bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multicenter Initiative Seeking Critical Genes in Respiratory Papillomatosis
Authors: Buchinsky Farrel J. , Derkay Craig S. , Leal Suzanne M. , Donfack Joseph , Ehrlich Garth D. , Post J Christopher 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectives: To determine the host genes that govern susceptibility to recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). RRP is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) 6 and 11. Millions of babies are exposed during the birthing process, but relatively few develop the disease and the aggressiveness of the course is highly variable. Genetically encoded host susceptibility is postulated. Determining the host genes that govern susceptibility will enhance our understanding not only of RRP but also of host‐viral interaction in general.Study Design: A genome‐wide association study on familial triads consisting of an RRP‐affected child and his or her parents. Using the HapMap data from the human genome project, we will identify those alleles that are over‐transmitted by the parents to their affected offspring as compared to those alleles that are under‐transmitted.Methods: Approximately 400 patients and their parents will be recruited through a collaboration between the Center for Genomic Sciences and the RRP Task Force. DNA will be extracted from blood specimens and viral typing will be performed on biopsy specimens. Patients will be genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and compared to their respective parents' genotype using the transmission disequilibrium test. Both a genome scan and a candidate gene approach will be utilized.Results: Institutional Review Board authorization has been obtained at three hospitals and the process is underway at 18 more. Patient and parent recruitment has begun. Specimens have been forwarded to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the DNA has been extracted and is being stored.Conclusions: A novel approach combining a nationwide patient resource and the mapping power of the subcentimorgan human haplotype map has been developed to elucidate the biological mechanisms of RRP by determining the genetically encoded susceptibilities of host‐virus interaction.
Clinical Predictors of Difficult Laryngeal Exposure
Authors: Hsiung Ming‐Wang , Pai Lu , Kang Bor‐Hwang , Wang Bing‐Long , Wong Chih‐Shung , Wang Hsing‐Won 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPurpose: Although difficult laryngeal exposure (DLE) is a common problem encountered after procedures using a rigid laryngoscope, to date, no anticipatory physical indicators have been formally noted as reliable predictors of DLE. The purpose of this paper is to identify useful and reliable indicators by which to predict, with acceptable accuracy, the occurrence of DLE following rigid laryngoscopy.Study Design: Fifty‐six patients, each of whom had undergone a rigid laryngoscope procedure, were classified as belonging to either the DLE group (n = 19) or the control group (n = 37) for purposes of this prospective study.Methods: All patients were given a physical examination, which encompassed the following nine measures: age, sex, modified Mallampati index (MMI), body mass index (BMI), hyoid‐mental distance (HMD), thyroid‐mental distance (TMD), thyroid‐mandible angle (TMA), horizontal thyroid distance (HTD), and vertical thyroid distance (VTD). Stepwise regression was employed on patient data to identify those with DLE.Results: The ages of patients in the DLE group ranged from 35 to 79 years, with a mean of 51.3 years. Among the nine variables, we found sex (P = .045, odds ratio = 69.159) and TMA (P = .004, odds ratio = 1.510) to be “reliable” DLE predictors. Using these two variables, 94.6% of study case patients could have been correctly classified preoperatively. Based on our comparison of case results, we found that a TMA value greater than 120 degrees in men and 130 degrees in women indicates a strong likelihood of DLE.Conclusions: TMA is a sensitive, reliable, and useful predictor of DLE in both men and women. The combination of sex and TMA provide important initial clinical indicators that can alert a clinician regarding DLE probability.
Effects of Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐1 Gene Transfer on Myosin Heavy Chains in Denervated Rat Laryngeal Muscle
Authors: Flint Paul W. , Nakagawa Hideki , Shiotani Akihiro , Coleman Michael E. , O'Malley Bert W. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: To determine whether the myotrophic activity of human insulin‐like growth factor (hIGF)‐1 promotes restoration of normal myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition after nerve injury, MHC composition was analyzed after hIGF‐1 gene transfer in denervated rat laryngeal muscle.Study Design: Animal model to study effects of gene transfer on laryngeal paralysis.Methods: In anesthetized rats, the left recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves are cut and suture ligated. A midline thyrotomy is performed, and the thyroarytenoid muscle is injected with a polyvinyl‐based formulation containing a muscle specific expression system and hIGF‐1 DNA (treatment group) or saline (control group). After 30 days, animals were killed, and the thyroarytenoid muscle was removed and processed for sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE). Densitometric measurements were obtained to determine composition of MHCs.Results: As previously described, MHC composition in denervated laryngeal muscle was characterized by a decrease in type IIB and IIL and up‐regulation of IIA/IIX. Compared with controls, hIGF‐1 treated animals demonstrated a significant increase in expression of type IIB and IIL and a significant decrease in expression of type IIA/X.Conclusions: These findings suggest that the myotrophic effect of hIGF‐1 gene transfer results in normalization of MHC composition in denervated muscle, with suppression of type IIA/X MHC and promotion of type IIL expression.
Inspiratory Activation of the Vocal Cord Adductor, Part II: Animal Study in the Cat
Authors: Sekita Yasuko , Shiba Keisuke , Nakazawa Ken , Numasawa Tamaki , Isono Shiroh 
Published: January 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: The authors have shown previously that the vocal cord adductor is activated during inspiration in patients with vocal cord abduction impairment and that this adductor inspiratory activity is abolished by relief from inspiratory tracheal negative pressure by opening the tracheostoma. (Shiba K. Isono S, Sekita Y, Tanaka A. Inspiratory activation of the vocal cord adductor, Part I: human study in patients with restricted abduction of the vocal cords. Laryngoscope 2004;114:372–375). The authors hypothesized that insufficient opening of the glottis during inspiration generates strong negative pressure in the trachea and that this negative pressure triggers an airway reflex that activates the adductor.Study Design: Experimental study of the mechanism of laryngeal obstruction using an animal model of restricted abduction of the vocal cords.Methods: To identify such an airway reflex, the authors recorded the adductor electromyogram in anesthetized cats whose vocal cords were mechanically adducted by stitching both cords together. To determine whether this reflex modulation of adductor activity is induced through afferents from the larynx or from the lower airway, the authors applied negative pressure to the subglottic space and lower airway separately.Results: The adductor was activated during inspiration with powerful negative pressure in the trachea. Negative pressure in the subglottic space had a more marked effect on the adductor activity than did pressure in the lower airway. The adductor inspiratory activity was virtually abolished by laryngeal deafferentation.Conclusion: Glottal narrowing during inspiration reflexly activates the vocal cord adductor. This paradoxical inspiratory‐related adductor activation is induced by an airway reflex triggered mainly through afferents from the larynx and probably contributes to stridor and dyspnea in patients with laryngeal obstruction.
Ultrasound estimates of gestational age among perinatally demised: a population‐based study
Authors: Olsen Øystein Erlend , Lie Rolv Terje , Rosendahl Karen 
Published: February 2004

Background.  Correct estimation of gestational age may improve the quality of obstetric care. We hypothesize that significant differences between traditional and alternative estimates by ultrasound are evident among perinatal deaths.Methods.  Population‐based case series with data linkage between autopsy records and The Medical Birth Registry of Norway, including perinatally demised singletons who were examined by autopsy and post‐mortem radiography, having antenatal estimates of gestational age both by the calendar method, as calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period preceding the pregnancy (GAlmp), and by mid‐second‐trimester ultrasound (GAus), N = 380. The main outcome measure was the distribution of GAlmp and GAus within weight strata.Results.  Mean GAus was 1 week less than mean GAlmp (t‐test, p < 0.001). The degree of apparent growth restriction manifest after death, as expressed by both birthweight and by post‐mortem radiographic measurements, was fairly well correlated with the degree of downward adjustment of age by ultrasound in the early second trimester (Pearson's correlation, r = − 0.599, p < 0.001). The degree of discrepancy between the ultrasound and the calendar methods was associated both with placenta findings (Kruskal–Wallis test, χ2 = 20.95, p = 0.007) and with the main cause of death (Kruskal–Wallis test, χ2 = 27.65, p = 0.004).Conclusion.  Among infants who died perinatally, gestational age seemed to be systematically downward adjusted by mid‐second‐trimester screening ultrasound, particularly among those who were the most growth retarded at the time of death.
Ovarian metastasis in women with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Gemer Ofer , Bergman Marina , Segal Shmuel 
Published: February 2004

Background.  The incidence of ovarian metastasis in women with clinical stage I endometrial carcinoma is generally reported to be 5%, leading to the practice of removing the ovaries at surgery even in young patients.Methods.  A retrospective study of 84 patients with clinical stage I endometrial cancer was carried out. Patients were excluded if the pathologic study revealed any evidence of extrauterine, apart from adnexal, spread or if the peritoneal cytology was positive. Patients with serous papillary or clear cell tumor histology were also excluded.Results.  Sixty‐seven patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Only three (4%) patients were found to be in surgical stage IIIA, all three had grade 3 tumors. Of these patients, two had uterine serosal involvement and one had a microscopic tumor implant in a fallopian tube; none had ovarian metastasis.Conclusions.  The risk of ovarian metastasis in women with well to moderately differentiated endometrial cancer, myometrial invasion limited to less than one half of the myometrium, negative peritoneal cytology and no evidence of metastatic lymph node spread is negligible. Young patients with a preoperative histological diagnosis of well to moderately differentiated endometrial carcinoma may be surgically staged, leaving the final decision regarding removal of the ovaries pending a thorough pathological review of the surgical specimens.
Prevalence of female genital mutilation among African women resident in the Swedish county of Östergötland
Authors: Kangoum Abdul‐Almawla , Flodin Ulf , Hammar Mats , Sydsjö Gunilla 
Published: February 2004

Objectives.  To establish the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) among African women resident in the Swedish County of Östergötland and assess the types of FGM.Material and methods.  Three hundred and four African women aged ≥ 18 years were domiciled in Östergötland by the end of 1998. The women were invited by letter. A socio‐cultural questionnaire designed to give an overall picture of FGM within a socio‐economic context, and also to invite the women to an interview and examination, was sent to all African women in the county of Östergötland. Women who gave their consent (n = 63) underwent a gynecologic examination.Results.  The response rate was 84%. According to the questionnaire, 68% of all the African women were genitally mutilated. The clinical examination revealed that 39 women (62%) were mutilated, 17 of them (44%) had undergone removal of part or all external genitalia and stitching (‘infibulation’), 26% had undergone removal of the prepuce of the clitoris (‘prepucectomy’), 23% had undergone various cultural practices on the external genitalia, and 7.7% excision of the clitoris with partial or total removal of labia minora (‘clitoridectomy’).Conclusion.  The influx of immigrants to Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries from cultures where FGM is practiced, requires that physicians and other health professionals familiarize themselves with the practice and the cultural beliefs underlying it. Sensitivity to the needs of these women as well as attention to the potential physical hazards posed by the practice are important factors in care.
HSP47 is a useful marker for skin fibroblasts in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue specimens
Authors: Kuroda K. , Tajima S. 
Published: January 2004

Aim:  This study was undertaken to assess whether heat‐shock protein (HSP)47 is a useful cell marker for skin fibroblasts in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded skin specimens.Background:  HSP47, a 47‐kDa HSP, is a collagen‐specific molecular chaperone localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. HSP47 plays an essential role in collagen biosynthesis in skin fibroblasts.Methods:  Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect HSP47 in skin fibroblast cultures and skin tissue sections.Results:  Immunostaining for HSP47 clearly detected skin fibroblasts in paraffin tissue sections as well as in fibroblast cultures and frozen tissue sections. HSP47 staining on paraffin sections from diseased skin specimens revealed that skin ulcer, keloid, nodular fascitis, spindle cell lipoma, and dermatofibroma had strong signals for HSP47 compared with the signals obtained from normal skin. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans had many HSP47 positive cells, but signals on individual cells were not as strong as those seen from the above benign proliferative disease samples. In neurofibroma, a small number of faintly positive cells were detected. Our double‐immunostaining studies also demonstrated that HSP47 staining distinguished skin fibroblasts from CD68‐positive histiocytes/macrophages, factor VIII‐related antigen‐positive endothelial cells, or factor XIIIa‐positive dermal dendritic cells. CD34‐positive interstitial cells coexpressed HSP47 in spindle cell lipoma.Conclusions:  These findings indicate that HSP47 staining can detect skin fibroblasts in routine, paraffin‐embedded specimens. A panel approach using HSP47 and other cell markers on paraffin sections may help the identification of the cell type involved with mesenchymal proliferative disorders.
Analysis of the vitamin D system in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Reichrath Jörg , Rafi Leyla , Rech Martin , Mitschele Tanja , Meineke Viktor , Gärtner Barbara C. , Tilgen Wolfgang , Holick Michael F. 
Published: January 2004

Background:  Increasing evidence points at an important function of vitamin D metabolites for growth regulation in various tissues, and new vitamin D analogs are interesting candidates for the treatment of malignancies, including squamous cell carcinomas (SCC).Methods:  We have analyzed expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), vitamin D‐25‐hydroxylase (25‐OHase), 25‐hydroxyvitamin D‐1α‐hydroxylase (1α‐OHase), and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D‐24‐hydroxylase (24‐OHase) in SCC.Results:  Intensity of VDR immunoreactivity was increased in SCCs as compared to normal human skin. VDR staining did not correlate with histological type or grading, nor with markers for proliferation, differentiation, or apoptotic cells. Incubation of SCC cell lines (SCL‐1, SCL‐2) with calcitriol resulted in a dose‐dependent suppression of cell proliferation (approximately up to 30%) in vitro, as measured by a tetrazolium salt (WST‐1)‐based colorimetric assay. RNA levels for VDR, 25‐OHase, 1α‐OHase, and 24‐OHase were significantly elevated in SCCs as compared to HS, as measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction.Conclusions:  Our findings demonstrate that modulation of VDR expression and local synthesis or metabolism of vitamin D metabolites may be of importance for growth regulation of SCCs. Additionally, SCCs represent potential targets for therapy with new vitamin D analogs that exert little calcemic side effects or for pharmacological modulation of calcitriol synthesis/metabolism in these tumors.
Merkel cell carcinoma: a clinicopathologic study with prognostic implications
Authors: Mott Ryan T. , Smoller Bruce R. , Morgan Michael B. 
Published: January 2004

Background:  Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a frequently aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy of the skin that presents in sun‐exposed areas on elderly patients. Although originally described over 30 years ago, many aspects of MCC remain to be defined. Of particular importance is the need to identify prognostic factors capable of predicting the biological behavior of these tumors. Knowledge of these factors may help in determining which patients require more aggressive treatment regimens. In this study, we examined 25 cases of MCC with an attempt to identify clinical, histopathological, or immunohistochemical features capable of predicting disease outcome.Methods:  Features that we evaluated in each case included age, gender, race, tumor location, tumor size, depth of invasion, growth pattern, lymphocytic infiltration, mitotic activity, ulceration, necrosis, vascular invasion, and perineural invasion. In addition, we examined neural cell adhesion molecule and cytokeratin‐20 expression using immunohistochemical methods.Results:  We found that most patients were males (84%) with an average age of 74 years. The tumors were located on the head and neck (68%) and upper extremities (32%). Overall, 64% of the patients developed metastatic disease to regional lymph nodes or distant sites (average follow‐up time of 21 months). Local recurrence was also common, occurring in 29% of the patients. The overall 1‐ and 2‐year survival rates were 80 and 53%, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed tumors with an average size of 7.2 mm. Common features included invasion into the subcutaneous adipose tissue, solid growth pattern, tumor necrosis, and vascular and perineural invasion. Findings that had a statistically significant correlation with poor outcome included tumor size ≥5 mm (p = 0.047), invasion into the subcutaneous adipose tissue (p = 0.005), diffuse growth pattern (p = 0.040), and heavy lymphocytic infiltration (p = 0.017). The remaining findings, including the immunohistochemical results, did not correlate with disease outcome. Using logistic regression models, we show that depth of invasion and degree of lymphocytic infiltration are strong predictors of disease outcome.Conclusions:  The current controversies regarding the treatment of early‐stage MCC (i.e., localized disease) underscore the importance of identifying clinicopathological features capable of predicting tumor behavior. In this study, we have identified several prognostic features in MCC. Perhaps, these features may prove useful in identifying patients who require more aggressive treatment regimens.
Giant folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma of the upper extremity
Authors: Sturtz David E. , Smith David J. , Calderon Marlene S. , Fullen Douglas R. 
Published: January 2004

Background:  Folliculosebaceous cystic hamartoma (FSCH) is a rare cutaneous hamartoma consisting of dilated folliculosebaceous units invested in mesenchymal elements. These lesions have a striking predilection for the central face and scalp of adults. The vast majority of lesions present as 0.5–1.5‐cm papules or exophytic nodules. A single case of giant FSCH has been reported on the upper back.Methods:  A 32‐year‐old woman presented with a (15 cm in greatest dimension) plaque‐like, multinodular lesion on her left upper arm for several years. The lesion was clinically suspected to be a nevus sebaceus.Results:  The skin excision showed numerous dermal and subcutaneous dilated follicular structures with peripherally radiating sebaceous lobules, hair follicles, and surrounding mesenchymal elements consistent with FSCH.Conclusion:  To our knowledge, this is the second case of giant FSCH. Our case is unique for its larger size, more plaque‐like growth, and location on an extremity when compared to the seminal case of giant FSCH.
Solute removal index correlates more with equilibrated Kt/V than with single pool Kt/V in haemodialysis patients
Authors: TANG HON LOK , TSANG WAI KAY , YEUNG SHING , CHAN HILDA WAI HAN , TONG KWOK LUNG 
Published: February 2004

SUMMARY:Background and Aims:  Solute removal index (SRI) is an adequacy index that estimates haemodialysis dose based on urea removal in the spent dialysate. We examined the SRI, single pool Kt/V (spKt/V) and equilibrated Kt/V (eKt/V) in two groups of chronic haemodialysis patients; group A, 25 patients received haemodialysis twice weekly and group B, 11 patients received haemodialysis thrice weekly.Method and Results:  The Ing's partial dialysate collection method was used for spent dialysate collection. The SRI values of the first and second dialysis sessions in a week in group A were 68.7 ± 4.7 and 69.7 ± 4.1%, respectively, while that of the first, mid‐week and third dialysis sessions in a week in group B were 56.5 ± 5.3, 55.8 ± 5.4 and 57.5 ± 6.2%, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) between SRI and spKt/V in the first and second dialysis sessions in a week in group A were 0.90 (P < 0.01) and 0.95 (P < 0.01), respectively, and that in the first, mid‐week and third sessions for group B were 0.96 (P < 0.01), 0.94 (P < 0.01) and 0.91 (P < 0.01), respectively. The r values between SRI and eKt/V in the first and second sessions for group A were 0.97 (P < 0.01) and 0.99 (P < 0.01), respectively, and that in the first, mid‐week and third sessions for group B were 0.98 (P < 0.01), 0.97 (P < 0.01) and 0.98 (P < 0.01), respectively. Therefore, the correlation between SRI and eKt/V (r values approaching one) was better than that between SRI and spKt/V in all dialysis sessions in a week for both group A and B patients.Conclusion:  We conclude that the SRI, an index based on dialysate urea removal, correlates more with equilibrated Kt/V (an index that accounted for postdialysis urea rebound) than with single pool Kt/V.
Clinical features of thin basement membrane disease and associated glomerulopathies
Authors: SUE YUH‐MOU , HUANG JENG‐JONG , HSIEH RYH‐YAW , CHEN FEN‐FEN 
Published: February 2004

SUMMARY:Background:  Thin basement membrane disease (TBMD) occurs in 5–11% of renal biopsy series, and can be associated with other glomerulopathies (GNs). Data on the prevalence, clinical features, and prognosis of TBMD with other GNs are limited.Methods and Results:  From June 1990 to May 2001, findings from 658 native kidney biopsies were retrospectively studied. The overall prevalence of TBMD was 7.9% (52 of 658). The mean glomerular basement membrane (GBM) thickness was 206 ± 30 nm. Clinicopathological features were compared for patients with TBMD only (n = 14) and in those with TBMD and GN (n = 38). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, mesangial proliferative GN, and minimal change disease were the most common GNs associated with TBMD. After a mean follow‐up period of 44.9 ± 42.5 months, the group who only had TBMD revealed a relatively benign disease with microscopic haematuria and trivial proteinuria, a low prevalence of hypertension, and no renal progression. In the group who had both TBMD and GN, heavy proteinuria (6.1 ± 5.2 g/day), hypoalbuminaemia (26 ± 12 g/L) and renal insufficiency (76 ± 25 mL/min) might develop.Conclusion:  We suggested that the TBMD is a developmental abnormality of little or no significance and that it is the underlying associated GN rather than TBMD, which has the relevance to the outcome of renal disease.