bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surfactant Protein D Expression in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients and Immune Responses In Vitro to Aspergillus and Alternaria in a Nasal Explant Model
Authors: Ooi Eng Hooi , Wormald Peter‐John , Carney A Simon , James Craig Lloyd , Tan Lor Wai 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Common fungi have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with eosinophilic mucus (EMCRS). Surfactant protein (SP)‐D plays an important role in the immune response to Aspergillus fumigatus in the lungs. We sought to determine whether SP‐D is expressed in nasal mucosa and investigated the response of SP‐D in vitro to fungal allergens.Study Design and Methods: 1) Nasal biopsies from 59 CRS and EMCRS patients, stratified into allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), nonallergic fungal eosinophilic sinusitis (NAFES), and nonallergic nonfungal eosinophilic sinusitis (NANFES) were studied by quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunostaining and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 2) Nasal tissue from three CRS and three NANFES patients was cultured with fungal allergens in a nasal explant in vitro model for 24 hours at increasing concentrations and mRNA SP‐D secreted SP‐D protein levels in response to the fungi determined by qRT‐PCR and ELISA.Results: Staining for SP‐D was detected in the submucosal glands from the nasal biopsies in all patient groups except for AFS. By ELISA, SP‐D was undetectable in AFS and decreased in NAFES, NANFES, and CRS compared with controls. CRS patients in vitro cultured with Aspergillus and Alternaria allergens in a nasal tissue explant model induced up‐regulation of SP‐D by qRT‐PCR. In contrast, NANFES nasal tissue explants cultured with Aspergillus allergens induced down‐regulation of SP‐D.Conclusions: We report for the first time the expression of SP‐D in both diseased and normal nasal mucosa. SP‐D expression in CRS patients is up‐regulated by fungal allergens in an in vitro model. These results may provide potential novel therapy for treatment of CRS.
Sialoendoscopic Treatment for Radioiodine Induced Sialadenitis
Authors: Kim Jae Won , Han Gil Soo , Lee Seung Ho , Lee Dong Yul , Kim Young‐Mo 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground and Objective: The use of radioiodine (RI) for the ablation of residual thyroid tissue and metastatic thyroid cancer lesions after thyroidectomy has become established as standard treatment in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer and subsequent sialadenitis is the most common complication of RI therapy. The purpose of this study was to establish a new treatment modality for RI‐induced sialadenitis.Method: The study group consisted of 115 patients with a mean age of 47.7 (range, 24–78) years. All patients received RI therapy after total thyroidectomy. The incidence of RI‐induced sialadenitis, salivary gland involvement, administered RI dose, treatment modality, and result of treatment by interventional sialoendoscopy were evaluated.Results: The incidence of RI‐induced sialadenitis was 18% (21/115), with involvement of the parotid more frequent than the submandibular gland. The average development period of RI‐induced sialadenitis was 4.8 months. The average RI dosage for the sialadenitis group was higher than for the nonsialadenitis group, suggesting that RI‐induced sialadenitis may be dose related, although the data were not statistically significant because of the small numbers in the high‐dose group. Conservative management was effective in 71% (15/21) of the cases, and interventional sialoendoscopy was successful in 50% of those cases that did not respond to conservative treatment. The causes of treatment failure in the remaining cases were a totally obstructed parotid duct and stenosis at the bifurcation site.Conclusion: Sialadenitis is the most common complication after RI therapy. Sialadenitis was successfully managed by conservative treatment in most cases, and interventional sialoendoscopy is an alternative method of treatment in selected cases such as in partial ductal stenosis.
Operating Room Versus Office‐Based Injection Laryngoplasty: A Comparative Analysis of Reimbursement
Authors: Bové Michiel J. , Jabbour Noel , Krishna Priya , Flaherty Kathi , Saul Melissa , Wunar Robert , Rosen Clark A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground: Injection laryngoplasty (IL) continues to evolve as new indications, techniques, approaches, and injection materials are developed. Although historically performed under local or general anesthesia in the operating room suite, IL is now increasingly being performed in an office‐based setting. This report presents the results of a reimbursement analysis comparing office‐based versus operative IL.Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the reimbursement of office‐based injection laryngoplasty with the reimbursement of performing the same procedure in the operating room.Design: The authors conducted reimbursement and outcome analysis through retrospective office chart and hospital record review.Methods: A retrospective review was performed of the hospital records of patients having undergone injection laryngoplasty at the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center from July 1998 through March 2005. Group I included patients who underwent IL in the operating room, whereas group II included those who had office‐based IL. A reimbursement analysis for both groups was then performed comparing surgeon fees, anesthesia, and hospital charges and reimbursement. The clinical efficacy of IL performed in either office versus operating room settings was measured by comparing the pre‐ and postintervention Voice Handicap Index‐10 scores for all patients. A predictive model of potential cost savings is developed based on the results of the analysis.Results: Average reimbursement was $2,505 for group I (n = 108) and $496 for group II (n = 50). This reimbursement differential was preserved across the various insurance types examined. There was no significant difference in Voice Handicap Index‐10 change after surgery between group I and II.Conclusions: Office‐based IL is both clinically and financially effective, providing patients with a convenient and flexible alternative to operating room‐based intervention for glottal insufficiency.
Extraction of the Plasticizers Diethylhexylphthalate and Polyadipate From Polyvinylchloride Nasogastric Tubes Through Gastric Juice and Feeding Solution
Authors: Subotic Ulrike , Hannmann Torsten , Kiss Matthias , Brade Joachim , Breitkopf Katja , Loff Steffan 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTObjectives:Except for polyadipate, which is used as an alternative in polyvinylchloride (PVC) feeding tubes, diethylhexylphthalate (DEHP) is the plasticizer used almost exclusively in PVC medical products. A clear response to the chronic intake of DEHP has been shown in several organ systems from different species. In the present study, we compared the extraction of DEHP and polyadipate from PVC gastric tubes.Methods:An in vivo setting was simulated. We used 5 cm of PVC nasogastric tubes containing DEHP or polyadipate, which were incubated with gastric juice for 1 week and a feeding solution for 4 weeks. The leakage of these plasticizers was measured daily in the gastric juice group and weekly in the feeding solution group. The amount of plasticizer extracted was compared between groups and days.Results:In the feeding solution group, the extraction of DEHP ranged from 200 to 542 μg after 1 week and from 660 to 1700 μg after 4 weeks. The extraction of polyadipate was 10 times lower than that of DEHP. In the gastric juice group, extracted DEHP ranged from 635 to 1043 μg, whereas the extraction of polyadipate was 100 times lower.Conclusions:Within 1 week, the extraction of DEHP from a 5‐cm PVC tube reaches up to 1 mg. Extrapolated, this represents an in vivo load of up to 4 mg. The load accumulated by a newborn in an intensive care unit can therefore easily reach several milligrams of DEHP per day. Polyadipate nasogastric tubes may therefore be an alternative and help to reduce the daily load of DEHP.
Quality of life and psychological morbidity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: body mass index, age and the provision of patient information are significant modifiers
Authors: Ching H. L. , Burke V. , Stuckey B. G. A. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryObjective  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has clinical features and implications for long‐term health that may lead to decreased quality of life (QoL) and psychological morbidity. We studied QoL in women with PCOS, compared the findings with population norms and assessed whether they correlated with reported quality of patient information received.Design  Cross‐sectional study.Patients  Women with PCOS by National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria, diagnosis confirmed by one endocrinologist.Measurements  Four questionnaires were mailed: the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), the Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire for Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOSQ), the General Health Questionnaire‐28 (GHQ‐28) and an assessment of information quality and sources, the Patient Information Questionnaire (PIQ).Results  Questionnaires were sent to 443 women with PCOS from one endocrinologist's database; 203 women aged 15–65 years agreed to participate. To compare with Australian population norms, data from those women aged 18–44 years (n = 173) were used. Of these, 64% were obese, 18% overweight and 18% of normal weight. The demographics, socioeconomic status and untreated biochemistry of the responders and the total patient group were not significantly different. SF‐36 scores were significantly lower than the age‐ and sex‐matched Australian population (P < 0·01), including the overweight subset (P < 0·01). Health‐related QoL by PCOSQ was similar to other published studies. GHQ‐28 identified psychological morbidity in 62·4%, compared with 26·4% in a matched Australian population (P < 0·0001). Body mass index (BMI) was negatively correlated with QoL (P < 0·01). There was a positive association between the psychological domain of QoL and the subjective assessment of the quality of health‐related information in general (P < 0·001), for hirsutism (P < 0·01) and for menstrual irregularity (P < 0·05).Conclusions  We have shown impaired QoL and increased prevalence of psychological morbidity in PCOS compared with population norms. The perception of inadequate information about the condition correlated with poorer QoL scores. Improved information delivery may lead to an improvement in QoL and needs to be tested with an intervention study.
Implications of resistin plasma levels in subjects undergoing coronary angiography
Authors: Pilz Stefan , Weihrauch Gisela , Seelhorst Ursula , Wellnitz Britta , Winkelmann Bernhard R. , Boehm Bernhard O. , März Winfried 
Published: January 2007

SummaryBackground  The adipokine resistin, which is thought to serve as a link between obesity and insulin resistance, was recently shown to exert proatherosclerotic features.Objective  Our study aimed to explore the involvement of resistin in cardiovascular disease by investigating the associations of resistin with angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiovascular risk factors and mortality.Design  The Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study is a prospective study of white subjects who had undergone coronary angiography.Patients and measurements  Resistin levels were determined in 1162 subjects with (n = 911) and without (n = 251) angiographic CAD. During a mean follow‐up period of 5·47 years, 198 deaths occurred among our probands.Results  Resistin was positively correlated with C‐reactive protein (CRP; r = 0·245, P < 0·001), vascular adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1; r = 0·327, P < 0·001) and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1; r = 0·197, P < 0·001) and was negatively correlated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR; r = –0·438, P < 0·001) and high density lipoprotein (HDL; r = –0·196, P < 0·001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that GFR was the strongest predictive variable for resistin. Angiographic CAD, type 2 diabetes, smoking, hypertension and body mass index (BMI) were not associated with resistin. Compared to the first quartile, we observed an increased risk for cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality at the fourth quartile of resistin, but only the association between resistin and noncardiovascular mortality remained significant after multivariable adjustments [hazard ratio (HR) 4·92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·66–14·6, P = 0·004].Conclusions  Resistin plasma concentrations are related to inflammatory processes and renal function but our study does not support the hypothesis of resistin as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. The unexpected association of resistin with noncardiovascular mortality still warrants further study.
Organizing pneumonia and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation predict treatment response in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Collard H R , Cool C D , Leslie K O , Curran‐Everett D , Groshong S , Brown K K 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  To identify individual histopathological features within usual interstitial pneumonia pattern that predict responsiveness to immunosuppressive therapy.Methods and results:  Fifty‐six retrospectively confirmed usual interstitial pneumonia pattern surgical lung biopsy specimens from subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with corticosteroid and cytotoxic therapy were included. Eleven prospectively defined histopathological features were evaluated by two expert pulmonary pathologists. Regression analysis identified predictors of response to therapy, as defined by the change in percent predicted forced vital capacity over 6 months. Additional end‐points were change in dyspnoea score over 6 months, and survival time. Improvement in percent predicted forced vital capacity was associated with lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, while worsening of percent predicted forced vital capacity was associated with the presence of organizing pneumonia and fibroblast foci. Worsening dyspnoea was associated with fibroblast foci. Survival time was associated with age and baseline percent predicted forced vital capacity, but not with any individual histopathological feature.Conclusions:  In pathological usual interstitial pneumonia pattern, the presence of lymphoplasmacytic inflammation predicts responsiveness to immunomodulatory therapy, while airspace organization predicts lack of response.
Heterogeneous expression of α‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase in prostatic cancer correlates with Gleason score
Authors: Murphy A J , Hughes C A , Lannigan G , Sheils O , O'Leary J , Loftus B 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  α‐Methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR) is a sensitive and specific immunohistochemical marker of prostatic malignancy, staining 80–100% of prostatic cancers with absent staining in benign glands. However, positive staining in benign conditions as well as low rates of AMACR reactivity in prostatic cancer variants have been described. Preliminary use of AMACR immunohistochemistry in our institution has suggested lower specificity and sensitivity for prostatic cancer than initially proposed. The aim of this study was to establish true rates of AMACR reactivity in prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods and results:  AMACR immunohistochemistry was performed on sections from 57 prostatic cancers and 44 BPH resections. Ninety‐one percent of cancers were AMACR+, with diffuse (> 75%) tumour staining in 53% of cases. Thirty‐eight percent of tumours showed heterogeneous expression (1–75% tumour staining). This was significantly correlated with increased Gleason score. High‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) was AMACR+ in 87% of cancers. Eleven percent of BPH showed moderate or strong staining in benign glands, focally mimicking the malignant staining pattern.Conclusions:  This study confirms heterogeneous AMACR expression in prostatic cancer and shows a correlation with Gleason score. Positive staining in BPH is also documented, thus emphasizing the importance of interpreting AMACR immunohistochemistry in the context of other findings in a diagnostic setting.
Evidence for airway surface dehydration as the initiating event in CF airway disease
Authors: Boucher R. C. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract.Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease reflects persistent bacterial infection of airway lumens. Several hypotheses have been advanced to link mutations in the CFTR gene to the failure of the CF lung to defend itself against bacterial infection. Amongst the most productive hypotheses at present is the ‘‘low airway surface liquid (ASL) volume’’ or ‘‘dehydration’’ hypothesis. This hypothesis predicts that airway surface dehydration produces the mucus adhesion, inflammation, and bacterial biofilm formation characteristic of CF. Clinical trials of inhaled hypertonic saline have demonstrated therapeutic benefit of manoeuvres designed to rehydrate CF airway surfaces.
Regulation and dysregulation of aquaporins in water balance disorders*
Authors: Nielsen S. , Kwon T.‐H. , Frøkiær J. , Agre P. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract.The discovery of aquaporin‐1 (AQP1) explained the long‐standing biophysical question of how water specifically crosses biological membranes. These studies led to the identification of a whole new family of membrane proteins, the aquaporin water channels. At present, at least eight aquaporins are expressed at distinct sites in the kidney and four members of this family (AQP1‐4) have been demonstrated to play pivotal roles in the physiology and pathophysiology for renal regulation of body water balance. In the present review, a number of inherited and acquired conditions characterized by urinary concentration defects as well as common diseases associated with severe water retention are discussed with relation to the role of aquaporins in regulation and dysregulation of renal water transport.
14‐3‐3 adaptor proteins are intermediates in ABA signal transduction during barley seed germination
Authors: Schoonheim Peter J. , Sinnige Mark P. , Casaretto Jose A. , Veiga Helena , Bunney Tom D. , Quatrano Ralph S. , de Boer Albertus H. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryProteins of the 14‐3‐3 family have well‐defined functions as regulators of plant primary metabolism and ion homeostasis. However, neither their function nor action mechanism in plant hormonal signaling have been fully addressed. Here we show that abscisic acid (ABA) affects both expression and protein levels of five 14‐3‐3 isoforms in embryonic barley roots. As ABA prolongs the presence of 14‐3‐3 proteins in the elongating radicle, we tested whether 14‐3‐3s are instrumental in ABA action using RNA interference. Transient co‐expression of 14‐3‐3 RNAi constructs along with an ABA‐responsive promoter showed that each 14‐3‐3 is functional in generating an ABA response. In a yeast two‐hybrid screen, we identified three new 14‐3‐3 interactors that belong to the ABF protein family. Moreover, using a yeast two‐hybrid assay, we show that the transcription factor HvABI5, which binds to cis‐acting elements of the ABA‐inducible HVA1 promoter, interacts with three of the five 14‐3‐3s. Our analyses identify two 14‐3‐3 binding motifs in HvABI5 that are essential for 14‐3‐3 binding and proper in vivo trans‐activation activity of HvABI5. In line with these results, 14‐3‐3 silencing effectively blocks trans‐activation. Our results indicate that 14‐3‐3 genes/proteins are not only under the control of ABA, but that they control ABA action as well.
Clinical and pathological findings in a HERDA‐affected foal for 1.5 years of life
Authors: White Stephen D. , Affolter Verena K. , Schultheiss Patricia C. , Ball Barry A. , Wessel Myrthe T. , Kass Phillip , Molinaro Annette M. , Bannasch Danika L. , Ihrke Peter J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA Quarter horse filly bred from two horses affected with HERDA (hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia) was observed clinically and its skin histologically for the 1.5 years of its life. Severe signs of the disease did not manifest until 1.5 years of age, and were not temporally related to saddling. Histological comparison to an age‐, breed‐ and sex‐matched control did not show any consistent diagnostic features. Monitoring of the proband substantiated previous reports of (i) the autosomal recessive nature of the disease, (ii) mares affected with HERDA being able to foal without damage to the skin or reproductive tract, (iii) HERDA foals appearing phenotypically normal throughout the first year of life, and (iv) demonstrated that histological interpretation of skin specimens from grossly normal skin may be insufficient to differentiate HERDA‐affected horses from controls.
Treatment of acne vulgaris without antibiotics: tertiary amine–benzoyl peroxide combination vs. benzoyl peroxide alone (Proactiv Solution™)
Authors: Burkhart Craig G. , Burkhart Craig N. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground  Concerns have arisen over the development of antibiotic‐resistant organisms due to the prolonged use of oral and topical antibiotics in acne vulgaris. We have previously demonstrated that benzoyl peroxide used in consort with a chemical with an accessible tertiary amine, such as an allylamine, increases radical activity and biological effect.Objectives  The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of two nonantibiotic topical remedies for mild to moderate acne, with one of the agents being a combination of benzoyl peroxide with butenifine, an allylamine.Methods  In an open‐label, patient‐satisfaction, 8‐week comparative study, 23 patients demonstrating mild to moderate facial acne were given randomly either benzoyl peroxide in Proactiv Solution or the combination of benzoyl peroxide with an allylamine.Results  The allylamine–benzoyl peroxide combination therapy outperformed Proactiv Solution during each 2‐week stage of evaluation in terms of reduction of comedones, inflammatory lesions, and degree of oiliness. There was a marked preference for the allylamine–benzoyl peroxide combination in terms of patient satisfaction.Conclusions  Benzoyl peroxide used in consort with antimicrobial agents that contain an accessible tertiary amine, such as erythromycin, has previously been shown to increase radical activity and biological effect. Trials of short duration with small numbers of patients do not adequately inform practitioners about whether the combination of allylamines with benzoyl peroxide is a viable alternative to topical antibiotic therapy for acne. Nevertheless, the higher satisfaction with the allylamine–benzoyl peroxide combination certainly warrants further investigation.
Laser treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars
Authors: Bouzari Navid , Davis Stephen C. , Nouri Keyvan 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground Lasers have been used in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids for more than 20 years. Different laser systems have been examined; among them pulsed dye lasers are currently considered the laser of choice in these settings.Objectives The purpose of this study is to review the pertinent literature and provide updated information on different laser therapies available for treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.Methods A Medline literature search was performed for relevant publications.Results In this review the results of published studies in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids are presented. Suggested mechanisms of action are reviewed. A review of the optimal laser parameters to modulate treatment outcome will be discussed. Different lasers are effective in not only the treatment but also the prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids, among them PDL is more promising. Most of the suggested theories are based on the selective photothermolysis in which the light energy emitted from a vascular laser is absorbed by hemoglobin, generating heat and leading to coagulation necrosis, neocollagenesis, collagen fiber heating with dissociation of disulfide bonds and subsequent collagen fiber realignment.Conclusion The optimal laser is currently 585 nm PDL, although the recent results of Q‐switched 532 nm frequency‐doubled Nd:YAG are promising. Early use of lasers are beneficial, especially in those who are prone to develop these lesions.