bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A New Technique of Hepatic Segmentectomy by Selective Portal Venous Occlusion Using a Balloon Catheter through a Branch of the Superior Mesenteric Vein
Authors: Ou Jin‐Rui , Chen Wei , Lau Wan‐Yee 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundWe describe a new technique of segment‐based liver resection by inserting a 6 French balloon catheter into the portal vein via a branch of the superior mesenteric vein.Materials and MethodsThe catheter was guided into the relevant portal branch supplying the liver segment that contained the tumor. Injection of methylene blue through the catheter delineated the liver segment(s) to be resected. This operation was carried out on 48 patients with a 0% in‐hospital mortality.ResultsThe 5‐year overall survival was 52.1% and the 5‐year disease‐free survival was 20.8%.ConclusionsOur experience showed this technique to be a viable alternative for anatomical liver segmentectomy.
Can Nipple‐sparing Mastectomy and Immediate Breast Reconstruction with Modified Extended Latissimus Dorsi Muscular Flap Improve the Cosmetic and Functional Outcome among Patients with Breast Carcinoma?
Authors: Denewer Adel , Farouk Omar 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackgroundNipple–areola complex (NAC) preservation is a new revolution in breast cancer surgery and breast reconstruction, if reliability and safety are considered. The latissimus dorsi muscular flap is a versatile flap that is gaining renewed popularity for immediate breast reconstruction with development of modifications. We are introducing nipple‐sparing mastectomy (NSM) for Egyptian patients with breast carcinoma and reporting our results with a new modification of the extended latissimus dorsi muscular flap.MethodsBetween July 2005 and August 2006; forty‐one patients with stage I to III breast carcinoma had NSM and immediate breast reconstruction. We performed a new modification to the extended latissimus dorsi muscular flap that allowed us to obtain enough autologous tissue to reconstruct the breast without implant or back incision. The postoperative aesthetic results with specific view of the preserved NAC were evaluated.ResultsWe applied both an objective and subjective aesthetic result to our monitoring. Aesthetic grading results of breast reconstruction were as follows: excellent in 31, good in 6, fair in 2, poor in 2. Both reconstructed breast and donor site complications were minor. Patients are followed for a median follow‐up of 7.9 months (range: 4–11 months). In this short period of follow‐up, no local recurrence or distant failure has been observed.ConclusionsNipple‐sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction using modified extended latissimus dorsi muscular flap allows single‐stage, totally autologous reconstruction with a satisfactory aesthetic result, low morbidity, and good quality of life.
Transferrin hypoglycosylation in hereditary fructose intolerance: Using the clues and avoiding the pitfalls
Authors: Adamowicz M. , Płoski R. , Rokicki D. , Morava E. , Giżewska M. , Mierzewska H. , Pollak A. , Lefeber D. J. , Wevers R. A. , Pronicka E. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryHereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is caused by a deficiency of aldolase B due to mutations of the ALDOB gene. The disease poses diagnostic problems because of unspecific clinical manifestations. We report three cases of HFI all of whom had a chronic disease with neurological, nephrological or gastroenterological symptoms, whereas nutritional fructose intolerance, the pathognomonic sign of HFI, was apparent only in retrospect. In all patients a hypoglycosylated pattern of transferrin isoforms was found but was misinterpreted as a sign of CDG Ix. The correct diagnosis was achieved with marked delay (26, 36 and 24 months, respectively) by sequencing of the ALDOB gene two common mutations were identified on both alleles or on one (A150P/A175D, A150P/− and A150P/A175D). The diagnosis was further supported by normalization of transferrin isoforms on a fructose‐free diet. Data available in two patients showed that following the fructose restriction the type I pattern of carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin detectable on fructose‐containing diet disappeared after 3–4 weeks. These cases illustrate that in the first years of life HFI may show misleading variability in clinical presentation and that protein glycosylation analysis such as transferrin isofocusing may give important diagnostic clues. However, care should be taken not to misinterpret the abnormal results as CDG Ix as well as to remember that a normal profile does not exclude HFI due to the possibility of spontaneous fructose restriction in the diet. The presented data also emphasize the usefulness of ALDOB mutation screening for diagnosis of HFI.
Therapeutic concepts in succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH; ALDH5a1) deficiency (γ‐hydroxybutyric aciduria). Hypotheses evolved from 25 years of patient evaluation, studies inAldh5a1−/−mice and characterization of γ‐hydroxybutyric acid pharmacology
Authors: Knerr I. , Pearl P. L. , Bottiglieri T. , Carter Snead O. , Jakobs C. , Gibson K. M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryWe overview the pathophysiological bases, clinical approaches and potential therapeutic options for succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH; EC1.2.1.24) deficiency (γ‐hydroxybutyric aciduria, OMIM 271980, 610045) in relation to studies on SSADH gene‐deleted mice, outcome data developed from 25 years of patient evaluation, and characterization of γ‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) pharmacology in different species. The clinical picture of this disorder encompasses a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric dysfunction, such as psychomotor retardation, delayed speech development, epileptic seizures and behavioural disturbances, emphasizing the multifactorial pathophysiology of SSADH deficiency. The murine SSADH−/−(e.g.Aldh5a1−/−) mouse model suffers from epileptic seizures and succumbs to early lethality.Aldh5a1−/−mice accumulate GHB and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system, exhibit alterations of amino acids such as glutamine (Gln), alanine (Ala) and arginine (Arg), and manifest disturbances in other systems including dopamine, neurosteroids and antioxidant status. Therapeutic concepts in patients with SSADH deficiency and preclinical therapeutic experiments are discussed in light of data collected from research inAldh5a1−/−mice and animal studies of GHB pharmacology; these studies are the foundation for novel working approaches, including pharmacological and dietary trials, which are presented for future evaluation in this disease.
Effect of population density of compatible neighbours on inbreeding level within a Primula sieboldii population
Authors: Kitamoto N. , Ueno S. , Tsumura Y. , Washitani I. , Ohsawa R. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe investigated the effect of population density of compatible neighbours on inbreeding level of Primula sieboldii, a heterostylous clonal herb. Pollinator availability, seed set, selfing rate, diversity of pollen donors, and fitness of progenies were compared between less and more isolated genets, which differed in the number of compatible opposite‐morph genets within 20 m, the range at which most pollen flow occurred. Although pollinator availability did not differ between the two groups, seed set and diversity of pollen donors in more isolated genets were significantly lower than in less isolated genets. Additionally, the mean selfing rates of less and more isolated genets were 1.3 and 36.7%, respectively, and the mean leaf area of the self‐fertilized seedlings was 70 to 40% smaller than that of outcrossed seedlings of the same mother genet. Due to this large inbreeding depression, it is unlikely that self‐fertilized seedlings could successfully establish in natural habitats and hence the inbreeding level in the next generation around the more isolated genet would not increase rapidly. However, the possibility of mating between full‐sibs would increase because the diversity of pollen donors was low and both pollen and seed dispersal were spatially restricted. Thus the inbreeding level of the next generations would gradually increase around the more isolated genets owing to biparental inbreeding. This study suggested that the population density of compatible neighbours has a critical impact on the future inbreeding level within P. sieboldii populations.
Familiärer Darmkrebs
Authors: Friedl W. , Propping P. 
Published: April 2007

Zusammenfassung
Bis zu 5% der Fälle von erblichem Darmkrebs beruhen auf einer monogen erblichen Veranlagung. Hierzu gehören das erbliche kolorektale Karzinom ohne Polyposis (Lynch-Syndrom, HNPCC) mit 2–3% und die adenomatösen Polyposissyndrome (familiäre adenomatöse Polyposis, FAP- und MUTYH-assoziierte Polyposis, MAP) mit etwa 1% der Fälle. Hamartomatöse Polyposissyndrome (familiäre juvenile Polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers- und Cowden-Syndrom), die ebenfalls mit einem erhöhten Darmkrebsrisiko einhergehen, sind weitaus seltener. Für die genannten Tumorsyndrome ist die genetische Grundlage weitgehend bekannt. Die Identifizierung der ursächlichen Keimbahnmutation in den entsprechenden DNA-Reparatur-Genen (z. B. bei HNPCC und MAP) oder in Tumorsuppressorgenen (bei der FAP und den hamartomatösen Polyposissyndromen) ermöglicht die Sicherung der Diagnose bei den Erkrankten und die prädiktive Diagnostik bei deren gesunden Familienangehörigen. Im Hinblick auf eine gezielte und sinnvolle molekulargenetische Diagnostik sollte der einweisende Kliniker dem Untersucher eine möglichst detaillierte Beschreibung des Krankheitsbilds mitgeben. Die zusätzlich erhobene Familienanamnese kann weitere Hinweise auf den vorliegenden Gendefekt liefern. Da HNPCC klinisch im Einzelfall schwer von sporadischen Krebsfällen unterschieden werden kann, wird eine Untersuchung des Tumorgewebes auf Vorliegen eines DNA-Reparaturdefekts der Mutationsanalyse in einer Blutprobe vorgeschaltet. Bei den Polyposissyndromen erfolgt die Mutationsanalyse direkt in der Blutprobe, nach sorgfältiger klinischer Einordnung (insbesondere histologische Klassifizierung und Anzahl der Polypen).
A randomised controlled study of reflexology for the management of chronic low back pain
Authors: Poole Helen , Glenn Sheila , Murphy Peter 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP) continues to rise. However, questions regarding the efficacy of many CAM therapies for CLBP remain unresolved. The present study investigated the effectiveness of reflexology for CLBP. A pragmatic randomised controlled trial was conducted. N=243 patients were randomised to one of three groups: reflexology, relaxation, or non‐intervention (usual care). All completed a questionnaire booklet before and after the treatment phase, and at six months follow up. This measured their general health status, pain, functioning, coping strategies and mood. After adjusting for pre‐treatment scores repeated measures ANCOVA found no significant differences between the groups pre and post treatment on the primary outcome measures of pain and functioning. There was a main effect of pain reduction, irrespective of group. Trends in the data illustrated the pain reduction was greatest in the reflexology group. Thus, the current study does not indicate that adding reflexology to usual GP care for the management of CLBP is any more effective than usual GP care alone.
Biochemical alterations in the trapezius muscle of patients with chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD) – A microdialysis study
Authors: Gerdle Björn , Lemming Dag , Kristiansen Jesper , Larsson Britt , Peolsson Michael , Rosendal Lars 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe mechanisms behind the development of chronic trapezius myalgia in patients with whiplash associated disorders (WAD) appear to involve both peripheral and central components, but the specific contribution of alterations in muscle is not clear. Female patients with WAD and involvement of trapezius (N=22) and female controls (N=20; CON) were studied during an experiment compromised of rest (baseline), 20min repetitive low‐force exercise and 120min recovery. Their interstitial concentrations of serotonin (5‐HT), glutamate, lactate, pyruvate, potassium, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and blood flow were determined in the trapezius muscle using a microdialysis technique. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) over trapezius and tibialis anterior muscles were also assessed. In WAD, we found signs of generalized hypersensitivity according to PPT. The WAD group had significantly higher interstitial [IL‐6] and [5‐HT] in the trapezius than the CON. [Pyruvate] was overall significantly lower in WAD, and with lactate it showed another time‐pattern throughout the test. In the multivariate regression analysis of pain intensity [5‐HT] was the strongest regressor and positively correlated with pain intensity in WAD. In addition, blood flow, [pyruvate], and [potassium] influenced the pain intensity in a complex time dependent way. These findings may indicate that peripheral nociceptive processes are activated in WAD with generalized hypersensitivity for pressure and they are not identical with those reported in chronic work‐related trapezius myalgia, which could indicate different pain mechanisms.
Insular cortex and neuropsychiatric disorders: A review of recent literature
Authors: Nagai M. , Kishi K. , Kato S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe insular cortex is located in the centre of the cerebral hemisphere, having connections with the primary and secondary somatosensory areas, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdaloid body, prefrontal cortex, superior temporal gyrus, temporal pole, orbitofrontal cortex, frontal and parietal opercula, primary and association auditory cortices, visual association cortex, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and motor cortex. Accordingly, dense connections exist among insular cortex neurons. The insular cortex is involved in the processing of visceral sensory, visceral motor, vestibular, attention, pain, emotion, verbal, motor information, inputs related to music and eating, in addition to gustatory, olfactory, visual, auditory, and tactile data. In this article, the literature on the relationship between the insular cortex and neuropsychiatric disorders was summarized following a computer search of the Pub-Med database. Recent neuroimaging data, including voxel based morphometry, PET and fMRI, revealed that the insular cortex was involved in various neuropsychiatric diseases such as mood disorders, panic disorders, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorders, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Investigations of functions and connections of the insular cortex suggest that sensory information including gustatory, olfactory, visual, auditory, and tactile inputs converge on the insular cortex, and that these multimodal sensory information may be integrated there.
Women's perception of self‐worth and access to health care
Authors: Chamberlain J. , Watt S. , Mohide P. , Muggah H. , Trim K. , Bantebya Kyomuhendo G. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective: Research has shown differences in health status and health care utilization related to culture, economic status, and health care development. This paper reports on a study comparing attitudes of women in three countries, at various stages of development, about their own health and self‐worth and asks if these differences account for differences in health care utilization and inequities in health status. Method: A questionnaire, administered to 100 women in each of Yemen, Uganda and Canada, explored women's perception of their own health and health care seeking behavior. Result: Women's perception of themselves as worthy of care was positively related to utilization. The ability to make one's own health care decisions varied with her country's development level. Implementation strategies must consider women's decision‐making capacity. Conclusion: To achieve improved health status, policies and programs must commit to encouraging appropriate social and cultural changes, using a ‘cross‐sectoral approach’, involving both gender and development issues.
Effect of dietaryEnterolobium cyclocarpumon microbial protein flow and nutrient digestibility in sheep maintained fauna-free, with total mixed fauna or withEntodinium caudatummonofauna
Authors: Koenig K. M. , Ivan M. , Teferedegne B. T. , Morgavi D. P. , Rode L. M. , Ibrahim I. M. , Newbold C. J. 
Published: April 2007

Three groups of five wethers with ruminal and duodenal cannulas and maintained as either fauna-free (FF) or inoculated with total mixed fauna (TF) orEntodinium caudatumas a single-species monofauna (EN) were used in an experiment with two 28 d periods. In the first period, the sheep were fed a control barley-based diet (40:60 concentrate to silage DM) and in the second period the diet was supplemented with 187 g DM ofEnterolobium cyclocarpumfor the last 12 d of the period. The diets of period 1 and 2 were isonitrogenous. There was no effect of fauna on apparent ruminal and total tract organic matter and fibre digestion, but bacterial and microbial N flow and efficiency were improved in FF sheep compared to TF sheep. In period 2, protozoal numbers were reduced between 31 and 88 % 2 h after feedingE. cyclocarpumfor the third to twelfth day of supplementation and by an average of 25 % in samples collected over the 24 h feeding cycle. Supplementation of the diet withE. cyclocarpumand the consequent protozoal reduction in TF and EN sheep improved the flow of non-ammonia N and bacterial N to the small intestine and the efficiency of microbial synthesis. However,E. cyclocarpumreduced ruminal organic matter digestion, especially in faunated sheep, and total tract organic matter, N and fibre digestion. Thus, a reduction in the protozoal cell numbers of 25 % was sufficient to achieve the beneficial effects of reduced fauna on the bacterial protein supply, but diet digestibility was reduced.
Implication of gap junction coupling in amphibian vitellogenin uptake
Authors: Mónaco M.E. , Villecco E.I. , Sánchez S.S. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to investigate the physiological role and the expression pattern of heterologous gap junctions during Xenopus laevis vitellogenesis. Dye transfer experiments showed that there are functional gap junctions at the oocyte/follicle cell interface during the vitellogenic process and that octanol uncouples this intercellular communication. The incubation of vitellogenic oocytes in the presence of biotinylated bovine serum albumin (b-BSA) or fluorescein dextran (FDX), showed that oocytes develop stratum of newly formed yolk platelets. In octanol-treated follicles no sign of nascent yolk sphere formation was observed. Thus, experiments in which gap junctions were downregulated with octanol showed that coupled gap junctions are required for endocytic activity. RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) was first evident at stage II of oogenesis and increased during the subsequent vitellogenic stages (III, IV and V), which would indicate that this Cx is related to the process that regulates yolk uptake. No expression changes were detected for Cx31 and Cx38 during vitellogenesis. Based on our results, we propose that direct gap junctional communication is a requirement for endocytic activity, as without the appropriate signal from surrounding epithelial cells X. laevis oocytes were unable to endocytose VTG.
Inverse Association between T‐Cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain‐1 and T‐bet in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Xu Geng , Cheng Lei , Wen Weiping , Oh Yun , Mou Zhonglin , Shi Jianbo , Xu Rui , Li Huabin 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground: It has been suggested that human hepatitis A virus cellular receptor, also known as T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain‐1 (TIM‐1), plays an important role in the development of allergic diseases on the basis of epidemiologic data, but the molecular mechanism has been unclear. In a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)‐sensitized allergic rhinitis (AR), we examined the expression of TIM‐1 and its correlation with T helper1‐associated transcription factor, T‐bet, as a potential mediator of T‐cell immunoglobulin expression.Methods: Mice were challenged intranasally with OVA to elicit AR. The expression of TIM‐1 in nasal tissues was examined by real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), and the surface expression of TIM‐1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was evaluated by means of flow cytometry. In addition, the expression of TIM‐1 as well as T‐bet in splenic lymphocytes was examined by Western blotting.Results: TIM‐1 mRNA was increased significantly in nasal tissues (P < .05) as seen by real‐time RT‐PCR. Flow cytometry indicated a differential TIM‐1 expression of 135.5 ± 34.2 in the AR group versus 51.1 ± 10.9 in the control group (P < .05). The mean values of normalized TIM‐1 were 0.43 ± 0.18 and 0.21 ± 0.10 in AR and control groups, respectively, whereas the mean values of normalized T‐bet were 0.22 ± 0.13 and 0.67 ± 0.17 in the AR and control groups, respectively. There was a significant difference in the production of TIM‐1 as well as T‐bet in AR mice versus control mice (P < .05). The increased production of TIM‐1 correlated significantly with the decreased T‐bet in spleen tissue of AR mice (r = −0.52, P < .05).Conclusion: Our experimental model recapitulates an increase in lymphocyte TIM‐1 expression seen in AR both locally and systemically. Our results also demonstrate an inverse relationship between lymphocyte TIM‐1 and T‐bet expression, suggesting a possible mechanism that TIM‐1 influences the development of AR.
Bone Regeneration of Canine Skull Using Bone Marrow‐Derived Stromal Cells and β‐Tricalcium Phosphate
Authors: Umeda Hiroo , Kanemaru Shin‐ichi , Yamashita Masaru , Kishimoto Masanao , Tamura Yoshihiro , Nakamura Tatsuo , Omori Koichi , Hirano Shigeru , Ito Juichi 
Published: April 2007

AbstractObjective: The aim of this study was to regenerate high‐quality cranial bone using tissue engineering techniques, with subsequent extension to clinical application. Our previous study with a 3‐month observation period indicated that a composite scaffold composed primarily of β‐tricalcium phosphate (TCP) had the potential for cranial bone regeneration. In this study, we investigated whether bone marrow derived stromal cells (BSCs) could promote the regeneration of cranial bone as determined after 3 and 6 months.Study Design: The pilot study was conducted with 14 adult beagle dogs.Materials and Methods: Craniotomy was performed in the same manner used clinically. The bone defect (2 × 2 cm) was created at each canine temporoparietal region. The test animals were divided into three groups. In group I, the bone defect was closed by replacing the original free bone flap without filling the residual gaps. In group II, the gap was filled with a composite scaffold consisting of collagen coated β‐TCP and autologous bone fragments with fibrin glue. In group III, autologous cultured BSCs and the composite scaffold were used to fill the gap. The sites of craniotomy were analyzed with three‐dimensional computed tomography and histologic examination 3 and 6 months after the operation.Results: Bone regeneration was observed in groups II and III, with more extensive formation in group III than in group II. In group I, bone regeneration was not observed.Conclusion: This study showed that BSCs have the potential to promote cranial bone regeneration and confirmed the efficacy of a composite scaffold made of β‐TCP and autologous bone fragments with fibrin glue.