bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plugged-Percutaneous Liver Biopsy in Patients with Impaired Coagulation and Ascites
Authors: Kamphuisen Pieter W. , Wiersma Tjeerd G. , Mulder Chris J.J. , de Vries Richard A. 
Published: May 2003

In liver cirrhosis coagulation is impaired due to decreased synthesis of vitamin K-dependent and vitamin K-independent coagulation factors. In such patients routine liver biopsy is contraindicated due to the increased risk of bleeding. Treatment with recombinant factor VIIa or fresh frozen plasma reduces the complication rate of liver biopsy, but both have disadvantages. In this observational study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of plugged-percutaneous liver biopsy in 36 patients with ascites (n = 9), impaired coagulation (n = 22), or both (n = 5) due to severe chronic liver disease. Among patients with clotting disorders, mean prothrombin time was 16.3 s (range 11.4–20.3) and the mean platelet count was 53 × 10<sup>9</sup>/l (range 19–153). Plugged-percutaneous liver biopsy was in none of the cases associated with bleeding complications (95% confidence interval 0–0.097). All biopsies were adequate for histological interpretation and therefore diagnostically successful. In our experience, plugged-percutaneous liver biopsy seems a safe and reliable method in patients with chronic liver disease associated with impaired coagulation and/or ascites needing histological evaluation.
Animal Models of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Some Critical Remarks
Authors: Fehrenbach H. 
Published: May 2003

A variety of animal models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are available, comprising elastase instillation or inhalation of noxious agents and genetic models like mouse mutants, gene-targeted and transgenic mice. The present review discusses some critical aspects which should be taken into account when evaluating these animal models of human COPD. Critical aspects related to the human disease itself: (1) diagnosis is largely symptom based, and symptoms cannot be mimicked in animals; (2) COPD is not a well-defined entity, but comprises patients with variable contribution of chronic bronchitis, mucus hypersecretion and emphysema, and (3) various factors contribute to the development of COPD, indicating that different pathways may converge into a single endpoint. Critical aspects related to the animals used: (1) species-, strain- and gender-related differences in lung structure and function preclude mimicking some features of the human disease; (2) genetic models frequently present with air space enlargement as a result of the disturbance of early postnatal alveolization (conditionally controlled transgenic animals are recommended); (3) inhalation models frequently use young animals during lung growth, which may preclude distinguishing effects owing to growth retardation or to loss of existing alveolar walls; (4) inhalation of noxious agents may result in reduction of food intake and loss of body weight, which itself may result in emphysema, and (5) the presence of emphysema cannot be concluded based on measurement of air space enlargement alone, but should include the determination of total alveolar surface area.
Longitudinal Study of the Three-Dimensional Development of Subsurface Enamel Lesions during in vitro Demineralisation
Authors: Dowker S.E.P. , Dowker S.E.P. , Elliott J.C. , Elliott J.C. , Davis G.R. , Davis G.R. , Wassif H.S. , Wassif H.S. 
Published: May 2003

A longitudinal study was made of the 3D development of subsurface enamel lesions in whole human molars. X-ray microtomography (XMT) was used to measure the 3D distribution of linear attenuation coefficients in the tissue at 8–15 stages during cumulative times of 36–107 days demineralisation through ∼1-mm-wide windows. Although lesion morphology was consistent with preferential anisotropic dissolution parallel to enamel prisms at the advancing front, detail (at a scale of ∼100 µm) varied in relation to exposed surface sites separated by <1 mm. The distribution of mineral in the most superficial region varied across the exposed face of each lesion. Within lesions, localised foci of low mineral concentration (at a scale of ∼200 µm) retained their general form through successive stages of demineralisation before coalescing. The most advanced regions within a lesion seemed to correspond with surface regions with lowest mineral concentration. These findings indicate that local variations in fractional pore volume of partially demineralised enamel influence the subsequent spatial development of lesions.
Randomized Clinical Trial of Postoperative Subfascial Infusion with Bupivacaine following Ambulatory Open Mesh Repair of Inguinal Hernia
Authors: Lau Hung , Patil Nivritti G. , Lee Francis 
Published: May 2003

<i>Background:</i> Wound pain remains the commonest problem after ambulatory open repair of inguinal hernia. Postoperative subfascial infusion of the wound with bupivacaine extends local analgesia at home and may achieve superior analgesia compared with oral analgesics alone. The objective of the present trial was to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative subfascial infusion of the wound with 0.5% bupicavaine at 2 ml per hour for 48 h after operation. <i>Methods:</i> Forty-four patients who underwent ambulatory open tension-free mesh hernioplasties were randomized to two arms of treatment. The pump group had an infusion pump containing 100 ml 0.5% bupivacaine being placed between the external oblique aponeurosis and the Prolene mesh, whereas the nonpump group was treated with oral analgesics alone. Assuming that an observed difference of 2.0 existed between the mean pain scores of the two groups, the estimated sample size would be at least 20 patients in each group. <i>Results:</i> Postoperative pain scores at rest and on coughing were significantly lower in the pump group than in the nonpump group on days 0 and 1 after surgery (p < 0.01). Before being discharged, none of the pump group patients requested analgesics, but 6 patients of the nonpump group required analgesic supplement (p = 0.025). Ten patients (50%) of the pump group experienced no pain during the period of bupivacaine infusion. Recovery variables, including time taken to resume ambulation and micturition, were comparable between the two groups. The pump and nonpump group patients returned to their normal activities after a median of 3 and 4 days, respectively (p = 0.217). The postoperative morbidity rates of the two groups were similar. <i>Conclusion:</i> Postoperative subfascial infusion of the wound with 0.5% bupivacaine achieved superior analgesia compared with oral analgesics alone. Portable infusion pump is a safe technique to continue local analgesia at home after ambulatory open repair of inguinal hernia. The drawbacks of the ON-Q Pain Management System included its high cost and frequent seepage of blood-stained anesthetic fluid into the wound dressing.
Nondisposable materials, chronic inflammation, and adjuvant action
Authors: Hamilton John A 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Why inflammatory responses become chronic and how adjuvants work remain unanswered. Macrophage-lineage cells are key components of chronic inflammatory reactions and in the actions of immunologic adjuvants. One explanation for the increased numbers of macrophages long term at sites of chronic inflammation could be enhanced cell survival or even local proliferation. The evidence supporting a unifying hypothesis for one way in which this macrophage survival and proliferation may be promoted is presented. Many materials, often particulate, of which macrophages have difficulty disposing, can promote monocyte/macrophage survival and even proliferation. Materials active in this regard and which can initiate chronic inflammatory reactions include oxidized low-density lipoprotein, inflammatory microcrystals (calcium phosphate, monosodium urate, talc, calcium pyrophosphate), amyloidogenic peptides (amyloid β and prion protein), and joint implant biomaterials. Additional, similar materials, which have been shown to have adjuvant activity (alum, oil-in-water emulsions, heat-killed bacteria, CpG oligonucleotides, methylated bovine serum albumin, silica), induce similar responses. Cell proliferation can be striking, following uptake of some of the materials, when macrophage-colony stimulating factor is included at low concentrations, which normally promote mainly survival. It is proposed that if such responses were occurring in vivo, there would be a shift in the normal balance between cell survival and cell death, which maintains steady-state, macrophage-lineage numbers in tissues. Thus, there would be more cells in an inflammatory lesion or at a site of adjuvant action with the potential, following activation and/or differentiation, to perpetuate inflammatory or antigen-specific, immune responses, respectively.
Role of Rho-family GTPase Cdc42 in polarized expression of lymphocyte appendages
Authors: Ratner Stuart , Piechocki Marie P , Galy Anne 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Lymphocytes polarize for motility by developing a broad anterior, where lamellipodia arise, and a simple stalk-like posterior appendage, the uropod. Through time-lapse analysis of normal and leukemic human T cells, it was found that this polarized form is maintained by a mechanism that excludes lamellipodia from the uropod. Lamellipodia regularly traveled rearward to encroach upon the uropod but disassembled abruptly at the uropod border. This exclusion of lamellipodia from the uropod required the Rho-family guanosine triphosphatase Cdc42. Reduction of Cdc42 activity by expression of dominant-negative Cdc42 resulted in “two headed” cells in which lamellipodia persisted at the distal end of the uropod. Random and chemotactic motility were impaired. Increased Cdc42 activity, induced by expression of activated, mutant Cdc42, was accompanied by a general loss of lamellipodia. The results suggest that one role of Cdc42 in lymphocyte motility is to preserve polarity by concentrating lamellipodial disassembly signals in the uropod.
IgD-receptor (IgD-R) cross-linking partially protects murine T cells from dexamethasone-induced apoptosis
Authors: Tamma Seetha M Lakshmi , Coico Richard F 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Based on our previous findings that immunoglobulin D (IgD) receptor (IgD-R) cross-linking with oligomeric IgD (IgD-R-xL) led to T cell activation, we examined the effect of IgD-R-xL on the expression of Fas antigen and apoptosis induction. In splenic T cells, IgD-R-xL followed by dexamethasone (dex) treatment resulted in a decreased percentage of Fas-positive cells as well as a decreased mean fluorescence intensity (P&lt;0.05) when compared with cells treated with dex alone. There are significant differences in annexin–fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) staining between samples treated with dex alone and IgD-R-xL followed by dex-treated samples (P&lt;0.05), suggesting a protective role for IgD-R-xL. No significant differences are seen in Fas antigen expression, annexin–FITC staining, and/or PI staining in murine T hybridoma (7C5) cells cultured under similar conditions (P&lt;0.07). We hypothesize that ligation of IgD-R may predispose antigen-specific T lymphocytes for survival during primary immune responses when IgD-positive B cells serve as antigen-presenting cells.
p53 deficiency and defective mitotic checkpoint in proliferating T lymphocytes increase chromosomal instability through aberrant exit from mitotic arrest
Authors: Baek Kwan-Hyuck , Shin Hyun-Jin , Yoo Jae-Kwang , Cho Jae-Ho , Choi Yo-Han , Sung Young-Chul , McKeon Frank , Lee Chang-Woo 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
During the proliferation of T cells for successful immune responses against pathogens, the fine regulation of cell cycle is important to the maintenance of T cell homeostasis and the prevention of lymphoproliferative disorders. However, it remains to be elucidated how the cell cycle is controlled at the mitotic phase in proliferating T cells. Here, we show that during the proliferation of primary T cells, the disruption of the mitotic spindle leads to cell-cycle arrest at mitosis and that prolonged mitotic arrest results in not only apoptosis but also the form of chromosomal instability observed in human cancers. It is interesting that in response to spindle damage, the phosphorylation of BubR1, a mitotic checkpoint kinase, was significantly induced in proliferating T cells, and the expression of the dominant-negative mutant of BubR1 compromised mitotic arrest and subsequent apoptosis and thus led to the augmentation of polyploidy formation. We also show that in response to prolonged spindle damage, the expression of p53 but not of p73 was significantly induced. In addition, following sustained mitotic arrest, p53-deficient T cells were found to be more susceptible to polyploidy formation than the wild type. These results suggest that during flourishing immune response, mitotic checkpoint and p53 play important roles in the prevention of chromosomal instability and in the maintenance of the genomic integrity of proliferating T cells.
Histone acetylation and chromatin conformation are regulated separately at the TNF-α promoter in monocytes and macrophages
Authors: Lee Julia Y , Kim Nahmah A , Sanford Amy , Sullivan Kathleen E 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a proinflammatory cytokine, which participates in a wide range of immunoregulatory activities. It is generally produced at highest levels by cells of the myeloid lineage in response to activation of pathogen recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptors. Impaired production predisposes to infection with intracellular organisms, and overproduction results in systemic or organ-specific inflammation. Control of expression is essential to maintain homeostasis, and this control is mediated via multiple strategies. We examined two separate aspects of chromatin accessibility in this study of the human TNF-α promoter. We examined the role of histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling in cell lines and primary cells and identified two individual steps associated with activation of TNF-α production. Histone H3 and H4 acetylation was found to be strongly dependent on the developmental stage of human monocytes. It did not appear to be regulated by acute stimuli, and instead, chromatin remodeling was found to occur after acute stimuli in a cell line competent to produce TNF-α. These data suggest that there is a hierarchy of controls regulating expression of TNF-α. Acetylation of histones is a prerequisite but is insufficient on its own for TNF-α production.
Decisions on life and death: FOXO Forkhead transcription factors are in command when PKB/Akt is off duty
Authors: Burgering Boudewijn M T , Medema René H 
Published: May 2003

Abstract
Forkhead transcription factors of the FOXO family are important downstream targets of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt, a kinase shown to play a decisive role in cell proliferation and cell survival. Direct phosphorylation by PKB/Akt inhibits transcriptional activation by FOXO factors, causing their displacement from the nucleus into the cytoplasm. Work from recent years has shown that this family of transcription factors regulates the expression of a number of genes that are crucial for the proliferative status of a cell, as well as a number of genes involved in programmed cell death. As such, these transcription factors appear to play an essential role in many of the effects of PKB/Akt on cell proliferation and survival. Indeed, in cells of the hematopoietic system, mere activation of a FOXO factor is sufficient to activate a variety of proapoptotic genes and to trigger apoptosis. In contrast, in most other cell types, activation of FOXO blocks cellular proliferation and drives cells into a quiescent state. In such cell types, FOXO factors also provide the protective mechanisms that are required to adapt to the altered metabolic state of quiescent cells. Thus, as PKB/Akt signaling is switched off, FOXO factors take over to determine the fate of a cell, long-term survival in a quiescent state, or programmed cell death. This review summarizes our current understanding of the mechanisms by which PKB/Akt and FOXO factors regulate these decisions.
The lamina-associated polypeptide 2 (LAP2) isoforms β, γ andω of zebrafish: developmental expression and behavior during the cell cycle
Authors: Schoft Vera K. , Beauvais Ariane J. , Lang Carmen , Gajewski Andreas , Prüfert Kristina , Winkler Christoph , Akimenko Marie-Andrée , Paulin-Levasseur Micheline , Krohne Georg 
Published: May 2003

Zebrafish lamina-associated polypeptides 2 (ZLAP2) β, γ andω have in common an N-terminal region with a LEM domain, and in the C-terminal half of the molecule a lamina binding domain and a membrane spanning sequence. The maternally synthesized ω is the largest isoform and the only LAP2 present in the rapidly dividing embryonic cells up to the gastrula stage. ZLAP2ω levels decrease during development, concomitant with the increase of the somatic isoforms ZLAP2β and γ. In somatic zebrafish cells ZLAP2γ is the predominant isoform, whereas only small amounts of ZLAP2β are present.During early embryonic development, ZLAP2ω becomes associated with mitotic chromosomes before anaphase. The surface of these chromosomes is decorated with vesicles, and each chromosome assembles its own nuclear envelope at the end of mitosis (karyomere formation). Ectopically expressed ZLAP2ω-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein targets vesicles to mitotic chromosomes in Xenopus A6 cells, suggesting that ZLAP2ω is involved in karyomere formation during early zebrafish development.When ZLAP2β and γ were expressed as GFP fusion proteins in Xenopus A6 cells, the β- but not the γ-isoform was found in association with mitotic chromosomes, and ZLAP2β-containing chromosomes were decorated with vesicles. Further analysis of ZLAP2-GFP fusion proteins containing only distinct domains of the ZLAP2 isoforms revealed that the common N-terminal region in conjunction with β- or ω-specific sequences mediate binding to mitotic chromosomes in vivo.
Biochemical characterization, distribution and phylogenetic analysis ofDrosophila melanogasterryanodine and IP3 receptors, and thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ ATPase
Authors: Vázquez-Martínez Olivia , Cañedo-Merino Rafael , Díaz-Muñoz Mauricio , Riesgo-Escovar Juan R. 
Published: May 2003

We characterized the biochemistry, distribution and phylogeny of Drosophila ryanodine (RyR) and inositol triphosphate(IP3R) receptors and the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) by using binding and enzymatic assays, confocal microscopy and amino acid sequence analysis. [3H]-ryanodine binding in total membranes was enhanced by AMP-PCP, caffeine and xanthine, whereas Mg2+, Ruthenium Red and dantrolene were inhibitors.[3H]-ryanodine binding showed a bell-shaped curve with increasing free [Ca2+], without complete inhibition at millimolar levels of[Ca2+]. [3H]-IP3 binding was inhibited by heparin, 2-APB and xestospongin C. Microsomal Ca2+-ATPase activity was inhibited by thapsigargin. Confocal microscopy demonstrated abundant expression of ryanodine and inositol triphosphate receptors and abundant Ca2+-ATPase in Drosophila embryos and adults. Ryanodine receptor was expressed mainly in the digestive tract and parts of the nervous system. Maximum parsimony and Neighbour Joining were used to generate a phylogenetic classification of Drosophila ryanodine and insitol triphosphate receptors and Ca2+-ATPase based on 48 invertebrate and vertebrate complete sequences. The consensus trees indicated that Drosophila proteins grouped with proteins from other invertebrates,separately from vertebrate counterparts.Despite evolutionary distances, our functional results demonstrate that Drosophila ryanodine and inositol triphosphate receptors and Ca2+-ATPase are reasonably similar to vertebrate counterparts. Our protein expression data are consistent with the known functions of these proteins in the Drosophila digestive tract and nervous system. Overall, results show Drosophila as a valuable tool for intracellular Ca2+ dynamics studies in eukaryotes.
Is the routine use of antibiotics justified in adult tonsillectomy?
Authors: O’Reilly B. J. , Black S. , Fernandes J. , Panesar J. 
Published: May 2003

Pain and secondary haemorrhage are the commonest complications of adult tonsillectomy, occurring mostly in the community. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial of the effect of perioperative amoxycillin on these complications. The incidence and severity of post-operative haemorrhage was measured. For the first 10 post-operative days patients provided a linear pain score, a record of GP visits, and their use of additional antibiotics and analgesics.Of 95 patients considered: 23 suffered a secondary haemorrhage; 54 consulted their general practitioner (GP) because of pain; additional antibiotics were used by at least 31 and additional analgesics by at least 41. No significant differences were demonstrated between the active and placebo groups for any of these measures.This study demonstrates that secondary haemorrhage is common after adult tonsillectomy. Post-operative pain remains a major problem requiring frequent GP consultations. There appears to be no justification for the routine use of perioperative antibiotics.
Occult bronchogenic carcinoma presenting as metastasis to the site of a bone anchored hearing aid
Authors: Hadjihannas Edward , McDermott Ann-Louise , Warfield Adrian T. , Proops David W. , Reid Andrew P. 
Published: May 2003

The first report of a patient with metastatic bronchogenic carcinoma of the skin surrounding the abutment of a bone anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is presented. Complications of bone anchored hearing implantation have been well documented to date. We present a 68-year-old lady who presented with an unusual skin lesion surrounding the abutment of her BAHA. This was the first presentation of her bronchogenic tumour.We also review the literature regarding cutaneous metastasis and complications of BAHA.
Bilateral vocal fold palsy caused by chronic motor axonal neuropathy
Authors: Marchant H. , Supiot F. , Choufani G. , Hassid S. 
Published: May 2003

The authors report a first case of chronic motor axonal neuropathy involving ENT manifestations, in a 64-year-old male presenting with gait difficulties, effort dyspnoea and dysphonia. Eleven months after the first symptoms, he developed severe hypoventilation, limb weakness and bilateral vocal fold palsy and had to be intubated for respiratory failure. The diagnosis of chronic motor axonal neuropathy was suspected on clinical and electrophysiological grounds. The patient improved dramatically after a five-day course of 0.4 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin. He is still being treated with methylprednisolone 0.5 mg/kg every other day and remains stable.We conclude the bilateral vocal fold palsy may be associated with chronic motor axonal neuropathy and that the immunosuppressive treatment may be effective in such cases.