bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sputum eosinophil count in a large population of patients with mild to moderate steroid‐naive asthma: distribution and relationship with methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Louis R. , Sele J. , Henket M. , Cataldo D. , Bettiol J. , Seiden L. , Bartsch P. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Although airway eosinophilia is seen as a cardinal feature of asthma, data eosinophilia are still lacking on the proportion of the asthma group exhibiting raised airway eosinophilia. This study aimed to assess the distribution of sputum eosinophil count and its relationship with methacholine bronchial hyperresponsiveness in mild to moderate steroid‐naive asthmatic people.Methods: Sputum was induced by inhalation of hypertonic saline (NaCl 4.5%) in 118 mild to moderate steroid‐naive asthmatic people consecutively recruited from our outpatient clinic, and in 44 healthy people. The asthma group was selected on the basis of an forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of ≥ 70% predicted, and a provocative methacholine concentration causing a fall of 20% in FEV1 (PC20 methacholine; PC20M) ≤ 16 mg/ml.Results: In the asthma group, the median (range) of the percentage and the absolute values of sputum eosinophils were 4.8% (0–75) and 38 103/g (0–14 191), respectively, vs 0% (0–2.3) (P < 0.001) and 0 103/g (0–53) (P < 0.001) in healthy participants. Based on the 95% percentile for normal values calculated from our healthy group, 69% of the asthma group had significantly raised sputum eosinophil count (that is > 2%). In the asthma group, multiple regression analysis followed by a stepwise procedure revealed that sputum eosinophil count was significantly and inversely associated with PC20M accounting for 16% of its total variance (P < 0.001) while neutrophil counts positively related to PC20M accounting for 4% of total variance (P < 0.05). By contrast, no significant relationship was found between either eosinophil or neutrophil counts and the slope of forced vital capacity (FVC) vs FEV1 from the methacholine challenge.Conclusions: We conclude that two‐thirds of people in the mild to moderate asthma group had increased sputum eosinophilia, which plays a limited role in determining the degree of methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness.
Latex hypersensitivity: relationship with positive prick test and patch test responses among hairdressers
Authors: Nettis E. , Dambra P. , Soccio A. L. , Ferrannini A. , Tursi A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Natural rubber latex is a frequent cause of IgE‐mediated allergy in hairdressers; but a non‐IgE‐mediated allergy to latex proteins can also occur. Sixty‐one hairdressers, reporting latex glove‐related symptoms, were enrolled in the study.Methods: They were evaluated for latex allergy by assessment of serum specific IgE and skin prick tests. Patients were patch tested to a rubber additive series and to latex. Proportions were compared by one‐tailed Fisher's exact test; mean values of continuous variables were compared by Student's t‐test.Results: A diagnosis of IgE‐mediated latex allergy was made in 11 (18%) hairdressers; patch tests with rubber‐related antigens were positive in 24 (39.3%) subjects. The most positive patch tests were those with para‐phenylenediamine (33%). Two hairdressers (3.3%) showed delayed reactions to the latex sample. Hairdressers with IgE‐mediated latex allergy were older and presented a personal history of atopy and local hives after exposure to latex; they were more likely to have a positive response to other allergens on prick or patch testing.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a certain number of false‐positive and false‐negative results when reported symptoms of possible latex sensitivity were compared to prick and CAP tests to latex, indicating the problems of relying solely on self‐report.
A microdeletion syndrome due to a 3‐Mb deletion on 19q13.2 – Diamond–Blackfan anemia associated with macrocephaly, hypotonia, and psychomotor retardation
Authors: Cario H , Bode H , Gustavsson P , Dahl N , Kohne E 
Published: March 2003

We report on a boy with congenital pure red blood cell aplasia [Diamond–Blackfan anemia (DBA)] and severe congenital hypotonia, macrocephaly, hypertelorism, a broad and tall forehead, medial epicanthus, and facial hypotonia with mouth‐breathing and drooling, an affable and out‐going personality, and a general psychomotor retardation. These features show similarity to the phenotype of the X‐linked FG syndrome. DBA was diagnosed at the age of 4 months, and the boy underwent treatment with transfusion and with prednisolone. He had a normal 46, XY karyotype, but fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis to metaphase chromosomes revealed a 3‐Mb deletion on 19q13.2. This chromosomal region has previously been linked to the DBA phenotype and one 19q13 microdeletion has been identified in a patient with DBA. This deletion coincides with the deletion reported here.We suggest that the complex phenotype of our patient, including both DBA and the associated features, represent a microdeletion syndrome.
X‐linked recessive Menkes disease: carrier detection in the case of a partial gene deletion
Authors: Poulsen L , Horn N , Møller LB 
Published: March 2003

Poulsen L, Horn N, Møller LB. X‐linked recessive Menkes disease: carrier detection in case of a partial gene deletion.  Clin Genet 2002: 62: 440–448. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2002X‐linked recessive Menkes disease is a lethal disorder of copper metabolism, caused by defects in the ATP7A gene. About 15% of the mutations causing Menkes disease are partial gene deletions. We have previously demonstrated carrier diagnosis of deletions in heterozygotes by Southern blot analysis. As this technique is very time‐consuming alternative methods are obviously of high value. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcription PCR (RT‐PCR) and spanning the deletion on genomic DNA can all be used for detection of partial gene deletions in male patients, but only spanning of the deletion can be applied for carrier detection. Simple multiplex PCR is not applicable for carrier detection because the normal allele of ATP7A will be PCR amplified thus masking the deletion. Here, we demonstrate, in addition to spanning of the deletion on genomic DNA, carrier detection based on the use of a previously unrecognized polymorphism in intron 13 of ATP7A in combination with previously identified intragenic polymorphic markers. We show that these intragenic markers can be used for carrier detection, not only indirectly by determining segregation of the disease related allele but also directly if located within the deleted region. We demonstrate determination of the carrier status of 21 at‐risk carriers.
Does infiltration of neutrophils in peritubular capillaries indicate humoral rejection? A case displaying a characteristic lesion of a significantly high amount of neutrophils in peritubular capillaries at 1‐h graft biopsy during transplant operation
Authors: Inagaki Hiroko , Takeda Asami , Sato Tethuhiko , Watanabe Izuru , Katayama Akio , Haba Toshihito , Tominaga Yoshihiro , Uchida Kazuharu , Oikawa Tadashi , Morozumi Kunio 
Published: March 2003

Inagaki H, Takeda A, Sato T, Watanabe I, Katayama A, Haba T, Tominaga Y, Uchida K, Oikawa T, Morozumi K. Does infiltration of neutrophils in peritubular capillaries indicate humoral rejection? A case displaying a characteristic lesion of a significantly high amount of neutrophils in peritubular capillaries at 1‐h graft biopsy during transplant operation. Clin Transplantation 2001: 15 (Supplement 5): 35–40. ©Munksgaard, 2001We present a case report of a 50‐yr‐old Japanese woman with a significant accumulation of neutrophils in the peritubular capillaries (PTC) and severe acute tubular necrosis (ATN) at 1‐h allograft biopsy during transplant operation from cadaver donor after a cardiac death. Significant accumulation of neutrophils in the PTC is usually valuable diagnostically for acute humoral rejection. However, the patient showed no clinical signs of acute rejection. A second graft biopsy performed on the fifth postoperative day (POD) revealed that both infiltration of neutrophils in PTC and ATN lesions were more aggravated. Neither clinical course nor other morphological findings were compatible with humoral rejection. After the third biopsy of POD 27 revealing acute vascular rejection of moderate degree, acute rejection therapy using methylprednisolone pulse therapy and OKT‐3 therapy was performed. Consequently, after a period of delayed graft function requiring haemodialysis for approximately 4 wk, graft function was restored and serum creatinine decreased to 2 mg/dL. Later, we were able obtain information from a paired graft from the same donor. Significant accumulation of neutrophils in the PTC similar to our recipient was also noted in a 1‐h biopsy specimen of the paired kidney. This confirmed that the accumulation of neutrophils in the PTC noted in two recipients was transmitted from the donor kidney. The pathogenesis and clinical significance of neutrophils in the PTC has been shrouded in mystery.
Quality of life in kidney recipients: comparison of tacrolimus and cyclosporine‐microemulsion
Authors: Reimer Jens , Franke Gabriele H , Philipp Thomas , Heemann Uwe 
Published: March 2003

Treatment of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is evaluated by survival, quality of life (QOL) and cost‐effectiveness. Little is known about the influence of immunosuppressive agents on global and disease‐specific QOL in kidney recipients.In winter 1997/98 (t0) as well as in winter 1998/99 (t1), all kidney recipients of our University were asked to participate in a QOL study. The psychodiagnostic approach combined a global QOL‐measure (SF‐36 Health Survey) and a disease‐specific questionnaire (ESRD‐SCLTM, Nephron 1999). Inclusion criteria for the final analysis were (a) participation in both surveys and (b) eligibility after the matching procedure: patients with tacrolimus‐based immunosuppressive regimen were matched to patients with cyclosporin‐microemulsion (CsA‐ME)‐based immunosuppressive‐regimen as to age, gender and duration of graft function. Group data were compared by performing a two‐variate (`immunosuppression', `time') analysis of variance. Both groups consisted of 63 patients. Analysis of QOL revealed statistically significant advantages for the tacrolimus treated patients concerning global (SF‐36 `Physical Component Summary') as well as disease‐specific QOL (ESRD‐SCLTM`Global Severity Index'; both p < 0.05). In detail, these results were due to statistically significant better QOL in tacrolimus treated patients as to the SF‐36 subscales `Physical Functioning' and `General Health' (p < 0.05) and the ESRD‐SCLTMsubscales `Limited Physical Capacity' (p < 0.05), `Cardial and Renal Dysfunction' (p < 0.01) and `Increased Growth of Gum and Hair' (p < 0.001). The factor `time' did not contribute statistically significant to explanation of variance.In terms of QOL in kidney recipients, tacrolimus is superior to CsA‐ME. Tacrolimus improves disease‐specific QOL and also shows slight advantages concerning global QOL compared with CsA‐ME. To record differentiated aspects of QOL in kidney recipients, the diagnostic approach should include a global QOL measure completed by a sensitive disease‐specific instrument.
Living‐related liver transplantation for Crigler–Najjar syndrome in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shurafa Haider Al , Wali Sami , Chehab May S , Shahed Mona Al , Jawdat Muaffak , Djurberg Hans , Bassas Atef 
Published: March 2003

Objective: To analyse the outcome of six children with Crigler–Najjar syndrome type I (CNS‐I) and report the first three living‐related liver transplants for this syndrome in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.Settings: To review the medical records of six children suffering from CNS‐I, three of whom underwent living‐related liver transplantation (LRLT) between 22 November 1998 and January 2001.Main results: Living‐related liver transplantation was performed in three children with a pre‐transplant unconjugated bilirubin level of 362, 381 and 502 μmol/L, respectively, despite daily phototherapy of ≥ 12 h. Two of the transplanted children developed acute hepatocellular rejection, which was successfully treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy. One tested cytomegalovirus positive (using the PP65 method), but showed no signs of clinical infection and was treated with ganciclovir. One patient had a biliary leak at the cut surface of the graft which was surgically repaired. Post‐operative bilirubin levels returned to normal in all three transplanted children and no further phototherapy was required. One patient, who was not transplanted but received phototherapy, developed severe neurological damage prior to the start of our living‐related liver transplant programme with a bilirubin level of 450 μmol/L, her sister is still awaiting transplantation. A 14‐yr‐old child with a bilirubin level of 420 μmol/L is presently undergoing phototherapy whilst awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation because of the lack of a suitable living‐related donor. Six siblings of the six children in our series were reported dead by the families.Conclusion: Crigler–Najjar syndrome type I is a relatively common disease in Saudi Arabia for which LRLT is a curative treatment when performed at an early age before the development of kernicterus and neurological deficiency. In countries where there is a severe shortage of cadaveric organs, as is the case in Saudi Arabia, LRLT is the optimum treatment modality for this syndrome.
Psychosocial outcome of living donors after living donor liver transplantation: a pilot study
Authors: Walter Marc , Bronner Ekkehard , Pascher Andreas , Steinmüller Thomas , Neuhaus Peter , Klapp Burghard F , Danzer Gerhard 
Published: March 2003

Walter M, Bronner E, Pascher A, Steinmüller T, Neuhaus P, Klapp BF, Danzer G: Psychosocial outcome of living donors after living donor liver transplantation: a pilot study. Clin Transplant 2002: 16: 339–344. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002In view of the scarcity of organ resources available for transplantation, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is gaining growing importance in the treatment of chronically terminal liver diseases. In the period between December 1999 and October 2000, 47 potential living liver donors were evaluated and 24 right hepatic lobes and two left lateral segments were transplanted at the Virchow‐Klinikum of the Charité Hospital in Berlin. The present study looks into biomedical and psychosocial parameters of 23 donors before and 6 months after LDLT. Our aims were to investigate the development of psychosocial parameters after donation and the relationship between psychosocial findings and post‐operative complications. Most donors showed an improved quality of life (QoL) after LDLT when compared with pre‐operative results. Twenty‐six percent of donors show high values for `tiredness', `fatigue' and `limb pain' following donation. The post‐operative complications had no influence on the psychosocial outcome. In this pilot study the resection of the right hepatic lobe amounts to a safe operation for donors and holds promise of a good psychosocial outcome for most donors, irrespective of donation‐related complications. The pronounced complaints appears to indicate psychological tension and distress in some donors following donation.
Stroke in renal transplant recipients: epidemiology, predictive risk factors and outcome
Authors: Oliveras Anna , Roquer Jaume , Puig Josep M , Rodríguez Ana , Mir Marisa , Orfila M Antonia , Masramon Jordi , Lloveras Josep 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Background:  Cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases are the most important causes of increased morbidity and mortality in patients with end‐stage renal disease. Stroke has been widely reported in chronic dialysis patients, but there is scarce information about stroke in renal transplant recipients (RTR), although cerebrovascular events are the most common and potentially life‐threatening neurological complications in them. Our aim is to analyze the prevalence, risk factors, etiopathogenia, clinical aspects and outcome of stroke in RTR.Methods:  We analyzed 403 patients who received one or more renal grafts between 1979 and 2000: group A = patients who had stroke (n = 19); group B = those who did not (n = 384). Medical records and pertinent data were compiled. The risk of stroke was studied using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.Results:  prevalence of stroke in RTR was 7.97% at 10 yr. Time elapsed between renal transplantation (RT) and stroke: 49.3 months. Possible risk factors based on the univariate analyses were: diabetic nephropathy (DN) (p < 0.001) and autosomal‐dominant‐polycystic‐kidney‐disease (p = 0.049) as original nephropathies, peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus prior to RT (p = 0.005), age older than 40 yr (p = 0.037) and hypertension (p = 0.049). Other analysed risk factors such as gender, renal function, cytomegalovirus infection, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, erythrocytosis or hypertensive donor failed to show any significant predictive value for stroke in these patients. When multivariate analyses were carried out, we found that DN (OR = 4.8; p = 0.010), PVD (OR = 8.2; p < 0.001) and age > 40 yr (OR = 3.3; p = 0.019) were predictive risk factors for stroke. For group A, hypertension was present in all patients, 68.4% had hyperlipidemia and 42.1% reported previous stroke. Cerebral hemorrhage occurred in seven of 19 (36.84%) of the stroke patients, but no subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in them. Seven of 12 ischemic strokes were atherotrombotic. Considering all strokes, basal ganglia was the predominant localization. The outcome was poor, as nearly half of the patients died in the 3 months following stroke.Conclusions:  Prevalence of stroke in our RTR population was 7.97%. Cerebral hemorrhage appears to be more prevalent in RTR than in general population. More than that, the cerebral hemorrhage rate we found is higher than that reported elsewhere in RTR. The main predictors of stroke were DN, PVD and age. No patient with interstitial nephropathy suffered stroke. Mortality is high in RTR with stroke.
Quetiapine in bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence
Authors: Brown E Sherwood , Nejtek Vicki A , Perantie Dana C , Bobadilla Leonardo 
Published: March 2003

Objective:  Bipolar disorder is associated with the highest rates of substance abuse of any psychiatric illness. Therefore, treatments that stabilize mood and decrease drug use or cravings are of great interest. Atypical antipsychotics are in widespread use in patients with bipolar disorder. However, minimal data are available on their use in bipolar patients with comorbid substance abuse.Methods:  Open‐label, add‐on, quetiapine therapy was examined for 12 weeks in 17 outpatients with bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence. Subjects were evaluated with a structured clinical interview; Hamilton Depression Rating (HDRS), Young Mania Rating (YMRS), Brief Psychiatric Rating (BPRS) scales; and Cocaine Craving Questionnaire (CCQ). Urine samples and self‐reported drug use were also obtained. Data were analyzed using a last observation carried forward method on all subjects given medication at baseline.Results:  Significant improvement from baseline to exit was observed in HDRS, YMRS, BPRS and CCQ scores (p ≤ 0.05). Dollars spent on cocaine and days/week of cocaine use decreased non‐significantly, and urine drug screens did not change significantly from baseline to exit. Quetiapine was well tolerated, with no subjects to our knowledge discontinuing because of side‐effects.Conclusions:  The use of quetiapine was associated with substantial improvement in psychiatric symptoms and cocaine cravings. The findings are promising and suggest larger controlled trials of quetiapine are needed in this population.
Bipolar disorders and suicidal behaviour
Authors: Rihmer Zoltán , Kiss Kitty 
Published: March 2003

Rihmer Z, Kiss K. Bipolar disorders and suicidal behaviour.  Bipolar Disord 2002: 4(Suppl. 1): 21–25. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002Major depressive disorder is the leading cause of suicide, particularly in the absence of adequate treatment. The aim of this paper is to analyse the relationship between different forms of major mood disorders and suicidal behaviour. Population‐based epidemiological surveys as well as clinical studies on the clinically explorable suicide risk factors in bipolar and unipolar depressive disorders are reviewed. The present literature shows that patients with bipolar disorders are at higher risk of attempted and completed suicide than that of patients with unipolar major depression. Contrasting only bipolar I and bipolar II patients, current findings indicate that the rate of prior suicide attempt is higher in bipolar II patients, and bipolar II disorder is overrepresented in depressed suicide victims. Among patients with different clinical manifestations of major mood disorders (unipolar major depression, bipolar I and bipolar II disorder), bipolar patients in general, and bipolar II subjects in particular carry the highest risk of suicide.
Transvaginal ultrasonographic findings in the uterus and the endometrium: Low prevalence of leiomyoma in a random sample of women age 25–40 years
Authors: BORGFELDT CHRISTER , ANDOLF ELLIKA 
Published: March 2003

Background. In articles and textbooks the prevalence of uterine leiomyomas is said to be 20–25% in women over the age of 30. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of uterine leiomyoma, the thickness and the texture of the endometrium, and the size of the uterus in a random sample of asymptomatic women 25–40 years old.Methods. A random sample of women 25–40 years old was offered a transvaginal ultrasonographic examination and 335 (72%) accepted the invitation.Results. In 18 women uterine leiomyomas were detected, i.e. 5.4% (95% CI 3.0–7.8%). The prevalence of leiomyomas increased with age, being 3.3% (95% CI 0.7–6.0%) in the 25–32 years age group and 7.8% (95% CI 3.6–12.0%) in the 33–40 age group. The size of the uterus correlated to parity, age and height. In women on combined oral contraceptives the size of the uterus was smaller than in women with natural cycles. The size of the uterus did not correlate to body mass index, cycle day or smoking habits. The endometrium increased in thickness and had in most cases a triple line appearance during the proliferative phase until day 15, whereafter it was unchanged in thickness throughout the secretory phase and hyperechogenic in appearance.Conclusions. This study confirms earlier studies on the endometrium based on selected populations. The size of the uterus increased with parity, age and height, and was smaller in combined oral contraceptive users. The prevalence figures for uterine leiomyomas in textbooks are not confirmed.
Systemic estrogens have no conclusive beneficial effect on human skin connective tissue
Authors: OIKARINEN AARNE 
Published: March 2003

Subject. Aging of the skin is affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Especially important extrinsic factor is ultraviolet radiation, which causes premature aging of the skin. Intrinsic aging is influenced by genetic factors, and changes in hormones. In menopause, changes in hormonal balance have been suggested to enhance aging of the skin.Discussion. Accordingly, several studies have been accomplished, in which hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used in order to prevent skin aging at or after the menopause. In this overview the results of previous studies, and a study done recently, are critically reviewed.Conclusion. One year systemic replacement therapy has no beneficial effect on the skin thickness, collagen synthesis, or elastin. Topical estrogens might have some beneficial effects. However, since the number of patients treated with topical estrogens is relatively small, further studies are needed.