bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Frequency of Olfactory Dysfunction
Authors: Landis B N. , Konnerth C G. , Hummel T 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Goals of the study were to evaluate the frequency of olfactory dysfunction in a large representative population without sinonasal complaints and to investigate the extent to which general pathological conditions, medications, and aging influence olfaction.Study Design: Prospective.Methods: Results based on an odor identification test (“Sniffin' Sticks”) were reported from 1240 subjects. The subjects presented themselves to an otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with relatively mild and transitory complaints unrelated to the upper airways. A detailed otorhinolaryngological examination in combination with a standardized interview further ascertained that these patients had no rhinological problems or symptoms relating to sinonasal disease.Results: Apart from the confirmation of the effects of age, gender, and certain otorhinolaryngological diseases on the sense of smell, the study results revealed that certain general diseases (liver diseases, nonotolaryngological cancers) appear to influence olfactory function, whereas other diseases or disorders have little or no impact on olfaction (hypertension, cardiovascular problems).Conclusion: The data in the study revealed that olfactory dysfunction among subjects under 65 years of age is more frequent than previously reported.
Bag‐1 Expression as a Prognostic Factor in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Xie Xin , Clausen Ole Petter F. , Boysen Morten 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectives: To investigate the prognostic significance of the antiapoptotic protein Bag‐1. In addition, the relationship between Bag‐1 expression, other apoptosis‐related and proliferative parameters.Study Design: Eighty‐five randomly selected patients with T1 to T4 oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) were studied.Methods: Sections from diagnostic, formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded specimens were stained immunohistochemically to detect Bag‐1 protein.Results: Bag‐1 expression correlated positively with apoptosis‐related parameters such as Bcl‐2 expression (P = .001) and proliferation‐related parameters including Ki‐67, mean argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (mAgNOR), and the percentage of AgNOR (pAgNOR) (P = .0117, P = .0257, and P = .0008, respectively). Correlation with Bag‐1 expression and T classification (P = .0362), N classification (P = .0284), and clinical stage (P = .0117) was also found. In addition, Bag‐1 expression was associated with the carbohydrate epitopes H‐antigen and Ley (P = .0004 and P = .0011, respectively). No correlation was found between Bag‐1 expression and p53 accumulation, Bax expression, or apoptotic index (AI). However, a combined score of Bcl‐2 and Bag‐1 expression was inversely associated with AI (P = .046). Patients with tumors expressing high Bag‐1 values had a shortened disease‐specific survival time when compared with those with low Bag‐1 values (P = .0017). A two‐parameter combination between Bag‐1 expression and Bax expression or AI, respectively, revealed an enhanced prognostic potential (P < .0001) when compared with single parameters.Conclusion: Correlation between Bag‐1 expression and other biologic variables revealed that Bag‐1 might be involved in several biologic processes including apoptosis and cell proliferation. The expression of Bag‐1 protein, particularly in combination with Bax expression or AI, respectively, has prognostic value in oral tongue SCC.
Immunoglobulin E to Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Toxins in Patients with Chronic Sinusitis/Nasal Polyposis
Authors: Tripathi Anju , Conley David B. , Grammer Leslie C. , Ditto Anne M. , Lowery Margaret M. , Seiberling Kristen A. , Yarnold Paul A. , Zeifer Barbara , Kern Robert C. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBackground: The role of infectious agents and their contribution to the inflammation in chronic sinusitis/nasal polyposis (CS/NP) is not clear. Staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins have superantigen activity and have been implicated in inflammatory conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and asthma.Objective: We investigated the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)E antibodies to staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins in the serum of individuals with CS/NP.Method: IgE antibodies to staphylococcal exotoxins, A, B, and toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A, B, and C were measured in 23 individuals with CS/NP before functional endoscopic sinus surgery and in controls (7 atopic and 6 nonatopic) individuals without chronic sinusitis. Presence of IgE to the toxins was also correlated with disease severity on sinus computed tomography (CT) scans.Results: Staphylococcal and streptococcal toxin specific IgE antibodies were detected in 18 of 23 (78%) and 7 of 21 (33.3%) patients, respectively. None of the controls had IgE to the staphylococcal or streptococcal toxins (P < .0001). There was no association between radiographic severity of sinus disease and the presence of IgE antibody to the toxins.Conclusion: A significantly greater proportion of CS/NP patients had IgE to staphylococcal or streptococcal toxins. Evidence of IgE antibodies directed against staphylococcal and streptococcal toxins in the sera of patients with CS/NP suggests a potential role of these toxins with established superantigen effects in the pathogenesis of CS/NP.
Endoscopic Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea
Authors: McMains Kevin C. , Gross Charles W. , Kountakis Stilianos E. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractPurpose: Most anterior skull base defects causing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea can be readily approached using endoscopic techniques when surgical repair is necessary. We present our data from endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea with long‐term follow‐up.Methods: Retrospective data analysis of patients that were diagnosed with anterior skull base CSF rhinorrhea and underwent endoscopic repair at a tertiary institution. Data were analyzed to determine the etiology and location of CSF leaks. Diagnostic techniques, surgical techniques, and surgical outcomes were reviewed.Results: Ninety‐two patients were diagnosed with CSF rhinorrhea and underwent endoscopic repair over a 12‐year period. Forty‐eight were males, and 44 were females. The average age was 49 (range 6–81) years. Average follow‐up was 25 months, with a range of 12 to 82 months. The etiology of CSF leak was prior endoscopic sinus surgery in 23 patients (25%), idiopathic in 19 (21%), neurosurgery in 17 (18%), trauma in 18 (20%), and the presence of meningocele/encephalocele in 11 patients (12%). The most common location of the defect was the sphenoid sinus (n = 36, 39%), followed by ethmoid roof (n‐27, 29%), and cribriform plate (n = 24, 26%). Endoscopic repair was initially successful in 78 (85%) patients. Seven additional patients underwent successful revision endoscopic repair for an overall success rate of 92% (n = 85). Five (6%) large skull base defects were eventually repaired by neurosurgery using open intracranial techniques. No major complications were encountered.Conclusion: The intranasal endoscopic approach is an effective and safe technique in the surgical management of anterior skull base CSF rhinorrhea. Long‐term success rate in our patient population was 92%.
Relationships of Craniofacial Morphology and Body Mass Index with Sleep‐Disordered Breathing in Japanese Men
Authors: Yao Masayuki , Tachibana Naoko , Okura Mutsumi , Tanigawa Takeshi , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Ikeda Ai , Shimamoto Takashi , Iso Hiroyasu 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjective/Hypothesis: Obesity is an established risk factor for sleep‐disordered breathing, but the impact of craniofacial morphology is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of craniofacial morphology and body weight on sleep‐disordered breathing in Japanese men.Study Design: A cross‐sectional study.Methods: We measured body mass index, seven cephalometric variables, and 3% oxygen desaturation index recorded by a pulse oximeter in 313 Japanese men aged 20 to 65 years who attended a sleep clinic. We defined craniofacial score as the sums of quartile points (0–3) for distance from sella to nasion and that from hyoid bone to mandibular plane.Results: The mean value of 3% oxygen desaturation index and odds ratios of 3% oxygen desaturation index 15 or greater progressively increased with craniofacial score as well as body mass index. Multivariate odds ratios associated with craniofacial score were higher in men with body mass index 25.0 kg/m2 or greater (odds ratio = 4.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1–8.6) than in men with lower body mass index (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.7–3.6).Conclusions: Our results imply the importance of cephalometric assessment in overweight patients.
Risk of postpartum urinary incontinence associated with pregnancy and mode of delivery
Authors: Foldspang A. , Hvidman L. , Mommsen S. , Bugge Nielsen J. 
Published: September 2004

Aim.  The aim was to estimate the postpartum urinary incontinence (PP UI) impact of precursory UI during pregnancy (PR UI) and delivery performed by cesarean section (CS) vs. vaginal childbirth (VC).Methods.  Among the members of two population samples, in total 8610 women aged 20–59 years, 1232 had their first childbirth and 642 their second childbirth within 13–120 months prior to responding to a questionnaire that included information on PR UI occurrence, mode of delivery and PP UI occurrence.Results.  CS was applied in 12.2% of first childbirths, and 87.8% thus delivered vaginally; PR UI during the pregnancy leading to the first childbirth was reported by 15.6%, and a total of 26.3% reported PP UI. An increased PP UI occurrence was reported following VC (28.3% vs. 12.0% in women undergoing CS, p < 0.001) and after PR UI (first childbirth, 66.7% vs. 18.8% in women not reporting PR UI, p < 0.0001). Among cases of PP UI following the first childbirth, 56.1% and 69.5% of cases could be attributed to PR UI and VC, respectively.Conclusions.  The highest PP UI risks were found among women complaining of PR UI, which manifested itself as a crucial, independent precursor of PP UI. Because of the high frequency of VC, more than seven out of 10 cases of UI following the first childbirth, however, seemed to be attributable to VC. The present data did not lend significant support to the assumption that the PP UI risk is also lowered after a subsequent delivery by CS.
Stress urinary incontinence 4 years after the first delivery: a retrospective cohort survey
Authors: Fritel Xavier , Fauconnier Arnaud , Levet Caroline , Bénifla Jean‐Louis 
Published: September 2004

Background.  Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence 4 years after the first delivery and analyze its risk factors.Methods.  A retrospective cohort survey was conducted in a French university hospital. The 669 primiparous women who delivered in our department in 1996 a singleton in a vertex position between 37 and 41 weeks of amenorrhea were included. A mailed questionnaire was sent 4 years after the indexed delivery. The main outcome measure was stress urinary incontinence 4 years after the first delivery.Results.  Three hundred and seven women replied, 274 had moved and 88 did not respond. Four years after the first delivery, prevalence of stress urinary incontinence was 29% (89/307). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, the independent risk factors were urine leakage before the first pregnancy [odds ratio (OR) 18.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6–96.4], urine leakage during the first pregnancy (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.3–4.8), duration of first labor ≥ 8 h (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.7–5.7), mother's age > 30 years at the first delivery (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.4–4.2) and cesarean section at the first delivery (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9).Conclusion.  Our results suggest that stress urinary incontinence after pregnancy arises from a multifactorial condition. The main risk factors are: age, previous incontinence (before or during the first pregnancy), prolonged labor and vaginal delivery.
Sexual function in women before and after suburethral sling operation for stress urinary incontinence: a retrospective questionnaire study
Authors: Glavind Karin , Tetsche Mette Skytte 
Published: September 2004

Background.  The aim of this questionnaire study dealing with women with stress urinary incontinence was to find out what influence incontinence and operation for incontinence in the form of tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) or intravaginal slingplasty operation (IVS) had on the patient's sexuality and if there were any adverse effects on sexuality after the operation.Methods.  Eighty‐four patients were operated on from April 1998 to September 2002. A questionnaire was sent to all patients with questions concerning their sexuality before and after the operation.Results.  Sixty‐seven patients (81%) answered the questionnaire. Before the operation 53 patients (79%) were sexually active and 26 patients (49%) experienced incontinence during intercourse. Only one patient (0.01%) stated the incontinence as the reason for not being sexually active. No patients developed de novo incontinence during intercourse after the operation. Half of the patients who were cured of their incontinence during intercourse experienced a better sexual life. Five patients (7%) cited reduced libido after the operation and two patients (3%) felt the operation to be the cause.Conclusion.  Among sexually active women with stress urinary incontinence referred for suburethral sling operation 49% experienced incontinence during intercourse and half of the cured patients in this group experienced a better sexual life after the operation. Incontinence affects sexual life to a great extend. Two patients (4%) experienced less libido after the operation and found the operation to be the cause of this. The risk of deterioration of sexual life after the operation is very small. Further investigation into this subject is needed.
The relationship between clinical parameters and health‐related quality of life as measured by the 15D in incontinent women before and after treatment*
Authors: Stach‐Lempinen Beata , Sintonen Harri , Kujansuu Erkki 
Published: September 2004

Background.  The purpose of this study was to correlate the clinical parameters with a health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measure and to describe the change of HRQoL caused by treatment and its modifying factors among urinary incontinent women.Methods.  Eighty‐two incontinent women, referred to a tertiary gynecologic department, underwent clinical evaluation to establish diagnosis and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) and completed the generic 15D HRQoL instrument. Sixty‐nine women were re‐evaluated 13 months after treatment.Results.  Compared to age‐matched female general population, the HRQoL of urinary incontinent women was significantly lower. Urge or mixed incontinence impairs HRQoL more than stress incontinence. The 15D scores correlated poorly with urodynamics, frequency/volume chart findings, and the amount of urine leakage. Among patients with stress UI (SUI), the HRQoL after treatment was the same as in the age‐matched general female population. Among women with urge or mixed UI, the HRQoL improved significantly after treatment but did not reach the HRQoL level of women with SUI at baseline. In stepwise regression analysis, lower the 15D score at baseline and bigger the decrease in urine leakage, greater was the change in HRQoL for the better.Conclusion.  There was a modest correlation of incontinence severity measures with quality of life impairment. The challenge for the future will be to improve the success of treatment for women with urge UI. The generic 15D appears to be sensitive to detect change in HRQoL due to treatment of UI women.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGFR‐2 in the regulation of corneal neovascularization and wound healing
Authors: Gan Lisha , Fagerholm Per , Palmblad Jan 
Published: September 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To study the change in expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor VEGFR‐2 in the rabbit cornea and limbus following a penetrating, central corneal alkali burn. The influence of different cells on VEGF and VEGFR‐2 expression was studied by excluding granulocytes from the wound area. Methods:  Fourteen New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to a penetrating, 5‐mm diameter, central corneal alkali burn in one eye under general anaesthesia. Seven of the rabbits were given injections of fucoidin for 36 hours. The rabbits were killed after 36 hours and the corneas were excised with a sclera rim and prepared for immunohistochemistry. Results:  Both VEGF and VEGFR‐2 are strongly expressed in the frontline of repopulating epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells during wound healing, irrespective of granulocyte presence. Vascular endothelial cells express VEGF strongly after injury, but only in the presence of granulocytes. Conclusion:  Corneal neovascularization requires the presence of granulocytes to stimulate vascular endothelial cells. During wound healing in this area, VEGF is a factor that stimulates proliferation and migration and that is not influenced by granulocytes.
Skin burn, bilateral iridocyclitis and amnesia following a lightning injury
Authors: Sommer Lone K. , Lund‐Andersen Henrik 
Published: September 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To describe a case of lightning injury restricted to the eyes and facial skin. Methods:  Case history describing the clinical examination of a 54‐year‐old woman. Results:  Following a lightning stroke the patient suffered from a sharply demarcated facial skin burn and bilateral iridocyclitis with raised intraocular pressure. Initially she had amnesia regarding the incident. She recovered on symptomatic treatment, with dry eyes as the only sequela. Conclusion:  We suggest that a lightning current travelled over the outside of the patient's body facilitated by her wet raincoat, a so‐called flash‐over. Thereby, she was spared from more severe injury, and only the exposed areas of the face and eyes were affected.
Position of anterior capsulorhexis and posterior capsule opacification
Authors: Wejde Gisela , Kugelberg Maria , Zetterström Charlotta 
Published: September 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate whether the position of the anterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis influences the rate of posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Methods:  A total of 119 patients, aged 61–86 years, underwent cataract surgery with phacoemulsification performed by a single surgeon. The patients were randomized to implantation with either a silicone intraocular lens (IOL) (SI40NB, Allergan) or an AcrySof IOL (MA60BM, Alcon). Three years after surgery, the rate of PCO was analysed using the evaluation of posterior capsule opacification computer software (EPCO). The results were related to the capsulorhexis position, which was assessed with a retroillumination photograph. Results:  If the capsulorhexis was located partially or completely off the optics of the IOL, compared to totally on the IOL, significantly more PCO was found (p = 0.0014). When comparing within each IOL type, patients with AcrySof IOLs were found to have significantly less PCO when the capsulorhexis was totally on the optic (p = 0.0048). This difference was also significant in the silicone group (p = 0.041). Conclusion:  A relatively small and central capsulorhexis allowing for the complete covering of the IOL optics by the rhexis edges seems to protect against PCO in cataract surgery, with both round‐edged silicone IOLs and sharp‐edged hydrophobic acrylic IOLs.
Differential dynamics of histone H3 methylation at positions K4 and K9 in the mouse zygote
Authors: Lepikhov Konstantin , Walter Jörn 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
In the mouse zygote the paternal genome undergoes dramatic structural and epigenetic changes. Chromosomes are decondensed, protamines replaced by histones and DNA is rapidly and actively demethylated. The epigenetic asymmetry between parental genomes remains at least until the 2-cell stage suggesting functional differences between paternal and maternal genomes during early cleavage stages.

Results
Here we analyzed the timing of histone deposition on the paternal pronucleus and the dynamics of histone H3 methylation (H3/K4mono-, H3/K4tri- and H3/K9di-methylation) immediately after fertilization. Whereas maternal chromatin maintains all types of histone H3 methylation throughout the zygotic development, paternal chromosomes acquire new and unmodified histones shortly after fertilization. In the following hours we observe a gradual increase in H3/K4mono-methylation whereas H3/K4tri-methylation is not present before latest pronuclear stages. Histone H3/K9di-methylation is completely absent from the paternal pronucleus, including metaphase chromosomes of the first mitotic stage.

Conclusion
Parallel to the epigenetic asymmetry in DNA methylation, chromatin modifications are also different between both parental genomes in the very first hours post fertilization. Whereas methylation at H3/K4 gradually becomes similar between both genomes, H3/K9 methylation remains asymmetric.