bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Descriptive epidemiology of teratoma in infants, Hawaii, 1986–2001
Authors: Forrester Mathias B. , Merz Ruth D. 
Published: January 2006

SummaryAlthough teratoma is the most common type of neonatal tumour, there are few population‐based epidemiological data on teratoma among infants. Using data from a population‐based birth defects registry in Hawaii, this study described the distribution of teratoma with respect to various demographic and clinical factors. A total of 22 cases were identified among deliveries in 1986–2001, of which 13 (59.1%) were located in the sacrococcygeal region. The rate per 10 000 live births was 0.74 for all cases and 0.43 for sacrococcygeal cases. Major birth defects were identified in 7 (31.8%) of the cases. Females accounted for 57.1% of all cases and 58.3% of sacrococcygeal cases. Teratoma rates were highest for Pacific Islanders (1.08) and lowest for Far East Asians (0.37) and Filipinos (0.72). The rate was higher in metropolitan Honolulu (0.89) than in the rest of Hawaii (0.62). Teratoma rates were greater with gestational age < 38 weeks (2.15) than for gestational age ≥ 38 weeks (0.34). No clear differences in rates were identified with respect to maternal age, birthweight and plurality. Except for gestational age, the rate differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study found that most of the teratomas among infants occur in the sacrococcygeal region. Differences in teratoma rates were noted with respect to sex, maternal race/ethnicity, geography and gestational age. Due to the small number of cases, caution should be used when interpreting the results. Further investigation involving larger data sets is recommended.
A population‐based case–control study of risk factors for neural tube defects in four high‐prevalence areas of Shanxi province, China
Authors: Li Zhiwen , Ren Aiguo , Zhang Le , Guo Zhanying , Li Zhu 
Published: January 2006

SummaryShanxi province in Northern China has one of the highest reported prevalence rates of neural tube defects (NTD) in the world. To explore the risk factors for NTDs in Shanxi province, we carried out a population‐based case–control study in four selected counties with prevalence rates >10 per 1000 births during 2003. Using a multi‐logistic regression model analysis (α = 0.10), 158 NTD cases were compared with 226 control mothers.Maternal factors significantly associated with increased risk for an NTD were a primary school education or lower (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09, 4.97); a history of a previous birth defect‐affected pregnancy (adjusted OR 5.27, 95% CI 0.98, 28.37); history of a fever or ‘cold’ (adjusted OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.68, 6.72); use of analgesic and antipyretic drugs (adjusted OR 4.89, 95% CI 0.92, 25.97); daily passive exposure to cigarette smoke (adjusted OR 1.60, 95% CI 0.94, 2.73); poor ventilation during heating (adjusted OR 3.91, 95% CI 0.75, 20.81); and consumption of ≥ six meals per week containing pickled vegetables (adjusted OR 3.86, 95% CI 1.11, 13.47) during pregnancy.Factors which appeared to be protective were meat consumption one to three times per week (adjusted OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.37, 1.06), or ≥ four times per week (adjusted OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11, 0.77); and legume consumption ≥ six times per week (adjusted OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17, 0.89). Differences in risk were found between the two most common phenotypes, anencephaly and spina bifida. Most of the environmental factors had stronger positive and negative associations with risk for anencephaly rather than spina bifida, whereas history of a previous birth defect‐associated pregnancy, as well as legume consumption, were more strongly associated with the risk for spina bifida than for anencephaly. The findings suggest that aetiological heterogeneity may exist between anencephaly and spina bifida.
LePLDβ1 activation and relocalization in suspension‐cultured tomato cells treated with xylanase
Authors: Bargmann Bastiaan O.R. , Laxalt Ana M. , Riet Bas ter , Schouten Elske , Van Leeuwen Wessel , Dekker Henk L. , De Koster Chris G. , Haring Michel A. , Munnik Teun 
Published: January 2006

SummaryPhospholipase D (PLD) has been implicated in various cellular processes including membrane degradation, vesicular trafficking and signal transduction. Previously, we described a PLD gene family in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and showed that expression of one of these genes, LePLDβ1, was induced by treatment with the fungal elicitor xylanase. To further investigate the function of this PLD, a gene‐specific RNAi construct was used to knock down levels of LePLDβ1 transcript in suspension‐cultured tomato cells. Silenced cells exhibited a strong decrease in xylanase‐induced PLD activity and responded to xylanase treatment with a disproportionate oxidative burst. Furthermore, LePLDβ1‐silenced cell‐suspension cultures were found to have increased polyphenol oxidase activity, to secrete less of the β‐d‐xylosidase LeXYL2 and to secrete and express more of the xyloglucan‐specific endoglucanase inhibitor protein XEGIP. Using an LePLDβ1–green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein for confocal laser scanning microscopy‐mediated localization studies, untreated cells displayed a cytosolic localization, whereas treatment with xylanase induced relocalization to punctuate structures within the cytosol. Possible functions for PLDβ in plant–pathogen interactions are discussed.
Early virological response predicts outcome during extended lamivudine retreatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B who relapsed after initial HBeAg responses
Authors: JANG JEONG WON , BAE SI HYUN , CHOI JONG YOUNG , KIM CHANG WOOK , HAN NAM IK , HAN JUN YEOL , CHOI SANG WOOK , YOON SEUNG KEW , CHUNG KYU WON , SUN HEE SIK 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Studies from hepatitis B virus endemic areas have shown less durable lamivudine‐induced responses and have raised issues about the management of a post‐treatment relapse.Methods:  From January 2000 to June 2004, all 51 patients (43 HBeAg‐positive and eight HBeAg‐negative) were retreated with lamivudine for at least 12 months. All had a post‐treatment relapse after HBeAg responses (HBeAg loss/seroconversion) during the first therapy.Results:  During retreatment, HBeAg seroconversion occurred more frequently in those patients with HBeAg seroconversion than in those with HBeAg loss alone during prior lamivudine therapy (P = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, prior HBeAg seroconversion and early virological response (EVR) (≤ 2 months of retreatment) independently predicted HBeAg seroconversion (P = 0.012 and P = 0.004, respectively). With regard to virological breakthrough, only the time to virological response (> 2 months of retreatment) remained significant (P = 0.048). Among the HBeAg‐negative patients, virological breakthrough occurred in only one patient with a late virological response.Conclusions:  EVR is a major predictor in determining a favorable response to lamivudine retreatment. Our observations suggest that lamivudine retreatment will provide more therapeutic gains in those patients with a prior HBeAg seroconversion than in those with HBeAg loss alone.
Relationship between levels of DNA damage in lymphocytes and histopathological severity of chronic hepatitis C and various clinical forms of hepatitis B
Authors: BOLUKBAS CENGIZ , BOLUKBAS FUSUN F. , KOCYIGIT ABDURRAHIM , ASLAN MEHMET , SELEK SAHABETTIN , BITIREN MUHARREM , ULUKANLIGIL MUSTAFA 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  A significant proportion of cancer is attributable to DNA damage caused by chronic infection and inflammation. Because both hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively) cause chronic infection and inflammatory disease, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is a difference in peripheral DNA damage in patients with chronic HCV compared with patients with chronic HBV; and whether there is an association in the level of peripheral DNA damage with a natural history of HBV infection.Methods:  Twenty patients with chronic hepatitis C, 20 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 11 patients with cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B, 12 inactive hepatitis B s antigen (HBsAg) carriers and 21 healthy subjects were included in the study. The DNA damage in lymphocytes was determined using the alkaline comet assay.Results:  Although the chronic hepatitis C group had similar levels of DNA damage compared with patients with cirrhosis due to hepatitis B (P > 0.05) and non‐cirrhotic patients with chronic hepatitis B (P > 0.05), they had higher levels of DNA damage compared with inactive HBsAg carriers (P = 0.021) and controls (P = 0.001). Hepatitis B cirrhotic patients and patients with chronic hepatitis B had significantly higher levels of DNA damage than inactive HBsAg carriers (P = 0.002 and P = 0.012, respectively) and controls (both P = 0.001). Linear logistic regression analysis showed that chronic hepatitis C and HBV‐related cirrhosis were discriminators in determining DNA damage in lymphocytes (β 0.424 and P = 0.013, β 0.393 and P = 0.016, respectively).Conclusions:  Chronic hepatitis C, based on the severity of liver disease, or cirrhosis as an advanced form of HBV infection increase DNA damage in lymphocytes independently of confounding factors such as age, gender, body mass index and smoking habits.
HLA‐DQB1 locus and gastric cancer in Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: WATANABE YOSHINORI , AOYAMA NOBUO , SAKAI TOSHIYUKI , SHIRASAKA DAISUKE , MAEKAWA SHUJI , KURODA KOHEI , WAMBURA CASMIR , TAMURA TAKAO , NOSE YOSHISUKE , KASUGA MASATO 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  It has been suggested that the incidence of digestive diseases associated with Helicobacter pylori is influenced by the strain diversity of H. pylori, factors involving the host or environment, and the duration of infection. The authors have previously reported that human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQB1*0401 plays an important role in the development of atrophic gastritis in H. pylori infected patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between HLA‐DQB1 genotype and cancer development.Methods:  HLA‐DQB1 genotyping was performed by the PCR‐RFLP method on 122 H. pylori‐infected non‐ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) patients, 53 gastric cancer patients and 28 uninfected controls. To reliably estimate the grade of atrophic gastritis, histological evaluation was performed.Results:  The allele frequency of DQB1*0401 was significantly higher in intestinal type cancer patients compared with age‐ and sex‐matched H. pylori‐infected NUD patients. There was no significant difference in the mean atrophic scores of the biopsy samples from the lesser curvature of the mid‐corpus between these groups.Conclusions:  HLA‐DQB1*0401 is a useful marker for determining susceptibility to intestinal type gastric cancer.
Clinical features and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in young patients from a hepatitis B‐endemic area
Authors: KIM JEONG HWAN , CHOI MOON SEOK , LEE HYUK , KIM DO YOUNG , LEE JOON HYEOK , KOH KWANG CHEOL , YOO BYUNG CHUL , PAIK SEUNG WOON , RHEE JONG CHUL 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. However, the clinical features of young HCC patients have not been fully studied. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of young HCC patients.Methods:  A retrospective analysis was performed for HCC patients in our center using Korean cancer registry data. Among 4234 patients enrolled, there were 38 patients younger than 30 years of age (0.9%). We compared clinical characteristics and survival data of these patients (group I) with those of sex‐matched, randomly selected HCC patients aged 30–59 years (group II; n = 231) and 60 years or older (group III; n = 147).Results:  Group I showed distinct features compared with groups II and III as follows: low frequency of smoking history, high positive rate of hepatitis B s antigen, no association with anti‐hepatitis C virus antibody, high frequency of α‐fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/mL, well‐preserved liver function, larger tumor size, more advanced tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage and Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score and more frequent application of surgical resection and chemotherapy as initial treatment. The overall survival of group I was worse than that of group II, but similar to that of group III. Multivariate analysis showed that TNM stage and CLIP score, not age itself, were independent predictive factors for survival.Conclusions:  The results suggest that young HCC patients tend to have a poor prognosis owing to advanced tumor stage, despite well‐preserved liver function and aggressive treatment. Further studies regarding the role of HCC screening in young people may be useful, especially in hepatitis B virus carriers from high endemic areas.
New generation argon plasma coagulation in flexible endoscopy: Ex vivo study and clinical experience
Authors: SUMIYAMA KAZUKI , KAISE MITSURU , KATO MASAYUKI , SAITO SYOUICHI , GODA KENICHI , ODAGI ISAO , TAMAI NAOTO , TSUKINAGA SHINTARO , MATSUNAGA KAZUHIRO , TAJIRI HISAO 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  A new argon plasma coagulation (APC) system was developed to improve the conduction characteristics of existing systems and to achieve a true non‐contact procedure. We evaluated the new system in an ex vivo experiment and in two different clinical cases.Methods:  Swine gastric walls were cauterized at various current settings and time intervals. The diameter and penetration depth of the cauterized areas were measured. We also describe the use of this method to treat patients with gastric hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasias and a mucosal gastric cancer.Results:  The ex vivo study revealed an improved maintenance of current conduction and greater control of the extent and penetration depth of the cauterization effects on tissue using the new APC system. In the clinical cases, hemorrhagic telangiectasias and an early stage gastric cancer were treated successfully without relapse using the new system.Conclusions:  Improved current conduction and controllability of cauterization corresponding to emission time were demonstrated for the new APC. The new system allows expeditious superficial cauterization of a wide area without any contact with tissue. The therapeutic effect appeared favorable compared with previous APC devices for gastrointestinal applications.
A computational lifetime prediction of a thermal shock experiment. Part I: thermomechanical modelling and lifetime prediction
Authors: AMIABLE S. , CHAPULIOT S. , CONSTANTINESCU A. , FISSOLO A. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTThe SPLASH experiment has been designed in 1985 by the CEA to simulate thermal fatigue due to short cooling shocks on steel specimens and is similar to the device reported by Marsh in Ref. [1]. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the mechanical and the fatigue analysis of the experiment using results from FEM computations. The lifetime predictions are obtained using a modified dissipated energy with a maximal pressure term and agree with the experimental observations. The numerical analysis of the mechanical state shows an important evolution of the triaxiality ratio during the loading cycle. Further comparisons and discussions of the fatigue criteria are provided in the second part of the paper (Part II)2.
A computational lifetime prediction of a thermal shock experiment. Part II: discussion on difference fatigue criteria
Authors: AMIABLE S. , CHAPULIOT S. , CONSTANTINESCU A. , FISSOLO A. 
Published: January 2006

ABSTRACTThe SPLASH experiment has been designed in 1985 by the CEA to simulate thermal fatigue due to cooling shocks on steel specimens and is similar to the device reported by Marsh in Ref. [1]. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the application of different fatigue criteria in this case. The fatigue criteria: dissipated energy, Manson Coffin, Park and Nelson, dissipated energy with a pressure term, are determined for the experiment using results from FEM computations presented in the first part of the paper (Part I)2and compared with results from uniaxial and multiaxial experiments from literature. The work emphasizes the evolution of the triaxiality ratio during the loading cycle.
Constant rate infusion for topical ocular delivery in horses: a pilot study
Authors: Myrna Kathern E. , Herring Ian P. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and kinetics of a continuous infusion modality for topical ophthalmic drug delivery via subpalpebral lavage in horses.Animals studiedFive ophthalmically normal horsesProceduresA constant‐rate continuous delivery pump was used to apply 0.01% fluorescein solution to the eyes of five ophthalmically normal horses via subpalpebral lavage. Fluorescein was applied at a rate of 0.14 mL/h for 72 h. Tear samples were collected from the ventral conjunctival fornix at regular intervals via capillary tube and tear fluorescein concentrations were determined via spectral assay. Laboratory studies to evaluate the procedures used in the study also were performed.ResultsOverall mean tear film fluorescein concentration was approximately 20% of the applied concentration of fluorescein. However, tear film fluorescein concentrations varied considerably between horses and over time. Dilution varied from 0.62% to 60% of the applied concentration. Air pockets sporadically appeared in subpalpebral lavage tubing lines, resulting in discontinuous topical application of fluorescein.ConclusionsConstant‐rate delivery of ophthalmic medications using a continuous infusion pump may provide a valuable method of topical drug delivery if tear film dilution of drugs is taken into account.
Comparative fluorescein angiography of the normal sheep and goat ocular fundi
Authors: Galán Alba , Martín‐Suárez Eva M. , Granados M. Mar , Gallardo José M. , Molleda José M. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractFluorescein angiography without sedative or anesthetic agents was evaluated in 20 normal goats and 20 normal sheep. All of the angiographic phases were observed using 20 mg/kg fluorescein IV in both species. Fundus fluorescein angiography results revealed wide stars of Winslow in the tapetal fundus, central or marginal flow during the first part of the arterial phase, delayed filling of the focal areas in the choroid near the optic disc that often coincided with others in the disc, and lack of evidence of the ‘striate area’ in the tapetal fundi. In goats, the angiographic times were 6.54 ± 1.25 s for the arterial phase (TA), 7.80 ± 1.37 s for the arterio–venous phase (TAV), and 14.13 ± 2.01 s for the venous phase (TV). I1: 1.30 ± 0.30 s (time elapsing between TA and TAV), and I2: 6.20 ± 1.60 s (time elapsing between TAV and TV). In sheep, times were 9.54 ± 2.18 s TA, 11.73 ± 2.10 s TAV, and 20.86 ± 2.74 s TV. I1: 2.04 ± 0.75 s and I2: 8.98 ± 2.47 s, respectively. Due to the large size of the fundic vessels in sheep and goats, fluorescein angiography of the retinal vasculature can facilitate the study of the different vascular diseases in these species.
Effect of lacrimal punctal occlusion on tear production and tear fluorescein dilution in normal dogs
Authors: Gelatt K. N. , MacKay E. O. , Widenhouse C. , Widenhouse T. S. , Stopek J. B. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective To evaluate effects of lacrimal punctal plugs positioned in either the upper, lower, or combination of upper and lower lacrimal canaliculi on plug retention and tolerance; tear production, as measured by the Schirmer tear test; and the dilution of fluorescein within the tear film in normal dogs.Material and methods Lacrimal punctal plugs were positioned in the lower, upper, or combination of lower and upper plugs in six laboratory‐quality Beagles under topical anesthesia. Retention of plugs was evaluated daily from 8 to 23 days by visual inspection and slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Schirmer tear tests (STT 1 without topical anesthesia) were performed at 48‐h intervals. Dilution of fluorescein was determined at 5‐ and 45‐min post‐fluorescein instillations once weekly.Results Lacrimal punctal plugs of 0.4 and 0.6 mm in diameter were retained for 14 (lower plugs: 100%) and 23 days (75%), and for the upper plugs at 8 days less often (75%), and were infrequently locally nonirritating. Combination of lower and upper plugs seemed to adversely affect retention of either plug. When loss of the plugs occurred, a next larger size plug was necessary suggesting some stretching of the lacrimal canaliculi occurred. Pre‐ and postplug placement STT results indicated no change with lower and combination lacrimal punctal plugs, but decreased levels following upper lacrimal punctal plugs. Tear fluorescein levels at 5 and 45 min in control eye (no punctum plugs) were 3.39% and 0.14%, respectively. With lower, upper, and the combination of lower and upper lacrimal puncta plugs, tear fluorescein levels at 45 min were higher than the controls (lower: 0.76%; upper: 0.45%, and combination 0.56%).Conclusion Lacrimal punctal silicone plugs are retained for 8–23 days in the lower, upper, and combined lower and upper canaliculi at high rates. Effects on STT levels appear limited. Fluorescein within the tear film persists longer with all different positioned lacrimal punctum plugs than in the control eyes.
Suspected ivermectin toxicosis in a miniature mule foal causing blindness
Authors: Plummer Caryn E. , Kallberg Maria E. , Ollivier Franck J. , Brooks Dennis E. , Gelatt Kirk N. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractA 9‐week‐old miniature mule foal presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for acute blindness, ataxia, and depression following an overdose of an over‐the‐counter ivermectin‐based de‐worming medication. Ophthalmic examination and electrodiagnostic evaluation eliminated outer retinal abnormalities as the primary cause of the bilateral blindness, implicating instead a central neurologic effect of the drug. With symptomatic and supportive care, the foal recovered fully and regained its vision.
Effects of medetomidine and medetomidine‐butorphanol combination on Schirmer tear test 1 readings in dogs
Authors: Sanchez R. F. , Mellor D. , Mould J. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractMedetomidine is a commonly used sedative in veterinary medicine whether administered alone or in combination with an opioid such as butorphanol. There are no previous studies that look at the effects of this drug on sequential Schirmer tear test (STT) 1 readings in dogs, including effects on tear production after reversal of the drug. The present study looked at two groups of 10 dogs each that were sedated with intravenous medetomidine or a combination of medetomidine and butorphanol. All dogs had tear readings taken presedation, 15 min postsedation, and 15 min after reversal of medetomidine with atipamezole. Results revealed that intravenous sedation with medetomidine and medetomidine‐butorphanol in dogs with no history of ophthalmic disease and presedation STT 1 readings above 15 mm/min, causes a significant decrease in tear production that is measurable at 15 min postsedation. Readings returned to near presedation values within 15 min postreversal in most cases. It is therefore recommended that all eyes be treated with a tear substitute from the time the sedative is given until at least 15 min after reversal.