bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathological study of Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome evaluated from fallopian tube damage
Authors: Kobayashi Yuko , Takeuchi Hiroyuki , Kitade Mari , Kikuchi Iwaho , Sato Yuichi , Kinoshita Katsuyuki 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAim:  To analyze the causative pathogen, surgical indication and fallopian tube damages in Fitz–Hugh–Curtis syndrome (FHCS) cases diagnosed by laparoscopy.Methods:  Laparoscopic findings in 3568 cases at our hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Of these, 108 cases were diagnosed to have FHCS and examined for causative pathogens. Chlamydial infection was determined by both Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) antigens in the cervix and serum anti‐CT antibodies. One hundred and four cases with chronic FHCS were divided into hydrosalpinx (H) and normal (N) groups based on the fallopian tube conditions, and were compared for patient profiles, tubal functions and perihepatic adhesion.Results:  Among surgical indications, tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy were more often associated with FHCS than any other diseases. The primary causative pathogen of FHCS was CT. In 104 cases with chronic FHCS, there was no difference in CT antigen positivity between the H and N groups. The serum anti‐CT IgG titer also did not differ between the two groups, although anti‐CT IgA was slightly higher in the H group. The peritubal adhesion score was significantly higher in the H group, but it was not correlated with the degree of perihepatic adhesion.Conclusion:  While some FHCS patients had severe fallopian tube dysfunctions, such as hydrosalpinx and tubal occlusion, 30% of FHCS cases did not show any abnormalities in the fallopian tube. Our study indicated that the severity of tubal dysfunctions associated with FHCS is determined by the host’s reactivity to CT.
Screening for gestational diabetes mellitus in southern Asian women
Authors: Senanayake Hemantha , Seneviratne Sanjeewa , Ariyaratne Hemal , Wijeratne Sumeda 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAim:  To compare fasting plasma glucose (FPG) against 2‐h postprandial plasma glucose (PPPG), following a carbohydrate meal, for screening of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in southern Asian women with one or more risk factors.Methods:  A comparative study was conducted at a university obstetric unit in Sri Lanka. Two hundred and seventy one women undergoing oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) according to the WHO criteria of 1999 had a 2‐h PPPG performed within the following week. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and correlation coefficients for predicting a diagnosis of GDM and areas under receiver–operator curves (ROC) were calculated for FPG and PPPG. The ability to predict GDM and to reduce the need for OGTT were the main outcome measures.Results:  The mean period of gestation was 26.43 weeks (SD = 5.4) Seventy‐five (27.7%) women were diagnosed with GDM. The optimal threshold for FPG was 4.4 mmol/L and for PPPG 4.7 mmol/L. At these, sensitivity was 92.0% and 90.7%, specificity 48.7% and 25.4% and the areas under the ROC 0.82 and 0.73 for FPG and PPPG, respectively. Nine (12%) women could be diagnosed as having GDM on the basis of the FPG being above the threshold.Conclusions:  FPG is superior to 2‐h PPPG for screening high‐risk women for GDM. Nine women were diagnosed as having GDM on the basis of having an FPG above 7 mmol/L. FPG could reduce the number of OGTT needed by 40.9%, compared to 20.6% by PPPG. FPG is a less cumbersome and cost‐effective screening test.
Effects of hormone replacement therapy regimens on mammographic breast density: The role of progestins
Authors: Topal Naile Bolca , Ayhan Serdal , Topal Ugur , Bilgin Tufan 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the effects of different regimens of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on mammographic breast density.Methods:  Mammograms of 113 healthy postmenopausal women who were on different HRT regimens were evaluated retrospectively. All women had a baseline mammography and at least one mammogram after at least 12 months of HRT. Four parenchymal patterns were considered mammographically. Quantification of density changes that occurred on follow‐up mammograms was done qualitatively and with reference to densities on baseline mammograms.Results:  Sixty women were treated with a continuous estrogen‐progestin combination; 16 with a cyclic estrogen‐progestin combination and 37 were with estrogen only. Twenty‐six women had increased mammographic density after HRT. Mammographic density increase was detected in 23 women (38.3%) of the continuous estrogen‐progestin combination group, two women (12.5%) of the cyclic estrogen‐progestin combination group and one woman (2.7%) of the estrogen‐only group. Mammographic density increase was more common among women in the continuous estrogen‐progestin combination group than the other groups and this difference was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Breast density increase was observed in 18 of 30 women (60%) with higher doses of progestin compared to 5 of 30 women (16.7%) with lower dose (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Postmenopausal HRT may increase mammographic breast density. Breast density appears to be mostly affected by higher doses and continuous administration of progestin.
Two‐stage totally minimally invasive approach for acute complicated diverticulitis
Authors: Mutter D. , Bouras G. , Forgione A. , Vix M. , Leroy J. , Marescaux J. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjectives  Surgical options for acute diverticulitis with peritonitis include Hartmann's procedure or resection and primary anastomosis with or without a stoma. Initial laparoscopic lavage and drainage can control the acute intra‐abdominal sepsis to allow for a delayed definitive procedure in nonemergency conditions. Potential advantages include the avoidance of a laparotomy, stoma and local infections at the origin of dehiscence and incisional hernias. We evaluated this approach in a selected group of patients.Methods  Patients with intra‐abdominal pus secondary to diverticular perforation requiring surgery were included in the study. Patients with localized pus amenable to computerized tomography (CT)‐guided drainage, faecal peritonitis, severe generalized peritonitis, and those in which the perforation was spontaneously visible were excluded. Standard demographic data, CT findings, intra‐operative findings and postoperative outcomes were analysed.Results  Ten patients were suitable for the approach. Mean patient age was 60.2 years. Mean body mass index was 28.2 m2/kg. Mean postoperative stay was 8.5 days and uneventful in all patients. One patient re‐presented after 3 weeks with acute peritonitis requiring open sigmoidectomy. Six patients successfully underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis 2–3 months later. Two patients were not re‐operated because of comorbidity and one refused surgery.Conclusions  A two‐stage totally minimally invasive approach may be a safe alternative strategy for selected cases of acute complicated diverticulitis.
A chemically inducible cucumber mosaic virus amplicon system for expression of heterologous proteins in plant tissues
Authors: Sudarshana Mysore R. , Plesha Michael A. , Uratsu Sandra L. , Falk Bryce W. , Dandekar Abhaya M. , Huang Ting‐Kuo , McDonald Karen A. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryA novel cucumber mosaic virus inducible viral amplicon (CMViva) expression system has been developed that allows for tightly regulated chemically inducible expression of heterologous genes in plant hosts. Transient production of recombinant α1‐antitrypsin (rAAT), a human blood protein, was demonstrated in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The highest production levels were obtained by co‐infiltrating leaves with Agrobacterium tumefaciens cells containing CMViva carrying the AAT gene and A. tumefaciens cells carrying a binary vector constitutively expressing the gene silencing suppressor p19. Accumulation of up to thirty‐fold more rAAT was observed in leaves (24 mg per 100 g leaf tissue) when compared with the expression levels observed using the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. Significantly, 70% of the rAAT produced using the CMViva expression system was found to be biologically active, a 170‐fold increase in functional protein compared with the CaMV 35S expression system.
Expression of CP4 EPSPS in microspores and tapetum cells of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is critical for male reproductive development in response to late‐stage glyphosate applications
Authors: Chen Yun‐Chia Sophia , Hubmeier Christopher , Tran Minhtien , Martens Amy , Cerny R. Eric , Sammons R. Doug , CaJacob Claire 
Published: June 2006

SummaryPlants expressing Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (CP4 EPSPS) are known to be resistant to glyphosate, a potent herbicide that inhibits the activity of the endogenous plant EPSPS. The RR1445 transgenic cotton line (current commercial line for Roundup Ready® Cotton) was generated using the figwort mosaic virus (FMV) 35S promoter to drive the expression of the CP4 EPSPS gene, and has excellent vegetative tolerance to glyphosate. However, with high glyphosate application rates at developmental stages later than the four‐leaf stage (late‐stage applications: applications that are inconsistent with the Roundup® labels), RR1445 shows male sterility. Another transgenic cotton line, RR60, was generated using the FMV 35S promoter and the Arabidopsis elongation factor‐1α promoter (AtEF1α) for the expression of CP4 EPSPS. RR60 has excellent vegetative and reproductive tolerance to applications of glyphosate at all developmental stages. Histochemical analyses were conducted to examine the male reproductive development at the cellular level of these cotton lines in response to glyphosate applications, and to investigate the correlation between glyphosate injury and the expression of CP4 EPSPS in male reproductive tissues. The expression of CP4 EPSPS in RR60 was found to be strong in all male reproductive cell types. Conversely, CP4 EPSPS expression in RR1445 was low in pollen mother cells, male gametophytes and tapetum, three crucial male reproductive cell types. Our results indicate that the FMV 35S promoter, although expressing strongly in most vegetative tissues in plants, has extremely low activity in these cell types.
Exploring the Meaning of Trauma with Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Mitchell Anna , Clegg Jennifer , Furniss Frederick 
Published: June 2006

Background  Previous research investigating post‐traumatic stress disorder assumed that adults with intellectual disabilities would react to trauma in the same way as those in the non‐disabled population. This study explored the personal experience of trauma in a small group of adults with intellectual disabilities.Methods  Semi‐structured interviews, developed from a pilot study involving focus groups, were used to interview six adults with mild intellectual disabilities from a clinical population, about their experiences of trauma. The transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). A quantitative measure, the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale [PDS; Foa et al. (1997) Psychological Assessment vol. 9, pp. 445–451] was used in conjunction with the individual interviews.Results  One theme, whether individuals perceived the world to be a dangerous or a safe place, connected the five themes that emerged from the data. The themes were identified as: (i) how the trauma affected me, (ii) I avoid things that remind me of the trauma, (iii) I am prepared for danger in the future, (iv) the tension of talking or not talking and (v) the struggle of who to blame.Conclusions  The results were related to previous theoretical frameworks and the methodological limitations of the research acknowledged. The clinical implications of the findings for disclosure, assessment and therapeutic intervention were discussed.
Cross‐cultural study on adult age‐group differences in the recall of the literal and interpretive meanings of narrative text1
Authors: HOSOKAWA AYA , HOSOKAWA TORU 
Published: June 2006

Abstract:  This study examined cultural and age differences in the recall of the literal and interpretive meanings of narrative text. Twenty Japanese younger adults (age: M = 21.05, SD = 1.02), 20 Japanese older adults (age: M = 66.95, SD = 1.71), 20 American younger adults (age M = 21.7, SD = 1.76), and 16 American older adults (age M = 69.56, SD = 3.43) participated in this study. One story rich in both literal and interpretive content was used as a stimulus text for two recall tasks, to retell and interpret the story. The response task order was counterbalanced across the participants for each group. When asked to retell a story as close to the original as possible, the younger adults in both of the two cultural groups recalled more of the literal propositions than did the older adults. Both older and younger adults in the two cultural groups recalled more of the main ideas relative to the details; however, when asked to interpret the same story, more older than younger adults represented deep and synthetic representations of the story's interpretive meanings in the Japanese group. The interpretive responses by both the older and younger adults were almost to the same extent on depth; however, the younger adults’ responses were slightly higher on synthesis in the American group. These interpretive patterns stem from cultural background.
Cryptogenic Late‐onset Epileptic Spasms: An Overlooked Syndrome of Early Childhood?
Authors: Eisermann Monika M. , Ville Dorothée , Soufflet Christine , Plouin Perrine , Chiron Catherine , Dulac Olivier , Kaminska Anna 
Published: June 2006

Summary: Purpose:Few reports detailing late‐onset epileptic spasms have been published. To determine whether this condition merely represents a late variant of classic West syndrome or exhibits specific features distinct from the latter and related to a later stage of brain maturation, we analyzed the whole population with this specific seizure type, excluding symptomatic cases to avoid the effect of brain lesion.Methods:We reviewed the files of the 56 children evaluated for epileptic spasms in clusters having begun at age 12 months or later and analyzed clinical and video‐EEG data of the 22 patients (4–17 years; mean, 8.5 years) without obvious cause.Results:Interictal EEG did not show classic hypsarrhythmia. A temporal or temporofrontal slow wave and/or spike focus could be identified in all cases. Twelve children showed spasms with a tonic component. Ictal EEG revealed generalized high‐voltage slow wave followed by diffuse voltage attenuation with superimposed fast activity. All children also exhibited other types of recorded seizures consisting of bursts of spike–waves with temporofrontal predominance, reminiscent of “atypical absences.” In contrast with the occurrence of tonic components within a cluster of spasms, no tonic seizurestrictosensuwas recorded or reported by the caregivers. In 10 children, treatment (two vigabatrin, seven hydrocortisone, one adrenocorticotropic hormone) achieved complete cessation of seizures and disappearance of focal EEG anomalies, but spasms persisted in 12 children.Conclusions:The cryptogenic group in our series without recognized cause and temporal or temporofrontal EEG anomalies seems to represent a type of epileptic encephalopathy intermediary between West and Lennox–Gastaut syndromes, in terms of seizure types and interictal EEG, and could correspond to dysfunction of the maturation process of the temporal lobe, possibly due to an undisclosed lesion.
Benign Partial Epilepsy in Infancy: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Kaleyias Joseph , Khurana Divya S. , Valencia Ignacio , Legido Agustin , Kothare Sanjeev V. 
Published: June 2006

Summary: Purpose:Benign partial epilepsy in infancy (BPEI) was first described by Watanabe in 1987. The aim of this study is to describe a series of infants from the United States to characterize this entity further.Methods:Among patients with the diagnosis of epilepsy followed up at our institution between 2002 and 2004, those satisfying the criteria for BPEI were included in a retrospective study.Results:Sixteen (10.2%) of 150 patients with new onset of epilepsy younger than 2 years were identified. The mean age at seizure onset was 8 months. Four (25%) infants had a family history of benign seizures. All infants were neurologically and developmentally normal at the onset of seizures. The seizures occurred in clusters in 75% of patients, predominantly in wakefulness. The initial manifestation was behavioral arrest with staring (69%) and apnea with cyanosis or pallor (37.5%). These symptoms were followed by deviation of eyes or head or both (56%), mild clonic movements (31%), or increased limb tone (35%). Secondary generalization was noticed in 37.5% of patients. All infants had normal interictal EEGs and brain MRIs. Ictal EEGs disclosed electrographic seizures in 50% of patients (temporal origin in 62% and central in 38%). Fifteen (94%) patients were treated with AEDs with good response. The mean duration of treatment was 12.4 months. The final developmental assessment of all patients was normal.Conclusions:We believe that BPEI exists as a unique entity and should be included in the differential diagnosis of epilepsies in infancy with partial origin.
Linkage Analysis and Disease Models in Benign Familial Infantile Seizures: A Study of 16 Families
Authors: Striano Pasquale , Lispi Maria Luisa , Gennaro Elena , Madia Francesca , Traverso Monica , Bordo Laura , Aridon Paolo , Boneschi Filippo Martinelli , Barone Baldassare , Bernardina Bernardo dalla , Bianchi Amedeo , Capovilla Giuseppe , De Marco Pasquale , Dulac Olivier , Gaggero Roberto , Gambardella Antonio , Nabbout Rima , Prud'homme Jean‐François , Day Ruth , Vanadia Francesca , Vecchi Marilena , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Vigevano Federico , Viri Maurizio , Minetti Carlo , Zara Federico 
Published: June 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Benign familial infantile seizures (BFIS) is a genetically heterogeneous condition characterized by partial seizures, onset age from 3 to 9 months, and favorable outcome. BFIS loci were identified on chromosomes 19q12‐13.1 and 16p12‐q12, allelic to infantile convulsions and choreathetosis. The identification of SCN2A mutations in families with only infantile seizures indicated that BFNIS and BFIS may show overlapping clinical features. Infantile seizures also were in a family with familial hemiplegic migraine and mutations in the ATP1A2 gene. We have examined the heterogeneous genetics of BFIS by means of linkage analysis. Methods: Sixteen families were examined. Probands underwent neurologic examination, at least one EEG recording, and, when possible, brain CT and MRI. Clinical information about relatives was collected. Families with SCN2A or ATP1A2 mutations were excluded from the study. Chromosome 16p and 19q loci were examined by linkage analysis using two models that differed in penetrance rate. Genetic heterogeneity was evaluated with both models. Results: Clinical information was available for 124 members of affected families. BFIS was diagnosed in 69 subjects. One patient without BFIS had a single febrile seizure, and another had rare episodes of paroxysmal dystonia. Evidence of linkage was obtained only for chromosome 16. Moreover, the high penetrance allowed the identification of genetic heterogeneity. Conclusions: Our data confirm the relevance of the chromosome 16 locus in BFIS and suggest the presence of an additional locus. This study shows that the genetic model used affects the outcome of linkage analysis.
Dual Inversion Recovery MRI Helps Identifying Cortical Tubers in Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors: Cotton Francois , Rambaud Loic , Hermier Marc 
Published: June 2006

Summary:  Purpose: Dual inversion‐recovery imaging (DIR) has been advocated for the diagnosis of cortical lesions in epileptic patients. The role of this sequence, however, is not established in tuberous sclerosis patients. Methods: We studied prospectively the interest of DIR sequence in four well‐documented consecutive tuberous sclerosis patients with focal epilepsy. Results: In all patients, the cortical tubers appeared very bright on this sequence and were well outlined compared with high resolution T2 or FLAIR imaging. In two patients, one cortical tuber was missed on T2 weighted images due to signal intensity close to the CSF. These lesions were better depicted on DIR than on FLAIR. Three cortical lesions from two patients were visualized only on DIR. Conclusion: DIR helped to depict cortical tubers and may have a complementary role in the MRI evaluation of tuberous sclerosis patients. There is a need to compare sensitivity of T2, FLAIR and DIR with a larger population of patients with focal epilepsies.
Topiramate Loading for Refractory Status Epilepticus in Children
Authors: Perry M. Scott , Holt Philip J. , Sladky John T. 
Published: June 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To describe three cases of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) in children responsive to topiramate (TPM). Methods: Patients with SE refractory to therapeutic doses of at least two antiepileptic medications were given TPM, 10 mg/kg/d, for 2 consecutive days, followed by maintenance doses of 5 mg/kg/d. Results: This protocol has been used in three cases of RSE at our institution. In each case, SE was aborted within 21 h of the initial dose of TPM. Two patients avoided pharmacologic coma, and one was rapidly weaned from continuous benzodiazepine infusion. Conclusions: Our experience indicates that TPM loading can be effective in the treatment of RSE in children.
Validation of Two Prognostic Models Predicting Outcome at Two Years after Diagnosis in a New Cohort of Children with Epilepsy: The Dutch Study of Epilepsy in Childhood
Authors: Geerts Ada T. , Arts Willem F. M. , Brouwer Oebele F. , Peters A. C. Boudewijn , Peeters Els A. J. , Stroink Hans , Van Donselaar Cees A. 
Published: June 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To validate two prognostic models for childhood‐onset epilepsy designed to predict a terminal remission of <6 months at 2 years after diagnosis in children referred to the hospital. Methods: A hospital‐based cohort of children with newly diagnosed epilepsy was recruited and followed up for 2 years to validate previously developed models. One model was based on variables collected at intake, and the other was based on intake variables plus variables collected during the first 6 months of follow‐up. The accuracy of both models was estimated by measuring the area under the receiver‐operant‐characteristic curves (ROC area). Results: The ROC area of the model developed with intake variables was 0.69 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64–0.74] for the original cohort and 0.62 (95% CI, 0.55–0.69) for the validation cohort. The best combination of sensitivity and specificity for the original cohort was 61.6% and 69.1%, whereas it was 60.0% and 61.4% for the validation cohort. For the model with intake and 6‐month variables combined, the ROC area was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.73–0.82) for the original cohort and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.64–0.78) for the validation cohort. The sensitivity and specificity were 72.6% and 73.1%, respectively, for the original cohort and 67.4% and 60.2%, respectively, for the validation cohort. Conclusions: Although both models predict outcome better than chance, they are insufficiently accurate to be of practical value. Both models performed marginally less well with the validation cohort than with the original cohort, but in both instances, the model based on intake and 6‐month variables was more accurate.