bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound assessment of spleen size in collegiate athletes
Authors: Hosey R G , Mattacola C G , Kriss V , Armsey T , Quarles J D , Jagger J 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:To determine normal spleen dimensions in a healthy collegiate athletic population.Methods:631 Division I collegiate athletes from one university participated in the study. During pre-participation examinations, demographic data collected were collected from volunteer athletes including sex, race, measurement of height and weight, and age. Subjects also completed a medical history form to determine any history of mononucleosis infection, platelet disorder, sickle cell disease (or trait), thalassaemia, or recent viral symptoms. Subjects then underwent a limited abdominal ultrasound examination, where splenic length and width were recorded.Results:Mean (SD) splenic length was 10.65 (1.55) cm and width, 5.16 (1.21) cm. Men had larger spleens than women (p<0.001). White subjects had larger spleens than African-American subjects (p<0.001). A previous history of infectious mononucleosis or the presence of recent cold symptoms had no significant affect on spleen size. In more than 7% of athletes, baseline spleen size met current criteria for splenomegaly.Conclusions:There is a wide range of normal spleen size among collegiate athletes. Average spleen size was larger in men and white athletes than in women and black athletes. A single ultrasound examination for determination of splenomegaly is of limited value in this population.
Mapping of somatostatin receptor types in GH or/and PRL producing pituitary adenomas
Authors: Thodou E , Kontogeorgos G , Theodossiou D , Pateraki M 
Published: February 2006

Background:Somatostatin is a tetradecapeptide exerting inhibitory action on endocrine and exocrine cell secretion and proliferation. Somatostatin receptors (SST) are widely expressed in various neoplasms including endocrine tumours. Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of SST1, SST2A, SST2B, SST3, SST4, and SST5was studied in tissue microarrays (TMAs), using a series of 90 human pituitary adenomas producing growth hormone and/or prolactin, including 30 of each somatotroph, lactotroph, and mixed somatotroph/lactotroph adenoma type.Methods:For immunohistochemistry, the standard avidin biotin complex method enhanced by tyramide was used, using polyclonal antisera for all SST types. A four point scoring system was used to assess the membranous immunopositivity.Results:All SST types were positive in all tumour types, showing varying immunoreactivity scores. SST5and SST2Awere the predominant receptors, showing strong expression in high frequency in all three adenoma types. Strong expression of SST1was higher in lactotroph adenomas than in other tumour types.Conclusions:The immunohistochemical results of SST expression are in agreement with most findings of previous molecular studies. The fact that SST2Aexpression is predominant suggests that pharmaceutical octapeptide somatostatin analogues may act through this receptor, while the role of SST2Bmay be merely synergistic.
Aberrant maspin expression in gallbladder epithelium is associated with intestinal metaplasia in patients with cholelithiasis
Authors: Maesawa C , Ogasawara S , Yashima-Abo A , Kimura T , Kotani K , Masuda S , Nagata Y , Iwaya T , Suzuki K , Oyake T , Akiyama Y , Kawamura H , Masuda T 
Published: February 2006

Objective:Aberrant expression of maspin protein related to DNA hypomethylation in the promoter region is frequently observed in gallbladder carcinomas, whereas the non-tumorous gallbladder epithelium is maspin negative. We investigated maspin expression in non-tumorous gallbladder epithelium in patients with cholelithiasis.Methods:An immunohistochemical study of maspin expression was performed in 69 patients with cholelithiasis and 30 patients with gastric cancer without cholelithiasis.Results:Immunoreactivity for maspin was observed in focal and patchy regions of the gallbladder epithelium. Positive immunoreactivity for maspin was significantly associated with the presence of intestinal metaplasia in patients with cholelithiasis (p<0.05).Conclusion:The high incidence of aberrant maspin expression in both intestinal metaplasia and carcinoma of the gallbladder supports the assumption that intestinal metaplasia of the gallbladder may predispose to gallbladder carcinoma.
High predictive value of epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation but not of EGFRvIII mutation in resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Authors: Sonnweber B , Dlaska M , Skvortsov S , Dirnhofer S , Schmid T , Hilbe W 
Published: February 2006

Aims:Overexpression and mutation of epidermal growth factor regulator (EGFR) are frequently found in the carcinogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Because targeting of this receptor has proven therapeutic efficacy, studying EGFR has become a matter of particular scientific interest. The present study analysed the EGFR receptor, rate of EGFRvIII mutations, and rate of activated phosphorylated EGFR (pEGFR) by immunohistochemistry on cryostat sections.Methods:Surgically obtained tumour specimens of a series of 78 NSCLC patients and 66 adjacent tumour free specimens were examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies to stain EGFR, pEGFR, and EGFRvIII.Results:EGFRvIII and pEGFR expression was found in 42% and 26% of the tumours respectively and both were increased significantly compared with tumour free samples. EGFR, pEGFR, and EGFRvIII expression did not correlate with any of the previously tested markers (c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3, p53, ki-67, and microvessel density). Similar distributions of immunohistochemical profiles were seen, regardless of histological subtype, age, or sex. In stage I patients, EGFR phosphorylation at tyrosine residue 845 proved to be an independent prognostic factor.Conclusion:Because pEGFR correlated with poor prognosis, it can be speculated that it plays a crucial biological role in the pathogenesis of NSCLC.
The tryptase positive compact round cell infiltrate of the bone marrow (TROCI-BM): a novel histopathological finding requiring the application of lineage specific markers
Authors: Horny H-P , Sotlar K , Stellmacher F , Krokowski M , Agis H , Schwartz L B , Valent P 
Published: February 2006

Aims:Compact tryptase-positive round cell infiltrates of the bone marrow (TROCI-BM) are very rare histopathological findings and may pose challenging problems with regard to the cell type involved (either mast cells or basophilic granulocytes) and the exact diagnosis.Methods:A selected panel of immunohistochemical markers against mast cell and basophil related antigens, including CD25, CD34, CD117/Kit, and the 2D7 antigen (which is found only in basophilic granulocytes) on a total of 410 routinely processed bone marrow biopsy specimens (including 88 cases of systemic mastocytosis (SM), 20 cases of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), 92 cases of myeloid neoplasms other than CML, and 210 controls with normal/reactive bone marrows).Results:In total, 17 cases with TROCI-BM could be identified: 11 SM (including two cases of well-differentiated SM and two mast cell leukaemias; MCL), 2 myelomastocytic leukaemia (MML), 2 CML with excess of basophils (secondary basophilic leukaemia (CMLba)), and 2 tryptase positive acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Regarding the cell types involved, TROCI-BM cells were found to express CD117/Kit in all cases of SM and MCL. In MML and tryptase postitive AML, TROCI-BM cells were found to coexpress CD34 and Kit. The basophil specific antigen 2D7 was only detected in CD34/Kit negative TROCI-BM cells in two patients with CMLba. The activating point mutation D816V was detected in 8/11 patients with SM but not in any of the other haematological malignancies.Conclusions:In summary, a total of six rare myeloid neoplasms may present with a novel immunohistochemical phenomenon tentatively termed TROCI-BM.
Globicatellabacteraemia identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing
Authors: Lau S K P , Woo P C Y , Li N K H , Teng J L L , Leung K-W , Ng K H L , Que T-L , Yuen K-Y 
Published: February 2006

Background:Globicatellaare streptococcus-like organisms that have been rarely isolated from clinical specimens. Their epidemiology and clinical significance remain largely unknown.Aims:To describe two cases ofGlobicatellabacteraemia identified by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing.Methods:Two unidentified streptococcus-like bacteria isolated from blood cultures of patients were subject to 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Results:Two cases ofGlobicatellabacteraemia were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In the first case, a gram positive coccus was isolated from the blood culture of an 80 year old woman with diabetes mellitus and nosocomial sepsis, who died the day after developing the bacteraemia. The bacterium was unidentified by conventional phenotypic tests, the Vitek (gram positive identification) and the ATB expression (ID32 Strep) systems. In the second case, a similar bacterium was isolated from the blood culture of a 92 year old woman with polymicrobial acute pyelonephritis complicated by septic shock, who subsequently recovered after antibiotic treatment. 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the two isolates showed 0.5% nucleotide difference from that ofG. sulfidifaciensand 0.7% nucleotide difference from that ofG. sanguinis, indicating that they wereGlobicatellaspecies.Conclusions:BecauseGlobicatellais rarely encountered in clinical microbiology laboratories, it may have been overlooked or misidentified in these cases. 16S rRNA gene sequencing is a useful tool to better characterise the epidemiology and clinical significance ofGlobicatella.
Centrilobular necrosis in autoimmune hepatitis: a histological feature associated with acute clinical presentation
Authors: Hofer H , Oesterreicher C , Wrba F , Ferenci P , Penner E 
Published: February 2006

Aims:The characteristic histological feature of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is interface hepatitis with predominant portal lymphoplasmacytic necroinflammatory infiltration. Centrilobular necrosis (CN), reminiscent of toxic or circulatory liver injury, has been reported in AIH. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of CN in patients with AIH and its correlation with laboratory and clinical data.Methods:Liver biopsies were obtained from 114 patients (90 women, 24 men, mean (SD) age 45.4 (19.4) years) with AIH and were evaluated under code by a single pathologist according to the modified Knodell score.Results:CN was found in 20 (17.5%) patients with virtually unaffected portal areas in four cases. Patients with AIH with CN had a higher total hepatic activity index (median (range) 11 (6 to 15)v5 (2 to 10)) and presented less frequently with cirrhosis (10%v38%). Patients with CN had a higher frequency of acute onset (87%v32%), higher bilirubin (median (range) 12.0 (0.43 to 40.0)v1.9 (0.36 to 46)) and higher ALT levels (median (range) 25.6 (2.7 to 63.9)v7.2 (0.7 to 62.6)), than did patients with AIH without centrizonal injury.Conclusion:CN with sparing of the portal areas represents a rare histological pattern in AIH. CN is associated with an acute clinical presentation and might reflect an early lesion preceding portal involvement. Recognition of this particular histological appearance enables early diagnosis of AIH and a timely initiation of immunosuppressive therapy.
Assessment of a prognostic biochemical indicator of nutrition and inflammation for identification of pressure ulcer risk
Authors: Reynolds T M , Stokes A , Russell L 
Published: February 2006

Background:Pressure ulcers represent a major cost to the healthcare systems of the world but preventative measures are expensive and could be better targeted. Current risk screening mechanisms are often subjective and could be improved.Aims:To evaluate whether a biochemical assessment tool (Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index; PINI) based on measurement of albumin, α1-acid glycoprotein, C-reactive protein, and prealbumin is of value in estimating the prognosis of patients with pressure ulcers of European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel grade 1 and above.Methods:Serum samples were collected from patients participating in a clinical trial of a pressure ulcer preventing mattress. These were analysed for the markers listed above and the PINI calculated. PINI was then evaluated against patient outcome.Results:A statistically significant difference between PINI values in patients whose pressure ulcers improved and those whose ulcers worsened was found in parametric testing, but significance was not achieved in non-parametric testing. A receiver operating characteristic plot showed the PINI was superior to chance in estimating prognosis.Conclusions:The PINI appears to offer a potential route to improving pressure ulcer risk estimation and thus allocation of scarce equipment to improve prevention.
Limited tissue fixation times and whole genomic amplification do not impact array CGH profiles
Authors: Ghazani A A , Arneson N C R , Warren K , Done S J 
Published: February 2006

Background:Array comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) is a powerful method for the genetic analysis of lesional and normal tissues to identify genomic imbalances associated with malignancies. However, the use of this technique with DNA extracted from archival formalin fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens, the most widely available resource for retrospective studies, is subject to quantitative and qualitative limitations. In this report, the suitability and integrity of the DNA extracted from FFPE MCF7 breast cancer cells fixed for different periods of time for array CGH applications were examined.Results:Using our established cDNA microarray protocol in conjunction with whole genome amplification methods, the genetic profiles of freshly harvested MCF7 cells and their matched FFPE counterparts were analysed. Congruent profiles between FFPE MCF7 cells and their fresh counterpart and between amplified and non-amplified FFPE MCF7 cells were observed. Our results demonstrate that formalin fixation of <20 hours has no significant adverse effect on the integrity of DNA for array CGH studies.Conclusions:Our findings attest to the fidelity of our array CGH methods to effectively examine material recovered from FFPE tissue specimens for microarray applications. This in turn has great potential to identify novel diagnostic and prognostic markers for human disease.
Psychometric properties of the Need for Recovery after work scale: test-retest reliability and sensitivity to detect change
Authors: de Croon E M , Sluiter J K , Frings-Dresen M H W 
Published: February 2006

Background:Monitoring worker health and evaluating occupational healthcare interventions requires sensitive instruments that are reliable over time. The Need for Recovery scale (NFR), which quantifies workers’ difficulties in recovering from work related exertions, may be a relevant instrument in this respect.Objectives:To examine (1) the NFR’s test-retest reliability and (2) the NFR’s sensitivity to detect the effect of a fatigue inducing change, namely an increase in working hours.Methods:Two year longitudinal data of 526 truck drivers and 144 nurses were used. Two week, one year, and two year test-retest reliability was examined in both stable and unstable work environments by calculating intraclass correlations (ICCs). Work environmental (in)stability was quantified by four events that might have occurred during the follow up period: (1) a reorganisation or merge (0 = yes, 1 = no), (2) a change of supervisor or management (0 = yes, 1 = no), (3) a change in working hours or work schedules (0 = yes, 1 = no), and (4) a change in work activities, position, or duties (0 = yes, 1 = no). The four scores constituted a work (in)stability index ranging from 0 to 4. The NFR’s sensitivity to detect the effect of the increase in working hours was assessed indirectly by comparing it with an alternative scale, namely the Checklist Individual Strength.Results:Test-retest reliability over a two year interval was good to excellent when applied in stable work environments (ICCs 0.68 to 0.80) but, as expected, poor to fair when applied in unstable work environments (ICCs 0.30 to 0.55). The NFR was sensitive in detecting an increase in work related fatigue due to the increase in working hours (effect size 0.40).Conclusions:The NFR’s test-retest reliability and sensitivity to detect change are favourable. This implicates that the NFR may form a valuable part of health surveys and may be a useful tool for evaluating occupational healthcare interventions.
Tuberculosis and silica exposure in South African gold miners
Authors: teWaterNaude J M , Ehrlich R I , Churchyard G J , Pemba L , Dekker K , Vermeis M , White N W , Thompson M L , Myers J E 
Published: February 2006

Aims:To examine the effect of silica exposure, in the absence of silicosis, on the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), which is epidemic among South African gold miners.Methods:Cross-sectional study of 520 gold miners over 37 years of age. Length of service, and cumulative and average dust and quartz exposure indices were derived for each miner. Chest radiographs were read for PTB by two NIOSH “B” readers. PTB was defined as a self-reported history of PTB or PTB on chest radiograph. Logistic regression was used to adjust for age, smoking, and silicosis. PTB effects of different exposure metrics for silica, scaled on their interquartile range (IQR), were compared.Results:Means (ranges) were: age 46.7 (37.1–59.9) years; length of service 21.8 (6.3–34.5) years; average intensity of respirable quartz 0.053 (0–0.095) mg/m3. PTB prevalence was 19.4% (95% CI 16.0 to 22.8) on history alone, and 35.2% (95% CI 31.1 to 39.3) on history or on chest radiograph. Length of service was poorly predictive of PTB, while all exposure indices which included dust or quartz yielded prevalence odds ratios (PORs) of approximately 1.4 (95% CI ∼1.1 to 1.8) for changes of one interquartile range in exposure. Controlling for silicosis—by adjustment or restriction—did not modify these results. Drillers and winch operators had the highest PTB prevalences and the highest dust and silica exposures.Conclusion:Older in-service gold miners in South Africa have a high prevalence of PTB, which is significantly associated with dust and silica exposure, even in the absence of silicosis. Limitations include a survivor workforce and the use of cumulative exposures based on current exposures. Dust control is an important component in control of the PTB epidemic in South African gold mines.
Sickness absence as a risk factor for job termination, unemployment, and disability pension among temporary and permanent employees
Authors: Virtanen M , Kivimäki M , Vahtera J , Elovainio M , Sund R , Virtanen P , Ferrie J E 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:This study examined sickness absence as a risk factor for job termination, unemployment, and disability pension among temporary and permanent workers.Methods:Prospective cohort study with data on employment contract and sickness absence in 1996, job termination by 1997, and employment status in 1997 and 2000 for 19 093 temporary and 41 530 permanent public sector employees.Results:For women aged 40 years or less and for women over 40, a high sickness absence increased the risk of job termination among temporary employees (OR 1.52 (95% CI 1.36 to 1.71) and OR 1.70 (95% CI 1.36 to 2.13) respectively). High absence was not associated with job termination among men in temporary employment. Among permanent employees, high sickness absence predicted job termination among older, but not among younger employees. Temporary employees with high sickness absence were at the highest risk of immediate unemployment and unemployment three years later. Among older permanent employees, high sickness absence was associated with subsequent work disability pension.Conclusions:A high rate of sickness absenteeism increases the risk of job termination and unemployment among women in temporary public sector jobs. For permanent employees, secure employment provides protection against unemployment even in the case of high sickness absence.
Chlorpyrifos exposure and biological monitoring among manufacturing workers: Table 1
Authors: Burns C J , Garabrant D , Albers J W , Berent S , Giordani B , Haidar S , Garrison R , Richardson R J 
Published: February 2006

Aim:To use biological monitoring data to evaluate the soundness of job based exposure classifications.Methods:The authors studied 52 chlorpyrifos manufacturing workers and 60 referent workers to compare chlorpyrifos exposure estimations from job titles and work areas to urinary excretion of 3,5,6 trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), a metabolite of chlorpyrifos. Work history records and industrial hygiene monitoring data were used to establish cumulative interim exposure. Chlorpyrifos exposure during the study year was assessed biologically by urinary excretion of TCP.Results:Exposure as measured by three urinary TCP samples was significantly higher among the chlorpyrifos workers (188 μg/l) than it was for the referent subjects (7 μg/l). Urinary TCP also correlated well with specific exposure categories of negligible (0.73–1.98 mg/m3days), low (1.99–4.91 mg/m3days), and moderate (4.92–15.36 mg/m3days). The weighted Kappa coefficient was 0.80 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.87) for the mean TCP over the study period.Conclusions:The estimates of chlorpyrifos exposure based on job classifications and industrial hygiene measurements were significantly related to urinary TCP excretion, indicating that the ambient estimates are useful for providing exposure estimates among chlorpyrifos manufacturing workers.
Association of renal function and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase polymorphism among Vietnamese and Singapore workers exposed to inorganic lead
Authors: Chia S-E , Zhou H J , Yap E , Tham M T , Dong N-V , Hong Tu N T , Chia K-S 
Published: February 2006

Objectives:To investigate the effect of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) polymorphisms on the association between blood lead and renal function among Vietnamese and Singaporean workers who were exposed to low to medium levels of inorganic lead, and to study the distribution of ALAD polymorphism among Vietnamese, Chinese, Malays and Indians.Methods:A total of 459 male and female workers were studied. Blood and urine were collected for each worker in order to determine ALAD genotype, blood lead, and urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALAU). Renal function tests included urine albumin (Ualb), urine β2 microglobulin (Uβ2m), urinary α1 microglobulin (Uα1m), N-acetyl-glucosaminidas (NAG), and urine retinol blinding protein (RBP). A multiple regression model with interaction term was applied to fit the entire data and to explore the modifying effect of ALAD polymorphism on the relation of blood lead to each renal function parameter.Results:ALAD1-1 was the predominant genotype for all the ethnic groups while ALAD2-2 was the rarest. The frequency of ALAD2 allele was higher among Malays (8.8%) and Indians (10.6%) compared to the Chinese (5.0%) and Vietnamese (4.3%). The geometric mean of blood lead for all workers was 19.0 μg/dl. The models for Uβ2m, Uα1m, and NAG showed that the ALAD1-2/2-2 group had higher β coefficients than the ALAD1-1 group. Corresponding to 10 μg/dl blood lead, ALAD1-1 homozygotes had an increment of 1.288 μg/g Cr, 1.175 mg/g Cr, and 1.995 U/g Cr for Uβ2m, Uα1m, and NAG, respectively. ALAD1-2/2-2 subjects had higher increments of 3.802 μg/g Cr, 2.138 mg/g Cr, and 3.89 U/g Cr for Uβ2m, Uα1m, and NAG, respectively.Conclusion:The frequency of the ALAD2 allele is as low in Vietnamese workers as in Chinese. Workers with the ALAD2 allele appeared more susceptible to the effects of lead (especially at higher levels) on renal function.