitoring the repeated number of C and D regions of tyrosine phosphorylation motifs in H. pylori cagA.
Production and characterization of rabbit polyclonal sera against Shiga toxins Stx1 and Stx2 for detection of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli
Authors: Mendes‐Ledesma Meire R. B. , Rocha Letícia B. , Bueris Vanessa , Krause Gladys , Beutin Lothar , Franzolin Marcia R. , Trabulsi Luiz R. , Elias Waldir P. , Piazza Roxane M. F. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTSTEC has emerged as an important group of enteric pathogens worldwide. In this study, rabbit polyclonal Stx1 and Stx2 antisera were raised and employed in the standardization of immunoassays for STEC detection. Using their respective antisera, the limit of detection of the toxin was 35.0 pg for Stx1 and 5.4 pg for Stx2. By immunoblotting, these antisera recognized both toxin subunits. Cross‐reactivity was observed in the A subunit, but only Stx2 antiserum was able to neutralize the cytotoxicity of both toxins in the Vero cell assay. Six stx‐harboring E. coli isolates were analyzed for their virulence traits. They belonged to different serotypes, including the O48:H7, described for the first time in Brazil. Only three strains harbored eae, and the e‐hly gene and hemolytic activity was detected in five strains. Three isolates showed new stx2 variants (stx2v‐ha and stx2vb‐hb). The ELISA assay detected all six isolates, including one VCA‐negative isolate, while the immunodot assay failed to detect one isolate, which was VCA‐positive. In contrast, the colony‐immunoblot assay detected only one VCA‐positive isolate. Our results demonstrate that among the immunoassays developed in this study, the immunodot, and particularly the ELISA, appear as perspective for STEC detection in developing countries.
Use of heart rate variability analysis to determine the risk of cardiac ischaemia in high‐risk patients undergoing general anaesthesia
Authors: Hanss R. , Block D. , Bauer M. , Ilies C. , Magheli A. , Schildberg‐Schroth H. , Renner J. , Scholz J. , Bein B. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the use of pre‐operative heart rate variability analysis to predict postoperative cardiac events (identified by 24 h Holter‐ECG recording and an increase of creatine kinase MB) in high‐risk cardiac patients. Length of hospital stay, the incidence of postoperative cardiac ischaemia and cardiac events after discharge were recorded. Fifty patients were assigned by the presence of cardiac events and the heart rate variability in 17 patients with an event was compared with 33 patients without. Total power was identified as a predictive parameter. The usefulness of this test was assessed in a second group of 50 patients. The incidence of cardiac events detected by Holter‐ECG recording or an increased creatine kinase MB was greater and the duration of hospital stay longer in the 26 patients with total power < 400 ms².Hz−1 compared with those with total power > 400 ms².Hz−1 (eight and four patients and 10 (7) days (mean (SD)), vs 1 (p < 0.05) and 0 (p < 0.05) patients and 6 (2) days (p < 0.05), respectively). The total power of high‐risk cardiac patients predicted postoperative cardiac events and extended length of hospital stay.
Effects of propofol on pulmonary inflammatory response and dysfunction induced by cardiopulmonary bypass*
Authors: An K. , Shu H. , Huang W. , Huang X. , Xu M. , Yang L. , Xu K. , Wang C. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe pulmonary inflammatory response and pulmonary dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass is a major problem in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Propofol has anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties which may attenuate this response. Thirty patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass were randomly assigned to receive saline (control group) or propofol (propofol group). Pulmonary thoracic compliance, respiratory index, malondialdehyde and interleukin‐8 concentrations and intrapulmonary polymorphonucleocyte sequestration were measured at pre‐bypass and 5, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after unclamping the aorta. Plasma levels of interleukin‐8, malondialdehyde and the respiratory index increased and reached peaks 30 min after unclamping in both groups. However, in the propofol group the increases were less than in the control group (p < 0.01). Intrapulmonary polymorphonucleocytes sequestration in the propofol group was less than in the control group 5 min after unclamping (p < 0.0001). Pulmonary thoracic compliance decreased significantly after unclamping in both groups, but the reduction was less in the propofol group (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that propofol administered during bypass could reduce the severity of pulmonary dysfunction.
A GYS1 gene mutation is highly associated with polysaccharide storage myopathy in Cob Normand draught horses
Authors: Herszberg B. , McCue M. E. , Larcher T. , Mata X. , Vaiman A. , Chaffaux S. , Chérel Y. , Valberg S. J. , Mickelson J. R. , Guérin G. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryGlycogen storage diseases or glycogenoses are inherited diseases caused by abnormalities of enzymes that regulate the synthesis or degradation of glycogen. Deleterious mutations in many genes of the glyco(geno)lytic or the glycogenesis pathways can potentially cause a glycogenosis, and currently mutations in fourteen different genes are known to cause animal or human glycogenoses, resulting in myopathies and/or hepatic disorders. The genetic bases of two forms of glycogenosis are currently known in horses. A fatal neonatal polysystemic type IV glycogenosis, inherited recessively in affected Quarter Horse foals, is due to a mutation in the glycogen branching enzyme gene (GBE1). A second type of glycogenosis, termed polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM), is observed in adult Quarter Horses and other breeds. A severe form of PSSM also occurs in draught horses. A mutation in the skeletal muscle glycogen synthase gene (GYS1) was recently reported to be highly associated with PSSM in Quarter Horses and Belgian draught horses. This GYS1 point mutation appears to cause a gain‐of‐function of the enzyme and to result in the accumulation of a glycogen‐like, less‐branched polysaccharide in skeletal muscle. It is inherited as a dominant trait. The aim of this work was to test for possible associations between genetic polymorphisms in four candidate genes of the glycogen pathway or the GYS1 mutation in Cob Normand draught horses diagnosed with PSSM by muscle biopsy.
Living in the red zone: the experience of child‐to‐mother violence
Authors: Edenborough Michel , Jackson Debra , Mannix Judy , Wilkes Lesley M. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTChild‐to‐mother violence is an area of family violence that has received limited attention over the past 20 years but is a problem for many families. It is poorly understood in the community and this lack of understanding creates a basis for families and service providers to minimize the abused mothers' experience. This paper is drawn from a larger study that aimed to explore child‐to‐mother violence in a high‐risk geographical area and describes a qualitative theme developed from 185 participating women's narratives, ‘Living in the red zone’: the experience of child‐to‐mother violence. The red zone refers to danger and was an element throughout women's narratives. It is clear from the reflections of these women that child‐to‐mother violence is a significant and complex issue. Mothers were predominantly struggling in silence with their experiences of a child or children whose behaviour was threatening and/or abusive. Their experiences were most often minimized and/or devalued by family and community members, which may prevent affected women from seeking support. Mothers generally had limited concepts of the possibilities open to them to improve their situation, or limited access to appropriate and empathic individuals or services.
Changes in the expression of suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) 2 in the colonic mucosa of acromegalic patients are associated with hyperplastic polyps
Authors: Bogazzi Fausto , Ultimieri Federica , Raggi Francesco , Russo Dania , Costa Aurelio , Marciano Emanuele , Bartalena Luigi , Martino Enio 
Published: September 2008

SummaryBackground  Acromegalic patients have increased prevalence of colonic polyps. Development of hyperplastic polyps was related to suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) 2 haploinsufficiency in animal models of acromegaly.Objective and patients  To evaluate whether variations in SOCS2 expression in the colonic mucosa of acromegalic patients might be associated to hyperplastic polyps, patients with active acromegaly or disease in remission with or without hyperplastic polyps were studied; controls were non‐acromegalic subjects age‐ and sex‐ matched with or without polyps.Measurements  Expression of SOCS1‐3 was evaluated by RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence and Western blot in the colonic mucosa. Coimmunoprecipatiton was used to evaluate multimeric protein complexes.Results  Acromegalic patients with active disease and hyperplastic polyps had higher levels of SOCS2 transcripts; on the contrary, SOCS1 and SOCS3 transcripts did not differ among the study groups. While the expression of SOCS2 and SOCS3 protein was indistinguishable with that of the corresponding transcripts, SOCS1 protein expression was reduced in active acromegalic patients with polyps. SOCS1 protein was reduced owing to its increased proteasome degradation mediated by SOCS2. The increased SOCS2 and reduced SOCS1 led to increased STAT5b expression, suggesting a higher GH signalling transduction.Conclusions  Acromegalic patients with active disease and hyperplastic polyps have high levels of SOCS2 and increased SOCS1 degradation, leading to reduced negative feedback on GH signalling, likely favouring a hyperplastic polyps phenotype.
Innate and adaptive immune responses in the urinary tract
Authors: Song J. , Abraham S. N. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTAs new and intriguing details of how uropathogens initiate infections and persist within the urinary tract have emerged, so has important information regarding how the immune system functions within the urinary tract. Recent studies have revealed the existence of a multifaceted innate immune response triggered by Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 4 on superficial bladder epithelial cells directed at clearing infection by Gram negative pathogens. Other studies have reported that the adaptive immune response in the urinary tract is effective and that vaccines comprised of bacterial virulence factors or whole dead bacteria can evoke protective immunity against urinary tract infections (UTIs) in animals and humans. As antibiotic therapy becomes increasingly ineffective, modulating the innate and adaptive immune system in the urinary tract using TLR4 ligands and other immunomodulators may become viable options to combat UTIs.
Current concepts of molecular defence mechanisms operative during urinary tract infection
Authors: Weichhart T. , Haidinger M. , Hörl W. H. , Säemann M. D. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTMucosal tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract are typically exposed to a tremendous number of microorganisms and many of them are potentially dangerous to the host. In contrast, the urogenital tract is rather infrequently colonized with bacterial organisms and also devoid of physical barriers as a multi‐layered mucus or ciliated epithelia, thereby necessitating separate host defence mechanisms. Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) represents the successful case of microbial host evasion and poses a major medical and economic health problem. During recent years considerable advances have been made in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the immune homeostasis of the urogenital tract. Hence, the system of pathogen‐recognition receptors including the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) is able to sense danger signalling and thus activate the host immune system of the genitourinary tract. Additionally, various soluble antimicrobial molecules including iron‐sequestering proteins, defensins, cathelicidin and Tamm‐Horsfall protein (THP), as well as their role for the prevention of UTI by modulating innate and adaptive immunity, have been more clearly defined. Furthermore, signalling mediators like cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) or the circulatory hormone vasopressin were shown to be involved in the defence of uropathogenic microbes and maintenance of mucosal integrity. Beyond this, specific receptors e.g. CD46 or β1/β3‐integrins, have been elucidated that are hijacked by uropathogenic E. coli to enable invasion and survival within the urogenital system paving the way for chronic forms of urinary tract infection. Collectively, the majority of these findings offer novel avenues for basic and translational research implying effective therapies against the diverse forms of acute and chronic UTI.
Pathways of renal injury in systemic gram‐negative sepsis
Authors: El‐Achkar T. M. , Hosein M. , Dagher P. C. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTAcute renal failure is a grave complication of systemic gram‐negative sepsis. The pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis leading to kidney injury result in part from systemic inflammatory and haemodynamic alterations. These are triggered by the interaction of endotoxin with Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) on cells of the immune system. Recently, TLR4 and other co‐effector molecules were identified on renal tubular and vascular cells. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that systemic endotoxin has direct access to renal sites where these receptors are expressed. Therefore, we review data in support of this novel pathway of renal injury in sepsis, whereby systemic endotoxin causes direct injury through interactions with local epithelial and endothelial TLR4.
Urinary tract infection in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Säemann M. , Hörl W. H. 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACTUrinary tract infection (UTI) is common in renal transplant recipients. Frequency of UTIs depend on many factors such as age, female gender, kidney function, co‐morbidity, type and amount of immunosuppression, urological instrumentation and/or the follow‐up period (short term or long term) after kidney transplantation. UTI may worsen graft and patient survival. A significant proportion of renal transplant recipients with UTIs may develop acute pyelonephritis (APN), which is an independent risk factor for deterioration of graft function. Renal transplant recipients with UTIs are often clinically asymptomatic as a consequence of immunosuppression. UTI, however, may progress to APN (particularly in the early post‐transplant period), bacteraemia and the full blown picture of urosepsis. Strategies for long term prophylaxis and antimicrobial treatment of UTI in renal transplant recipients are discussed.