bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term culture of porcine esophageal epithelial cells without use of feeder layers
Authors: Mhaisalkar Priyadarshini , Sin Chian Kerm 
Published: May 2006

AbstractEpithelial cells from normal pig esophagus survived in culture for about 4 months undergoing about 12 passages and nearly 40 doublings before showing signs of slow proliferation and senescence. Epithelial cells did not show any attachment and proliferation in serum free media, compared to cells supplemented with 10% serum, where the doubling time was between 48 and 60 h. Fibroblasts never became the prominent cell type in these cultures at any given time point. The epithelial cells reacted with antibodies to keratin AE1/AE3, keratin 14 and to involucrin, the differentiating marker.
Type II diabetic mice exhibit contractile dysfunction but maintain cardiac output by favourable loading conditions
Authors: Van den Bergh An , Flameng Willem , Herijgers Paul 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackgroundCardiomyopathy in type II diabetes is incompletely understood. The leptin receptor‐deficient (db/db) mouse is a well‐accepted model of type II diabetes. To date, left ventricular contractility has not been studied in animal models of type II diabetes with in vivo load‐independent parameters.AimTo determine cardiac function in db/db mice in vivo.MethodsCardiac function in 12‐ and 24‐week‐old db/db and wild‐type mice was assessed using a microtip‐pressure‐conductance catheter.ResultsLeft ventricular contractile dysfunction, measured by load‐independent parameters (preload recruitable stroke work, end‐systolic elastance, dP/dt‐Ved), is present in diabetic mice from age 24 weeks onwards. Despite this contractile dysfunction, the conventional parameters cardiac output, ejection fraction and dP/dtmax were maintained, which was due to an increased preload and decreased afterload. Ventriculo‐arterial coupling was increased and mechanical efficiency significantly reduced in db/db mice.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that, despite impaired cardiac contractility and mechanical efficiency, cardiac output is maintained in db/db mice by favourable loading conditions and that in vivo load‐independent measurements are necessary to fully characterize cardiac performance in animal models of pathophysiological states.
Ventricular pre‐excitation and cardiac hypertrophy mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a Turkish family with a novel PRKAG2 mutation
Authors: Bayrak Fatih , Komurcu‐Bayrak Evrim , Mutlu Bulent , Kahveci Gokhan , Basaran Yelda , Erginel‐Unaltuna Nihan 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground:Mutations in PRKAG2, the gene for the γ2 regulatory subunit of AMP‐activated protein kinase, cause cardiac hypertrophy and electrophysiological abnormalities. We identified a novel mutation in PRKAG2 causing familial ventricular pre‐excitation and severe cardiac hypertrophy.Methods and results:We studied 30 members of one family and 120 healthy controls. Molecular analysis of PRKAG2 gene revealed one missense mutation in exon 14 which was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion. We identified a G to A transition, resulting in a Glu506Lys substitution in the PRKAG2 gene in 8 of the family members, who all had cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular pre‐excitation. High incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction are other prominent features of this novel PRKAG2 mutation. Family members without mutation had no cardiac disease. The 120 unrelated healthy individuals did not show this mutation.Conclusions:Coexistence of unexplained ventricular hypertrophy and pre‐excitation should prompt the diagnosis of PRKAG2 mutations and these patients should be referred for genetic analysis. The possible alteration of AMP‐activated protein kinase activity due to genetic defects in PRKAG2 may serve as a template for developing more specific therapies in the treatment of patients with this mutation.
Continuous brachial plexus blockade in combination with the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine prevents phantom pain in acute traumatic upper limb amputees
Authors: Schley M. , Topfner S. , Wiech K. , Schaller H.E. , Konrad C.J. , Schmelz M. , Birbaumer N. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground: Hyperexcitability of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate acid (NMDA) receptors may play an important role in the development of phantom limb pain (PLP).Aim of the study: To investigate whether early treatment with the NMDA antagonist memantine attenuates phantom pain memory formation in traumatic amputees.Methods: In a randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial 19 patients with acute traumatic amputation of the upper extremity were investigated. All patients received postoperative analgesia by continuous brachial plexus anesthesia (ropivacaine 0.375% 5ml/h) for at least 7 days. In addition, the patients received either memantine (20–30mg daily, n=10) or placebo (n=9) for 4 weeks.Results: Memantine treatment reduced the number of requested ropivacacine bolus injections during the first week and resulted in a significant decrease of PLP prevalence and intensity at 4 weeks and 6 months follow up, but not at 12 months follow up.Conclusions: We conclude that memantine can reduce intensity of phantom limb pain and might also prevent the development of PLP. However, despite the very early begin of treatment; no long‐term effect on established PLP was evident.
Genetic variation in restored Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) populations in the Ulla and Lérez rivers, Galicia, Spain
Authors: Saura María , Caballero Pablo , Caballero Armando , Morán Paloma 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The populations of Atlantic salmon in the Ulla and Lérez rivers, located in Galicia in northwestern Spain, were close to extinction early in the 1990s. A restoration programme involving supportive breeding has been conducted since 1995, using a mixture of salmon populations from several Galician rivers. The programme utilizes progeny of adults returning to the rivers and wild parr reared in fresh water until maturity. Five microsatellite loci were used to compare genetic variability in the restored populations with that in populations before their collapse in the 1950s. DNA samples were obtained from scale collections (old samples) and from tissue samples of live fish caught in the rivers (modern samples). Average heterozygosities and allelic richness are very similar in modern and old samples. Populations inhabiting the Ulla and Lérez rivers today are more similar than they were in the past, possibly because they originated in the same stock mixture.
A comparative study of patient satisfaction with day case and in-patient major ear surgery
Authors: Tysome J R , Padgham N D 
Published: May 2006

Introduction: Major ear surgery can be safely performed on a day case basis (i.e. six hour stay). This study aimed to ascertain whether patients had the same level of satisfaction and speed of recovery following major ear surgery when it was performed as a day case compared with performance as an in-patient procedure.Method: A cross-sectional survey, by postal questionnaire, of patient satisfaction with day case and in-patient major ear surgery was carried out with 158 patients. Comparisons were made between the responses of the two groups.Results: The response rate was 71 per cent. Patients returned to work significantly sooner following day surgery (p < 0.025) but felt their operation to be of significantly more benefit following in-patient surgery (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Patient satisfaction following day case major ear surgery is as good as that following in-patient surgery. This has supported the expansion of this service in our unit.
Prognostic relevance of anamnestic and diagnostic parameters in low-frequency hearing impairment
Authors: Maier W , Schipper J 
Published: May 2006

Low-frequency hearing impairment (LFHI) is mainly attributed to endolymphatic hydrops and has a great variety of possible outcomes. At present, no conservative therapeutic regimen has proven to be ‘gold-standard’, and information about the prognostic indicators of LFHI is scarce.In a retrospective investigation, we evaluated the records of 90 patients who had been treated with infusions improving blood perfusion. In patients lacking complete remission, dehydration infusion therapy was added. We also undertook audiometric follow up. We calculated the outcomes after infusion therapy, dehydration therapy and after long-time hearing follow up, and we determined the prognostic relevance of several parameters of anamnesis and clinical examination to outcomes, for both therapeutic interventions and long-time hearing.The prognosis of LFHI was significantly correlated to certain anamnestic and clinical parameters; a short duration of the disease, lack of vertigo and female gender implied a better outcome. The pretherapeutic hearing threshold was an important prognostic factor; the outcome was significantly worse in patients with distinct hearing impairment in low or high frequencies, compared with that in patients with little hearing loss. Whereas vertigo was a negative prognostic factor, the results of quantitative vestibular testing were irrelevant to the outcome. The glycerol test failed to predict the effectiveness of dehydration therapy and lacked any value in predicting prognosis.These results allow the clinician to focus the anamnesis and diagnostic examination on prognostically relevant parameters, thus enabling a better estimation of the long-term disease course and improved counselling of patients. Furthermore, these results help to distinguish valuable from irrelevant diagnostic procedures.
Evaluation of a new diagnostic modality for distal assessment of advanced, obstructing hypopharyngeal cancer
Authors: El-Monem M H Abd , Magdy Emad A 
Published: May 2006

Introduction: Pre-operative endoscopic assessment of the distal extension of hypopharyngeal cancer is essential for proper surgical extirpation. This assessment is frequently not feasible in advanced, obstructing tumours.Aims: To study the role of a proposed new diagnostic technique: intra-operative open oesophagoscopy, in distal assessment of advanced hypopharyngeal cancer.Materials and methods: A clinicopathological study, including 35 consecutive patients with obstructing hypopharyngeal cancer.Results: Intra-operative open oesophagoscopy revealed inferior submucosal tumour extension in 19 out of 22 cases proven histopathologically, with a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 86, 100 and 91 per cent, respectively. Oesophageal skip lesions were detected in two cases. Intra-operative open oesophagoscopy findings surpassed data obtained from pre-operative radiological investigations and influenced the extent of resection performed. Accordingly, 19 patients had a total laryngopharyngectomy for local disease control, while 16 patients needed an additional total oesophagectomy. Histopathologically negative inferior resection margins were obtained in all cases.Conclusions: Intra-operative open oesophagoscopy was found to be a reliable diagnostic modality for distal assessment of obstructing hypopharyngeal cancer in cases in which pre-operative distal endoscopic examination was not feasible.
Retroperitoneal metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil (with elevated beta human chorionic gonadotrophin): a misdiagnosis as extra-gonadal germ cell tumour
Authors: Hofmann U , O'Connor J P , Biyani C S , Harnden P , Selby P , Weston P M T 
Published: May 2006

Head and neck cancers usually spread first to the regional lymph nodes but rarely may metastasize to distant sites. Metastasis to distant lymph node groups is a rare event. Furthermore, delayed multiple metastases without local recurrence is relatively uncommon. A case of retroperitoneal metastasis from a squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, secreting beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG), is reported.A 58-year-old man had undergone a tonsillectomy and chemo-radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsil and 13 months later presented with non-specific abdominal pain. The serum β-hCG levels were high and an abdominal ultrasound scan revealed hydronephrosis on the left side. A computed tomography scan demonstrated para-aortic retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent an open lymph node biopsy. The initial pathological analysis was interpreted as extra-gonadal germ cell tumour and the patient received chemotherapy. A subsequent review was consistent with a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, as immunohistochemical studies showed positive staining for epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratins 5/6 but a negative reaction to placental alkaline phosphatase. Following this, the chemotherapy regimen was changed; however, a restaging scan demonstrated progression, and the patient died from aspiration pneumonia secondary to alcohol intoxication.To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of retroperitoneal metastasis from a squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, secreting β-hCG and causing hydronephrosis. This case highlights the necessity of using clinical, histological, immunohistological and ultrastructural examination to establish precise diagnosis and to avoid inappropriate treatment.
Actinomycosis of the tongue: a diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Ateşpare A , Keskin G , Erçin C , Keskin S , Camcıoğlu A 
Published: May 2006

Actinomycotic infections of the cervicofacial region are not uncommon. However, actinomycosis of the tongue is rare. A mass that may mimic both benign and malignant neoplasms can be seen at clinical presentation and may mislead the diagnosis.We report a patient who presented with a tumour-like tongue mass causing speech disturbance, diagnosed as actinomycosis.
Instability of obliquely propagating dust waves in a collisional highly magnetized plasma
Authors: ROSENBERG M. , SHUKLA P.K. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract.We investigate the instability of obliquely propagating dust waves in a collisional, magnetized plasma containing negatively charged dust grains. It is assumed that the magnetic field strength is such that the ions and electrons are magnetized, while the dust is unmagnetized. We consider both modified two-stream and dust-acoustic instabilities that are driven by an ion cross-field drift and that occur for waves propagating obliquely to the magnetic field. We use parameters that may be representative of possible laboratory experimental conditions to illustrate the growth rates. We also compare our results with prior theoretical studies of a Hall current instability of perpendicularly propagating electrostatic waves. It is found that these obliquely propagating wave instabilities may also be important for representative laboratory parameters when the cross-field drift speed is a significant fraction of the ion thermal speed.
The structure and stability of accretion disks surrounding black holes with anomalous viscosity
Authors: CHEN YUEQI , LIU SANQIU 
Published: May 2006

Abstract.The solution of the steady state of accretion disks surrounding non-rotating black holes is solved by numerical simulations, where we adopt a promising viscosity prescription (i.e. anomalous magnetic viscosity). We can describe the disk more exactly than other studies, because the viscosity we adopted is close to the truth accretion disk. In contrast to previous studies, the curve of the Mach number behaves differently owing to the decline of the local sound velocity with increasing radii.The stability of these disks has been examined. We find that the O-mode (out-mode) is always unstable and its growth rate decreases monotonically with increasing wavelength, in the inner disk and in the outer disk. The I-mode (in-mode) is unstable in the outer disk, but stable in the inner disk when the wavelength is greater than a special value.
IGNAZ HOLZBAUER AND THE ORIGINS OF GERMAN OPERA IN VIENNA
Authors: Bennett Lawrence 
Published: May 2006

Ignaz Holzbauer (1711–1783) is best known for his singspiel Günther von Schwarzburg (1777), a work that deeply impressed Mozart during his sojourn in Mannheim. A much earlier German opera by Holzbauer, however, has gone virtually unnoticed. In the summer or autumn of 1741 the composer’s full-length, three-act teutsche Opera entitled Hypermnestra was performed at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna. Following the death of Emperor Charles VI and the accession of Maria Theresia, the Kärntnertortheater Intendant Joseph Selliers commissioned a German-language opera, selecting Holzbauer, who had recently returned to Vienna from Moravia, to compose the music and the court printer Johann Leopold van Ghelen to write the libretto.Although it is widely known that Holzbauer composed several operas in Italian before 1741, Hypermnestra appears to be the earliest opera by the composer for which a score survives. The music provides ample evidence of a mature composer in full command of opera seria style. Although Holzbauer had not yet found a satisfactory solution to the problem of narrative recitative, the opera nevertheless illustrates many of the virtues found in Günther von Schwarzburg: outstanding accompanied recitatives, a great variety in the treatment of da capo aria form and a rich array of orchestral colours.Apart from the music, Hypermnestra is remarkable for historical reasons. It reveals that the composer had received a commission to compose an opera in the German language long before Günther von Schwarzburg. On the basis of current research it appears to hold the distinction of being one of the earliest, if not the first, full-length German opera produced in Vienna. Maria Theresia soon re-established the dominance of French and Italian styles. Nevertheless, Hypermnestra is an early example of an idea that would gradually gain acceptance and blossom during the reign of Joseph II.
NetGen: generating phylogenetic networks with diploid hybrids
Authors: Morin M. M. , Moret B. M. E. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractSummary: NetGen is an event-driven simulator that creates phylogenetic networks by extending the birth–death model to include diploid hybridizations. DNA sequences are evolved in conjunction with the topology, enabling hybridization decisions to be based on contemporary evolutionary distances. NetGen supports variable rate lineages, root sequence specification, outgroup generation and many other options. This note describes the NetGen application and proposes an extension of the Newick format to accommodate phylogenetic networks.Availability: NetGen is written in C and is available in source form atContact: morin@cs.unm.edu
Clearance of leukaemic blasts from peripheral blood during standard induction treatment predicts the bone marrow response in acute myeloid leukaemia: a pilot study
Authors: Gianfaldoni Giacomo , Mannelli Francesco , Baccini Michela , Antonioli Elisabetta , Leoni Franco , Bosi Alberto 
Published: May 2006

SummaryAlthough several parameters are useful for risk stratification of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), there are no firm criteria for predicting response to induction treatment of individual patients. Daily flow cytometry (FC) analysis, carried out during induction treatment in 30 AML patients, showed that the clearance of blasts from peripheral blood (PBC) correlated closely with response, as assessed by bone marrow FC on day 14, and by morphologic analysis at haematopoietic recovery. Therefore, a major treatment outcome can be predicted very early in AML patients, thus providing an opportunity for tailoring treatment modalities from the outset.
Downregulation of DBC1 expression in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is mediated by aberrant methylation of its promoter
Authors: San José‐Enériz Edurne , Agirre Xabier , Román‐Gómez José , Cordeu Lucia , Garate Leire , Jiménez‐Velasco Antonio , Vázquez Iria , Calasanz María José , Heiniger Anabel , Torres Antonio , Prósper Felipe 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe DBC1 gene is a potential tumour suppressor gene that is commonly hypermethylated in epithelial cancers. We studied the role of promoter hypermethylation in the regulation of DBC1 in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cell lines and 170 ALL patients at diagnosis. Abnormal methylation of DBC1 was observed in all ALL cell lines and in 17% of ALL patients. Moreover, DBC1 methylation was associated with decreased DBC1 expression, while treatment of ALL cells with 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine resulted in demethylation of the promoter and upregulation of DBC1 expression. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation identified the deletion of one allele of DBC1 in some ALL cell lines, which indicated that the lack of DBC1 expression was due to deletion of one allele and methylation of the other. In conclusion, these results demonstrate, for the first time, that the expression of DBC1 is downregulated in a percentage of patients with ALL due to the hypermethylation of its promoter and/or gene deletion.
Acquired and inherited disorders of cobalamin and folate in children
Authors: Michael Whitehead V. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryCobalamin deficiency in the newborn usually results from cobalamin deficiency in the mother. Megaloblastic anaemia, pancytopenia and failure to thrive can be present, accompanied by neurological deficits if the diagnosis is delayed. Most cases of spina bifida and other neural tube defects result from maternal folate and/or cobalamin insufficiency in the periconceptual period. Polymorphisms in a number of genes involved in folate and cobalamin metabolism exacerbate the risk. Inborn errors of cobalamin metabolism affect its absorption, (intrinsic factor deficiency, Imerslund‐Gräsbeck syndrome) and transport (transcobalamin deficiency) as well as its intracellular metabolism affecting adenosylcobalamin synthesis (cblAandcblB), methionine synthase function (cblEandcblG) or both (cblC,cblDandcblF). Inborn errors of folate metabolism include congenital folate malabsorption, severe methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency and formiminotransferase deficiency. The identification of disease‐causing mutations in specific genes has improved our ability to diagnose many of these conditions, both before and after birth.
The surgeon's view of the anterior ethmoid artery
Authors: D. Simmen , U. Raghavan , H.R. Briner , M. Manestar , B. Schuknecht , P. Groscurth , N.S. Jones 
Published: May 2006

Objectives:  To define the relationship of the anterior ethmoid artery to the frontal recess and secondly whether the degree of pneumatisation of the suprabullar recess/supraorbital cell correlates with the distance between the anterior ethmoid artery and the skull base thus making it more vulnerable to damage during surgery.Method:  Thirty‐four cadaver head sides were perfused with pink latex. All specimens had high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) scans using bone windows in the axial, coronal and sagittal planes. The specimen's nasal septum was removed and the ethmoid sinuses dissected to locate the anterior ethmoid artery. Calipers were used to measure distance between the artery and the frontal recess and from the skull base.Results:  The anterior ethmoid artery was found in all the specimens and scans. The distance between the anterior ethmoid artery and the posterior wall of the frontal recess was 11 mm (range 6–15 mm). In all specimens, the artery was seen between the second and third lamella. The commonest location of the artery was in the suprabullar recess (85.3%). Supraorbital cells were seen in 16 specimens. The ethmoid sinuses were well pneumatised with a large supraorbital cell in 10 of these specimens and in these the artery was lying 3.7 mm (range 1–8 mm) away from the skull base. Six specimens had poor pneumatisation and a small supraorbital cell and in these the artery was found close to or with in the skull base. In specimens without a supraorbital cell, the artery lay at the skull base in all but one.Conclusions:  The position of the anterior ethmoidal artery is very variable. The artery is found between the second and third lamella. When the ethmoid sinuses are more pneumatised and in particular when there is a supraorbital cell, the artery lies below the skull base. A good strategy is to identify the degree of pneumatisation of the ethmoid sinuses from CT scans preoperatively to see if the artery is at an increased risk of being damaged.