bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increasing trend in atopy markers prevalence in a Croatian adult population between 1985 and 1999
Authors: Macan J. , Varnai V. M. , Maloča I. , Kanceljak‐Macan B. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryBackground
Reports about the increasing prevalence of atopy and atopic diseases are common, but recently they have been critically reviewed and the need for relevant research methods has been established.Objectives
This study evaluated a 15‐year trend in the prevalence of atopy markers [elevated total IgE, positive skin prick test (SPT) to common aeroallergens and positive atopic symptoms] in Croatian adults, separately for women and men.Methods
The study included 721 subjects (445 men and 276 women), 18–45 years old, examined for allergies within a pre‐employment preventive examination. All subjects underwent medical history, SPT with common inhalatory allergens and total serum IgE measurement. The trend analysis of atopy prevalence was performed after stratification of subjects into three consecutive 5‐year periods from 1985 to1999.Results
The prevalence of concurrently elevated total IgE and positive atopic symptoms significantly increased during the studied period in men [odds ratio (OR) 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39–4.29, P=0.002]. Women showed an increased prevalence of positive SPT only, with borderline significance (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.00–2.71, P=0.050). In women, rural residence was found to be a predictor of elevated total IgE (OR 5.36, 95% CI 2.41–11.93, P=0.000) and smoking to be a predictor of concurrently elevated total IgE and positive SPT (OR 6.20, 95% CI 1.67–23.07, P=0.006).Conclusions
An increasing trend in the prevalence of concurrently elevated total IgE and positive atopic symptoms was found in the Croatian adult male population between 1985 and 1999, but not in the female population. Sex differences responsible for the production and regulation of IgE were suggested.
Radioiodine therapy after pretreatment with bexarotene for metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Liu Ying Y. , Stokkel Marcel P. , Morreau Hans A. , Pereira Alberto M. , Romijn Johannes A. , Smit Johannes W. A. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryObjective  To evaluate the effects of pretreatment with the retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist bexarotene on the efficacy of radioiodine therapy for metastases of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with limited uptake of radioiodine (I‐131).Design  An open prospective intervention study.Methods  Eight patients with metastases of DTC, with insufficient uptake of I‐131 who showed increased uptake of radioiodine after previous treatment with bexarotene were treated with radioiodine (7400 MBq), preceded by 6 weeks of treatment with bexarotene 300 mg/day. Outcome parameters were serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and dimensions of metastases at computed tomography (CT), measured before and 6 months after therapy. Tissues of primary tumours were stained with antibodies against retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and RXR subtypes.Results  Bexarotene pretreatment induced radioiodine uptake in metastases in all eight patients, although uptake was only discernable at single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and had incomplete matching with the metastases visualized by CT scanning. Six months after radioiodine therapy, six patients had progressive disease (defined as a > 10% increase in serum Tg and/or a > 25% increase in tumour dimensions), whereas two patients had stable disease. No relationship was observed between retinoid receptor staining pattern at immunohistochemistry and the outcome of therapy.Conclusions  Bexarotene therapy did not result in restoration of susceptibility to radioiodine therapy.
Retinol‐binding protein in nonobese women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Lee Ji‐Won , Im Jee‐Aee , Lee Duk‐Chul , Lee Hye‐Ree , Shim Jae‐Yong 
Published: October 2007

SummaryObjective  Although polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently associated with insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease and various metabolic diseases, the mechanisms linking PCOS to metabolic changes are not fully understood. Retinol‐binding protein (RBP) was recently reported as an adipocytokine that may link insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of RBP in women with PCOS.Research design and methods  Fifty women with PCOS and 40 healthy women, all of whom were age‐ and weight‐matched, were studied. Blood was obtained to determine RBP levels as well as metabolic and hormonal parameters, and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was calculated for each subject.Results  The RBP levels were higher (P < 0·01) in women with PCOS after adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), mean blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), LH/FSH, total testosterone and SHBG levels. PCOS status was the strongest predictor of elevated RBP levels. In both the PCOS and control groups, RBP levels were significantly correlated with HOMA‐IR (P = 0·03 in the PCOS group; P = 0·01 in controls). In addition, RBP levels were significantly correlated with total cholesterol, LDL‐cholesterol and TG levels in PCOS (P < 0·01, P < 0·01 and P = 0·01, respectively).Conclusions  Higher RBP levels in the PCOS group, when compared to the non‐PCOS group, were observed, and this difference may play a role in the pathophysiology found in women with PCOS. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of RBP in these women.
Up‐regulation of SOX9 in human sex‐determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY)‐negative XX males
Authors: Kojima Yoshiyuki , Hayashi Yutaro , Mizuno Kentaro , Sasaki Shoichi , Fukui Yuko , Koopman Peter , Morohashi Ken‐Ichiro , Kohri Kenjiro 
Published: October 2007

SummaryBackground  In mammals, gonadal sex is normally determined by the presence or absence of the Y chromosome gene SRY. After expression of SRY in the sexually indifferent gonad, a number of genes encoding transcription factors and growth factors implicated in testis differentiation start to show male‐specific expression. However, in XX males, these genes must be up‐regulated in the absence of SRY, but the aetiology of SRY‐negative XX maleness remains unclear.Aim and methods  We examined the expression of representative gonad marker genes in SRY‐negative XX male testes.Results  RT‐PCR and immunohistochemical studies revealed that SOX9, DAX‐1, Ad4BP/SF‐1, WT‐1, GATA‐4 and MIS were expressed in testicular tissues of SRY‐negative XX males. Expression levels of SOX9 in testes of these patients averaged 1·9‐fold higher than in normal XY testes, while expression levels of Ad4BP/SF‐1, DAX‐1 and MIS were lower in the SRY‐negative XX testes than in XY testes. All XX patients were found to carry two copies of the SOX9 gene per diploid genome as do normal XX females and XY males. The XX male patients also carried two copies of the DAX‐1 gene as do normal XX females, while normal XY males carry a single DAX‐1 gene.Conclusions  Our data suggest that lesions affecting SOX9 expression are the key factor in sex determination in SRY‐negative XX males, and that the decreased expression of Ad4BP/SF‐1, DAX‐1 and MIS contribute to their clinical features.
Myb proteins regulate expression of histone variant H2A.Z during thymocyte development
Authors: Hooper Joel , Maurice Diane , Argent‐Katwala Mary J. G. , Weston Kathleen 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe c‐myb gene encodes a transcription factor required for the normal development of T cells in the thymus, and for subsequent peripheral T‐cell activation and survival. However, the profile of genes known to be transcriptionally regulated by c‐Myb in T cells does not adequately explain the pleiotrophic nature of the effects of c‐Myb. We present here a detailed molecular characterization of the regulation of a novel target gene, the histone variant H2A.Z. We show that c‐Myb is able to bind to and activate the H2A.Z promoter in T cells both in vitro and in vivo, and present evidence that perturbation of Myb activity during T‐cell development results in reduced H2A.Z expression. As H2A.Z is absolutely required for the early stages of mammalian development, and plays essential roles in the regulation of chromatin structure in gene promoters in yeast, its regulation by c‐Myb is likely to be of some importance during T‐cell development.
Neuropeptides activate human mast cell degranulation and chemokine production
Authors: Kulka Marianna , Sheen Cecilia H. , Tancowny Brian P. , Grammer Leslie C. , Schleimer Robert P. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryDuring neuronal‐induced inflammation, mast cells may respond to stimuli such as neuropeptides in an FcεRI‐independent manner. In this study, we characterized human mast cell responses to substance P (SP), nerve growth factor (NGF), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and compared these responses to human mast cell responses to immunoglobulin E (IgE)/anti‐IgE and compound 48/80. Primary cultured mast cells, generated from CD34+progenitors in the presence of stem cell factor and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and human cultured mast cells (LAD2) were stimulated with these and other stimuli (gastrin, concanavalin A, radiocontrast media, and mannitol) and their degranulation and chemokine production was assessed. VIP and SP stimulated primary human mast cells and LAD cells to degranulate; gastrin, concanavalin A, radiocontrast media, mannitol, CGRP and NGF did not activate degranulation. While anti‐IgE stimulation did not induce significant production of chemokines, stimulation with VIP, SP or compound 48/80 potently induced production of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, inducible protein‐10, monokine induced by interferon‐γ (MIG), RANTES (regulated on activation, normal, T‐cell expressed, and secreted) and IL‐8. VIP, SP and compound 48/80 also activated release of tumour necrosis factor, IL‐3 and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, but not IL‐4, interferon‐γ or eotaxin. Human mast cells expressed surface neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), NK2R, NK3R and VIP receptor type 2 (VPAC2) but not VPAC1 and activation of human mast cells by IgE/anti‐IgE up‐regulated expression of VPAC2, NK2R, and NK3R. These studies demonstrate the pattern of receptor expression and activation of mast cell by a host of G‐protein coupled receptor ligands and suggest that SP and VIP activate a unique signalling pathway in human mast cells. These results are likely to have direct relevance to neuronally induced inflammatory diseases.
Pliocene extensional tectonics in the Eastern Central Patagonian Cordillera: geochronological constraints and new field evidence
Authors: Lagabrielle Yves , Suárez Manuel , Malavieille Jacques , Morata Diego , Espinoza Felipe , Maury René C. , Scalabrino Bruno , Barbero Luis , Cruz Rita de la , Rossello Eduardo , Bellon Hervé 
Published: October 2007

AbstractRecent field work and review of radiometric data obtained from Neogene lavas and plutonic rocks exposed in the Eastern Central Patagonian Cordillera (46–48ºS), which overlie subducted segments of the South Chile Ridge, suggest important Late Miocene to Pleistocene morphological changes in relation to base level variations and/or tectonic events. We present new field observations from a region south of Lago General Carrera‐Buenos Aires, between the main Cordillera and the Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires, demonstrating that normal faulting controlled valley incisions and occurred during lava emplacement at 5–4 Ma and after 3 Ma. We also show that the 12 Ma basaltic flows of the Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires (∼2000 m a.s.l.) have been subjected to deep incision, with younger lavas dated at 1.2 Ma partially filling the valleys. These incisions are thought to reflect progressive eastward tilting of the entire meseta. Our new observations, together with additional features from Central Patagonia, strongly suggest that tectonic events led to a regional widespread morphological change after 5 Ma. The coincidence in time and space between the subduction of segments of the South Chile Ridge at 6 and 3 Ma causing opening of a slab window, and strong base level variations in the studied area, suggests a cause‐and‐effect relationship. In Central Patagonia, compressional tectonics ended well before extensional events reported here. Causes of uplift and further extension are probably completely disconnected. The uplift is purely tectonic in origin and occurred prior to the subduction of the South Chile Ridge. Extension should be a consequence of this subduction.
Effects of differentially fermentable carbohydrates on the microbial fermentation profile of the gastrointestinal tract of broilers
Authors: Rehman H. , Böhm J. , Zentek J. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inulin and sucrose on the fermentation profile of the gastrointestinal microflora in chicken. Day‐old broilers (n = 80) were assigned to four dietary treatments, either fed a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with sucrose (4%), inulin (1%) or sucrose and inulin. At day 35, birds were killed and pH, lactate, ammonia, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and biogenic amines were determined in different parts of the digestive tract. Final body weights and the relative weights of liver, pancreas, crop, gizzard and small intestine were not influenced by treatment. The relative weights of the empty caeca and of the caecal digesta were higher with the diets containing inulin while caecal pH and ammonia were reduced. Lactate concentration was reduced in the crop (p ≤ 0.01) and gizzard (p ≤ 0.001) of sucrose‐fed groups, while it was increased (p ≤ 0.01) in the jejunum of inulin‐fed group. Ammonia in the crop (p = 0.089) and gizzard (p = 0.067) tended to be lower in the group receiving inulin plus sucrose. Amongst SCFA, only acetate was detected in the crop and gizzard contents that tended to be lower (p = 0.09) in the crop digesta of sucrose plus inulin‐fed group. N‐butyrate (mol %) was higher (p ≤ 0.001) in the caecal digesta of inulin‐supplemented groups without affecting total SCFA. Dietary inulin elevated the concentration of putrescine in the jejunal and caecal contents. In the caecal digesta, total biogenic amines were increased (p ≤ 0.001) in sucrose plus inulin‐fed group without affecting production of biogenic amines in the jejunum. In conclusion, inulin could reduce the pH in the lower gastrointestinal tract of broilers, while sucrose had no acidifying influence in the upper digestive tract. Inulin enhanced the concentration or metabolic activity of butyrate‐producing bacteria in the caecum. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential effect of inulin on the intestinal microbial composition.
Pretransplant laparoscopic nephrectomy in adult polycystic kidney disease: a single centre experience
Authors: Desai Mahesh R. , Nandkishore S. K. , Ganpule Arvind , Thimmegowda Manohar 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVETo report our experience with pretransplant laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), as ADPKD often progresses to end‐stage renal disease and most azotaemic patients with ADPKD have enlarged kidneys, making graft placement difficult.MATERIAL AND METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 13 patients with renal failure attributable to ADPKD who underwent pretransplant laparoscopic nephrectomy (21 renal units) from August 2002 to December 2006. Five patients had a unilateral nephrectomy, seven had a staged bilateral nephrectomy, and one had a simultaneous bilateral nephrectomy. All patients underwent subsequent living‐related renal transplantation. The operative duration, haemoglobin decrease, blood transfusion, hospital stay, analgesic requirement and time to receipt of a transplant were compared with those of patients who underwent open pretransplant nephrectomy (14 patients) from 1984 to 2001.RESULTSKidneys of a size to interfere with graft placement were the commonest indication for surgery (eight patients). In comparison with open surgery, the mean (sd) hospital stay at 9.26 (2.9) vs 4.86 (0.9) days, analgesic requirement at 320 (120) vs 221 (120.5) mg of tramadol, blood transfusion rate at 1.3 (0.5) vs 0.9 (0.6) units, period to receive a graft kidney at 29.77 (4.6) vs 9.14 (3.38) days, were significantly less with laparoscopy. The complications noted were single instances of splenic capsular tear, pleural tear, sub‐acute intestinal obstruction and vena caval injury.CONCLUSIONPretransplant laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with ADPKD has all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery such as reduced intraoperative blood loss and minimal postoperative pain leading to early and faster convalescence. These benefits help in decreasing the period between nephrectomy and transplantation. The surgeon needs to have considerable experience in laparoscopy before embarking on laparoscopic pretransplant nephrectomy.
Urethral substitution using autologous lingual mucosal grafts: an experimental study
Authors: Song Lu‐Jie , Xu Yue‐Min , Hu Xiao‐Yong , Zhang Hui‐Zhen 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of urethral substitution using free lingual mucosa grafts (LMGs) in a dog model.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study included 10 female mongrel dogs in which a 4 × 1 cm2 section of urethral mucosa was excised. The defect was immediately repaired with a size‐matched free LMG harvested from the inferior lateral surface of the tongue. A 12 F urethral catheter was kept inside the urethra for a mean of 7 days. At 3 months after the procedure, the patency of the urethra was assessed by both insertion of a 12 F catheter and by retrograde urethrography. Dogs were killed, the grafted areas excised, and evaluated by gross and histopathological examination.RESULTSAll dogs survived the procedure and there were no tongue complications. One of the 10 dogs developed a slight urethral stricture near the proximal anastomosis. The remaining nine dogs voided spontaneously with no difficulty. Retrograde urethrography showed that no strictures or fistulas had formed. The LMGs shortened by 9.5% after surgery, from a mean (sd) of 4 (0.13) to 3.62 (0.11) cm (statistically significant, P < 0.05). Histological examination showed that the LMGs were well‐incorporated into the urethral walls and covered by a keratinized squamous epithelium. Neovascularization was evident beneath the grafts.CONCLUSIONWe successfully developed an dog model for free LMGs and showed the feasibility of this approach for urethral substitution.
Computer‐aided ultrasonography (HistoScanning): a novel technology for locating and characterizing prostate cancer
Authors: Braeckman Johan , Autier Philippe , Garbar Christian , Marichal Miriam Pipeleers , Soviany Cristina , Nir Rina , Nir Dror , Michielsen Dirk , Bleiberg Harry , Egevad Lars , Emberton Mark 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVETo assess the extent to which prostate HistoScanningTM (PHS), a new ultrasound‐based technology that uses computer‐aided analysis to quantify tissue disorganization induced by malignant processes, can identify and characterize foci of prostate cancer compared with step‐sectioned radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens.PATIENTS AND METHODSBetween September 2004 and February 2006, 29 men had PHS before their scheduled RP. A three‐dimensional ultrasound raw‐data file was acquired, and PHS analysed regions of interest (ROI) corresponding to tissue volumes of ≈ 0.04 mL. In 13 men the histology was examined on sections of the whole‐mount prostate onto which a grid of 5 × 5 mm squares was applied. On a test set of 14 of the 29 patients, PHS analysis was used before knowing the histology results (blinded data), to predict the maximum tumour diameter, focality, laterality and extraprostatic extension (EPE).RESULTSIdentification and characterization by PHS of the index tumour in the 14 patients in the test set correlated closely (r = 0.95, P < 0.001) with the reference test. The concordance in the attribution of multifocality (present/absent), unilateral/bilateral disease between PHS and histology was 100%. EPE as determined by PHS was attributed to all three pT3a pathological specimens in the blinded paired data. In the same set of data, EPE was attributed to one prostate cancer that on pathological inspection was deemed to be organ‐confined (pT2b).CONCLUSIONSPHS has the potential to identify and characterize prostate cancer foci noninvasively. The precision appears to be sufficient to suggest that PHS might be useful as a triage test for men deemed to be at risk of prostate cancer and who wish to avoid prostate biopsy.
Prevalence of renal cysts in a Middle‐Eastern population: an evaluation of characteristics and risk factors
Authors: Mosharafa Ashraf A. 
Published: October 2007

OBJECTIVETo assess the prevalence of renal cysts in a large Middle‐Eastern population presenting for a health‐screening programme, evaluating cyst characteristics and risk factors for their development.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe reported prevalence of renal cysts detected by ultrasonography (US) in the general population is 5.0–20.8%, and their development has been linked to several factors. The electronic charts of 8551 patients (from eight nations, predominantly Egypt and Yemen) presenting for the ‘check‐up’ programme at the author’s institution during 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The presence and characteristics of renal cysts on abdominal US were noted, as were any associated renal pathologies. Various risk factors were evaluated for renal cyst development, i.e. age, gender, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and serum creatinine levels, and hyperlipidaemia and a history of bilharziasis were also assessed.RESULTSThe prevalence of renal cysts was 4.2%, ranging from 0.6% for patients in their third decade, to a third of those aged >80 years. Cysts were detected in 4.8% of men and 2.8% of women (P < 0.001). The mean serum creatinine level was 1.02 mg/dL in those with cysts and 0.88 mg/dL in those without (P < 0.001). On univariate analysis, hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia had a significant influence on the occurrence of renal cysts, but not in the multivariate model. Of the 361 patients with renal cysts, 58 (16.1%) had bilateral and 26 (7.2%) had multiple unilateral cysts, with a mean (range) size of 26 (4–104) mm. The vast majority of cysts were classified as Bosniak I simple cysts; seven were Bosniak II and there was one Bosniak IV cyst. Associated renal pathologies included renal stones in 39 patients, hydronephrosis in nine, increased parenchymal echogenicity in 18, small atrophic kidneys in three, haematuria (not associated with other imaging abnormalities) in six, and a renal mass in one patient.CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of renal cysts detected by US in a health‐screened population from the Middle East was 4.2%. Increasing age, male gender and a higher serum creatinine level were significant independent risk factors for cyst development. There was also a relatively high prevalence of associated renal pathologies (increased parenchymal echogenicity and stones).