bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activity of Pichia pastoris alternative cis‐prenyltransferase is correlated with proliferation of peroxisomes
Authors: Skoneczny Marek , Kludkiewicz Barbara , Swiezewska Ewa , Szkopinska Anna 
Published: November 2005

AbstractWe have investigated dolichol synthesis in yeast Pichia pastoris. Growth of these cells on methanol causes peroxisome proliferation and induction of peroxisomal enzymes. Twenty‐four hours methanol treatment was sufficient for the appearance of longer‐chain dolichols. Less specific oleic acid induction needed 48 h for the synthesis of longer dolichol family with typical one still present. Cells cultured in non‐inducing conditions for 48 h did not reveal the presence of additional dolichol family. Peroxisomes purified from oleic acid treated cells synthesize in vitro polyprenols longer by two isoprene residues than those synthesized by microsomal fraction from glucose culture. These observations lead us to suggest that chain length of dolichols synthesized in yeast cell may depend on the carbon and energy source supply which mobilizes metabolic pathways localized to different cellular compartments.
Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of spontaneous abortion
Authors: Hu Yali , Chen Xue , Chen Lei Lei , Xu Zheng Feng , Wang XihRu , Cui Hengmi 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the feasibility and superiority of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in the genetic analysis of spontaneously aborted tissues.Methods38 conceptuses from early failed pregnancies were studied, of which, 27 samples were fresh and 11 were old. Each sample was divided into two parts, one part for conventional cytogenetic analysis and the other for CGH analysis.ResultsAll 38 spontaneously aborted tissues were analyzed successfully by the CGH approach, but only 31 samples received results from the cytogenetic karyotype analysis, while 7 other tissues failed to get data due to failure in tissue culturing. Among the specimen successfully analyzed by both approaches, 90% (28 out of 31) obtained identical results, and 14 aneuploidies were found. The only structural chromosome aberration in this series, 46, XY, del(3) (q22–24), was found using the CGH approach, which appeared as a normal male karyotype on the chromosomal metaphase spread. Also, two cases indicated triploidies under cytogenetic analysis but appeared to be normal on the CGH profile. In addition, among the seven samples of tissue culture failure, CGH identified three to be aneuploidies.ConclusionThe CGH analysis accurately identifies chromosomal unbalanced abnormalities related to spontaneous abortions with low failure rate.
The attitudes of two groups of South African women towards mode of delivery
Authors: Manthata A.L.A. , Hall D.R. , Steyn P.S. , Grové D. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether 2 specific groups of women prefer vaginal or abdominal delivery.MethodsForty‐six black and 54 colored (of mixed race, the predominant population group) primigravidas and 59 black and 62 colored multigravidas were interviewed between April 2003 and February 2004 at Tygerberg Hospital, Tygerberg, South Africa.ResultsAmong primigravidas, 89% of black women and 83% of colored women preferred vaginal delivery. Among the multigravidas, 86% of black women and 79% of colored women preferred vaginal delivery. Most women believed that they would recover more quickly (65%) and with less pain (32%) after vaginal delivery. Forty‐one percent of all women viewed episiotomy as the greatest disadvantage of vaginal delivery, while 43% were unaware of any advantage to cesarean delivery.ConclusionMost colored and black women preferred vaginal over cesarean delivery. A challenge to healthcare personnel is to educate women about both routes.
Provenance, age, and environment of mid-wisconsinan slackwater lake sediment in the St. Louis Metro East Area, USA
Authors: Curry B. Brandon , Grimley David A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractValleys tributary to the Mississippi River contain fossiliferous slackwater lake sediment (Equality Formation) deposited in response to aggradation of the Mississippi River valley during the last glaciation. In the St. Louis Metro East area, the lower part of the Equality Formation is primarily laminated, fossiliferous silt and clay deposited from about 44,150 to 24,310 14C yr B.P. The upper Equality Formation is primarily very fine sand to silt deposited from about 21,200 to 17,000 14C yr B.P. Among the four cores that sample this succession in the St. Louis Metro East area, core MNK-3 (38.64EN, 90.01EW) was selected for detailed study. Three sources are distinguished by the following characteristics: (1) gray smectite-quartz-Se-rich, feldspar-poor material of the Des Moines, Wadena, and James lobes; (2) reddish brown kaolinite–Cu–Fe-rich sediment of the Superior and Rainy lobes; and (3) brown illite–dolomite–Sr-rich sediment of the Lake Michigan and Green Bay lobes. The earliest sediments (44,150 to 41,700 14C yr B.P.) were derived from the central and western provenances and are chronocorrelative with the lower Roxana Silt. A hiatus occurred from about 41,700 to 29,030 14C yr B.P. when much of the middle Roxana Silt (Meadow Member) was deposited on adjacent uplands. The youngest sediment includes evidence of heightened activity of the Superior Lobe at about 29,000 14C yr B.P., the Lake Michigan and Green Bay lobes from about 25,000 to 24,000 14C yr B.P., and the Wadena-Des Moines-James lobes at about 21,000 14C yr B.P.
Modification of auditory pathway functions in patients with hearing improvement after middle ear surgery
Authors: Vasama Juha‐Pekka , Mäkelä Jyrki P. , Ramsay Hans A. 
Published: November 2005

We recorded auditory‐evoked magnetic responses with a whole‐scalp 122‐channel neuromagnetometer from seven adult patients with unilateral conductive hearing loss before and after middle ear surgery. The stimuli were 50‐msec 1‐kHz tone bursts, delivered to the healthy, nonoperated ear at interstimulus intervals of 1, 2, and 4 seconds. The mean preoperative pure‐tone average in the affected ear was 57 dB hearing level; the mean postoperative pure‐tone average was 17 dB. The 100‐msec auditory‐evoked response originating in the auditory cortex peaked, on average, 7 msecs earlier after than before surgery over the hemisphere contralateral to the stimulated ear and 2 msecs earlier over the ipsilateral hemisphere. The contralateral response strengths increased by 5% after surgery; ipsilateral strengths increased by 11%. The variation of the response latency and amplitude in the patients who underwent surgery was similar to that of seven control subjects. The postoperative source locations did not differ noticeably from preoperative ones. These findings suggest that temporary unilateral conductive hearing loss in adult patients modifies the function of the auditory neural pathway. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;119:125‐30.)
Acoustic Mechanisms
Authors: Whittemore Kenneth R. , Merchant Saumil N. , Rosowski John J. 
Published: November 2005

The contribution of the middle ear air spaces to sound transmission through the middle ear in canal wall‐up and canal wall‐down mastoidectomy was studied in human temporal bones by measurements of middle ear input impedance and sound pressure difference across the tympanic membrane for the frequency range 50 Hz to 5 kHz. These measurements indicate that, relative to canal wall‐up procedures, canal wall‐down mastoidectomy results in a 1 to 5 dB decrease in middle ear sound transmission below 1 kHz, a 0 to 10 dB increase between 1 and 3 kHz, and no change above 3 kHz. These results are consistent with those reported by Gyo et al. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;112:1262‐8), in which umbo displacement was used as a measure of sound transmission. A model analysis suggests that the reduction in sound transmission below 1 kHz can be explained by the smaller middle ear air space volume associated with the canal wall‐down procedure. We conclude that as long as the middle ear air space is aerated and has a volume greater than 0.7 ml, canal wall‐down mastoidectomy should generally cause less than 10 dB changes in middle ear sound transmission relative to the canal wall‐up procedure. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:751‐61.)
Aural Symptoms and Hearing Loss in Patients with Lupus
Authors: Sperling Neil M. , Tehrani Kevin , Liebling Anne , Ginzler Ellen 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVESystemic lupus erythematosus causes widespread tissue injury from deposition of immune complexes. The prevalence of aural symptoms in this disease was evaluated.METHODSThe presence of tinnitus, hearing loss, and fluctuating hearing was evaluated by a self‐directed questionnaire in patients aged 65 or less from a lupus clinic. Patients reporting aural symptoms were compared with those reporting none, by use of demographics and disease duration. Comparison was also made with historic serologic data. Audiometry was offered to all patients with lupus reporting aural symptoms and was completed in 10.RESULTSTwenty‐six (31%) of 84 patients with lupus reported aural symptoms. Patients reported a combination of symptoms: unilateral hearing loss with or without tinnitus in 13 (15%) of 84 and bilateral hearing loss with or without tinnitus in 14 (17%) of 84. No statistical difference was measured between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients when compared by average age, duration of disease, history of noise exposure, head trauma, and infectious ear diseases. Statistically significant differences were detected only when comparing average creatinine and C3 levels. Of those patients tested by audiometry, 7 of 10 had abnormal pure‐tone thresholds. Asymmetric findings were present in 6 of these 7 patients tested.CONCLUSIONAural symptoms are prevalent among patients with lupus. Asymmetric symptoms and hearing loss are most common. The cause may relate to immune‐complex disease and/or vasculitis.
Ondansetron Versus Droperidol or Placebo to Prevent Nausea and Vomiting after Otologic Surgery
Authors: Jellish W. Scott , Leonetti John P. , Fluder Elaine , Thalji Zuhair 
Published: November 2005

This study compares the preoperative administration of ondansetron with that of droperidol or saline solution for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in otologic surgery patients. A total of 120 otherwise healthy individuals were randomly assigned to receive either saline solution, ondansetron (4 mg intravenously), or droperidol (25 μg/kg intravenously) before anesthetic induction. Intraoperative and postanesthesia care unit times were recorded along with incidence of nausea, vomiting, pain, nausea and recovery scores, and the administration of rescue antiemetics. Similar assessments were made during the next 24 hours. Demographics were similar, but more males received ondansetron. Anesthetic recovery scores were lower after administration of droperidol than after ondansetron. Incidence of nausea was similar between groups, but severity was greater with placebo and droperidol than with ondansetron. More vomiting occurred with placebo than with ondansetron or droperidol. No intergroup differences in rescue antiemetic administration were noted, however. Twenty‐four hours later, more patients receiving placebo had nausea or vomited than patients receiving droperidol or ondansetron. Fewer women in the ondansetron group vomited than in the other two groups. Ondansetron 4 mg intravenously is as effective as droperidol and better than saline solution in preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing otologic surgery. No cost advantage as determined by lower use of rescue antiemetics or shorter postanesthesia care unit times was noted after ondansetron therapy. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:785–9.)
Comparison of Inflammatory Cell Profile and Th2 Cytokine Expression in the Ethmoid Sinuses, Maxillary Sinuses, and Turbinates of Atopic Subjects with Chronic Sinusitis
Authors: Kamil Asma , Ghaffar Omar , Lavigne François , Taha Rame , Renzi Paolo M. , Hamid Qutayba 
Published: November 2005

Chronic sinusitis is a common disease characterized by persistent inflammation of the sinus mucosa. This study was undertaken to investigate immunopathologic findings in biopsy specimens from the ethmoid sinuses, maxillary sinuses, and inferior nasal turbinates of 14 allergic subjects with chronic sinusitis. The composition of the inflammatory infiltrate in the three tissue sites was examined by immunocytochemistry with anti‐CD3 (total T cells), anti‐CD4 (helper T cells), anti‐CD8 (suppressor T cells), anti‐MBP (eosinophils), antitryptase (mast cells), and antichymase (mast cells) antibodies. These revealed a significant increase in the T‐cell helper/suppressor ratio and eosinophils in the ethmoid sinus mucosa compared with those in the maxillary sinus mucosa and the inferior turbinate. Eosinophil numbers were also higher in the maxillary sinus than in the inferior turbinate. Mast cells were present in significantly higher numbers in the ethmoid sinus and inferior turbinate biopsy sections than in the maxillary sinus. With antisense, radiolabeled riboprobes, we used in situ hybridization to examine the expression of interleukin‐4 and interleukin‐5 transcripts. The density of cells expressing interleukin‐4 transcripts was significantly higher in the inferior turbinate biopsy sections than in those from the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses. In addition, the number of interleukin‐4 mRNA—positive cells was higher in the ethmoid than in the maxillary sinus mucosa. The density of interleukin‐5 mRNA—positive cells was significantly higher in the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses than in the inferior turbinate. The results of this study indicate (1) a more intense inflammatory response in the ethmoid sinus than in the maxillary sinus and inferior turbinate in allergic chronic sinusitis and (2) different inflammatory responses in the upper airways that are dependent on the anatomic site. These findings have potential implications in the design of new therapeutic interventions for allergic chronic sinusitis. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:804–9.)
Transforming Growth Factor‐α with Insulin Induces Proliferation in Rat Utricular Extrasensory Epithelia
Authors: Kuntz Alice L. , Oesterle Elizabeth C. 
Published: November 2005

Hair cell loss in the human inner ear leads to sensorineural hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that exogenous addition of growth factors, for example, transforming growth factor‐α with insulin, may stimulate the production of new supporting cells and hair cells in the mature mammalian vestibular sensory epithelium. Before any growth factor can be seriously considered for the treatment of clinical problems related to hair cell loss, its effects on the extrasensory epithelia must also be fully explored. The aim of this study was to determine whether transforming growth factor‐α and insulin stimulate cell proliferation in rodent vestibular extrasensory epithelia. The cell proliferation marker, tritiated thymidine, was infused along with transforming growth factor‐α, insulin, or transforming growth factor‐α plus insulin into the inner ears of adult rats via osmotic pumps. Effects of the test agents were assessed on normal and drug‐damaged utricles. Drug damage was produced by delivering gentamicin directly into the inner ear before the infusion of test agent. Animals were killed 4 or 10 days after pump placement. Utricles were sectioned, processed for autoradiography, and examined for labeled cells within the extrasensory epithelia. In normal animals, transforming growth factor‐α plus insulin stimulated DNA synthesis in all regions of the extrasensory epithelia, suggesting that these agents are mitogenic for these tissues. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:816‐24.)
Completion Thyroidectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: CHAO TZU‐CHIEH , JENG LONG‐BIN , LIN JEN‐DER , CHEN MIIN‐FU 
Published: November 2005

Completion thyroidectomy is performed because of a deferred diagnosis of differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid or a significant thyroid remnant after initial operation. During a period of 6 years, data from 40 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma undergoing completion thyroidectomy were retrospectively reviewed. There were 4 men and 36 women (1:9), and the average age was 39.6 ± 1.9 years (range, 20 to 62 years). The indications for the initial surgery were a solitary thyroid nodule in 36 (90%) patients, multi‐nodular goiter in 3 (7.5%) patients, and Graves' disease in 1 (2.5%) patient. Three patients underwent completion thyroidectomy during the same hospital stay. In the remaining 37 patients, completion thyroidectomy was performed 4 to 252 days (44.1 ± 7.8 days) after the initial operation. The length of hospital stay for the initial operation was not different from that for completion thyroidectomy (5.1 ± 0.3 days vs. 5.2 ± 0.3 days). The length of time needed to accomplish the initial operation was not different from that required for the completion thyroidectomy (122 ± 7.5 minutes vs. 110.8 ± 5.9 minutes). There was no 30‐day peri‐operative mortality. The postoperative morbidity in completion thyroidectomy consisted of transient hypoparathyroidism in 3 (7.5%) patients, permanent hypoparathyroidism in 1 (2.5%) patient, transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 1 (2.5%) patient, and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 1 (2.5%) patient. On the other hand, one transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and one transient hypoparathyroidism occurred at the initial operation. Completion thyroidectomy is a safe procedure to remove the thyroid remnant. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;118:896–9.)
Effect of intravenous calcitonin gene‐related peptide antagonist on the laryngeal chemoreflex in piglets
Authors: Bauman Nancy M. , Wang Deqiang , Jaffe Debra A. , Sandler Anthony D. , Luschei Erich S. 
Published: November 2005

The laryngeal chemoreflex (LCR) is characterized by mixed apnea and cardiovascular instability and is elicited by applying water to the laryngeal mucosa of developing animals. The LCR may be fatal in very young animals, and the reflex has been postulated as a possible mechanism of sudden infant death syndrome. Several antagonists have been found to alter the severity of the LCR, but the primary neurotransmitters involved in mediating the reflex response are not yet well understood. This study investigates the effect, on the LCR, of the pharmacologic antagonism of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (αCGRP), a neurochemical found in abundance in the mammalian laryngeal mucosa and its innervating system. The LCR was elicited in 10 mixed breed piglets, 17.7 days of age (12 to 22 days), before and during infusion of αCGRP 8‐37, a pharmacologic inhibitor of αCGRP and cardiorespiratory and laryngeal responses were compared. The duration of obstructive apnea decreased from 17.9 to 9.8 seconds (P < 0.03) in the presence of αCGRP 8‐37. Mean central apnea did not change for the group (P > 0.05), although it was completely inhibited in 2 animals. Cardiovascular changes were not significantly altered by the αCGRP inhibitor. αCGRP appears to play a regulatory role in the apneic response of the LCR, particularly its obstructive component, but not the cardiovascular response.
Systemic reactivation of otitis media with effusion in a rat model
Authors: Jewett Brian S. , Prazma Jiri P. , Hunter Shannon E. , Rose Austin S. , Clark J. Madison , Sartor Balfour R. , Pillsbury Harold C. 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVEThis study addresses the interaction of bacterial antigens, specifically peptidoglycan‐polysaccharide (PG‐PS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in the induction and reactivation of mucoid middle ear effusions.METHODSTwenty‐seven rats underwent eustachian tube obstruction before inoculation of the middle ear bulla with PG‐PS. Three weeks later, after resolution of all middle ear effusions, 6 rats were randomly selected and euthanized as the first control group (control I). The remaining 21 animals were randomly assigned to 3 groups that received intravenous injections of Krebs Ringer (control II), PG‐PS, and LPS, respectively. These rats were euthanized 2 days after intravenous injection. Middle ear mucin production and histologic changes were measured in all animals.RESULTSThe mean concentrations of mucin were 0.94 ± 0.52 mg/mL, 0.41 ± 0.87 mg/mL, 16.33 ± 3.67 mg/mL, and 1.15 ± 0.41 mg/mL in the control I, control II, PG‐PS, and LPS groups, respectively. Thus the mean concentration of mucin in the middle ear lavage samples was significantly greater in rats that were injected intravenously with PG‐PS than in rats in other groups (P < 0.05). Histologic analyses demonstrated a greater degree of goblet cell hyperplasia in the PG‐PS group than in other groups.CONCLUSIONSThis is the first animal model of recurring otitis media with effusion in which a systemic injection of PG‐PS was used to reactivate a middle ear effusion in rats previously primed with a transtympanic injection of PG‐PS. This study suggests that after otitis media with effusion has resolved, it may be reactivated by the presence of bacterial antigens and/or cytokines in the systemic circulation.
Effects of sound pressure levels on fundamental frequency in tracheoesophageal speakers
Authors: Deschler Daniel G. , Doherty E. Thomas , Reed Charles G. , Singer Mark I. 
Published: November 2005

The quality of tracheoesophageal (TE) voice after laryngectomy is dependent on numerous factors. The relative contribution of specific variables is not well described. To evaluate the modulation of fundamental frequency (F0)—pitch—in TE speakers after total laryngectomy and voice restoration, we instructed 11 TE speakers to complete a series of vocal tasks under standardized conditions. All patients underwent standard laryngectomy with appropriate neck dissection and full‐course radiation therapy. Each speaker produced 4 sustained phonations at distinct levels. Sound pressure level (SPL)—intensity—and F0 measurements were taken for each level. Statistical analysis to assess the relative effect of SPL on F0 demonstrated a statistically significant effect. However, the knowledge of SPL allowed only a 9% greater prediction of F0, indicating that factors other than SPL are integral to the modulation of F0 by TE speakers. These data lend further support to the theory that TE voice is an active process incorporating the myoelastic properties of the pharyngoesophageal segment as well as the properties of aerodynamic flow.
Penicillin‐nonsusceptible pneumococcus in acute otitis media in New York City
Authors: Haddad Joseph , Saiman Lisa , Chin Nai‐Xun , DELLA‐Latta Phyllis 
Published: November 2005

OBJECTIVETo determine the proportion of children with acute otitis media (AOM) presenting in our catchment area in New York City who were infected with nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae and to determine the susceptibility of these organisms to penicillins and other antibiotics commonly used to treat AOM.SETTINGAmbulatory clinics and the emergency department of a tertiary care, inner‐city medical center.PATIENTSDuring a 2‐year period from 1993 to 1995, 115 children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with AOM underwent tympanocentesis. Patients did not receive antibiotics for at least 1 week before tympanocentesis.RESULTSThirty‐one children were infected with S pneumoniae, and 83.9% of isolates were susceptible to penicillin. Of the 16.1% strains that were nonsusceptible, most (4 of 5 strains) were intermediately resistant, and only 1 exhibited high‐level resistance to penicillin. Of all the cephalosporins tested, only cefotaxime had consistent activity against the intermediately resistant strains. Notably, all nonsusceptible pneumococci were inhibited by macrolides.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides unique reference data for nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae in children with AOM and documents that newer cephalosporin agents are not active against all of these strains.