bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of the Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Stimulation Test in Diagnosis of Congenital Central Hypothyroidism in Infants
Authors: van Tijn David A. , de Vijlder Jan J. M. , Vulsma Thomas 
Published: November 2007

AbstractContext: A shortage of thyroid hormone during prenatal life and the first years after birth results in a spectrum of neuropsychological disorders, depending on the duration and severity of the deficiency. In the case of congenital hypothyroidism of central origin (CH-C), the majority of patients have multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD). This condition poses an additional threat to postnatal central nervous system development, primarily on account of neuroglycopenia due to ACTH/cortisol deficiency with or without additional GH deficiency. Therefore, in CH-C, rapid diagnosis is even more urgent than in congenital hypothyroidism of thyroidal origin.Objective: In the assessment of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid function, we considered the pituitary response to iv administration of TRH (TRH test) pivotal. We evaluated the usefulness of the TRH test in a cohort of infants with neonatal congenital hypothyroidism screening results indicative of CH-C by analyzing the results within the framework of investigations of the anatomical and functional integrity of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system.Design and Setting: The study was a Dutch nationwide prospective study (1994–1996). Patients were included if neonatal congenital hypothyroidism screening results were indicative of CH-C and patients could be tested within 3 months of birth.Patients: Ten male and five female infants with CH-C, detected by neonatal screening, and six infants with false-positive screening results, nonthyroidal illness, or transient hypothyroidism, were included in the study.Main Outcome Measures: Results of TRH tests, within the framework of extensive endocrinological examinations and cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, were measured.Results: All patients with type 3 TSH responses to TRH had MPHD, and the majority (67%) of patients with type 2 responses had isolated TSH deficiency.Conclusions: The TRH test has a pivotal role in the diagnosis of TSH deficiency in young infants. Abnormal TRH test results, especially a type 3 response, urge immediate assessment of integral hypothalamic-pituitary function because the majority of patients have MPHD.
A Prospective Study of the Prevalence of Nonclassical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia among Women Presenting with Hyperandrogenic Symptoms and Signs
Authors: Escobar-Morreale Héctor F. , Sanchón Raul , San Millán José L. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
Context: The diagnosis of the polycystic ovary syndrome requires the exclusion of nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH).
Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the actual prevalences of 21-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase deficiencies among women presenting with hyperandrogenic complaints.
Settings: This study was performed at an academic hospital.
Patients: A total of 270 consecutive unselected women presenting with hyperandrogenic symptoms were prospectively recruited.
Interventions: Basal and ACTH-stimulated 11-deoxycortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations were measured.
Main Outcome Measures: The prevalences of 21-hydroxylase and 11β-hydroxylase deficiencies were calculated, and the diagnostic performance of basal serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels for the screening of NCAH was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Results: Six of the 270 patients had 21-hydroxylase-deficient NCAH that was confirmed by CYP21 genotyping, whereas no patient was diagnosed with 11β-hydroxylase deficiency, for an overall NCAH prevalence of 2.2% (95% confidence limits 0.5–3.9%). According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, a single basal serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone determination has a 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.934–1.008) chance of detecting NCAH in hyperandrogenic women. In our experience, the most appropriate cutoff value for the detection of NCAH is a 17-hydroxyprogesterone above 1.7 ng/ml, showing a 100% sensitivity and a 88.6% specificity. Five of the six 21-hydroxylase-deficient NCAH patients carried a severe CYP21 allele requiring genetic counseling and highlighting the importance of excluding this disorder among hyperandrogenic patients.
Conclusions: The prevalence of NCAH among hyperandrogenic patients from Spain is 2.2%. Basal serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone measurements have an excellent diagnostic performance, yet the cutoff value should be established in each laboratory to avoid false-negative results.
Effects of Atorvastatin on Lp(a) and Lipoprotein Profiles in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Joy Melanie S , Dornbrook-Lavender Kimberly A , Chin Hyunsook , Hogan Susan L , Denu-Ciocca Cynthia 
Published: November 2007

Background: Dialysis patients have many underlying traditional and nontraditional risk factors that may predispose them to a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease. The effects of statins (eg, atorvastatin) on altering nontraditional lipoprotein measures in dialysis patients have not been extensively investigated. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin compared with a control group in inducing changes in lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], apolipoprotein (Apo) A-1, Apo-B, and fibrinogen levels, as well as the conventional lipoprotein profile, in hemodialysis patients over 36 weeks; secondary objectives were to assess changes in C-reactive protein, albumin, and safety measures. Methods: Forty-five hemodialysis patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels greater than 100 mg/dL were randomized to parallel groups: atorvastatin (n = 19) or no treatment (n = 26). The atorvastatin dose was titrated from 10 mg to achieve an LDL-C goal of 100 mg/dL or less and therapy was continued for 36 weeks. Biochemical and lipoprotein laboratory tests for efficacy outcomes were obtained at baseline, 12 weeks, and 36 weeks. Results: The atorvastatin group exhibited clinically significant reductions (mean ± SD) compared with controls in total cholesterol (–21.7 ± 41.7 vs –3.2 ± 40.0 mg/dL, respectively; p = 0.017) and LDL-C (–13.1 ± 32.0 vs –1.1 ± 38.4 mg/dL. respectively; p = 0.056) levels, as well as Lp(a) (–10.6 ± 27 vs 3.5 ± 17.8 mg/dL, respectively; p = 0.046). Statistical analyses included analysis of variance on ranked measures for multivariable modeling and paired t-test to determine changes in efficacy measures between baseline and 36 weeks within groups. Conclusions: Atorvastatin was safe and effective in reducing Lp(a), total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels. Given the prevalence of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients, therapy aimed at reducing traditional and nontraditional risk factors may be beneficial.
Genome-Wide Scan for Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Multi-Ethnic Diabetic Populations
Authors: Schelling Jeffrey R. , Abboud Hanna E. , Nicholas Susanne B. , Pahl Madeleine V. , Sedor John R. , Adler Sharon G. , Arar Nedal H. , Bowden Donald W. , Elston Robert C. , Freedman Barry I. , Goddard Katrina A.B. , Guo Xiuqing , Hanson Robert L. , Ipp Eli , Iyengar Sudha K. , Jun Gyungah , Kao W.H. Linda , Kasinath Balakuntalam S. , Kimmel Paul L. , Klag Michael J. , Knowler William C. , Nelson Robert G. , Parekh Rulan S. , Quade Shannon R. , Rich Stephen S. , Saad Mohammed F. , Scavini Marina , Smith Michael W. , Taylor Kent , Winkler Cheryl A. , Zager Philip G. , Shah Vallabh O. ,   on behalf of the Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes Research Group
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVE— Diabetic nephropathy, the most common cause of end-stage renal disease, aggregates in families and specific ethnic groups. Deconstructing diabetic nephropathy into intermediate, quantitative phenotypes may increase feasibility of detecting susceptibility loci by genetic screens. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which characterizes diabetic nephropathy, was employed as a quantitative trait in a preliminary whole-genome scan.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated for 882 diabetic sibpairs (mean age 57 years) of African-American (25.6% of total), American Indian (8.6%), European-American (14.2%), and Mexican-American (51.6%) descent enrolled in the initial phase of the Family Investigation of Nephropathy and Diabetes (FIND). A whole-genome scan was performed using 404 microsatellite markers (average spacing 9 cM) and model-free linkage analysis.
RESULTS— For all ethnicities combined, strong evidence for linkage was observed on chromosomes 1q43 (P = 3.6 × 10−3), 7q36.1 (P = 2.1 × 10−4), 8q13.3 (P = 4.6 × 10−4), and 18q23.3 (P = 2.7 × 10−3). Mexican-American families, who comprised the major ethnic subpopulation in FIND, contributed to linkage on chromosomes 1q43, 2p13.3, 7q36.1, 8q13.3, and 18q23.3, whereas African-American and American-Indian families displayed linkage peaks on chromosomes 11p15.1 and 15q22.3, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS— We have demonstrated multiple chromosomal regions linked to eGFR in a multi-ethnic collection of families ascertained by a proband with diabetic nephropathy. Identification of genetic variants within these loci that are responsible for the linkage signals could lead to predictive tests or novel therapies for subsets of patients at risk for diabetic nephropathy.
Providing Long-Term Support for Lifestyle Changes: A Key to Success in Diabetes Prevention
Authors: Marrero David G. , Ackermann Ronald T. 
Published: November 2007

In BriefIncreasing evidence demonstrates that type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented in people with elevated risk by modest changes in lifestyle. Research by the Indiana Diabetes Translation Research Center shows that the YMCA organization is a good community partner to implement diabetes prevention programs. YMCA staff trained to deliver a structured lifestyle intervention to prevent diabetes can achieve short-term weight-loss results comparable to those achieved during the Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial. This research demonstrates that primary prevention is feasible in community settings with a structured program targeting high-risk individuals.
Overview of Peer Support Models to Improve Diabetes Self-Management and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Heisler Michele 
Published: November 2007

In BriefThis article provides a brief overview of different approaches to mobilize peer support for diabetes self-management support and evidence to date on the effectiveness of each of these models with an emphasis on research into ways to extend face-to-face programs using innovative technologies. It concludes with a discussion of directions for future research in this area.
Use of extensible internal device in the femur of young dogs
Authors: Justolin L. T. , Baptista P. P. R. , Yoname E. S. , Mamprim M. J. , Balieiro J. C. C. , Rahal S. C. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryAn extensible internal device (EID) was developed to preserve growth plate during the treatment of fracture complications or segmental bone loss from tumour resection in children. Since this type of extensible, transphyseal, internal fixation device has only been used in a few paediatric cases; the aim of this study was to evaluate an in vivo canine study, a surgical application of this device, and its interference with longitudinal growth of the non-fractured distal femur. Ten clinically healthy two- to three-month-old poodles weighing 1.5–2.3 kg were used. Following a medial approach to the right distal femur, one extremity of the EID, similar to a T-plate, was fixed in the femoral condyle with two cortical screws placed below the growth plate. The other extremity, consisting of an adaptable brim with two screw holes and a plate guide, was fixed in the third distal of the femoral diaphysis with two cortical screws. The EID was removed 180 days after application. All of the dogs demonstrated full weight-bearing after surgery. The values of thigh and stifle circumferences, and stifle joint motion range did not show any difference between operated and control hindlimbs. The plate slid in the device according to longitudinal bone growth, in all but one dog. In this dog, a 10.5% shortening of the femoral shaft was observed due to a lack of EID sliding. The other dogs had the same longitudinal lengths in both femurs. The EID permits longitudinal bone growth without blocking the distal femur growth plate if appropriately placed.
Hypobaric intrathecal anaesthesia for partial hemipelvectomy in a dog
Authors: Carobbi B. , Bacon N. J. , White R. A. S. , Novello L. 
Published: November 2007

Summary
Objective: To report the intrathecal use of a hypobaric anaesthetic solution for partial hemipelvectomy in a nine-year-old, neutered female, Golden Retriever dog, weighing 34 kg. Methods: Under inhalational anaesthesia, with the dog lying in lateral recumbency and the surgical side uppermost, 1.9 ml of a hypobaric solution containing 3.42 mg of bupivacaine and 0.66 mg of morphine were administered in the subarachnoid space at L5–6 level 30 minutes before surgery. Following the intrathecal injection the dog was maintained for five minutes in a 10° head-down position, then for three minutes in a 10° head-up position. Results: Apart from a transient increase in heart and respiratory rates during resection of the sartorius muscle, which was treated with a plasma Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) of fentanyl, spinal anaesthesia provided cardiovascular stability and excellent relaxation of the surgical site. Neither motor blockade nor proprioceptive deficit were apparent in the contra-lateral hind limb at recovery, 200 minutes after injection. Postoperatively, rescue analgesia was not required in the 48 hours following surgery. Clinical significance: In dogs, the use of intrathecal hypobaric bupivacaine and morphine as a part of a balanced anaesthetic protocol should be considered during unilateral major orthopaedic surgeries of the pelvis and hind limb, as it allowed a reduction in the dose administered compared to isobaric solutions, providing selective spinal anaesthesia, excellent longlasting analgesia, and rapid recovery of ambulation.
Tibiotarsal arthroscopy
Authors: Beale B. , Miller J. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThe objective of this retrospective article was to describe the use of, and to determine long-term outcome of, tibiotarsal arthroscopy in dogs. The medical records of 20 client-owned dogs with tibiotarsal joint disease with arthroscopic treatment were reviewed. Long-term follow-up evaluation of lameness, force plate gait analysis, and radiographs to assess progression of degenerative joint disease (DJD) were performed. Arthroscopy was utilized in the diagnosis of talar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), collateral ligament injury, septic arthritis, immune mediated arthritis, and a distal talar fragment. Sixteen joints with OCD treated resulted in 10/14 dogs with lameness after exercise only, progression of DJD in most cases, and chronic lameness when comparing operated to unoperated limbs with force plate evaluation at a mean follow-up of 35 months. Following treatment, three dogs with collateral ligament injury had reduced weight bearing on the operated limb, radiographic progression of DJD, and minimal lameness at a mean follow-up of 27 months. Tibiotarsal arthroscopy can be successfully used to help diagnose, and often to treat: OCD, collateral ligament injury, fractures, septic and non-septic arthritis in the dog. The minimally invasive nature of arthroscopy preserved joint stability while allowing complete examination of the articular cartilage. In most cases long term tibiotarsal DJD advancement was the rule.
Methods for Measuring CysteineS‐Conjugate β‐Lyase Activity
Authors: Lash Lawrence H. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe cysteine conjugate β‐lyase represents activities in cytoplasm and mitochondria catalyzed by at least eleven pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP)‐dependent enzymes in various tissues. These enzymes mediate bioactivation of cysteineS‐conjugates of several haloalkanes and haloalkenes. The reaction occurs through either a direct β‐elimination or a transamination followed by a retro‐Michael rearrangement, resulting in the cleavage of a C–S bond. The resultant product is a reactive thiolate that rearranges to form thioacylating species. This unit presents several protocols for the assay of β‐lyase activity and includes measurements of product formation and substrate loss as well as fluorescent activity stains. Support protocols describe the synthesis and high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of selected cysteineS‐conjugates. Because of the diversity of enzymes that can catalyze a β‐lyase reaction, each of the assays presented here may indicate only a portion of the potential β‐lyase activity in a given biological preparation.Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 34:6.13.1‐6.13.22. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of Alternative Methodologies in Toxicology
Authors: Gribaldo Laura 
Published: November 2007

AbstractIn vitro toxicology generally refers to the study of toxicological phenomena in non‐whole‐animal models. This broader connotation includes studies utilizing isolated organs, tissue slices, explants cultures, and isolated primary cells, as well as cell lines and subcellular fractions (e.g., microsomes). These model systems have made major contributions to toxicological sciences, particularly in our understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity, xenobiotic metabolism, and species differences in expressions of toxicity. This unit reviews the use of in vitro models and their value in toxicology testing. Curr. Protoc. Toxicol. 34:20.1.1‐20.1.6. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of Solid Phase Synthesis of “Difficult Peptide” Sequences
Authors: Tickler Anna K. , Wade John D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSolid‐phase peptide synthesis has contributed immeasurably to the understanding of the chemistry and biology of peptides by enabling their ready preparation in small quantities up to the ton scale. The advantages of the technology, including its simplicity, ease of operation, and general efficiency have far outweighed its limitations. However, despite the general effectiveness of the solid phase synthesis methodology, some peptides are resistant to efficient assembly and are known as “difficult peptides.” Such sequences can present serious challenges to the peptide researcher and have been the subject of considerable investigation. This phenomenon is described together with modern approaches designed to minimize or overcome this hitherto long‐standing and vexing problem. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 50:18.8.1‐18.8.6. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sources of Human and Murine Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Horwitz Mitchell E. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThis unit describes various sites from which human and murine hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) can be collected, including bone marrow, peripheral blood, and, in the case of human HSC, umbilical cord blood. Guidelines related to each of the cell harvesting procedures are described, and a discussion of the expected populations of cells harvested from these various sites is included. Cell products can be composed of a combination of true HSC, lineage‐committed hematopoietic progenitor cells, and terminally differentiated fully mature cells. While use of steady‐state peripheral blood as a source of HSC is the most convenient approach, yields of these cells are very low. However, mobilization methods that stimulate movement of stem cells out of the bone marrow into peripheral blood significantly increase HSC yields. Use of G‐CSF has been accepted as the standard method for stem cell mobilization. The unit describes a variety of investigational cytokines and chemokines that have been shown to mobilize human stem including interleukin 3, 11, and 8, flt‐3 ligand, and stem cell factor. Curr. Protoc. Immunol. 79:22A.2.1‐22A.2.6. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Deforming Nanocrystalline Metals: New Insights, New Puzzles
Authors: Weissmüller Jörg , Markmann Jürgen 
Published: November 2007

AbstractRecent experiments have brought new insights into the mechanisms which govern the plasticity of nanocrystalline metals. In particular, new opportunities have arisen from the finding that bulk nanocrystalline samples with extremely small grain size, prepared by the inert gas condensation technique, can be deformed to large true strain. The findings elucidate the roles of creep, partial dislocation activity along with its consequences, faulting and twinning, as well as grain boundary sliding and grain rotation. However, they also rise intriguing new questions, specifically with respect to the mechanisms of dislocation nucleation at grain boundaries, and with respect to slip system selection and alignment in twinned grains. An emerging insight is that there is not ‘the’ deformation mechanism at small grain size; instead, deformation mechanism maps in, for instance, the parameter space spanned by the strain rate and the grain size, are more appropriate representations of the various processes that control the materials behavior.
Nanotechnology: An Approach to Mimic Natural Architectures and Concepts
Authors: Gröning Pierangelo 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
With the invention of the Scanning Tunnelling Microscope (STM) in 1981 by G. Binnig and H. Rohrer, the gate to the nanoworld was pushed open. The prospect to control matter and units on molecular and atomic level, inspired many scientists to think about new technological approaches—nanotechnology in the sense of Richard Phillips Feynman became reality. Thus, nanotechnology is not only the next step of the miniaturisation following microtechnology—nanotechnology is an approach to investigate natural architectures and to mimic them for technological problems. In the present article we try to show that nanotechnology is an evolutionary process of our technological society with the potential to solve everyday problems with revolutionary concepts and devices.
Isolation of Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cells
Authors: Miki Toshio , Marongiu Fabio , Ellis Ewa , C. Strom Stephen 
Published: November 2007

AbstractMany of the cell types that can be isolated from placental tissues retain phenotypic plasticity that make them an interesting source for regenerative medicine. Several procedures for the isolation of stem cells from different parts of the placenta have been reported. This unit describes a detailed and simple protocol for the selective isolation of amniotic epithelial cells from human term placenta without disturbing the mesenchymal layer. We also introduce a simple density separation technique for the enrichment of the population for SSEA‐4 positive cells. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 3:1E.3.1‐1E.3.9. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Isolation and Assessment of Long‐Term Reconstituting Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Adult Mouse Bone Marrow
Authors: Kent David , Dykstra Brad , Eaves Connie 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSuspensions of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells with long‐term repopulating activity can now be routinely isolated from adult mouse bone marrow at purities of 30%. A robust method for obtaining these cells in a single step using multiparameter cell sorting to isolate the CD45midlin−Rho−SP subset is described here, together with a detailed protocol for assessing their regenerative activity in mice transplanted with single cells. These procedures provide unprecedented power and precision for characterizing the molecular and biological properties of cells with hematopoietic stem cell activity at the single cell level. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 3:2A.4.1‐2A.4.23. © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.