bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of mycophenolate mofetil for patients with crescentic lupus nephritis
Authors: TANG ZHENG , YANG GUANG , YU CHEN , YU YUSHENG , WANG JINQUAN , HU WEIXIN , ZENG CAIHONG , CHEN HUIPING , LIU ZHIHONG , LI LEISHI 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY:Objective:  To compare the effects, relapse ratio and outcomes between mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide (CTX) for the induction therapy in patients with crescentic lupus nephritis.Methodology:  This is a retrospective, controlled study. Twenty‐seven MMF therapeutic and twenty‐five CTX therapeutic lupus patients with ≥50% crescent formation were enrolled in this study. The general conditions, clinicopathological findings, remission and relapse ratio, and outcomes of them were compared.Results:  There was no significant difference of general condition and clinicopathological findings between MMF and CTX group. At 12 months, the total remission ratio in MMF and CTX group were 73.1% and 69.6%, while the complete remission ratio in MMF group (53.8%) was significantly higher than that in CTX group (26.1%). The relapse ratio in MMF group (10.5%) was significantly lower than in CTX group (43.8%). Forty per cent of PR patients in CTX group suffered from relapse. Until June 2005, the patients in CTX group received a follow time with 38.5 ± 21.2 (range 10∼80) months, and in MMF group the follow time was 41.1 ± 27.0 (range 12∼90) months. Two patients in MMF group and two in CTX group entered into end stage renal failure. The side effect of infection was more significant in CTX group.Conclusion:  Higher complete remission ratio and lower relapse ratio were observed in MMF group than in CTX group. The side effect of infection was more infrequent in MMF group, which showed preferable security of MMF.
Purple urine bag syndrome: A community‐based study and literature review
Authors: SHIAO CHIH‐CHUNG , WENG CHING‐YI , CHUANG JUI‐CHU , HUANG MAO‐SHENG , CHEN ZEN‐YONG 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS) is considered as an uncommon phenomenon. This cohort study aimed to figure out the causative factors and the potential risks of PUBS.Methods:  We recruited 84 patients with long‐term urinary catheterization from seven nursing institutions and home care centre, then compared the differences of demographic, clinical, urine test and bacteriological data between the patients with and without PUBS.Results:  The 2‐month period prevalence of PUBS in chronic catheterized patients was 16.7%. PUBS‐affecting patients had significantly higher proportion of female gender (P = 0.034), self oral intake (P = 0.036) and eating self‐prepared food (P = 0.007). Otherwise, no statistical associations were found. Five different bacterial species were isolated from the urine of PUBS‐affecting patients. No sequelae were found after forward follow‐up for 6 months. We further discuss the associations between certain factors and PUBS according to literature review and the results of our study.Conclusion:  PUBS is not as rare as we thought before. The causative factors of PUBS have not been clearly characterized. It may be the combination of several factors that cause the PUBS. Female gender and food content were found to be associated factors of PUBS in our study. Asymptomatic PUBS is unnecessary to be treated by antibiotics.
Elevation of serum von Willebrand factor and anti‐endothelial cell antibodies in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy are associated with intrarenal arterial lesions
Authors: ZHANG JUN‐JUN , JIANG LEI , LIU GANG , WANG SU‐XIA , ZOU WAN‐ZHONG , ZHANG HONG , ZHAO MING‐HUI 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Recent studies suggest that intrarenal arterial lesions are frequently observed in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). However, the mechanisms of the injury have not been elucidated. The level of serum von Willebrand factor (vWF) and the prevalence of anti‐endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) were investigated in patients with IgAN with different intrarenal arterial lesions.Methods:  Sera from 28 patients with mild intrarenal arterial lesions (group 1) and 36 patients with severe intrarenal arterial lesions (group 2) were collected. Sera from 20 patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (group 3) and 50 healthy volunteers were also obtained as disease and normal controls, respectively. Serum vWF and AECA of both IgG and IgA isotype were detected.Results:  In comparison with normal controls, serum vWF was significantly higher in group 2 and group 3. Serum vWF was also significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Both IgG‐AECA and IgA‐AECA could be detected in three groups of patients. The prevalence of anti‐87 kD IgG‐AECA was greatest in patients in group 2. IgAN patients, especially those in group 2 with IgG‐AECA or anti‐87 kD IgG‐AECA, had significantly higher serum creatinine and lower creatinine clearance than those without. No significant difference could be found for IgA‐AECA. The level of serum vWF was higher in IgAN patients with IgG‐AECA than that in patients without.Conclusion:  Intrarenal arterial lesions are associated with endothelial cell damage in IgAN, and vWF is a useful serological biomarker of severe intrarenal arterial lesions. AECA, especially IgG‐AECA, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of intrarenal arterial damage in IgAN.
Polymorphism of the aldosterone synthase gene is not associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy, but associated with hypertension in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: KO GANG JEE , KANG YOUNG SUN , LEE MI HWA , SONG HYE KYOUNG , KIM HYOUNG KYU , CHA DAE RYONG 
Published: September 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Inhibition of aldosterone system is beneficial in diabetic nephropathy, and aldosterone synthesis is regulated at the gene‐encoding aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2). Considering the role of aldosterone in diabetic nephropathy, genetic polymorphism of this gene may contribute to the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we investigated whether it is associated with diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients.Methods:  197 type 2 diabetic patients and 71 healthy controls were enrolled. The study subjects were divided into four groups: healthy controls with normoalbuminuria (n = 71), normoalbuminuric diabetic group (n = 71), microalbuminuric diabetic group (n = 51) and overt proteinuria group (n = 51). Polymorphism of aldosterone synthase gene was determined using standard PCR technique.Results:  Higher frequency of TT genotype and T allele in steroidogenic factor‐1 (SF‐1) binding site and wild type (WT) in intronic conversion (IC) in CYP11B2 was observed in diabetic patients than controls. However, there was no significant difference in SF‐1 and IC genotype among diabetic patients according to the state of diabetic nephropathy. Subgroup analysis based on SF‐1 polymorphism demonstrated that TT genotype is associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure and higher plasma aldosterone level. In addition, WT in IC genotype showed a significantly higher urinary albumin excretion rate. Plasma aldosterone level was significantly related with systolic blood pressure.Conclusion:  Our study suggests that aldosterone synthase gene polymorphism is not associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy, but it may contribute to the development of hypertension associated with increased aldosterone secretion in type 2 diabetic patients.
Clinical or radiologic measurements and 3‐D gait analysis in children with pes planus
Authors: Lee Jung H. , Sung In Y. , Yoo Jong Y. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Static measurement in clinical and radiologic evaluation is often used in assessment of pes planus, but it is important to know whether pes planus leads to abnormal gait pattern. The purpose of the present study was to assess the clinical and radiologic findings of children with pes planus and the relationship between clinical, radiologic findings and parameters obtained in 3‐D gait analysis.Methods:  Thirteen children with pes planus were selected. Physical measurements included femoral anteversion, internal and external rotation, thigh–foot angle (TFA), and resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP). Radiologic measurements included talo‐calcaneal angle (TCA), talometatarsal angle (TMA), calcaneal pitch, and forefoot adduction on simple X‐ray, and femoral anteversion, tibial torsion and rotation on computed tomography (CT). 3‐D gait analysis was also performed and kinetic and kinematic data were obtained in sagittal, frontal, and transverse plane. The correlation between clinical, radiologic, and gait analysis data was investigated.Results:  RCSP was found to be significantly correlated with TMA. TMA was also correlated with TCA. TCA on simple X‐ray was correlated with maximal internal and external rotation angle of the knee joint on gait analysis.Conclusion:  TMA was the factor most related to degree of calcaneal valgus measured on physical exam. Larger TCA contributed to decreased maximal external rotation and increased maximal internal rotation in gait cycle. Clinical or radiological methods, however, had very limited ability to predict gait deviance of pes planus.
Escherichia coli O‐157‐induced hemolytic uremic syndrome: Usefulness of SCWP score for the prediction of neurological complication
Authors: Teramoto Takahide , Fukao Toshiyuki , Hirayama Kouichiro , Asano Tsutomu , Aoki Yusuke , Kondo Naomi 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is commonly caused by hemorrhagic colitis with Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli O‐157. Central nervous system (CNS) involvements, including seizures, encephalopathy and brain infarction, are serious complications, but there are no useful scores for the prediction of CNS complications.Methods:  Routine laboratory data at onset of HUS were re‐evaluated in 14 patients to find useful parameters for the prediction of CNS complication.Results:  Serum sodium and total protein were significantly lower and C‐reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell counts were significantly higher in patients with CNS complications than in patients without. A cumulated score, SCWP score (sodium, CRP, white blood cell count, and total protein) discriminated better between patients with/without CNS complications than individual values.Conclusions:  SCWP score would be useful for prediction of CNS complications
Informed consent and medical ordeal: a qualitative study
Authors: Little M. , Jordens C. F. C. , McGrath C. , Montgomery K. , Lipworth W. , Kerridge I. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Informed consent is a mainstay of clinical practice, with both moral and legal forces. Material disclosure about extreme treatments, however, is unlikely to convey the full impact of the experience of treatment. Informed consent may be flawed under such circumstances. The aims of this study were to compare expressed satisfaction with pretreatment information to satisfaction after experiencing autologous stem cell transplantation for recurrent lymphoma.Methods:  A qualitative, narrative‐based cohort study was conducted in a bone‐marrow transplant unit of a teaching hospital at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. The cohort consisted of 10 transplant recipients and 9 of their nominated lay carers. The outcome measure was satisfaction expressed in narrative interviews at the time of transplantation and 3 months later. We used discourse‐analytic techniques to examine the narratives.Results:  Both patients and carers expressed high satisfaction with the information given by individual clinicians and by speakers at a formal Information Day held before transplantation. At the first interview, neither patients nor carers commented much on the forthcoming ordeal of chemotherapy and bone marrow ablation, although all patients had undergone previous chemotherapy. At the second interview, the ordeal dominated the narratives and retrospective dissatisfaction with information was common.Conclusion:  This study suggests that information about treatment theories and protocols can be satisfactorily communicated, but personal experience of suffering defies communication. This finding has serious implications for the practices involved in obtaining informed consent and for the very notion of informed consent.
Kimura disease: review of the literature
Authors: Sun Q.‐F. , Xu D.‐Z. , Pan S.‐H. , Ding J.‐G. , Xue Z.‐Q. , Miao C.‐S. , Cao G.‐J. , Jin D.‐J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractKimura disease (KD) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause and is characterized by painless s.c. swellings and lymphadenopathy commonly affecting the head and neck region. Much therapeutics has been used to treat KD, but is not satisfactory because of frequent relapse. Imatinib has been reported previously to be useful for treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome and may work by selectively blocking protein‐tyrosine kinases, such as platelet‐derived growth factor receptor, and c‐Kit. We carried out immunohistochemical examination of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α and c‐Kit in tissues from patients with KD. The results were positive and suggested that Imatinib might be an effective drug for the treatment of the disease. We have also briefly reviewed the epidemiology, aetiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory and pathological examinations, differential diagnoses, treatment and prognosis of KD in this manuscript.
Persistent dystonia induced by fluoxetine
Authors: Bilen Ş. , Saka M. , Ak F. , Öztekin N. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSerotonin‐selective re‐uptake inhibitors are prescribed widely because they are regarded as having less severe side‐effects compared with tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. With this popularity, increasing attention has been drawn to their adverse effects. Development of extrapyramidal symptoms has been reported in some patients while taking fluoxetine, a commonly used serotonin‐selective re‐uptake inhibitor. Here, we report a case of persistent dystonia, thought to be associated with short‐term fluoxetine use, which required treatment with botulinum toxin type A.
Widespread occurrence and genetic diversity of marine parasitoids belonging to Syndiniales (Alveolata)
Authors: Guillou L. , Viprey M. , Chambouvet A. , Welsh R. M. , Kirkham A. R. , Massana R. , Scanlan D. J. , Worden A. Z. 
Published: September 2008

Summary Syndiniales are a parasitic order within the eukaryotic lineage Dinophyceae (Alveolata). Here, we analysed the taxonomy of this group using 43655 18S rRNA gene sequences obtained either from environmental data sets or cultures, including 6874 environmental sequences from this study derived from Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. A total of 5571 out of the 43655 sequences analysed fell within the Dinophyceae. Both bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenies placed Syndiniales in five main groups (I–V), as a monophyletic lineage at the base of ‘core’ dinoflagellates (all Dinophyceae except Syndiniales), although the latter placement was not bootstrap supported. Thus, the two uncultured novel marine alveolate groups I and II, which have been highlighted previously, are confirmed to belong to the Syndiniales. These groups were the most diverse and highly represented in environmental studies. Within each, 8 and 44 clades were identified respectively. Co‐evolutionary trends between parasitic Syndiniales and their putative hosts were not clear, suggesting they may be relatively ‘general’ parasitoids. Based on the overall distribution patterns of the Syndiniales‐affiliated sequences, we propose that Syndiniales are exclusively marine. Interestingly, sequences belonging to groups II, III and V were largely retrieved from the photic zone, while Group I dominated samples from anoxic and suboxic ecosystems. Nevertheless, both groups I and II contained specific clades preferentially, or exclusively, retrieved from these latter ecosystems. Given the broad distribution of Syndiniales, our work indicates that parasitism may be a major force in ocean food webs, a force that is neglected in current conceptualizations of the marine carbon cycle.
Characterizing microbial diversity in production water from an Alaskan mesothermic petroleum reservoir with two independent molecular methods
Authors: Pham Vinh D. , Hnatow Linda L. , Zhang Shiping , Fallon Robert D. , Jackson Scott C. , Tomb Jean‐Francois , DeLong Edward F. , Keeler Sharon J. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryThe phylogenetic diversity of Bacteria and Archaea within a biodegraded, mesothermic petroleum reservoir in the Schrader Bluff Formation of Alaska was examined by two culture‐independent methods based on fosmid and small‐subunit rRNA gene PCR clone libraries. Despite the exclusion of certain groups by each method, there was overall no significant qualitative difference in the diversity of phylotypes recovered by the two methods. The resident Bacteria belonged to at least 14 phylum‐level lineages, including the polyphyletic Firmicutes, which accounted for 36.2% of all small‐subunit rRNA gene‐containing (SSU+) fosmid clones identified. Members of uncultured divisions were also numerous and made up 35.2% of the SSU+ fosmid clones. Clones from domain Archaea accounted for about half of all SSU+ fosmids, suggesting that their cell numbers were comparable to those of the Bacteria in this microbial community. In contrast to the Bacteria, however, nearly all archaeal clones recovered by both methods were related to methanogens, especially acetoclastic methanogens, while the plurality of bacterial fosmid clones was affiliated with Synergistes‐like acetogenic Firmicutes that possibly degrade longer‐chain carboxylic acid components in the crude oil to acetate. These data suggest that acetate may be a key intermediary metabolite in this subsurface anaerobic food chain, which leads to methane production as the primary terminal electron sink.
The chondrocrania of North American Rana larvae (Anura: Ranidae): a morphological comparison
Authors: Larson Peter M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA detailed morphological description of the chondrocranium is provided for the larvae of six species of North American Rana. Results indicated that although qualitative variation in chondrocranial morphology was limited among the larval Rana examined here, R. sylvatica is clearly distinguishable from other species based on the presence of a shorter articular process of the palatoquadrate, a wider muscular process of the palatoquadrate, and a more posterior position of attachment of the larval otic process to the palatoquadrate. These conditions are similar to those found in the Eurasian R. temporaria. Rana clamitans and R. catesbeiana are distinguished by a considerably narrower palatoquadrate in the region posterior to the anterior quadratocranial commissure, a more anterior position of attachment of the larval otic process to the palatoquadrate, and the presence of a lateral trabecular process in some specimens. These characters may represent larval synapomorphies for the traditional R. catesbeiana group (=Aquarana).
Effects of hind limb denervation on the development of appendicular ossicles in the Dwarf African Clawed Frog, Hymenochirus boettgeri (Anura: Pipidae)
Authors: Kim Hyoung Tae , Olson Wendy M. , Hall Brian K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractSesamoids and other appendicular ossicles are common in other classes of vertebrates but comparatively rare in amphibians. The pipid frog Hymenochirus boettgeri (Boulenger, G. A. 1899. On Hymenochirus, a new type of aglossal batrachians. – Annals of the Magazine of Natural History Series 7: 122–125) is unusual among anurans in having seven (or more) appendicular ossicles in each hind limb. Sesamoids are often associated with muscles and tendons, and their development is usually regarded as mediated by or correlated with function. This study investigated the effects of paralysis (loss of function) on development of ossicles in the hind limb of Hymenochirus. Complete denervation of the right sciatic nerve was performed at developmental stages 63 and 66, and the animals maintained for a further 6–7 or 12–13 weeks. Specimens were cleared and double stained for cartilage and bone. There were no gross morphological differences between control and sham operated groups. The lunulae were not affected by paralysis, whereas the fabella arose later and/or regressed in some specimens. The distal os sesamoides tarsalia (OST) was shorter in paralysed individuals, and both the distal OST and cartilagines plantares showed delayed maturation. Denervation of the hind limb thus affected the timing of appearance, maintenance and rate of maturation of some sesamoid bones in Hymenochirus, but had no effect on others.
Ecological repercussions of historical fish extraction from the Southern Ocean
Authors: Ainley David G , Blight Louise K 
Published: September 2008

AbstractA major mid‐1980s shift in ecological structure of significant portions of the Southern Ocean was partially due to the serial depletion of fish by intensive industrial fishing, rather than solely to climate factors as previously hypothesized. Over a brief period (1969–1973), several finfish stocks were on average reduced to <50%, and finally (mid‐1980s) to <20%, of original size. Despite management actions, few stocks have recovered and some are still declining. Most affected species exhibit K‐selected life‐history patterns, and before exploitation presumably fluctuated in accordance with infrequent strong year classes, as is true of such fish elsewhere. A climate regime, the Southern Annular Mode, once oscillated between two states, but has remained in its ‘positive mode’ since the time of the fish extraction. This may have increased finfish vulnerability to exploitation. As breeding stocks decreased, we hypothesize that availability of annually produced juvenile fish fed upon by upper‐level predators remained low. Correlations between predator populations and fish biomass in predator foraging areas indicate that southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina, Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella, gentoo penguin Pygoscelis papua, macaroni penguin Eudyptes chrysolphus and ‘imperial’ shag Phalacrocorax spp. – all feeding extensively on these fish, and monitored at Marion, Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard, South Georgia, South Orkney and South Shetland Islands, where fishing was concentrated – declined simultaneously during the two periods of heavy fishing. These patterns indicate the past importance of demersal fish as prey in Antarctic marine systems, but determining these interactions’ ecological mechanisms may now be impossible.
Buying behavior, social support and credit card indebtedness of college students
Authors: Wang Jeff , Xiao Jing J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis research examines three factors that are associated with college students' credit card indebtedness. Using survey data, we find that college students' buying patterns and social networks affect their credit card indebtedness. Specifically, students with a tendency towards compulsive buying are more likely and those with greater social support are less likely to hold credit card debts. Depth interview data further illustrate the contexts and causes of overusing credit cards as well as solutions for their debt problem. This research sheds light on reasons why college students fall into credit card debt and suggests strategies for helping them use credit cards wisely.