bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of DNA demethylation in normal and cancerous cell lines and the regulatory role of cell cycle proteins in human DNA demethylase activity
Authors: Vairapandi Mariappan 
Published: January 2004

AbstractDNA methylation/demethylation constitutes a major consequence in all biological processes involving transcription, differentiation, development, DNA repair, recombination, and chromosome organization. Our earlier studies established that demethylation of CpG rich sequence by human DNA demethylase activity (5‐methylcytosine‐DNA glycosylase (5MeC‐DNA glycosylase)) resembles “base excision DNA repair activity” and creates single‐strand breaks on DNA that is associated with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Here in this report, we have identified differential DNA demethylation targets (hemi‐methylated vs. fully‐methylated) in normal cell lines and cancerous cell lines, and a shortened G0/G1 resting time in cancerous cell lines than the normal cell lines. We have identified that in normal HFL1 fibroblast cell line, DNA demethylase activity targets hemi‐methylated CpG specific sites on DNA. This normal cell line DNA demethylase activity associates with PCNA immune complex that is inhibited by CDKI proteins p21waf1/Gadd45α and Gadd45β. While in cancerous LnCap and BT20 cell lines DNA demethylase activity targets fully‐methylated CpG specific sites on DNA. This cancer cell line DNA demethylase activity is not associated with PCNA immune complex and is not inhibited by CDKI proteins p21waf1/Gadd45α and Gadd45β. We have also identified that the fully‐methylated CpG specific DNA demethylase activity from cancerous cell lines to associate with p300/CBP protein. These significant observations of variable targets of DNA demethylation and alternate partner proteins for DNA demethylase activity in cancerous cell lines are discussed in terms of double‐strand DNA breaks versus single‐strand DNA breaks and their role in the exit of G1/G2 cell cycle stages. Also, the inability of cell cycle regulatory proteins like PCNA, p21waf1, and Gadd45 to control DNA demethylase activity in cancerous cell lines is discussed in terms of accelerated G1/G2 cell cycle stage exit to facilitate unregulated cellular proliferation, loss of control of chromosomal organization, and the development of oncogenesis in cancerous cell lines. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of finasteride on risk of prostate cancer: How little we really know
Authors: Rubin Mark A. , Kantoff Philip W. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) reported conclusively that finasteride prevents or delays the detection of prostate cancer. One perplexing finding was that more high‐grade tumors were detected in the finasteride treated group. It is hard to put this into perspective because of the limited published data on the effects of finasteride on prostate cancer. The strong possibility exists that the increase in high‐grade tumors may be due to a treatment effect, which causes intermediate grade cancers to appear to be high‐grade or aggressive tumors. Confirmation of a spurious tumor grade “inflation” will make the conclusions of this study clearer and define the benefits of finasteride chemoprevention in a more favorable light. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Caldesmon phosphorylation is catalyzed by two kinases in permeabilized and intact vascular smooth muscle
Authors: Gorenne Isabelle , Su Xiaoling , Moreland Robert S. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractSmooth muscle contraction is initiated by myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation catalyzed by the Ca2+ dependent MLC kinase. However, many aspects of smooth muscle contraction cannot be accounted for by MLC phosphorylation. One hypothesis that has received experimental support involves the thin filament protein caldesmon. Caldesmon inhibits myosin ATPase activity; phosphorylation of caldesmon relieves this inhibitory effect. The primary candidates for catalysis of caldesmon phosphorylation are the p42/p44 ERK MAP kinases. However, we and others have shown that inhibition of the ERK MAP kinases has no effect on many smooth muscles. The goal of this study was to determine if evidence for a second endogenous caldesmon kinase may be obtained. We used Triton X‐100 skinned and intact tissues of the swine carotid artery to address this goal. Caldesmon phosphorylation was evident in resting and Ca2+ stimulated Triton X‐100 skinned fibers. Ca2+‐dependent caldesmon phosphorylation was partially sensitive to the ERK MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059, whereas all caldesmon phosphorylation was sensitive to the general kinase inhibitor, staurosporine. Histamine increased caldesmon phosphorylation levels in intact swine carotid artery, which was sensitive to both PD98059 and staurosporine. Histamine increased ERK MAP kinase activity, which was reversed by PD98059, staurosporine, and EGTA. Histamine‐induced contractions were inhibited by staurosporine but not by PD98059. We interpret these results to suggest that although ERK MAP kinases catalyze caldesmon phosphorylation, a second staurosporine sensitive kinase is also important in caldesmon phosphorylation and it is this pathway that may be more important in contractile regulation. J. Cell. Physiol. 198: 461–469, 2004© 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subserous uterine adenomyosis mimicking an adnexal mass on sonography
Authors: La Fianza Alfredo , Abbati Daniela , Cesari Stefania , Morbini Patrizia 
Published: January 2004

AbstractUterine adenomyosis usually manifests as diffuse disease involving the myometrium and the endometrial‐myometrial junction, but it may also manifest as a focal lesion. It is usually only a few millimeters in diameter but may sometimes be larger. We report the case of a 32‐year‐old woman with a large isolated mass in the uterine wall. Transvaginal sonography demonstrated the cystic nature of the mass and its characteristic hemorrhagic pattern, whereas CT confirmed its uterine origin. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the mass, and pathologic examinations led to the diagnosis of adenomyosis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:95–97, 2004
Counterclockwise barber‐pole sign on prenatal three‐dimensional power Doppler sonography in a case of duodenal obstruction without intestinal malrotation
Authors: Hsu Chin‐Yuan , Chiba Yoshihide , Fukui On , Sasaki Yoshihito , Miyashita Susumu 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler sonographic imaging provides a 3D view of the blood vessels. This technique reportedly has advantages over other forms of sonography in visualizing normal and abnormal fetal vascular anatomy. We report the case of a 36‐year‐old pregnant woman in whom 3D power Doppler sonography with simultaneous gray‐scale imaging was performed at 32 weeks' gestational age to investigate an intestinal obstruction in the fetus that was suspected on the basis of 2‐dimensional sonographic findings. The 3D sonograms revealed that the superior mesenteric artery and vein of the fetus were wound counterclockwise, forming the “barber‐pole” sign. At 38 weeks' menstrual age, the female infant was delivered vaginally. Only duodenal atresia and annular pancreas, but not intestinal malrotation, were found postnatally. Surgical reconstruction of the duodenum was performed, with no major complications. Previous research suggests that the counterclockwise barber‐pole sign is a normal finding. On the basis of our case, we believe that this “negative finding” might be used to exclude the diagnosis of midgut volvulus, a condition that would be expected to cause these vessels to wrap around in a clockwise direction. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:86–90, 2004
Color Doppler sonographic signs of respiration‐dependent hepatofugal portal flow
Authors: Görg Christian , Seifart Ulf , Zugmaier Gerhard 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPurposeThe role of respiration in modulating blood flow in the portal vein is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenomenon of respiration‐dependent periodic hepatofugal portal venous blood flow as detected on color Doppler sonography.MethodsWithin 1 year, we identified 13 patients with respiration‐dependent reversal of blood flow in the portal vein that was diagnosed on color Doppler sonography. This phenomenon was investigated by color Doppler sonographic examination of the portal venous flow during both mid‐inspiration breath‐holding and a respiratory cycle including deep inspiration; evaluation of hepatic vein Doppler waveforms as normal (triphasic) or decreased (flattened); and echocardiographic examination to determine the presence or absence of tricuspid regurgitation.ResultsThe patients' median age was 53 years (range, 26–87 years). Seven of the 13 patients had heart disease (tricuspid regurgitation) with or without liver disease, 3 had liver disease without heart disease, and 3 had other diseases with no evidence of heart or liver disease. On Doppler sonography, 10 of the 13 patients had increased portal venous pulsatility (7 of the 10 had tricuspid regurgitation; the other 3 did not); the remaining 3 patients had neither increased pulsatility nor tricuspid regurgitation. Sonographic follow‐up within 4 weeks in 4 of the 13 patients revealed loss of the respiration‐dependent hepatofugal portal flow.ConclusionsRespiration‐dependent hepatofugal portal flow is a rare finding associated with periodic portal hypertension in patients with right heart insufficiency and liver disease. Its clinical significance is unclear. Among our patients, its occurrence was predominantly associated with an increased venous pulsatility index due to tricuspid regurgitation or venous outflow obstruction. Further study is needed to investigate whether periodic respiration‐dependent hepatofugal portal flow is predictive of the occurrence of continuous flow reversal. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:62–68, 2004
Asymmetric parasitic dicephalus conjoined twins
Authors: Esenkaya Semra , Gürbüz Birgül , Yaltı Serap 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIn this report, we describe the case of a 19‐year‐old primigravida pregnant woman who had been hospitalized for 2 days with bleeding and a diagnosis of imminent abortion. Sonographic examination revealed a single fetus of approximately 17 weeks' gestation that initially appeared normal except for a mass on its neck. Further evaluation of the mass identified it as an anencephalic fetal head that was joined to the body with deformed cervical vertebrae. We diagnosed asymmetric parasitic dicephalus conjoined twins. The parents elected to terminate the pregnancy. Labor was induced, and the patient delivered a 20‐cm, 208‐g male fetus. The fetus had 4 normal limbs and a normal abdomen. Both its heads had a cleft lip, and its spine was Ų shaped with closed spina bifida at the spinal union in the thoracolumbar area. The patterns of conjoined twins are infinitely varied, but they can be generally classified according to standardized terms based on the anatomic site of their union. Cases of conjoined twins occur so rarely that it is important to learn as much as possible from each case. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:102–105, 2004
Migration of an intrauterine contraceptive device to the ovary
Authors: Özdemir Hüseyin , Mahmutyazıcıoğlu Kamran , Tanrıverdi H. Alper , Gündoğdu Sadi , Savranlar Ahmet , Özer Tülay 
Published: January 2004

AbstractWe present the case of a 37‐year‐old woman with a history of 2 consecutive insertions of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) 3 years before she was referred to us for sonographic evaluation of lower abdominal pain. The first of the IUDs was presumed to have been expulsed spontaneously, and 3 months after insertion of the second device, the patient had begun experiencing lower abdominal pain. Medical treatment with antibiotics and spasmolytics had been unsuccessful. We performed transvaginal sonography, which revealed the presence of an IUD in the uterus and a 2‐cm linear metallic echogenic area in the left ovary, believed to represent another IUD. Anteroposterior radiography confirmed that there were 2 IUDs in the pelvis, and CT demonstrated 1 IUD in the uterus and another in the left ovary. The patient underwent laparoscopic removal of the ovarian IUD and was discharged in good condition. To our knowledge, this is the first report of migration of an IUD to the ovary detected on transvaginal sonography. We recommend consideration of this possibility during evaluation of women with unexplained chronic pelvic pain. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:91–94, 2004
Characteristic sonographic findings of Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland
Authors: Kim Jinna , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Park Cheong Soo , Choi Yoon‐Seok , Kim Young Ho , Choi Eun Chang 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to define the characteristic sonographic features of Warthin's tumors in the parotid gland, thus enhancing the ability to make a preoperative diagnosis of this disease process.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the sonograms of Warthin's tumors of the parotid gland that had been confirmed by histopathologic examination of surgically excised specimens from patients treated at our institution over a 2‐year period. We recorded the echogenicity, shape, margin, and internal structure of the tumors and categorized them into 2 groups on the basis of size (< 5 cm versus ≥ 5 cm in the largest diameter).ResultsEighteen patients (16 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 57 years (range, 29–82 years) were included in the analysis. One patient had 2 tumors (1 in each parotid gland); the other 17 patients each had only 1 tumor. Our review of the sonographic findings revealed that all 19 tumors were hypoechoic compared with the normal parenchyma of the affected parotid glands. Most of the tumors were ovoid, had well‐defined margins, and contained multiple irregular, small, sponge‐like anechoic areas. Tumors that were 5 cm or greater in diameter had a higher proportion of cystic content than smaller lesions had and in some cases were composed almost entirely of cystic material.ConclusionsOur evidence suggests that the sonographic appearance of a Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland is distinctive: a well‐defined round or ovoid hypoechoic mass containing microcystic anechoic areas. These sonographic features constitute useful criteria in the preoperative diagnosis of Warthin's tumor in the parotid gland, although sonographically guided fine‐needle aspiration biopsy may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:78–81, 2004
Sonographic diagnosis of placental teratoma
Authors: Ahmed Nadeem , Kale Vasudha , Thakkar Hemangini , Hanchate Vijay , Dhargalkar Prajakti 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPlacental teratomas are very rare, and the features that distinguish them on sonography and allow their differentiation from other placental tumors have not been fully described. Prenatal recognition of this tumor is prognostically useful because, unlike other neoplasms, placental teratoma is benign and almost never associated with congenital deformities in the fetus. We describe the case of a 27‐year‐old pregnant woman in whom prenatal color Doppler sonographic examination performed during early‐stage labor revealed a heterogeneous mass at the placental margin. This lesion, which measured 10 × 8 × 5 cm, had an echogenic focus consistent with calcification and hyperechoic foci consistent with fat. Placental teratoma and fetus acardius amorphus were considered in the differential diagnosis, but the segmental organization and umbilical cord–like structures that characterize the latter diagnosis were absent. The sonographic diagnosis, placental teratoma, was confirmed postnatally by histopathologic examination. The neonate, a healthy boy, was delivered vaginally at term. Although the presence of tissues of varied echogenicity, such as calcification, fat, and fluid, and the absence of both polarity and an umbilical cord–like structure support the sonographic diagnosis of placental teratoma, fetus acardius amorphus should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Histopathologic examination may be needed to establish a definitive diagnosis in such cases. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:98–101, 2004
Experience with focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) in 313 pediatric patients
Authors: Soudack Michalle , Epelman Monica , Maor Roni , Hayari Lili , Shoshani Gideon , Heyman‐Reiss Asnat , Michaelson Moshe , Gaitini Diana 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPurposeThe use of focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST), which detects free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis, for the assessment of blunt abdominal trauma is gaining acceptance worldwide and has been described extensively in the general medical literature. The precise application of this technique in pediatric patients, however, has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of FAST in pediatric trauma patients by comparing the results of this technique with those of CT and explorative laparotomy (ELAP).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records and sonographic examinations of pediatric patients who had sustained multiple traumatic injuries for which they were treated at our hospital during a 20‐month period. For all patients, FAST had been the initial screening examination for blunt abdominal trauma. We compared the FAST findings, which had been recorded as positive or negative, with the findings on CT or ELAP, which were considered definitive.ResultsA total of 313 patients (204 boys and 109 girls) with a mean age of 7.1 years were included in the study. The FAST finding had been negative in 274 patients, of whom 201 had had no clinical signs of abdominal injury and had been managed conservatively without complications. CT had been performed in 109 patients and ELAP in 11. FAST had yielded 3 false‐negative and 2 false‐positive results. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FAST were 92.5%, 97.2%, and 95.5%, respectively.ConclusionsFAST is an effective tool in screening pediatric trauma patients for blunt abdominal trauma. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:53–61, 2004
Characteristic imaging features of breast fibroadenomas in women given cyclosporin A after renal transplantation
Authors: Son Eun Ju , Oh Ki Keun , Kim Eun Kyung , Cho Nariya , Lee Jong Doo , Kim Se Hoon , Jung Woo Hee 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPurposeThis retrospective study was conducted to determine the characteristic imaging and histopathologic features of breast fibroadenomas in kidney‐transplant recipients given chronic cyclosporin A immunosuppressive therapy after the transplantation and to compare these characteristics with those from a control group.MethodsFrom January 1, 1990, through December 31, 1999, 486 women underwent renal transplantation at our institution. All patients subsequently received immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporin A and prednisolone. Ten (2%) of these women had developed breast fibroadenomas during this chemotherapy. We compared the data obtained on this group's fibroadenomas with those obtained from those in the control group, which comprised 100 women with fibroadenomas but who had never undergone organ transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy.ResultsTwenty‐two fibroadenomas developed in the 10 transplant recipients. Eight of those 10 had multiple lesions, and 7 were affected bilaterally. The mean diameter of the fibroadenomas was 4.2 ± 2.5 cm. Mammographically, the lesions were round or oval high‐density masses with well‐circumscribed margins and no calcification or spiculation. Sonographically, the lesions were relatively highly echogenic and had a lower ratio of the longitudinal to the anteroposterior diameter (L /AP) than did those in the control group. Histopathologically, the features of these lesions were generally typical of fibroadenomas, but some were more typical of malignant lesions. Among the 100 control patients, 146 fibroadenomas developed; 33 women had multiple lesions, and 12 were affected bilaterally. Their fibroadenomas had a mean diameter of 2.1 ± 1.5 cm, and the imaging features of these lesions were typical of fibroadenomas.ConclusionsThe fibroadenomas that developed in kidney‐transplant recipients given chronic cyclosporin A and prednisolone immunosuppressive therapy had a tendency to be multiple, bilateral, and larger than those that developed in the control patients. These fibroadenomas also exhibited some imaging features that differed from those of typical fibroadenomas that develop in women who have not undergone organ transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:69–77, 2004
Simple new technique for sonographic measurement of the thyroid in neonates and small children
Authors: Yasumoto Mayumi , Inoue Hideaki , Ohashi Isamu , Shibuya Hitoshi , Onishi Toshikazu 
Published: January 2004

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to determine whether the ratio of the thyroid width (Th) to the trachea width (Tr) is a useful technique for sonographic estimation of thyroid size in neonates and small children.MethodsWe prospectively performed sonographic examination of the thyroid gland in 30 pediatric subjects ranging in age from 1 week to 12 years. The sum of the maximum width of the left thyroid lobe and the maximum width of the right lobe was considered the Th. Each subject's thyroid was classified as small, normal sized, or large on the basis of the Th value in reference to the subject's body height. The ratios of the Th to the Tr were then calculated and compared among the 3 groups by 1‐way analysis of variance. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine the correlation between body height and Tr. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe mean Th/Tr ratios (± standard deviations) for the 3 groups were as follows: small, 1.25 ± 0.19; normal sized, 2.09 ± 0.19; and large, 4.10 ± 2.42. The difference in the Th/Tr ratios between the 3 groups was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was found between Tr and body height (p < 0.001; r = 0.85).ConclusionsThe Th/Tr ratio is a simple, practical parameter for estimating the size of the thyroid gland in neonates and small children. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:82–85, 2004
Automated detection and delineation of mitochondria in electron micrographs of human skeletal muscles
Authors: Guo Yu , Gong Biao , Levesque Sebrina , Manfredi Thomas , Sun Ying 
Published: January 2004

AbstractMorphometric measurements of mitochondria in human skeletal muscles provide useful information relating to tissue oxidative energy production, nutrition, exercise, and aging. Morphometric data such as area, perimeter, long axis, and short axis can be obtained by delineating individual mitochondria in electron micrographs. However, manual counting and delineating of individual mitochondria is a formidable task. The purpose of this study was to develop a fully automated computer algorithm for quantifying mitochondrial morphometry in electron micrographs. The algorithm locates mitochondria with a two‐dimensional matched filter and then traces the borders of individual mitochondria. The delineation is accomplished by edge detection along radial lines launched outwards from the center of each mitochondrion. Shape descriptors applied to delineated mitochondria are used to reject likely false‐positive selections. The results show that the fully automated algorithm detects mitochondria with a false‐positive rate of 2% and a false‐negative rate of 36%. The errors are easily and rapidly corrected by user intervention using a second semiautomated delineation algorithm. Morphometric measurements collected with the automated algorithm are equivalent to those obtained manually by human experts. The algorithm significantly improves the speed of image analysis and it also provides copious quantities of high‐quality mitochondrial morphometric data. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:133–139, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.