bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Promoter analysis of a light‐regulated gene encoding hydroxypyruvate reductase, an enzyme of the photorespiratory glycolate pathway
Authors: Sloan James S. , Schwartz Brian W. , Becker Wayne M. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryHydroxypyruvate reductase (HPR) is a peroxisomal enzyme that catalyzes the NADH‐dependent reduction of hydroxypyruvate to glycerate in the photorespiratory glycolate pathway. HPR gene expression in cucumber seedlings is organ‐specific and light‐regulated. A 5.7 kb fragment of cucumber genomic DNA containing the entire HPR‐encoding gene, hpr‐A, plus 1069 bp OF 5′ flanking sequence was introduced into tobacco, as was a construct consisting of the upstream region (positions ‐ 1069 to +43) of the hpr‐A gene fused to the ß‐glucoronidase (GUS) reporter gene. Both constructs were expressed in the transgenic plants in an organspecific and light‐dependent manner. A deletion analysis of the 5’flanking sequence of the hpr‐A gene was conducted in transgenic tobacco. A construct in which the 5′‐flanking region had been deleted to within 299 bases of the transcription start site was sufficient to confer a high level of light‐regulated expression on the hpr‐A gene in the transgenic plants. However, deletion to position ‐218 resulted in a substantial reduction in expression. The region between positions ‐299 and ‐218 contains sequences resembling the 1 box and G box elements that are associated with other light‐regulated genes.
Evaluation of home allergen sampling devices
Authors: Sercombe J. K. , Liu‐Brennan D. , Garcia M. L. , Tovey E. R. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Simple, inexpensive methods of sampling from allergen reservoirs are necessary for large‐scale studies or low‐cost householder‐operated allergen measurement.Methods:  We tested two commercial devices: the Indoor Biotechnologies Mitest Dust Collector and the Dräger Bio‐Check Allergen Control; two devices of our own design: the Electrostatic Cloth Sampler (ECS) and the Press Tape Sampler (PTS); and a Vacuum Sampler as used in many allergen studies (our Reference Method). Devices were used to collect dust mite allergen samples from 16 domestic carpets. Results were examined for correlations between the sampling methods.Results:  With mite allergen concentration expressed as μg/g, the Mitest, the ECS and the PTS correlated with the Reference Method but not with each other. When mite allergen concentration was expressed as μg/m2 the Mitest and the ECS correlated with the Reference Method but the PTS did not. In the high allergen conditions of this study, the Dräger Bio‐Check did not relate to any methods.Conclusions:  The Mitest Dust Collector, the ECS and the PTS show performance consistent with the Reference Method. Many techniques can be used to collect dust mite allergen samples. More investigation is needed to prove any method as superior for estimating allergen exposure.
Secretoneurin is released into human airways by topical histamine but not capsaicin
Authors: Korsgren M. , Fischer‐Colbrie R. , Andersson M. , Coman W. B. , Mackay‐Sim A. , Persson C. G. , Sundler F. , Wallwork B. , Greiff L. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  The neuropeptide secretoneurin, with potential relevance to leukocyte trafficking, is present in nerves of the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis and may be released in response to allergen and histamine exposure. There is no information on the occurrence and mechanisms of release of secretoneurin in healthy human airways.Methods:  The presence of secretoneurin in nasal biopsies and its release in response to nasal capsaicin and histamine challenges were examined. Symptoms and lavage fluid levels of fucose were recorded as markers of effects in part produced by neural activity. Bronchial histamine challenges followed by sputum induction and analysis of secretoneurin were also carried out.Results:  Nerves displaying secretoneurin immunoreactivity abounded in the nasal mucosa. Nasal capsaicin challenge produced local pain (P < 0.05) and increased the levels of fucose (P < 0.05), but failed to affect the levels of secretoneurin. Nasal histamine challenge produced symptoms (P < 0.05) and increased the mucosal output of secretoneurin (P < 0.05) and fucose (P < 0.05). Bronchial histamine challenge increased the sputum levels of secretoneurin (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  We conclude that secretoneurin is present in healthy human airways and that histamine evokes its release in both nasal and bronchial mucosae. The present observations support the possibility that secretoneurin is involved in histamine‐dependent responses of the human airway mucosa.
Role of duplex Doppler and power Doppler sonography in transplanted kidneys with acute renal parenchymal dysfunction
Authors: Datta R , Sandhu M , Saxena AK , Sud K , Minz M , Suri S 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe limited work published on the comparison of power Doppler sonography (PDS) and duplex Doppler sonography (DDS) in the assessment of acute renal allograft dysfunction has shown contradictory results. We compared the role of DDS and PDS in renal transplant recipients developing acute renal parenchymal dysfunction and correlated these findings with kidney biopsy, which was taken as the gold standard. Thirty post‐renal transplant patients with acute graft dysfunction underwent Doppler sonography, DDS and PDS using an HDI 5000 ATL machine. Patients who developed graft dysfunction as a result of vascular, obstructive or other non‐parenchymal causes were excluded. All patients underwent an allograft biopsy within 72 h of the sonography. Based on the biopsy findings, 24 patients were categorized as having acute rejection, and six patients as having no rejection. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DDS for evaluation of graft dysfunction were 54.17, 33.33, and 50.00%, respectively, and that for PDS were superior with 87.50, 33.30, and 76.67%, respectively. The low specificity can be partially attributed to the small number of cases without rejection in our study population. We conclude that PDS is superior to DDS in screening patients with acute parenchymal renal dysfunction post‐transplant. However, a normal PDS examination does not exclude the presence of acute rejection. Power Doppler sonography is a useful screening test for diagnosing acute rejection but a renal allograft biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of this condition.
Predictors of a positive baseline bone scan in breast cancer
Authors: Ho YY , Chan Y‐H 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe aim of this retrospective study was to determine the predictors of a positive bone scan in female patients with breast carcinoma. The participants were 126 females with newly diagnosed breast carcinoma and a baseline bone scan. Patients who had started treatment before their bone scan were excluded. Bone scans were assessed as ‘no metastases’ or ‘definite skeletal metastases’ without knowledge of the patient's predictor variables. Those with ‘possible metastases’ were correlated with other available imaging and clinical information, and recategorized as ‘no metastases’ or ‘definite skeletal metastases’. Results were compared with predictor variables. Significant predictors were increasing age, a higher histopathological grading and positive progesterone receptor status following a forward‐stepwise logistic regression analysis. Axillary nodal status, tumour size and oestrogen receptor status did not correlate with a positive bone scan. Not every patient needs a staging bone scan. This study is important because it predicts the need for baseline scintigraphy for specific patients in whom skeletal metastases are more likely to be present or to develop. The findings are particularly valuable in times of worldwide resource scarcity and evolving surgical practice.
Bilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous
Authors: Sanghvi DA , Sanghvi CA , Purandare NC 
Published: February 2005

SummaryWe report a case of bilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) in a 5‐month‐old infant who presented with bilateral leukokoria. The child was referred for occular ultrasound with a clinical suspicion of retinoblastoma. Grey‐scale evaluation revealed an echogenic band in the posterior segment of the left globe extending from the posterior surface of the lens capsule to the optic disc. Doppler examination revealed the presence of blood flow in the band. Ultrasound assessment of the contralateral globe showed an elevated mass of echogenic tissue in the posterior segment, in contact with the optic disc. Most cases of PHPV are sporadic and unilateral. Bilateral PHPV is rare. In a study by Pollard of 83 cases, only two patients (2.4%) had bilateral PHPV. The imaging features in this case point toward the diagnosis of bilateral PHPV. We suggest that this entity, although rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis while evaluating bilateral leukokoria.
Cardiovascular autonomic control in endurance‐trained and sedentary young women
Authors: Middleton N. , De Vito G. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThis study aimed to investigate whether endurance‐trained (ET) female athletes demonstrate differences in cardiovascular autonomic control compared with sedentary controls. Eighteen healthy eumenorrhoeic subjects, nine trained (22·4 ± 3 years) and nine sedentary (21·0 ± 1 years), volunteered for the study. Heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiovagal baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) measures were adopted to assess cardiac autonomic control. HRV was recorded for 30 min under both controlled (0·25 Hz) and spontaneous breathing conditions. Cardiovagal BRS was assessed using the Valsalva manoeuvre. Analysis of the HRV showed a longer R‐R interval (1089 ± 114 ms versus 865 ± 100 ms; P<0·001) in the trained subject but only in the spontaneous breathing condition. Conversely, athletes exhibited higher normalized low frequency (LFnu, 44·2 ± 8·5% versus 29·5 ± 6·8%; P<0·001) and lower normalized high frequency (HFnu, 55·8 ± 8·5% versus 69·9 ± 7·7%; P<0·01) only during the controlled breathing condition, consequently the LF/HF ratio was also higher in the trained group in the same condition (0·83 ± 0·3 versus 0·47 ± 0·1, P<0·01). BRS was significantly lower in the ET group (7·95 ± 4·0 ms mmHg−1 versus 13·00 ± 4·4 ms mmHg−1, P<0·05). Further studies are necessary to elucidate the potential role of training and altered hormonal profile in the genesis of the observed differences in cardiovascular autonomic control between highly trained and sedentary control female subjects.
Impaired microvascular function related to poor metabolic control in young patients with diabetes
Authors: Golster Helena , Hyllienmark Lars , Ledin Torbjörn , Ludvigsson Johnny , Sjöberg Folke 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe purpose of the present study was to identify whether young patients with type 1 diabetes using modern multiple insulin injection therapy (MIT) have signs of microvascular dysfunction and to elucidate possible correlations with various disease parameters. Skin blood flow on the dorsum of the foot was measured with laser Doppler perfusion imaging in 37 patients (age 10–21 years, disease duration 6·0–16 years) and 10 healthy controls. Measurements were performed at rest, after change in posture (the leg was lowered below heart level) and during postocclusive hyperaemia. Following a change in posture blood flow increased instead of decreased in a majority of the study subjects. Patients with acute HbA1c >7·5% (n = 22) had an increase in skin blood flow at rest and a significantly reduced blood flow when the leg was lowered below heart level as compared with patients with HbA1c <7·5% (0·26 V versus 0·17 V, P<0·01 and 0·12 V versus 0·23 V, P<0·05, respectively) and healthy controls. Following occlusion of the macrocirculation for 3 min a small non‐significant decrease in the hyperaemic response was seen in the patients. The postocclusive hyperaemic response and the venoarteriolar reflex were not correlated to duration of disease, long‐term metabolic control or electrophysiological signs of peripheral nerve dysfunction. It is concluded that signs of microvascular dysfunction related to poor metabolic control are present in young patients with MIT treatment and rather well‐controlled diabetes. Low resting blood flow levels are suggested to contribute to the absence of postural vasoconstrictor response.
Heart rate variability in young patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy subjects explored by Poincaré and sequence plots
Authors: Javorka Michal , Javorková Jana , Tonhajzerová Ingrid , Calkovska Andrea , Javorka Kamil 
Published: February 2005

SummaryAutonomic neuropathy is a common complication of the diabetes mellitus (DM). The significance of its early diagnosis is very high because the mortality of the patients with this complication is elevated. Considering the effort to apply new mathematical methods to cardiac dysregulation diagnosis, the major aim of the study was to ascertain which of the new heart rate variability (HRV) parameters are different in young patients with DM type 1 compared with control group. The next aim was to assess the HRV changes during prolonged (40 min) supine rest. The heart rate was continuously recorded during supine rest in 17 young patients with DM type 1 (10 women, 7 men) aged 22·4 ± 1·0 years (mean ± SEM). The control group consisted of 17 healthy matched probands. The HRV (time/frequency domains, Poincaré and sequence plots, sample entropy) was analysed in two intervals – T1 starting at fifth minute and T2 starting at 30th minute of supine rest. The major results of our study are: the reduced Poincaré plot pattern measures in the young DM group; the lower percentage of points in the third quadrant of sequence plot (this parameter was not correlated with the mean heart rate) and significant changes in HRV during supine rest in DM group (in contrast to control subjects). In conclusion, HRV parameters based on nonlinear dynamics were able to distinguish cardiac dysregulation in young patients with DM from the control group. The percentage of points in the third quadrant of sequence plot provides information that is not dependent on mean heart rate. Poincaré and sequence plots, together with the rate of HRV changes during supine rest, can provide clinically relevant information usable in diagnosis of the cardiac dysregulation.
34 Chronic Immunoadsorption/Plasma Exchange in Patients With Recurrence of Focal Segmental Glomerular Sclerosis After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Ponikvar R , Kandus A , Bren A , Buturović‐Ponikvar J 
Published: February 2005

Background  Recurrence of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) in a transplanted kidney can lead to graft failure. Membrane plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption (IA) have been reported to be sometimes successful in preventing of FSGS recurrence in transplanted kidneys. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of chronic PE/IA on graft function in two transplanted patients with recurrence of FSGS in transplanted kidney.Methods  A man, 45 years old, with biopsy proven FSGS in native kidneys was transplanted in January 2001. Soon after transplantation, recurrence of FSGS in transplanted kidney was observed and therefore several cycles of IA therapy were performed after transplantation. Since August 2001 he began chronic IA therapy every 3 weeks. Fresenius‐Excorim membrane plasma exchange monitor with PF 2000 plasmafilter, (Gambro), has been used. One volume of plasma was exchanged per PE. Vascular access was by AV fistula.A woman, 42 years old, with biopsy proven FSGS in native kidneys was transplanted in December 1998. Because of recurrence of FSGS in transplanted kidney she began (after several cycles of IA) with chronic IA in August 2001. Fresenius‐Excorim immunoadsorption monitor was used. One to 2 plasma volumes have been processed per session, and vascular access was by AV fistula.Results  Daily proteinuria in the man decreased from 2.27 g in 2001 to 1.13 g in 2004 (50.2% decrease) and serum creatinine increased from 118 µmol/L to 130 µmol/L (9.2% increase).Daily proteinuria in the woman decreased from 3.89 g in 2001 to 2.0 g in 2004 (48% decrease) and serum creatinine increased from 96 µmol/L to 109 µmol/L (12% increase). PE/IA therapy was otherwise uneventful.Conclusions  Chronic PE/IA therapy stabilized renal graft function and substantially diminished daily proteinuria. The man lived with kidney graft for more than 3.5 years and woman more than 5.5 years after recurrence of FSGS occurred.
40 Does Mycophenolate Mofetil Increase the Incidence of Cytomegalovirus Disease Compared To Azathioprine After Cadaveric Kidney Transplantation?
Authors: Bubić‐Filipi L , Bašić‐Jukić N , Puretić Z , Barišić I , Šmalcelj R , Pasini J , Kes P 
Published: February 2005

Although most published papers had not found an increase in the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease with the use of mycophenolate mophetil (MMF) in kidney transplant patients, we had the feeling from our everyday practice that after its introduction, the number of patients with the CMV disease increased. In order to test this hypothesis, we performed retrospective analysis of our database, comparing the incidence of CMV disease in patients treated with azathioprine (AZA) and patients treated with MMF. Cytomegalovirus disease was defined as CMV antigenemia (positive CMV pp65 determined by ELISA test) plus any of following: decreased leucocytes or thrombocytes, increased transaminases, or an increase in serum creatinine.The azathioprine treatred group (AZA group) included 280 patients (132 female) treated for a total of 17,672 months with AZA + Cyclosporine A (CyA) + steroid, or AZA + steroid, while the MMF group included 219 patients (112 female) treated for a total 5079 months with MMF + CyA + steroid, or MMF + steroid. There was no difference in acute rejection episodes between the AZA and the MMF groups. The AZA group had 51 CMV disease episodes (1 episode per 346.5 treatment months), and the MMF group experienced 43 epizodes (1 per 118.1 months) (P < 0.01). Mean onset of the CMV disease was 32.65 ± 47.69 months (SD) after transplantation in the AZA group, and 3.72 ± 4.43 in the MMF group. There was no difference between two treatment groups regarding the donor–recipient CMV status mismatch. Despite having the increased incidence of CMV disease, the MMF group had less severe disease compared to the AZA group with decrease in leucocyte count in 11.6% vs 15.7% of episodes, decrease in thrombocyte count in 20.9% vs 21.6%, elevation of transaminases in 18.6% vs 29.4% respectively, and finally increase in serum creatinine greater than 20% in 51.2% in the MMF vs 74.5% in the AZA group. Five patients from the AZA group experienced CMV pneumonitis with the mortality rate of 80%. Only one patient from the MMF group had CMV pneumonitis, and he survived.According to our results, patients treated with MMF have an increased risk for development of the CMV disease. However, the disease course is less severe, and less frequently accompanied with the decrease in renal function in comparison to the AZA group.
44 Infection with Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C Viruses in Patients with Renal Transplants in Slovenia
Authors: Kovač J , Kandus A , Bren A F , Levičnik S 
Published: February 2005

In 214 patients (pts; 89 female and 125 male; mean age 47.9 ± 10.6 years, 1SD) with functioning renal transplants and transplanted between January 2000 and August 2004, results of serologic markers of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been revised. Serologic markers were checked routinely at transplantation and 3 and 12 months after transplantation.Results  (see Table A44)

Patients with positive results of serologic markers of infection with HBV and HCV

Antigene‐HBs Positive
2 (1)

Antigene‐HBs Negative

Antibodies against‐HBc Positive
13 (9)

Antibodies against‐HBe Positive
1 (1)

Antibodies against HCV Positive
5 (5)

Number in brackets represents patients who were already positive before transplantation (N = 214).

HBV infection  One patient whose antigene‐HBs were negative at transplantation has been most probably infected via transfusion of packed red cells during the first year after transplantation. Both antigene‐HBs positive patients are now under supervision of an infectologist and treated with lamivudine. In one of them viremia has already ceased. In four of 13 patients with positive antibodies against antigene‐HBc it is not known, whether they had been in contact with HBV before transplantation or not. It is possible that in one patient infection was transmitted from a donor who had antibodies against antigene‐HBc positive.Infection with HCV  Five patients with positive antibodies against‐HCV had already been infected before transplantation. Two patients had been treated with interferon before transplantation. They are both not viremic at present. In all five patients, chronic hepatitis was confirmed histopathologicaly before transplantation but liver biopsies have not been repeated later.In our group there are no patients infected with both viruses and no Delta antigene positive patients.Conclusions

Regular testing of serologic markers of viral hepatitis enables early recognition of infection with HBV or HCV in patients with renal transplants.
It is possible to transmit HBV infection with renal transplants from donors positive for antibodies against antigene‐HBc.
In all patients with any positive result of serologic markers of HBV or HCV infection (except antibodies against HBs antigene) viremia should be repeatedly excluded.
Activity of viral hepatitis after renal transplantation should be histopathologicaly assessed in all HBV or HCV positive patients.
49 Mutation Screening in Patients with Vesico‐Ureteric Reflux
Authors: Zagradišnik B , Bračič K , Varda N Marčun , Vokač N Kokalj , Gregorič A 
Published: February 2005

Objectives  Primary vesico‐ureteric reflux (VUR) is a very common anomaly of urogenital tract which makes affected children susceptible to repeated, severe urinary tract infections and possible subsequent permanent damage to the kidney function. The reflux is of genetic origin in most children but no candidate genes have been identified as yet. Studies on knock‐out mice with VUR phenotype have put forward the uroplakin genes (UPK1a, UPK1b, UPK2 UPK3) and the AGTR2 (angiotensin II type 2 receptor) gene as candidate genes for reflux in humans. Also, a recent genome wide linkage study detected several loci with significant LOD scores linked to VUR which included a locus for the uroplakin 1b gene. This study reports the results from screening of the coding regions of genes AGTR2, UPK1b and UPK3 in patients with primary vesico‐ureteric reflux.Design and methods  The sample of 85 patients diagnosed with VUR was included in the study. Sequence variation screening in coding regions of the UPK1B gene was performed with the heteroduplex analysis followed by sequencing.Results  No sequence variations were found in the coding exon 3 of the gene AGTR2 and only polymorphisms were present in the coding region of the gene UPK3. A sequence variation changing asparagin to aspartatic acid at the codon 137 (N137D) in exon 5 of the UPK1b gene was detected in 4.7% of patients with VUR and in 0.83% of controls (OR = 5.87, 95% CI 1.54–22.33, P = 0.017).Conclusions  These results suggest that in our sample of patients the AGTR2 gene is not involved in the pathogenesis of reflux, they exclude the UPK3 gene as a candidate gene for VUR but they also associate the UPK1b gene with primary vesico‐ureteric reflux.