bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Carbohydrates on the Ability of Bull Sperm to Bind to Bovine Oviduct Epithelial Cells
Authors: Kon Y , Iwata H , Shiono H , Matsubara K , Kurita A , Sakaguchi Y , Kuwayama T , Monji Y 
Published: October 2008

ContentsIn the present study, we investigated the effect of various carbohydrates on the ability of bovine spermatozoa to bind to the bovine oviduct epithelial cells (OECs). We also examined the fertilization competence and motility of spermatozoa that bind to OECs in the presence of carbohydrates. Frozen‐thawed spermatozoa were incubated with OECs, with and without various carbohydrates. The sperms were then divided into two fractions: OEC‐binding sperms (B‐sperm) and non‐OEC binding sperms (NB‐sperm). The fertilization rate, ability to bind the zona pellucida, and membrane integrity of the spermatozoa as determined using a hypo‐osmotic‐swelling test (HOST) were lower in NB‐sperm than in the unseparated spermatozoa (control). The motility of the B‐sperm was maintained for a longer time than that of the control spermatozoa. The addition of N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine (GlcNAc, 5 mm) to the sperm‐OEC mixture increased the number of B‐sperm. D‐mannose (5 mm) and D‐fucose (5 mm) had no effect on the number of B‐sperm. The motility of B‐sperm, which bound to OECs in the presence of GlcNAc, however, was not maintained. When either OECs or the spermatozoa were treated with GlcNAc prior to sperm‐OEC co‐incubation, only sperm‐side treatment enhanced sperm‐OEC binding, but B‐sperm motility was not maintained. The motility of spermatozoa incubated with GlcNAc was lower than that of controls. These results indicate that GlcNAc enhances sperm binding to OECs, probably via sperm surface modification, but does not promote increased sperm survival.
Influence of Inseminate Components on Porcine Leucocyte Migration In Vitro and In Vivo after Pre‐ and Post‐Ovulatory Insemination
Authors: Taylor U , Schuberth HJ , Rath D , Michelmann HW , Sauter‐Louis C , Zerbe H 
Published: October 2008

ContentsA post‐breeding migration of leucocytes (PMN) into the uterus is considered to be an important reason for sperm losses. Minimizing such effects may be necessary for successful insemination with low sperm numbers, as required with sex‐sorted spermatozoa. We examined the magnitude of PMN influx 3 h after pre‐ or post‐ovulatory insemination with various combinations of seminal plasma (SP), semen extender Androhep™ (AH; Minitüb, Tiefenbach, Germany) and sperm preparations (S). Pre‐ovulatory inseminations with preparations containing 98% AH caused a massive influx of PMN, independent of whether spermatozoa were present (628 ± 189 × 106 leucocytes/uterine horn) or not (580 ± 153 × 106). Post‐ovulatory, 98% AH caused a comparable immigration only in the absence of sperm cells (AH: 569 ± 198 × 106, AH+S: 162 ± 102 × 106). The presence of SP significantly dampened the numbers of recruited uterine leucocytes. The reaction to all inseminates containing 98% SP both with and without spermatozoa, used before ovulation (SP: 14 ± 6 × 106, SP+S: 73 ± 27 × 106) and after ovulation (SP: 60 ± 32 × 106, SP+S: 51 ± 33 × 106) did not differ significantly from controls using phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (pre‐ovulatory: 1 ± 1 × 106, post‐ovulatory: 11 ± 9 × 106). Quantitative in vitro transmigration assays with blood‐derived PMN proved that AH‐induced leucocyte migration into the uterus to be not as a result of direct chemotaxis, because, on account of the chelator citrate, AH significantly inhibited the transmigration towards recombinant human Interleukin‐8 (rhCXCL8) (AH: 14 ± 5% migration rate vs controls: 37 ± 6%, p < 0.05). Supernatants of spermatozoa incubated in PBS for 1, 12 or 24 h showed neither chemoattractive nor chemotaxis‐inhibiting properties. SP at ≥0.1% [v/v] significantly inhibited the in vitro transmigration of PMN. With respect to in vivo migration of neutrophils, the striking difference in the results between semen extender and seminal plasma suggests that adaptation of extender composition is needed to reflect more closely the in vivo regulatory potential of natural seminal plasma.
The Ductus Epididymis of the Alpaca: Immunohistochemical and Lectin Histochemical Study
Authors: Parillo F , Verini Supplizi A , Macrì D , Catone G 
Published: October 2008

ContentsOur objective was to characterize epithelial cells lining the epididymal duct (caput, corpus, cauda) of the alpaca using AE1/AE3 cytokeratin antibodies and a battery of different lectins: Con‐A, UEA‐I, LTA WGA, GSA‐II, GSA‐IB4, SBA, PNA, ECA, DBA, MAL‐II and SNA. Sialidase digestion and deglycosylation pre‐treatments were also employed. The principal cells (PCs) along the epididymis showed differences in immunostaining patterns toward keratin antibodies. Lectin histochemistry demonstrated variations in the content and distribution of glycosidic residues of glycoconjugates in different epididymal regions. In particular, staining of the Golgi zone in the epithelial PCs was interpreted as evidence for synthesis and secretion of O‐ and N‐linked oligosaccharides. In the caput, the apical mitochondria‐rich cells contained mainly β‐GalNAc, subterminal α‐GalNAc, α‐Gal and Neu5Ac α2,3Gal residues. Conversely, in the corpus they were particularly rich in α‐GalNac and β‐Gal‐(1–3)‐d‐GalNAc linked to sialic acid moieties. Basal cells mainly expressed β‐GalNAc and α‐Gal in the caput, α‐Gal in the corpus and α‐Fuc and β‐GalNAc in the cauda. The differences in immunostaining patterns and in lectin histochemistry in the alpaca epididymis reported in this investigation seem to be related to regional differences in function.
Treatment of erosive vulvovaginal lichen planus with methotrexate
Authors: Jang Nelly , Fischer Gayle 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYWe report the successful treatment of severe long‐standing erosive vulvovaginal lichen planus in four adult female patients using 2.5–7.5 mg of oral methotrexate once weekly in conjunction with topical clobetasol dipropionate 0.05% ointment and tacrolimus 0.03–0.10% ointment. All cases experienced improvement in symptoms and healing of lesions within 4–8 weeks. Methotrexate was well tolerated and no adverse events have been observed in any of the patients at follow up 4–6 months later.
Nodular granulomatous phlebitis: A phlebitic tuberculid
Authors: McHugh Angela , Siller Gregory , Williamson Richard , Faulkner Catherine 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA 22‐year‐old woman presented with recurrent non‐ulcerating skin nodules overlying the great saphenous vein on the anteromedial lower legs. Histology showed a granulomatous phlebitis, and polymerase chain reaction performed on lesional skin detected DNA specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The lesions resolved with anti‐tuberculous therapy. This case may be a further example of nodular granulomatous phlebitis, a phlebitic tuberculid.
Halo congenital naevus in a middle‐aged patient with vitiligo
Authors: Leow Liang Joo , Goh Boon Kee 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYA case of halo congenital naevus is reported on the chest of a 56‐year‐old Asian woman with pre‐existing vitiligo. The naevus measured 3.5 cm × 2 cm and underwent depigmentation around its periphery. Dermoscopic examination showed coarse pigment in the darker centre of the naevus and depigmentation in the surrounding halo. Light microscopy showed well‐formed naevus cell nests with coarse melanin granules in the papillary dermis, and surrounding fibrosis. Melanocytes extended into reticular dermis, consistent with a congenital growth pattern. There was no evidence of malignancy. The epidermis was of normal appearance. S100 staining highlighted melanocytes in the dermis. Basal melanocytes were retained at the periphery of the naevus. Based on the clinical history and histological findings, a diagnosis of halo congenital naevus was made. The naevus was not excised.
Multiple minute digitate hyperkeratoses associated with paraproteinaemia
Authors: Sriprakash Kavita , Yong‐Gee Simon 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYAn 87 year old woman with dementia presented with multiple digitate hyperkeratoses on her face, limbs and chest. She had a previous diagnosis of a paraproteinaemia, with a serum monoclonal band of immunoglobulin G‐κ and anaemia being detected. The skin biopsy of these hyperkeratotic lesions was characterized by multiple areas of orthokeratosis with immunoglobulin deposition. There was no association with hair follicles. These multiple digitate hyperkeratoses have been associated with underlying systemic disorders including malignancies.
Early changes of the portal tract on microcomputed tomography images in a newly‐developed rat model for Budd–Chiari syndrome
Authors: Murad Sarwa Darwish , Dom Veerle A L , Ritman Erik L , De Groen Piet C , Beigley Patricia E , Abraham Susan C , Zondervan Pieter E , Janssen Harry L A 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The effect of increased sinusoidal pressure on the portal tract in Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) is as yet not elucidated. Our aim was to investigate portal changes in a newly‐developed rat model for BCS.Methods:  We created an outflow obstruction in Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 6) by diameter reduction of the inferior vena cava. Left and right liver lobes with portal vein contrast were scanned using microcomputed tomography, and volumes of the portal tree and liver parenchyma were computed by the ANALYZE software program.Results:  Portal branching density was significantly lower in BCS than the shams, and decreased over time (P < 0.01). There was a significant drop in volume of both parenchyma and the portal tree in the left but not right lobes. At 6 weeks post‐surgery, the perfusion index (i.e. ratio between both volumes) became equal to (left) or even higher than (right) the shams, suggesting a new equilibrium with preserved portal perfusion. Histological findings were consistent with those observed in humans.Conclusion:  As early as day 2, a significant loss of peripheral portal branches was seen, which progressed over time. Inter‐lobar differences in vascular abnormalities suggest compensatory mechanisms. Despite a decrease in both liver and portal vein volume, relative portal perfusion appeared spared.
Risk factors for neurological complications in complete hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Escherichia coli O157
Authors: Yamamoto Takehisa , Satomura Kenichi , Okada Shintaro , Ozono Keiichi 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the predictive parameters for encephalopathy in complete hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in a large outbreak of O157: H7 infection in 1996.Methods:  A total of 182 inpatients, 71 of whom had complete HUS, including 12 patients with neurological complications, and 46 colitis patients were studied. Presenting signs and symptoms (n = 115) and laboratory data (n = 69) were analyzed using monovariate and multivariate analysis.Results:  After adjusting for age and gender, logistic regression showed that presenting symptoms such as bloody diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] = 7.39), proteinuria (OR = 6.16), hematuria (OR = 8.31), oliguria (OR = 17.4) and a pale face (OR = 10.7) were useful for predicting complete HUS. Also, increased white blood cell counts >12 000 μL/mL (OR = 10.0) and C‐reactive protein >1.5 mg/dL (OR = 7.39) at the onset of infection, were useful as predictive laboratory parameters. To predict neurological complications in complete HUS patients, the average daily increase of lactate dehydrase >1200 IU/L per day (OR = 26.3) and creatinine >0.5 mg/dL per day (OR = 12) were found to be useful on multivariate logistic regression.Conclusion:  There are useful predictive clinical factors for neurological complications in complete HUS.
Thoracoscopic surgery in children in the Kyushu area of Japan
Authors: Asabe Koushi , Oka Yoichiro , Kai Hiroki , Shirakusa Takayuki , Iwasaki Akinori 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  Recently, minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery has offered several options for both the diagnosis and surgical treatment in the field of pediatric surgery. This report reviews the surgical experience in order to assess the problems including the complications, encountered during thoracoscopic surgery in children under 15 years of age in the Kyushu area, Japan.Methods:  From 1993 to 2005, 153 boys and 103 girls underwent thoracoscopic surgery for chest disease. Pertinent information included number of operations for each year, sex, age, indication, treatment procedure, follow‐up duration, cause of conversion to thoracotomy, method of treatment, and complication.Results:  There has gradually been an increase in the number of operations every year. These included procedures for funnel chest, n= 121; pneumothorax, n= 25; mediastinal tumor, n= 25; palmar hyperhydrosis, n= 23; neuroblastoma, n= 11; and cystic lung disease, n= 10. A large portion of the surgery was for patients under 1 year of age excluding neonates. Approximately half of the procedures were for the excision of a neuroblastoma. Approximately half of the patients older than 5 years of age underwent Nuss procedure for funnel chest. Almost all of the pneumothorax and palmar hyperhydrosis surgery was for patients 14 or 15 years old. Three patients required a conversion to a standard thoracotomy. Six complications occurred. There was no mortality associated with the thoracoscopic surgical procedures.Conclusions:  Thoracoscopy is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool for both infants and children. Various thoracoscopic complex procedures have been performed both safely and effectively.
Hypergalactosemia in early infancy: Diagnostic strategy with an emphasis on imaging
Authors: Kono Tatsuo , Hiki Taro , Kuwashima Shigeko , Hashimoto Teisuke , Kaji Yasushi 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  Portosystemic shunt is one of the main causes of persistent hypergalactosemia without enzyme deficiency, but the diagnostic imaging strategy has not yet been established. The purpose of the present study was to establish a diagnostic imaging strategy.Methods:  A retrospective investigation of the clinical and imaging findings of 10 children with persistent hypergalactosemia without enzyme deficiency detected by screening was undertaken.Results:  Abnormal ultrasonography (US) findings were detected in all eight patients with liver disorders. In three patients with citrin deficiency, the combination of fatty liver on US and laboratory evidence of cholestasis led to the diagnosis. In three patients with portosystemic shunt, US on sedation clearly depicted the shunt vessels. The extent was more easily understood on contrast computed tomography (CT). Per‐rectal portal scintigraphy with N‐isopropyl‐p‐I‐123 iodoamphetamine and lung perfusion scintigraphy with 99mTc macroaggregated albumin were useful for evaluation of portal shunt index and assessment of pulmonary arteriovenous shunt. One patient underwent transarterial coil embolization. In two patients with hepatic tumor, the lesions and its vascularity were clearly demonstrated on US and dynamic CT. In one patient, small shunt index on per‐rectal portal scintigraphy suggested no need for treatment. The other patient was treated with a combination of steroid, radiation, and interventional radiology. The etiology remained unknown in two children.Conclusions:  In the assessment of hypergalactosemia, US is the modality of choice. CT is a useful tool for more detailed evaluation of the abnormalities found on US. Per‐rectal portal scintigraphy and pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy play an important role in the evaluation of portosystemic shunt. Interventional radiology is sometimes effective.
Peritonitis rates and common microorganisms in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and automated peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Akman Sema , Bakkaloglu Sevcan A. , Ekim Mesiha , Sever Lale , Noyan Aytul , Aksu Nejat 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to perform a multicenter investigation in Turkish children on chronic peritoneal dialysis by examining the rates of peritonitis as well as causative organisms according to year.Methods:  Twelve pediatric renal units participated in this study and data were obtained by review of the medical records.Results:  One hundred and thirty‐two patients were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), 21 were on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and 59 were on CAPD and APD at different times. Mean durations of CAPD and APD were 24.2 ± 21.1 months and 22.9 ± 12.8 months, respectively. Seventy‐one (33%) out of 212 patients had no peritonitis episode. Overall peritonitis rate was one episode per 15.5 patient‐months. The peritonitis rate was one episode per 15.4 patient‐months for APD and one episode per 15.6 patient‐months for CAPD. Coagulase‐negative staphylococcus was the most common cause of peritonitis among patients with positive culture (20.6%). While the incidence of Gram‐negative infection remained unchanged according to year in patients on CAPD (P = 0.68), the rate of Gram‐negative peritonitis in children on APD was significantly higher (P = 0.03).Conclusions:  Peritonitis rate was similar in CAPD and APD, but the risk of Gram‐negative peritonitis in APD was higher than that of CAPD.
Are city population and the number of emergency medical facilities correlated?
Authors: Ehara Akira 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  The shortage of physicians is reported in the small cities in Japan, but the mal‐distribution of physicians and emergency medical facilities has not been fully investigatedMethods:  Survey of Medical Institutions, 2005, Survey of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists, 2004, and 2005 Population Census of Japan were used. The relationships between city population and the numbers of medical resources such as emergency medical facilities, physicians and pediatricians were analyzed.Results:  The population and the number of emergency medical facilities of 895 cities were strongly correlated (r = 0.800, P = 0.000), and the numbers of the physicians and pediatricians had strong relationships to city population.Conclusion:  All the cities cannot provide 24 h emergency services, therefore access time to medical facilities should be shortened by the construction of a transportation network instead of dispatching physicians to remote districts.
Cross‐calibration of multi‐frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis with eight‐point tactile electrodes and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry for assessment of body composition in healthy children aged 6–18 years
Authors: Lim Jung S. , Hwang Jin S. , Lee Jun A. , Kim Dong H. , Park Kyung D. , Jeong Jin S. , Cheon Gi J. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  In diagnosis and treatment of obesity, body composition analysis including percent body fat (%BF) is useful in the clinical setting. Because bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) could be used quickly, easily and was non‐invasive in clinical setting, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of multi‐frequency BIA with eight‐point tactile electrodes (MF‐BIA8; InBody 720, Biospace) compared with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy children and adolescents.Methods:  A total of 166 children and adolescents under 18 (male, n = 86; female, n = 80) were recruited. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and Tanner stage were measured for each subject. The body composition such as fat‐free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and %BF was measured on BIA and DXA and compared.Results:  On linear regression analysis, DXA FFM = 1.006(BIA FFM) + 0.554, R2 = 0.99 and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) was 1.16 kg; DXA FM = 0.971(BIA FM) – 0.596, R2 = 0.93; SEE, 1.34 kg; and DXA %BF = 0.940(BIA %BF) – 1.026, R2 = 0.858; SEE, 3.03%. Limit of agreement in FFM, FM, and %BF was 0.7 ± 2.3 kg, −0.9 ± 2.9 kg and –2.2 ± 6.1%, respectively.Conclusions:  Although the %BF was not interchangeable with DXA, MF‐BIA8 (InBody 720; Biospace) could be used to measure body composition of children and adolescents in the clinical field because of its high precision.
Neural tube defects: Prevalence, etiology and prevention
Authors: Kondo Atsuo , Kamihira Osamu , Ozawa Hideo 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSpina bifida and anencephaly, the common form of neural tube defects, affect approximately 300 000 newborns each year worldwide. The effectiveness of folic acid supplementation in preventing their occurrence or recurrence has been unambiguous since 1991. In general, the prevalence of these abnormalities has decreased in the past 20 to 30 years because of periconceptional folate supplementation, food fortification in several countries, avoiding exposure to environmental factors, and increased accuracy of prenatal screening for fetal anomalies. Women who are planning to conceive should be informed about the importance of folic acid in fetal development and advised to take 400 µg/day of folic acid supplements. Food fortification with folic acid will ultimately be necessary to reduce the number of patients. Primary prevention of neural tube defects by the periconceptional intake of folic acid is a major public health opportunity and has wide implications in reducing the mortality and morbidity of offspring.
Genetic polymorphism of sulfotransferase 1A1, cigarette smoking, hazardous chemical exposure and urothelial cancer risk in a Taiwanese population
Authors: Wang Yuan‐Hung , Juang Guang‐Dar , Hwang Thomas IS , Shen Cheng‐Huang , Shao Ke‐Yun , Chiou Hung‐Yi 
Published: October 2008

Objectives:  To investigate the association between genetic polymorphism of sulfotransferase1A1 (SULT1A1), cigarette smoking, hazardous chemical exposure and urothelial cancer risk in a Taiwanese population.Methods:  In a hospital‐based case–control study, a total of 300 urothelial cancer (UC) cases and 300 cancer‐free controls frequency‐matched by age and gender were recruited from September 1998 to December 2005. The SULT1A1 arginine213histidine (Arg213His) polymorphism was genotyped using a polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Results:  We found that the significantly increased UC risks of ever smokers and heavy smokers (≥28 pack‐years) were 2.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4–3.3) and 2.2 (95% CI = 1.3–3.6), respectively. An increased UC risk of 1.8 (95% CI = 0.8–3.8) was observed among individuals with more than one item of hazardous chemical exposure, but it was not statistically significant. Compared with study subjects carrying the SULT1A1 Arg/Arg genotype, those with SULT1A1 Arg/His or His/His genotypes have a significantly decreased UC risk (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3–0.8). Heavy smokers carrying the SULT1A1 Arg/Arg genotype have a significantly increased UC risk (OR = 5.2, 95% CI = 2.3–11.6). Individuals who had been exposed to more than one item of hazardous chemicals and who carried the SULT1A1 Arg/Arg genotype have a significantly increased UC risk (OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.4–9.7). The highest significant increased UC risk (OR = 16.1, 95% CI = 2.9–87.2) was observed among ever smokers with hazardous chemical exposure and the SULT1A1 Arg/Arg genotype.Conclusions:  SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism is associated with the development of UC, especially among cigarette smokers exposed to hazardous chemicals.