bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measuring the impact of oral health on life quality in two national surveys – functionalist versus hermeneutic approaches
Authors: McGrath Colman , Bedi Raman 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjectives: This study compares a functionalist (quantitative) versus a hermeneutic (qualitative) approach to assessing the impact of oral health on life quality in two United Kingdom national surveys.Methods: The vehicles for this study were two Office for National Statistics' Omnibus Surveys completed in 1998 and 1999. In both studies a random probability sample of 3000 household addresses was selected from the British Postcode Address File (PAF). The data were collected by face‐to‐face interviews with respondents in their homes about how their oral health status affected their quality of life employing a qualitative, hermeneutic approach (1998) and a functionalist, quantitative approach using a battery of questions (1999).Results: Irrespective of study design, in both studies it was apparent that the majority of the public perceived their oral health as affecting their life quality (P > 0.05). Likewise, both approaches identified that oral health affected life quality most frequently through physical aspects of oral health rather than social or psychological. However, using the hermeneutic approach, respondents were less likely to cite that their oral health affected specific aspects of their oral health compared to when a battery of questions were used (P < 0.01). Furthermore, socio‐demographic variations in oral health‐related quality of life were more apparent when a battery of questions were employed compared to an open‐ended approach.Conclusions: Different approaches to assessing oral health‐related quality of life yield similar findings in terms of prevalence of oral health's impact and affected ways (domains). However, the different methods influenced the ability to identify socio‐demographic disparities.
CD34‐positive cellular blue neviNote
Authors: Smith Kathleen J. , Germain Marguerite , Williams John , Skelton Henry G. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Although cellular blue nevi (CBN) are well known and characterized, the histopathologic and clinical spectrum of these tumors continues to evolve. We report four CBN with a distinctive histologic and immunohistochemical pattern.Methods: The histologic features and immunohistochemical staining for S‐100 protein, HMB‐45, Bcl‐2 and CD34 of four CBN with distinctive features were evaluated using routine methods and compared to common CBN.Results: All four of these distinctive CBN where known to be congenital, and all showed aggregates of plump spindled cells with round to oval nuclei in aggregates and more slender spindled cells with thin wavy nuclei. The slender, spindled cells showed an infiltrative pattern laterally into the dermis and deep into the subcutaneous fat. All four tumors showed diffuse expression of an immunohistochemical stain for CD34, as well as for S‐100 protein, Bcl‐2, and HMB‐45.Conclusion: Positive immunohistochemical staining with the progenitor marker CD34 defines a subset of CBN. These tumors appear to fit within the spectrum of neurocristic cutaneous hamartomas and may arise from more primitive neurocristically derived cells. Further follow‐up of these tumors will be necessary to determine whether this subset of CBN defines a subset with a characteristic biologic behavior.
A case of Sweet's syndrome developed after the treatment of herpes simplex infection in a metastatic breast cancer patient
Authors: Coskun Ugur , Gunel Nazan , Senol Esin , Ilter Nilsel , Dursun Ayse , Tuzun Dilek 
Published: March 2003

Background:Sweet's syndrome or acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis is associated with several systemic diseases such as malignancies and infectious diseases.Methods:We present a 34‐year‐old woman with Sweet's syndrome associated with both herpes infection and metastatic disease.Results:Skin biopsy showed neutrophilic infiltrates in the dermis confirming the diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome.Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the second case of Sweet's syndrome associated with herpes simplex infection in the literature. Further observations are required to determine the relationship between Sweet's syndrome and herpetic infection.
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Bowden John , Brennan Peter A. , Umar Tijjani , Cronin Andrew 
Published: March 2003

Background:  Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) can both arise from any cutaneous epithelial surface. BCC are slow growing and rarely metastasise, whereas SCC are usually more aggressive. It is likely that the angiogenic process plays a key role in determining rate of growth and propensity for dissemination. Angiogenesis is a complex process requiring many factors and a pivotal group of proteins involved in this process is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).Methods:  Immunohistochemical expression of VEGF was assessed in 44 cases of BCC and 41 cases of cutaneous SCC from the head and neck region.Results:  VEGF was expressed by blood vessel endothelial cells in both adjacent skin and tumour, and in the basal keratinocyte layer of epidermis. In BCC, VEGF was expressed by tumour epithelial cells, predominantly at the invasive tumour front, in 24/44 cases and its expression was significantly greater than in adjacent skin (p = 0.038). More widespread VEGF expression was found in 32/41 cases of SCC, and it was significantly associated with the degree of tumour differentiation (p < 0.001).Conclusions:  The patterns of VEGF expression in BCC and SCC may help to explain the different behaviour that is usually seen with these tumours.
The Impact of Financial Incentives on Physician Productivity in Medical Groups
Authors: Conrad Douglas A. , Sales Anne , Liang Su‐Ying , Chaudhuri Anoshua , Maynard Charles , Pieper Lisa , Weinstein Laurel , Gans David , Piland Neill 
Published: March 2003

Objective. To estimate the effect of financial incentives in medical groups—both at the level of individual physician and collectively—on individual physician productivity.Data Sources/Study Setting. Secondary data from 1997 on individual physician and group characteristics from two surveys: Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) Physician Compensation and Production Survey and the Cost Survey; Area Resource File data on market characteristics, and various sources of state regulatory data.Study Design. Cross‐sectional estimation of individual physician production function models, using ordinary least squares and two‐stage least squares regression.Data Collection. Data from respondents completing all items required for the two stages of production function estimation on both MGMA surveys (with RBRVS units as production measure: 102 groups, 2,237 physicians; and with charges as the production measure: 383 groups, 6,129 physicians). The 102 groups with complete data represent 1.8 percent of the 5,725 MGMA member groups.Principal Findings. Individual production‐based physician compensation leads to increased productivity, as expected (elasticity=.07, p<.05). The productivity effects of compensation methods based on equal shares of group net income and incentive bonuses are significantly positive (p<.05) and smaller in magnitude. The group‐levelfinancial incentive does not appear to be significantly related to physician productivity.Conclusions. Individual physician incentives based on own production do increase physician productivity.
Laboratory diagnosis of heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia: advantages of a functional flow cytometric test in comparison to the heparin‐induced platelet‐activation test
Authors: Poley Susanne , Mempel Wolfgang 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Nearly one third of patients with heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) will progress to overt thrombosis. Owing to the severity of HIT, a reliable prompt diagnosis is mandatory. In this study 248 consecutive samples from patients referred to our laboratory for HIT diagnosis and 97 specimens from normal controls were prospectively evaluated in parallel using the heparin‐induced platelet aggregation (HIPA) test and a flow cytometric (FC) test. The HIPA test resulted in 214 negative, 17 indeterminate and 17 positive samples of patients. The FC method detects activated platelets induced by heparin‐immune complexes using the highly sensitive recombinant probe annexin V and pooled platelets from multiple donors. The criteria for positive FC test results included an increase in platelet activiation of at least 11% at 0.3 IU/mL heparin concentration in the tube, and a ratio of more than 1.5 between platelet activation at 0.3 and 200 IU/mL heparin. According to the cut‐off level 17 patients who showed indeteminate HIPA test results had 14 negative and 3 indeterminate corresponding FC test results. Only one of these patients (HIPA test indeterminate, FC test indeterminate) had no other obvious medical cause for thrombocytopenia than HIT. Infections or inflammations did not show any association with the FC test results, whereas thromboembolic events displayed a significant patelet activation at pharmacological heparin concentration. Therefore the FC test is associated to the complications of HIT.In conclusion, the FC test, which is fast and practical, showed a good agreement with the HIPA test and may be an accurate and useful test for HIT.
A case of multicentric Castleman's disease demonstrating severe eosinophilia and enhanced production of interleukin‐5
Authors: Ishii Taeko , Tatekawa Toyoshi , Koseto Masahiro , Ishii Masaru , Kobayashi Hideyuki , Koike Masato , Fujii Takashi , Saeki Yukihiko 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Introduction: Castleman's disease (CD), idiopathic lymph‐node hyperplasia, is a heterogeneous disease of unknown origin. Although the pathophysiology is yet to be elucidated, interleukin (IL)‐6 produced by swollen lymph nodes has been reported to play a crucial role in CD.Case report: This report presents a case of a 37‐yr‐old man with CD showing marked elevation of IL‐6, hypereosinophilia, and also IL‐5 elevation. To date, IL‐5 has not been reported to influence CD. However, because in this case the serum concentration of IL‐5 produced from swollen lymph nodes paralleled the general symptoms, IL‐5, in addition to IL‐6, may have played an important role in the disease.Discussion: Although in CD the serum IL‐5 level is generally within the normal range, mild eosinophilia is a common complication of the disease. This case indicates that IL‐5 can also influence eosinophilia. Taken together, this suggests that there may be a more general association between local production of IL‐5 and the pathology of CD.
Antitrophoblast cell‐mediated immunity and anticardiolipin autoantibodies in repeatedly aborting women
Authors: Madar J. , Sula K. , Chaloupkova A. , Peknicova J. , Novakova D. 
Published: March 2003

This presentation is focused on immunopathological mechanisms involved in habitual miscarriage, namely on the anti‐trophoblast cell mediated immunity and circulating anti‐cardiolipin autoantibodies.PATIENTS:  A group of habitually aborting women (three or more subsequent first‐trimester miscarriages, n = 216) was compared with two control groups – nulliparous women (n = 74) and ‘fertile’ women (n = 32) with at least one physiological pregnancy and no miscarriage in their personal history.METHODS:  Cell‐mediated antitrophoblast immunity (AT‐CMI) was measured by the inhibition of migration of circulating leukocytes in the presence of antigen (choriocarcinoma cells JAR). Anticardiolipin autoantibodies (ACLA) of IgG and IgM types as well as serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) were determined using commercial diagnostic sets.RESULTS:  AT‐CMI and ACLA‐IgG titres were significantly increased in habitually aborting women in comparison with both control groups. The elevation of AT‐CMI in fertile women as compared with nulliparae was not significant. Serum levels of total IgA, IgG and IgM immunoglobulins did not differ significantly.CONCLUSIONS:  Our results indicate that the elevation of antitrophoblast immunity often accompa‐ nies habitual first‐trimester aborts. Anticardiolipin autoantibodies are also elevated in aborting women.
Measurement of peripheral natural killer cells at the time of spontaneous abortions
Authors: Paparistidis N. , Chioti A. , Papadopoulou C. , Tsekoura C. , Genas V. , Graphou O. , Balafoutas C. , Alafaki‐Tzannatou C. , Varla‐Leftherioti M. 
Published: March 2003

Increased peripheral NK cells in aborting women are considered as a predictor of immunological miscarriages. Here, we investigated the diagnostic value of the NK count at the time of abortion.Peripheral NK cells were counted by flow cytometry in 44 women undergoing therapeutic termination of first trimester missed pregnancy (A = 24) or elective abortion (B = 20). Histology of the extracted material was performed and immunological lesions (villitis, intervillositis, vascular thrombosis, increased fibrinoid necrosis) were recorded. Twenty first trimester pregnant women (C1) and 20 nonpregnant women (C2) served as controls. In 20 women of groups A and B (A1 = 10, B2 = 10) count was repeated after 5 days.At abortion time, the NK percentage and number did not differ between groups A and B (18.18%, 360 versus 15.61%, 374), but there was a statistically significant difference between A and C1 (18.18% versus 13.6%, P < 0.03). When histology negative (11) and positive (8) cases were excluded from groups A and B, respectively, NKs were slightly higher in group A (18.18–19.76%) and significantly lower in B (15.61–13.07%, P < 0.05). At the time of second count, aborters' NKs decreased (A1 = 16.64 versus 13.6 and 10.6 in groups C1 and C2 –P = 0.01, respectively). In group B, NK percentage was equal to that of nonpregnant women (10.94 versus 10.6).At the time of abortions, NKs increase only in cases of immune‐mediated miscarriages. Their – in time – count may contribute to the diagnosis of immmunological abortions.
Extracellular matrix proteins dependent apoptosis of T Cells in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion
Authors: Jerzak Magorzata , Górski Andrzej , Semczuk Marian , Kasprzycka Monika 
Published: March 2003

INTRODUCTION:  The purpose of the study was to determine the role of T cell apoptosis in ECM environment in pregnancy maintenance in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Thirty nonpreg‐ nant women with the history of RSA and 10 normal healthy women with the previous successful pregnancy outcome were studied. In addition, 15 pregnant women with the history of RSA were studied. We studied apoptosis of peripheral blood T cells after culture with mAb OKT‐3 alone and with mAb OKT‐3 and the following ECM: fibronectin and collagen IV. We used Cell Death Detection ELISA. In addition, apoptotic peripheral blood T cells were identified by annexin V‐PE staining protocol using flow cytometry. CD29, CD95 T cells' surface receptors were studied.RESULTS:  The highest values of enrichment factor: mU of the sample (dying/dead cells) per mU of the corresponding control (viable cells) were observed after peripheral T cells' culture with fibronectin or collagen IV in samples of women with the history of RSA. However, percentage of apoptotic T cells stained by annexin V was significantly lower in RSA women compared to control (P < 0.05). CD95 expression was significantly lower in RSA women compared to control (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:  Apoptosis of activated cytotoxic T cells might be an interesting possible explanation of successful pregnancy outcome in women with the history of RSA.
Immunogenetic determinants in recurrent miscarriage – evidence from genetic‐epidemiological research
Authors: Christiansen Ole B. 
Published: March 2003

Immunological disturbances probably play a major role in the etiology of recurrent miscarriage (RM) – however, a detailed insight in the immunological processes going on is difficult because the most important interactions take place locally in the uterus during pregnancy at the feto–maternal interface. The study of the role of the impact of polymorphic immunogenetic determinants in RM has advantages compared to the study of humoral or cellular immunological factors locally or systemically: genetic polymorphisms can be determined unambiguously using DNA technology, polymorphisms associated with RM are expected to influence immunological processes also locally in the uterus and the finding of an increased prevalence of specific immunogenetic polymorphisms in RM cannot be deduced as a result of RM but may be a cause of the syndrome.We have investigated polymorphisms in the genes coding for HLA‐DR, HLA‐DQ, HLA‐G and mannan‐binding lectin (MBL) in patients with RM and in controls and investigated the impact of RM‐associated polymorphisms on the outcome of future pregnancies. Furthermore, we have investigated the impact of the gender of the first child on future pregnancy outcome in patients with secondary RM.The case–control studies and the prospective studies provide evidence that specific maternal class II HLA alleles or genotypes, specific combinations of HLA‐G alleles in the RM couples, genes coding for low MBL concentrations and male‐specific minor histocompatibility antigens (HY‐antigens) play a role in the pathogenesis of RM.
IL‐1 Activity is Expressed Differently During Pregnancy in the Rat Uterine Artery than in Aortic or Uterine Tissues
Authors: Huleihel Mahmoud , Leiberman Joseph R. , Yohay David , Holcberg Gershon , Katz Miriam , Mazor Moshe 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: Uterine artery was shown to be unique in its capacity to change in size and function during pregnancy. As interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) was shown to be involved in reproduction processes, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of IL‐1 activity of the uterine artery tissue in pregnant rat.METHOD OF STUDY: Nine virgins and nine midpregnant rats were selected. Both uterine arteries were obtained, together with reference tissues from aorta and uterus. The levels of IL‐1 were examined in the above tissues after culturing with media alone (control; CT), and media that contained stimulants like tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IL‐1‐like activity was evaluated by its capacity to promote the culture growth of 1A‐5 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte derived (CTLD) cell lines. This activity was expressed as optical density (OD)/mg protein of the examined organ.RESULTS: Uterine artery tissue, of pregnant rats, cultured in medium alone produced significantly higher levels of IL‐1 than uterine artery of virgin animals under the same conditions (16.2 S.E. 1.3 versus 0.6 S.E. 0.05 OD/mg protein, respectively; P < 0.02). Stimulation of uterine artery in vitro by LPS and TNF increased their capacity to secrete IL‐1. In comparison with uterine artery, aorta produced higher levels of IL‐1 in virgin rats compared with pregnant rats (13.6 S.E. 1.2 versus 1.6 S.E. 0.1; P < 0.02). Stimulation of aorta tissues (from both virgin and pregnant rats) with LPS, in vitro, significantly decreased their capacity to secrete IL‐1 (P < 0.04). Stimulation of aorta tissues from virgin rats with TNF‐α, in vitro, did not change their capacity to secrete IL‐1 activity. However, stimulation of aorta tissues from pregnant rats with TNF‐α decreased the secretion of bioactive IL‐1. The levels of IL‐1 produced by uterine tissues from virgin and pregnant rats were similar, and stimulation with either LPS or TNF‐α significantly decreased their capacity to secrete IL‐1 (P < 0.04).CONCLUSIONS: The high level of IL‐1 activity detected during pregnancy in the uterine artery may suggest its unique involvement in the changes occurring throughout pregnancy in those blood vessels.
Uterine Chemokines in Reproductive Physiology and Pathology
Authors: KAYISLI UMIT A. , MAHUTTE NEAL G. , ARICI AYDIN 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: Chemokines are increasingly recognized as important regulators of uterine function.METHODS OF STUDY: The following is a review of uterine chemokines, especially monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)‐1, interleukin (IL)‐8, and regulated‐upon‐activation normal‐T‐cell‐expressed and ‐secreted (RANTES) protein, in reproductive physiology and pathology.RESULTS: It is increasingly clear that IL‐8, MCP‐1, RANTES and their receptors are produced by endometrial, myometrial, and trophoblast cell types in a timed and co‐ordinated manner. In addition to the regulation of leukocyte migration and function, uterine chemokines also display specific roles in endometrial angiogenesis, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. IL‐8, MCP‐1 and RANTES are regulated by local growth factors and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interferon‐γ, and IL‐1. IL‐8 takes part in cervical ripening and parturition. IL‐8, MCP‐1 and RANTES are also found at high levels in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis.CONCLUSION: Co‐ordination of chemokine–chemokine receptor interactions plays an important role in the menstrual cycle and successful pregnancy. Moreover, unbalanced chemokine expression contributes to pathologic conditions typified by uncontrolled cellular proliferation, migration and invasion.
Preeclampsia: A Multifactorial Disease Resulting from the Interaction of the Feto‐maternal HLA Genotype and HCMV Infection
Authors: CARREIRAS M. , MONTAGNANI S. , LAYRISSE Z. 
Published: March 2003

PROBLEM: To clarify the possible influence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mother–child genotypes and human cytomegalo virus (HCMV) presence on the development of preeclampsia.METHODS OF STUDY: One hundred and four DNA samples from mothers with preeclampsia, mothers with a normal history of pregnancies and their neonates were tested by polymerase chain reaction–sequence specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR–SSOP) for HLA‐A, ‐G, ‐DRB1, ‐DQA1, ‐DQB1 alleles. The HCMV sequences were analyzed using a PCR–SSOP method and the four primers described by Chou (Chou S: J Clin Microb 1992; 30:2307–2310).RESULTS: Compared with their respective controls, a significant increase of DRB1*07 among neonates (Pc=0.05) and of DRB1*07 and/or DRB1*06 among pre‐eclamptic mothers (Pc=0.003, RR=8,5) was found. When HCMV sequences were detected in pre‐eclamptic mothers carrying those phenotypes the RR increased up to 40. Furthermore, the fetal inheritance of a maternal HLA‐G*0104 increased the risk for the appearance of the disease (RR=30; P=0.025).CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the presence of alleles HLA‐G*0104, DRB1*07/06, HCMV sequences and the fetal inheritance of maternal G*0104, should be considered as conditioning factors for the development of preeclampsia.