bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IgE antibodies to betalactams: relationship between the triggering hapten and the specificity of the immune response
Authors: Antúnez C. , Fernández T. , Blanca‐Lopez N. , Torres M. J. , Mayorga C. , Canto G. , Fernández J. , Moya M. C. , Blanca M. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  In immunoglobulin (Ig)E‐mediated responses to betalactams (BL) the antibody is directed to the hapten inducing the response. For benzylpenicillin (BP) the determinant is benzylpenicilloyl (BPO) and for amoxicillin (AX), amoxicilloyl (AXO). Because of cross‐reactivity, IgE from some patients reacts to both drugs whereas others have a drug‐selective recognition. After an allergic episode, there is an increase in IgE that decreases over time. We analysed the response of patients allergic to BL after penicillin administration, with emphasis on IgE cross‐reactivity.Methods:  Subjects who developed an IgE antibody response were studied. Sequential follow‐up samples were obtained at different times during the response. Changes in IgE specificity were analysed by competition immunoassays using different penicillin monomeric conjugates.Results:  Two patterns of response were existed: one with IgE directed to the culprit penicillin and another with IgE mainly reactive to BPO. In both, a variable cross‐reactivity with the hapten triggering the boosting response was found. This pattern was maintained with no change in specificity over time, even in subjects who experienced one boosting event.Conclusion:  The IgE response can be specific to the drug inducing the reaction or cross‐reactive to the classical BPO determinant. This pattern is maintained throughout the whole period of the response, even if re‐exposure occurs. The stability of the type of response can be explained by the phenomenon of original antigenic sin: in the presence of antibodies, memory B cells are more easily triggered than naive B cells.
Mechanism for acute oral desensitization to antibiotics
Authors: Woo H.‐Y. , Kim Y.‐S. , Kang N.‐I. , Chung W.‐C. , Song C.‐H. , Choi I.‐W. , Choi I.‐H. , Lee H.‐K. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Despite the widespread use of an acute oral desensitization procedure in patients with allergic reactions to a variety of antibiotics, the precise mechanism of this procedure is poorly understood.Objective:  To investigate the mechanisms underlying acute oral desensitization to antibiotics.Methods:  Using a murine model of active systemic anaphylaxis to penicillin V (Pen V), mice previously sensitized to Pen V were desensitized by oral feeding of Pen V. The dose was doubled every 15 min and five feedings were given. The achievement of acute oral desensitization was evaluated by induction of active systemic and active cutaneous anaphylaxis, and by measuring the plasma levels of platelet‐activating factor and histamine. Antigen‐specific serum IgE antibody (Ab) levels were determined by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis.Results:  Mice fed more than 3 mg of cumulative dose of Pen V were completely protected from fatal systemic anaphylactic reaction and the desensitized state lasted approximately 1 h. Antigen‐specific mast cell desensitization, but not hapten inhibition, consumption of IgE Abs, or depletion of mast cell mediators, occurred during acute oral desensitization.Conclusions:  Acute oral desensitization to Pen V occurred in the mice, and antigen‐specific mast cell desensitization was associated with the underlying mechanism for oral desensitization.
Neither an intronic CA repeat within the CD48 gene nor the HERV‐K18 polymorphisms are associated with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ramos‐Lopez E. , Ghebru S. , Van Autreve J. , Aminkeng F. , Herwig J. , Seifried E. , Seidl C. , Van der Auwera B. , Badenhoop K. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractType 1 diabetes is an autoimmune heterogeneous disease that is determined by environmental and genetic factors. A possible retroviral etiology has been inferred from the observation that human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)‐K18 encoding a superantigen (SAg) has a polymorphism associated with this disease. Type 1 diabetes families from Germany and Belgium were genotyped for the novel HERV‐8914 (303 families) and for the known HERV‐8594 (284 families) polymorphisms within the SAg‐coding region on the HERV‐K18. Case–control analysis was performed for the HERV‐8914 polymorphism (506 patients) and for the HERV‐8594 polymorphism (370 patients) and compared with 350 German controls. Haplotypes were constructed. Additionally, a microsatellite within the CD48 gene was analyzed in German type 1 diabetes families (n = 125) as well as in patients (n = 375) and in healthy controls (n = 350). No association was found for HERV‐K18 polymorphisms or the CA repeat within the CD48 gene with type 1 diabetes mellitus either in families or by comparing patients and controls. In conclusion, we cannot confirm a role of HERV‐K18 polymorphisms –HERV‐8914 and HERV‐8594– or of the CD48 CA repeat for type 1 diabetes susceptibility.
Interleukin‐1 β, interleukin‐12 and interleukin‐18 levels in gingival fluid and serum of patients with gingivitis and periodontitis
Authors: Orozco A. , Gemmell E. , Bickel M. , Seymour G. J. 
Published: July 2006

Introduction:  Cytokines are of major importance in periodontal disease progression. Interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) stimulates interferon‐γ production by T helper type 1 (Th1) cells while IL‐18 induces Th1 responses when present with IL‐12 but Th2 responses in the absence of IL‐12. IL‐1β has been correlated with periodontal disease destruction. This study determined the local concentrations of these cytokines in sites of gingivitis and periodontitis.Methods:  Gingival crevicular fluid was collected from two sites in each of 10 gingivitis patients and from two gingivitis sites and two periodontitis sites from each of 10 periodontitis patients. Serum samples were also collected. IL‐1β, biologically active IL‐12 p70, the IL‐12 p40 subunit and IL‐18 concentrations were determined by enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay.Results:  IL‐1β and IL‐18 concentrations were higher in the gingival crevicular fluid from periodontitis patients than in that from gingivitis patients; IL‐18 concentrations were higher than those of IL‐1β. Very little IL‐12, either p40 or p70, was detected in the gingival crevicular fluid samples. In the serum, very low levels of cytokines were found. The level of serum IL‐12 p40, however, was higher than in the fluid from periodontitis sites of periodontitis patients.Conclusion:  The local production of IL‐1β and IL‐18 in the gingival crevicular fluid increased with increasing inflammation and IL‐18 was the predominant cytokine at both gingivitis and periodontitis sites. Very little IL‐12 was detected with levels decreasing with increasing inflammation. These results suggest that there is an association between severity of periodontal disease and levels of IL‐1, IL‐12 and IL‐18.
High thoracic epidural blockade increases myocardial oxygen availability in coronary surgery patients
Authors: Lagunilla J. , García‐Bengochea J. B. , Fernández Á. L. , Alvarez J. , Rubio J. , Rodríguez J. , Veiras S. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  High thoracic epidural techniques are increasingly being used in patients scheduled for cardiothoracic surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting. In the present study, we evaluated the acute effects of the epidural blockade on myocardial oxygen availability by means of tissue oxygen pressure monitoring in patients submitted for surgical revascularization.Methods:  Fifty adult patients were included in a prospective, randomized, double‐blind study. After placement of an epidural catheter in thoracic space T1–T2, and under general anesthesia, 5–10 ml of either normal saline or 0.3% ropivacaine was injected through the epidural catheter. Hemodynamic parameters and the intramyocardial oxygen partial pressure were recorded before and 20 min after the epidural injection.Results:  There were no demographic or hemodynamic differences between the groups before intervention. A significant increase in intramyocardial partial oxygen pressure was observed in the ropivacaine group (14.6 mmHg vs. 25.1 mmHg, P < 0.0005).Conclusion:  High thoracic epidural blockade with 5–10 ml of 0.3% ropivacaine increases myocardial oxygen availability in coronary diseased patients prior to surgical revascularization without deleterious hemodynamic disturbances.
Prevalence and risk factors of Barrett’s esophagus in Korea
Authors: Kim Jeong Hwan , Rhee Poong‐Lyul , Lee Jun Haeng , Lee Hyuk , Choi Yong Sung , Son Hee Jung , Kim Jae J , Rhee Jong Chul 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is diagnosed when specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) is detected histologically in endoscopically suspected columnar‐lined esophagus (CLE). It is a premalignant condition and plays a pivotal role in the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It has traditionally been believed to affect Asians less frequently. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of BE and possible associated risk factors in Korea.Methods:  A retrospective analysis of 70 103 patients who had undergone their first upper endoscopies was performed using computerized medical records. Of these, 696 (1%) patients had suspected CLE. After screening by telephone, 480 were enrolled. The clinical and endoscopic characteristics of histologically identifiable BE and endoscopically suspected CLE not confirmed by biopsy (suspected CLE without SIM) were investigated.Results:  Barrett’s esophagus was present in 151 patients (0.22%) with a mean age of 53.8 ± 10.9 years. BE was more commonly found in men. BE was associated with a set of features distinct from suspected CLE without SIM; older age, greater predominance of male sex, more frequent smoking history, and more frequent acid regurgitation symptom.Conclusions:  Barrett’s esophagus remains less common in Korea than in Western countries. Old age, male sex, smoking, and acid regurgitation symptom were significant risk factors.
Outcome of transurethral prostatectomy for the palliative management of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with prostate cancer
Authors: GNANAPRAGASAM VINCENT J , KUMAR VINOD , LANGTON DAVID , PICKARD ROBERT S , LEUNG HING Y 
Published: July 2006

Objective:  To investigate the efficacy of palliative transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with prostate cancer.Patients and method:  The surgical outcome of TURP performed in 46 men with prostate cancer was studied. A poor outcome was defined as the development of urinary incontinence, repeat surgery and placement of a long‐term catheter (LTC) within 1 year of surgery. A cohort of 47 men who underwent TURP for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was used as a control population.Results:  Initial catheter removal failed in a larger number of cancer patients compared to men with BPH (43% and 10%, respectively, P = 0.0001). Using objective endpoints, 37% (17/46) of cancer patients were defined as having a poor outcome because of repeat surgery, placement of a LTC or urinary incontinence following TURP. These events occurred in only 12% (6/47) of the control cohort (P = 0.004). In multiple regression analysis a good outcome was associated with presentation in acute urinary retention (AUR; P = 0.01) while a poor outcome was associated with surgery in the context of hormone refractory disease (P = 0.004). Requirement for a LTC despite surgery (12/46) was also associated with the absence of AUR at presentation (P = 0.01) and hormone refractory disease (P = 0.01).Conclusion:  A significant number of men with prostate cancer and LUTS may not derive a good palliative benefit from TURP. Patients with hormone refractory disease in particular are more likely to have poorer outcomes.
Genetic polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 1A1 and 2E1 genes, smoking, drinking and prostate cancer susceptibility: A case‐control study in a Han nationality population in Southern China
Authors: YANG JIE , QIAN LI‐XIN , WU HONG‐FEI , XU ZHENG‐QUAN , SUI YUAN‐GENG , WANG XIN‐RU , ZHANG WEI 
Published: July 2006

Aim:  To investigate the association among the polymorphisms of the cytochrome P450 1A1 and 2E1 genes, smoking, drinking and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in a Han nationality population in Southern China.Methods:  A case–control study including 225 PCa patients and 250 age‐matched controls was conducted. The six polymorphic sites of the CYP 1A1 and CYP2E1 genes were analysed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) or allele‐specific PCR technique using genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes.Results:  We found that the CYP1A1 Val/Val genotype significantly increased the risk for PCa (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.09–4.68). In contrast, the CYP2E1 C1/C2 (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46–0.99) or C2/C2 genotype (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10–1.00) significantly decreased the risk. Furthermore, the individuals carrying the CYP1A1 Val allele and the CYP2E1 C1/C1 genotype showed the highest risk (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.45–4.29). Though there was no significant difference with smoking history (P = 0.237) or drinking habit (P = 0.499) between cases and controls, a deep smoking habit (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.28–3.17) and heavy smoking history (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.04–2.50) significantly increased the susceptibility of PCa after stratification by smoking method and accumulative smoking amount. Moreover, both the CYP1A1 Val allele (OR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.49–5.35) and CYP2E1 C1/C1 genotype (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.31–5.02) had obvious interaction with heavy smoking history that significantly raised the risk. We also discovered a significant interaction between the CYP2E1 C1/C1 genotype and drinking (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.04–3.28).Conclusions:  Individuals carrying the CYP1A1 Val allele or the CYP2E1 C1/C1 genotype with a smoking or drinking habit were at increased risk of PCa, which also showed a positive correlation with exposure dose of tobacco.
Prevalence of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups in an Australian population
Authors: Manwaring N. , Jones M. M. , Wang J. J. , Rochtchina E. , Mitchell P. , Sue C. M. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractMitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups are ‘neutral polymorphisms’ in the mtDNA genome, which have accumulated and persisted along maternal lineages as the human population has migrated worldwide. Three ethnically distinct lineages of human mtDNA populations have been identified: European, characterized by nine haplogroups H, I, J, K, T, U, V, W and X; African, characterized by superhaplogroup L and Asian, characterized by superhaplogroup M. We studied the prevalence of mtDNA haplogroups in participants of the Blue Mountains Eye Study, a large population‐based survey of vision conducted between 1991 and 2000 of non‐institutionalized permanent residents aged 49 years or older from two suburban postcode areas, west of Sydney, Australia. Total DNA isolated from either hair follicles or blood was available for 3377 of the 3509 participants (96.2%) to determine mtDNA haplogroups by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Approximately 94.2% of samples could be assigned to one of the nine major European haplogroups, whereas a further 1.2% included the African (L) and Asian (M) superhaplogroups. The five principal haplogroups represented were H (42.9%), U (14.1%), J (10.7%), T (9.2%) and K (8.1%), which together included 85% of this population.
Close correlation between chronic sclerosing sialadenitis and immunoglobulin G4
Authors: Kamisawa T. , Nakajima H. , Hishima T. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIn four patients with chronic sclerosing sialadenitis, serum immunoglobulin G4 concentration was markedly increased and abundant infiltration of immunoglobulin G4‐positive plasma cells was observed in the salivary glands. Autoimmune pancreatitis occurred in the two patients during follow up. Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis and autoimmune pancreatitis would appear to show essentially the same pathophysiological mechanism. Measurement of serum immunoglobulin G4 concentration is useful in differentiating chronic sclerosing sialadenitis from neoplasia.
Reasons for admission to hospital for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Temlett J. A. , Thompson P. D. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) tends to focus on the presenting motor syndrome; yet, in the long term, nonmotor complications of the illness and complications of treatment become increasingly troublesome. The aims of this study were to review the reasons for 761 hospital admissions for patients with a diagnosis of PD and to determine the cause of hospitalization. Only 15% were admitted for primary management of the motor syndrome. PD was the secondary diagnosis in 645 admissions. Of the latter, 39% were admitted because of falls leading to fracture, pneumonia, encephalopathy or dementia and hypotension with syncope. Cardiac and gastrointestinal diseases accounted for a further 22% of admissions. Complications of the later stages of PD and associated treatments are more likely to lead to hospital admission than management of the primary motor syndrome. Some of the emergency hospital admissions for PD may be potentially avoidable with better planning of management in the outpatient and community setting.
Studies of scleroderma at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
Authors: Barnett A. J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractScleroderma had been virtually unrecognized in this country before this study. Our interest in this condition was raised by the discovery that certain patients being investigated for ischaemic disease of the hand had scleroderma. Although uncommon, it is not excessively rare and we have been able to study an increasingly large number of patients, eventually resulting in 177 patients over a period of 35 years. The clinical features in these patients have been delineated. At first, the patients were subdivided into types: type 1, skin changes obvious only in the hands; type 2, skin changes extending beyond the hands but excluding the trunk; type 3, skin changes diffuse and involving the trunk. All types have similar visceral changes, but these are more severe and there is a worse prognosis in type 3 patients. Types 1 and 2 can conveniently be combined as acrosclerosis. Types 1 and 2 have a similar and good prognosis with survival at 30 years of 40%. Type 3 patients have a much worse prognosis, with no type 3 patients living more than 20 years. All types have a high incidence of autoantibodies, but these are generally not related to the severity of the disease and do not occur in relatives or spouses, this being the evidence of the absence of hereditary and environmental factors in their presence. Although patients may receive much relief from symptomatic measures, no treatment had lessened the skin stiffness and there is no specific treatment for the visceral lesions. The cause of the condition remains unknown.
An improved technique for controlling bleeding during simple retropubic prostatectomy: a randomized controlled study
Authors: DALL’OGLIO MARCOS F. , SROUGI MIGUEL , ANTUNES ALBERTO A. , CRIPPA ALEXANDRE , CURY JOSÉ 
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVETo compare two techniques of open prostatic adenectomy (OPA) for controlling bleeding, as OPA is the most effective surgical method for alleviating obstructive symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) but there is always a risk of peri‐operative bleeding.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study comprised a prospective and randomized analysis of 62 men with BPH who consecutively had OPA between January 2002 and September 2004. Two techniques were used: in group 1, patients had the Millin modified retropubic prostatectomy, and in group 2 they had a classical transvesical prostatectomy. Blood loss during and after surgery was analysed.RESULTSThe median (range) blood loss during surgery was 362 (50–700) and 640 (200–1500) mL for groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.007). The mean (sd) decrease in haemoglobin level from before to 1 day after surgery was 1.76 (0.31) and 3.15 (0.33) g/dL for groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.001). When comparing the first and third days after surgery, there were no further significant decreases in levels for group 1, at 0.15 (0.31) g/dL (P = 0.175), but there was a significant decrease for group 2, at 0.74 (0.33) g/dL (P = 0.031). There was a similar decrease in haematocrit levels. While three patients from group 2 required a blood transfusion, only one from group 1 had to be transfused.CONCLUSIONThe Millin technique, as modified by one of the present authors, can significantly control bleeding during and after surgery, and reduce transfusion rates, when compared to the classic transvesical prostatectomy.
Variable coding sequence protein A1 as a marker for erectile dysfunction
Authors: TONG YUEHONG , TAR MOSES , DAVELMAN FELIX , CHRIST GEORGE , MELMAN ARNOLD , DAVIES KELVIN P. 
Published: July 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether variable coding sequence protein A1 (Vcsa1) is down‐regulated in rat models of diabetes and ageing, and to investigate the role of Vcsa1 in erectile function, as Vcsa1 is the most down‐regulated gene in the corpora of a rat model of neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED).MATERIALS AND METHODSQuantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase‐chain reaction was used to determine Vcsa1 expression in the corpora of rats in three models of ED, i.e. streptozotocin‐induced diabetes, retired breeder (old), and neurogenic (bilaterally ligated cavernosal nerves), and in control rats. To confirm a physiological role of Vcsa1 in erectile function, we carried out gene transfer studies using a plasmid in which Vcsa1 was expressed from a cytomegalovirus promoter (pVAX‐Vcsa1). This plasmid was injected intracorporally into old rats, and the effect on physiology of corporal tissue was analysed by intracorporal/blood pressure (ICP/BP) measurement and histological analysis, and compared with the effects of a positive control plasmid (pVAX‐hSlo, which we previously reported to restore erectile function in diabetic and ageing rats) and a negative control plasmid (pVAX).RESULTSIn each rat model of ED there was a significant down‐regulation of the Vcsa1 transcript of at least 10‐fold in corporal tissue. Remarkably, intracorporal injection with 80 µg pVAX‐Vcsa1 caused priapism, as indicated by visible prolonged erection, histological appearance, and elevated resting ICP/BP. Lower doses of pVAX‐Vcsa1 (5 and 25 µg) increased ICP/BP over that in untreated controls.CONCLUSIONThese results show that Vcsa1 has a role in erectile function and might be a molecular marker for organic ED. The role of Vcsa1 in erectile function suggests that it could represent a novel therapeutic target for treating ED.