bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased formation of 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2α is associated with altered bone metabolism and lower bone mass in hypercholesterolaemic subjects
Authors: Mangiafico R. A. , Malaponte G. , Pennisi P. , Li Volti G. , Trovato G. , Mangiafico M. , Bevelacqua Y. , Mazza F. , Fiore C. E. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract.Objectives. To investigate the relationship of 8‐iso‐prostaglandin (PG) F2α levels, a reliable marker of in vivo oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation, with bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand (RANKL) in hypercholesterolaemia.Design.  Cross‐sectional studySetting.  University hospital centreMethods.  Serum 8‐iso‐PGF2α levels were measured in 173 hypercholesterolaemic subjects and in 152 age‐ and sex‐matched normocholesterolaemic controls. Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD, serum bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), OPG and RANKL levels, as well as urinary levels of C‐terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX‐I), were also assessed.Results.  Hypercholesterolaemic subjects showed higher (P < 0.0001) serum 8‐iso‐PGF2α levels than controls. They also had decreased (P < 0.0001) femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD, and lower (P < 0.0001) serum BAP and OC levels. No significant differences between hypercholesterolaemic and control subjects were found when comparing urinary CTX‐I levels, or serum OPG and RANKL levels. In multivariate linear regression analysis, serum 8‐iso‐PGF2α was the only negative predictor for femoral neck BMD and serum BAP and OC levels in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. No significant correlation (all P > 0.25) was present between serum 8‐iso‐PGF2α levels and urinary CTX‐I levels, or serum OPG and RANKL levels, in hypercholesterolaemic subjects.Conclusions.  We found an association between increased serum 8‐iso‐PGF2α levels and lower bone mass and reduced serum BAP and OC concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. These results would suggest a possible role for oxidative stress in the development of lower bone mass in hypercholesterolaemia.
Recurrent herpes simplex virus infection in a patient with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy associated with L29P and IVS9‐1G>C compound heterozygous autoimmune regulator gene mutations
Authors: Nagafuchi S. , Umene K. , Yamanaka F. , Oohashi S. , Shindo M. , Kurisaki H. , Kudoh J. , Shimizu N. , Hara T. , Harada M. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract.Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy–candidiasis–ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) has characteristic clinical features with organ‐specific autoimmune polyendocrine diseases and candidiasis, caused by the mutations of autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Although almost all patients are complicated with mucocutaneous candidiasis, no apparent susceptibility to other infections has yet been reported. We herein report that a patient with APECED suffered from recurrent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) infection after severe primary herpetic stomatitis, associated with sequential HSV‐1 isolates of the same genomic profile, consistent with endogeneous recurrence. Thus, not only candidiasis but also HSV infection should receive more attention in patients with APECED, with treatment being administered accordingly.
Quantifying the dispersion of mixture microstructures
Authors: LUO Z. P. , KOO J. H. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryA general method to quantify the inclusion dispersion of mixture microstructures has been developed. The dispersion quantity, D, is defined as the probability of inclusion particle free‐path spacing falling into a certain range of the mean spacing μ, according to the particle spacing data frequency distribution. Two quantities, D0.1 and D0.2, are proposed, which are the probabilities of the particle free‐path spacing falling into the ranges of μ± 0.1 μ and μ± 0.2 μ, respectively. Both normal and lognormal distributions are discussed, and in both cases, the quantities D0.1 and D0.2 are specified as monotonous increasing functions of μ/σ, where μ and sigma; are the mean particle free‐path spacing and standard deviation, respectively. Examples of composite are presented to quantify the dispersion of foreign reinforcements based on the proposed method.
A versatile multimode microscope to probe and manipulate nanoparticles and biomolecules
Authors: KYOUNG M. , KARUNWI K. , SHEETS E. D. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryWe describe a flexible, multifaceted optical setup that allows quantitative measurement and manipulation of biomolecules and nanoparticles in biomimetic and cellular systems. We have implemented integrated biophotonics techniques (i.e. differential interference contrast, wide‐field fluorescence, prism‐ and objective‐based total internal reflection excitation, single particle tracking, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and dynamic holographic optical trapping) on a single platform. The adaptability of this versatile, custom‐designed system allows us to simultaneously monitor cell morphology, while measuring lateral diffusion of biomolecules or controlling their cellular location or interaction partners.
In vivo coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering imaging of sciatic nerve tissue
Authors: HUFF T.B. , CHENG J.‐X. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryWe report in vivo nonlinear optical imaging of mouse sciatic nerve tissue by epidetected coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering and second harmonic generation microscopy. Following a minimally invasive surgery to open the skin, coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering imaging of myelinated axons and second harmonic generation imaging of the surrounding collagen fibres were demonstrated with high signal‐to‐background ratio, three‐dimensional spatial resolution, and no need for labelling. The underlying contrast mechanisms of in vivo coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering were explored by three‐dimensional imaging of fat cells that surround the nerve. The epidetected coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering signals from the nerve tissues were found to arise from interfaces as well as back reflection of forward coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering.
MicroCT examination of human bone specimens: effects of polymethylmethacrylate embedding on structural parameters
Authors: PERILLI E. , BARUFFALDI F. , VISENTIN M. , BORDINI B. , TRAINA F. , CAPPELLO A. , VICECONTI M. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryX‐ray microtomography permits the nondestructive investigation of trabecular and cortical bone specimens without special preparation of the sample. To do a quantitative characterization, the cross‐section images have to be binarized, separating bone from nonbone. For this purpose, a widely used method is uniform thresholding. However, for commonly available microtomography scanners which use a polychromatic X‐ray source, it is unclear what effect the surrounding medium (e.g. air, saline solution, polymethylmethacrylate) has on the threshold value used for the binarization. In the literature an easy procedure to find the optimal uniform threshold value for a given acquisition condition is reported. By applying this procedure, the present work investigated whether a microtomography scan of trabecular bone samples in air or embedded in polymethylmethacrylate gave the same results in terms of structural parameters. The gold standard, that is, histological sections, was used as a reference. Two fixed threshold values were found, one for the microtomography scans performed in air and one for the scans with the same samples embedded in polymethylmethacrylate. These were applied on the correspondent microtomography images for the estimation of structural parameters, such as bone volume fraction, direct trabecular thickness, direct trabecular separation and structure model index. Paired comparisons were made in bone volume fraction between histological sections and microtomography cross‐sections for the same bone samples scanned first in air and then embedded in polymethylmethacrylate, by which no significant differences were found. Paired comparisons were also made in bone volume fraction, direct trabecular thickness, direct trabecular separation and structure model index for the same samples over volumes of interest of 4 × 4 × 4 mm3 between microtomography scans in air and scans with the samples embedded in polymethylmethacrylate. Neither these comparisons showed significant differences. This leads to the conclusion that structural parameters estimated by microtomography for human trabecular bone samples scanned either in air or embedded in polymethylmethacrylate are not affected by the surrounding medium (i.e. presence or absence of polymethylmethacrylate), provided that the corresponding optimal threshold value is applied for each acquisition condition.
Pros and cons: cryo‐electron microscopic evaluation of block faces versus cryo‐sections from frozen‐hydrated skin specimens prepared by different techniques
Authors: RICHTER T. , BIEL S. S. , SATTLER M. , WENCK H. , WITTERN K.‐P. , WIESENDANGER R. , WEPF R. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryOver the last two decades, several different preparative techniques have been developed to investigate frozen‐hydrated biological samples by electron microscopy. In this article, we describe an alternative approach that allows either ultrastructural investigations of frozen human skin at a resolution better than 15 nm or sample throughput that is sufficiently high enough for quantitative morphological analysis. The specimen preparation method we describe is fast, reproducible, does not require much user experience or elaborate equipment. We compare high‐pressure freezing with plunge freezing, and block faces with frozen‐hydrated slices (sections), to study variations in cell thickness upon hydration changes. Plunge freezing is optimal for morphological and stereological investigations of structures with low water content. By contrast, high‐pressure freezing proved optimal for high‐resolution studies and provided the best ultrastructural preservation. A combination of these fast‐freezing techniques with cryo‐ultramicrotomy yielded well‐preserved block faces of the original biological material. Here we show that these block faces did not exhibit any of the artefacts normally associated with cryo‐sections, and – after evaporating a heavy metal and carbon onto the surface – are stable enough in the electron beam to provide high‐resolution images of large surface areas for statistical analysis in a cryo‐SEM (scanning electron microscope). Because the individual preparation steps use only standard equipment and do not require much experience from the experimenter, they are generally more usable, making this approach an interesting alternative to other methods for the ultrastructural investigation of frozen‐hydrated material.
BIOMARKER: The validity of the laboratory marker combinations DOVER and QUVER to detect physician’s diagnosis of at‐risk drinking
Authors: Bentele Michael , Kriston Levente , Clement Hans‐Willi , Härter Martin , Mundle Götz , Berner Michael M. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTEspecially in situations where it might be favorable for the patient to dissimulate the existing alcohol problem, ‘objective’ laboratory tests can be helpful. In this study we report validation of the two combinations DOVER (DOctor VERified) and QUVER (QUestionnarie VERified) of the biological markers percent carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (%CDT) and gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase (γ‐GT) to detect patients that have been identified by their physicians with at‐risk drinking behavior. Fifty‐eight general practitioners (GPs) participated at two study sites in South‐West Germany. Patients filled in a questionnaire that included the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and gave a blood sample. The GP recorded his/her assessment about the presence of an alcohol‐related disorder in the patient. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses of the marker combinations DOVER and QUVER were performed. A total of 2940 patients participated in the study, of which 2496 completed data sets that could be used for further analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) of 79.5% for DOVER and 77.2% (QUVER) are in a higher range than the values for gamma%CDT (75.7%) or γ‐GT (72.5%) and %CDT (64.5%) and suggest superiority of the proposed marker combinations. Cross‐validation results were almost identical with 76.6% and 73.3% for DOVER and QUVER, respectively. Our analysis demonstrated that the combination of the markers γ‐GT and %CDT with the physician’s judgement of the condition as reference was superior to the use of single markers.
PRECLINICAL STUDY: Region‐specific down‐regulation of Crhr1 gene expression in alcohol‐preferring msP rats following ad lib access to alcohol
Authors: Hansson Anita C. , Cippitelli Andrea , Sommer Wolfgang H. , Ciccocioppo Roberto , Heilig Markus 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTCorticotropin‐releasing hormone 1 receptors (CRH‐R1) mediate increased behavioral sensitivity to stress and excessive alcohol self‐administration following a history of dependence. It was recently demonstrated that the genetically selected alcohol‐preferring msP rat line replicates many characteristics of the post‐dependent state, due to an innate up‐regulation of the Crhr1 transcript in several limbic areas related to alcohol drinking motivation. Here, we examined whether voluntary alcohol consumption might be able to down‐regulate Crhr1 transcript levels in msP rats in brain areas where elevated expression previously has been shown. Within central and medial amygdala (CeA, MeA), as well as the Nc. Accumbens, 2 weeks’ad lib access to alcohol led to a highly significant down‐regulation of the Crhr1 transcript. Alcohol‐induced Crhr1 down‐regulation was not seen in cingulate cortex. These data support that recruitment of CRH‐R1 signaling within components of the extended amygdala drives excessive alcohol intake, and that alcohol is voluntarily consumed in part for its ability to reduce CRH‐R1 activity in this region.
ENDOSCOPY ASSISTED REMOVAL OF FERROMAGNETIC COINS WITH NOVEL MAGNETIC INSTRUMENT
Authors: Nijhawan Sandeep , Rastogi Mukul , Joshi Ashish , Shende Atul , Tandon Manish , Singla Dinesh , Mathur Amit , Nepalia Subhash , Rai Ramesh Roop 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Ingestion of coins is a common clinical problem in children. Many of the coins are ferromagnetic and can be retrieved with the help of a magnet. We describe the use of a novel endoscopic accessory for removing ferromagnetic coins.Material and methods:  Two magnet discs of 1.5 cm diameter were joined to a 200 cm steel wire of 0.75 mm thickness with a terminal 5 cm spring. A Teflon tube (160 cm, 7 F) was used along with this instrument as a sleeve. The use of this accessory was analyzed prospectively in subjects presenting with a history of coin ingestion. The time taken for removal of coins, complications during the procedure and failure rate was noted. Effect of the magnet on cardiac rhythm was also noted during the procedure.Results:  A total of 55 children (mean age 5.1 ± 2.3 years) with coin ingestion presented over a period of 1 year. Forty‐four coins were ferromagnetic. All ferromagnetic coins were removed successfully. Mean time for removal was 68 ± 22 s. No complications were encountered.Conclusion:  The novel magnetic instrument is precise, safe and quick for the removal of ferromagnetic coins under direct vision.
CLINICAL EVALUATION OF NODULAR GASTRITIS IN ADULTS
Authors: Nakamura Shinichi , Mitsunaga Atsushi , Imai Ryujiro , Ishikawa Ichiro , Shirato Izumi , Shimizu Shohei , Kishino Maiko , Konishi Hiroyuki , Oi Itaru , Shiratori Keiko 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Nodular gastritis (NG) was considered a physiological change with little pathological significance, mostly in young women. In recent years, however, it has been often reported in patients with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, or in patients with gastroduodenal ulcer/gastric cancer, suggesting possible clinical significance.Methods:  From July 2003 to July 2006, 59 patients were diagnosed with NG among 32 404 patients examined endoscopically. The incidence of NG was evaluated in relation to age, sex, H. pylori infection status, symptoms leading to endoscopy, associated lesions in the upper digestive tract at the time of NG diagnosis, and existence of other systemic conditions.Results:  The NG patients consisted of 13 out of 18 152 (0.07%) male patients and 46 out of 14 252 (0.32%) female patients, with a mean age of 45.3 ± 17.7 years. All 28 patients who were examined for H. pylori infection were positive. Endoscopic examination was performed for precordial pain and upper abdominal pain in 24 (40.7%) patients, symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease in eight (13.6%) patients, and symptoms of functional dyspepsia in six (10.2%) patients. NG was associated with duodenal ulcer in eight (13.6%) patients, hyperplastic gastric polyps in five (8.5%), gastric ulcer in one (1.7%), and gastric cancer in one (1.7%) patient.Conclusion:  NG is a specific gastritis resulting from H. pylori infection that may be strongly associated with H. pylori‐related lesions.
Should indeterminate lung lesions reported on staging CT scans influence the management of patients with colorectal cancer?
Authors: Brent A. , Talbot R. , Coyne J. , Nash G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to determine the significance of indeterminate lung lesions reported from staging CT scans on patients with colorectal cancer.Method  CT‐scan reports of 439 patients were reviewed to identify patients in which indeterminate lung lesion had been reported. The tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) stage of these patients was recorded together with any follow‐up scan reports or multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussions regarding these lesions.Results  Twenty‐three patients had definite lung metastases. Forty‐five patients had indeterminate lung lesions. Of these, 22 patients had N1 or N2 disease, 20 had N0 disease and three patients were not operated on due to comorbidity. Of these 45 patients, 30 had further follow‐up scans.• In 19, the indeterminate lesions were unchanged and were therefore downgraded to benign lesions.• The lesions had progressed or new lesions had developed in five. These patients were therefore shown to have metastatic lung disease. All five of these patients had N1 or N2 disease.• One patient had a primary rather than metastatic lung lesion.• Follow‐up scans showed the lesion to be no longer present in five.Of the remainder,• One patient declined further follow up.• Three patients did not have a follow up scan for reasons not mentioned in their records• Two patients were not scanned because further MDT review of the original scans showed that the lesions were not metastases.• Four patients died before follow up scans were done. (one postoperative myocardial infarction (MI), one postoperative sepsis, one postoperative cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and one inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction)• Five patients have not yet had follow‐up scan at the time of writing.Conclusion  Since the introduction of spiral CT scanners, smaller lesions are being seen at the time of preoperative staging. Our study concludes that only a small proportion of indeterminate lung lesions did develop into definite metastases and those that did had node positive disease. Indeterminate lung lesions are not a reason to delay surgery for colorectal cancer.
Acute colonic diverticulitis: a systematic review of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Liljegren G. , Chabok A. , Wickbom M. , Smedh K. , Nilsson K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective  To appraise the literature on the diagnosis of acute colonic diverticulitis by ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), barium enema (BE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Method  The databases of Pub Med, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched for articles on the diagnosis of diverticulitis published up to November 2005. Studies where US, CT, BE, or MRI were compared with a reference standard on consecutive or randomly selected patients were included. Three examiners independently read the articles according to a prespecified protocol. In case of disagreement consensus was sought. The level of evidence of each article was classified according to the criteria of the Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine (CEBM), Oxford, UK.Results  Forty‐nine articles relevant to the subject were found and read in full. Twenty‐nine of these were excluded. Among the remaining 20 articles, only one study, evaluating both US and CT reached level of evidence 1b according to the CEBM criteria. Two US studies and one MRI study reached level 2b. The remaining studies were level 4.Conclusion  The best evidence for diagnosis of diverticulitis in the literature is on US. Only one small study of good quality was found for CT and for MRI‐colonoscopy.
Clinical findings in early onset cone‐rod dystrophy in the Standard Wire‐haired Dachshund
Authors: Ropstad Ernst O. , Bjerkås Ellen , Narfström Kristina 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective  To describe the clinical findings and the age of onset of cone‐rod dystrophy (crd) in the Standard Wire‐haired Dachshund (SWHD) and to evaluate which clinical tests could be used to obtain a reliable diagnosis.Animals  Sixty‐eight SWHD and SWHD‐derived dogs were used, including 23 affected with crd and 45 controls, respectively.Procedures  The dogs were subjected to behavioral testing, examination of pupillary light reflexes (PLRs), indirect ophthalmoscopy and bilateral full field electroretinography (ERG).Results  The majority of affected puppies (5–10 weeks) displayed pin‐point sized pupils upon examination with focal light. All dogs in the control group, except one, displayed normal PLRs upon examination. In all crd‐affected dogs there was a great variation both in age of onset and in clinical appearance of retinal changes upon fundoscopy. Two siblings displayed panretinal degeneration at the age of 10 months while other affected dogs showed early changes at the age of 3 years. Generalized bilateral retinal atrophy was the end stage of the disease. The maze test revealed no obvious differences among affected and unaffected groups. ERG recordings showed only slightly reduced rod, and mixed rod‐cone responses, but severely reduced cone single flash a‐ and b‐wave amplitudes, and cone flicker amplitudes were observed in all affected dogs.Conclusion  Presence of pin‐point sized pupils in young SWHDs was found to be an important indicator of early onset crd. Fundoscopic changes and progression of disease at later stages resembled those previously described in the majority of progressive retinal atrophies in dog. ERG was found to be the most reliable diagnostic procedure to clinically diagnose crd in the SWHD.