bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significant overexpression of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator in pancreatic adenocarcinoma using real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
Authors: NIELSEN AIQUN , SCARLETT CHRISTOPHER J , SAMRA JASWINDER S , GILL ANTHONY , LI YONG , ALLEN BARRY J , SMITH ROSS C 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Overexpression of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) has been shown to be strongly associated with an increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis in a variety of human malignancies. It was hypothesized that uPA would be overexpressed in highly metastatic pancreatic cancer. The aims of this study were to analyze uPA mRNA expression in pancreatic cancer and to correlate this to the expression of uPA protein and to the stage of the disease.Methods:  Twenty‐one pancreatic adenocarcinoma, six ampullary carcinoma and 10 benign mucinous cystadenoma samples, all with adjacent normal tissue, were collected. uPA mRNA was measured using real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Localization of uPA within normal and pancreatic tumor sections was subsequently confirmed using immunohistochemistry.Results:  The median and range of the ratios of uPA mRNA measures between tumor tissue and non‐involved pancreatic tissue was 17.1 (1.4–653.6) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (P < 0.001), 3.9 (0.7–7.7) for ampullary carcinoma (P = 0.055) and 1.9 (0.6–5.9) for mucinous cystadenoma tissue (P = 0.052). uPA low tumors were associated with an exuberant stromal reaction, whereas uPA high tumors showed little stromal response. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that uPA protein was more prevalent in pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissue than in normal tissue and that it was membrane‐bound. uPA mRNA expression was significantly associated with poorly differentiated pancreatic cancers (P < 0.05) and positively associated with tumor stage.Conclusions:  These observations suggest that significant overexpression of uPA correlates closely to the rapid progression and invasiveness of pancreatic cancer and that uPA may provide a future therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer treatment.
Diagnostic accuracy of the 13C‐urea breath test in children: Adjustment of the cut‐off value according to age
Authors: YANG HYE RAN , SEO JEONG KEE 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims: The 13C‐urea breath test (13C‐UBT) is a reliable non‐invasive method of diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in adults and children. However, only a few validation studies have been performed on the 13C‐UBT in very young children. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 13C‐UBT according to age, and to determine the optimal cut‐off value in children.Methods: A total of 307 13C‐UBT were performed in 274 children. All were compared with the results of endoscopic biopsy‐based methods to confirm H. pylori infection. Seventy‐five milligrams of 13C‐urea was ingested without a test meal. Two breath samples were collected at 0 and 30 min. The optimal cut‐off value of the 13C‐UBT was assessed by determining the sensitivity, specificity, false negative, and false positive results, at cut‐off values ranging from 2.0 to 10.0‰.Results: The delta over baseline (DOB) values of the 13C‐UBT showed a significant negative correlation with age in both the H. pylori‐positive group (r = −0.309; P = 0.005) and the H. pylori‐negative group (r = −0.162; P = 0.015). High false positive results and low specificity were noted in children aged 6 years or less compared with children older than 6 years at a cut‐off value of 4.0‰ (false positives; 8.3%vs 0.85%, specificity; 89.8%vs 98.8%). After adjusting the cut‐off value, the optimal cut‐off values were found to be 4.0‰ in children older than 6 years and 7.0‰ in children aged 6 years or less.Conclusions: The cut‐off value of the 13C‐UBT recommended regardless of age must be adjusted in preschool children to reduce the false positive results.
Rapid diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with leukocyte esterase reagent strips in a European and in an American center
Authors: SAPEY THIERRY , MENA EDWARD , FORT ERIC , LAURIN CHRISTINE , KABISSA DENIS , RUNYON BRUCE A , MENDLER MICHEL‐HENRY 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground:  Timely diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) are essential to survival. The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate leukocyte esterase reagent strips (Nephur‐Test and MultistixSG10) in the bedside diagnosis of SBP.Methods:  Patients with cirrhotic ascites were prospectively included in France (center 1) and in the USA (center 2). Paracenteses were performed on admission and repeated as indicated. Bedside reagent strip testing was performed on the ascitic fluid and compared to manual cell count with differential and ascitic fluid culture. In center 1, the Nephur‐Test was tested in all cases, with dual testing with MultistixSG10 in a subgroup. In center 2, all cases had dual testing. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was defined as a polymorphonuclear ascites count ≥250/µL.Results:  A total of 184 samples was obtained in 76 patients. Center 1 included 151 samples from 53 patients. Seven samples had SBP, obtained in six patients. Center 2 included 33 samples from 23 patients. Six samples had SBP, obtained in five patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the reagent strips were as follows. Center 1/Nephur‐Test: 86%, 100%, 100%, 99%; center 1/MultistixSG10: 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%; center 2/Nephur‐Test: 100%, 92.5%, 75%, 100%; center 2/MultistixSG10: 83%, 96%, 83%, 96%.Conclusion:  Leukocyte esterase reagent strips may provide a rapid bedside diagnosis of SBP.
Exposure to continuous darkness ameliorates gastric and colonic inflammation in the rat: Both receptor and non‐receptor‐mediated processes
Authors: ÇEVÍK HÜLYA , ERKANLI GÖZDE , ERCAN FERÍHA , ÍŞMAN ÇAĞla A , YEĞEN BERRAK Ç 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Melatonin is a hormone involved in the transduction of photoperiodic information, and appears to modulate a variety of neural and endocrine functions. The present study was designed to determine the impact of continuous darkness (CD) on acute gastric and colonic inflammation and the involvement of melatonin receptors in the darkness‐related alterations in oxidant gut injury.Methods:  Rats were housed either in CD or in standardized light/dark (12/12 h) cycles for 15 days before the induction of colitis or gastric ulcer. Luzindole (MT2 receptor antagonist) was given at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg intraperitoneally 30 min before and 6 and 18 h following the induction of colitis with acetic acid or gastric ulcer with ethanol. Rats were decapitated at 24 h, and the colons and stomachs were removed for macroscopic scoring, histologic assessment and for the determination of tissue malondialdehyde and glutathione levels.Results:  All inflammation parameters were increased by acetic acid‐induced colitis or ethanol‐induced gastric ulcer compared with the control group. Our results indicate that the severity of both gastric and colonic injury is reduced by a 2‐week exposure to CD prior to the induction of inflammatory event, while luzindole treatment reversed the protective effect of CD on the colonic and gastric injury. However, darkness‐related alterations in malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were not altered by luzindole.Conclusion:  Although the CD‐induced amelioration of gut injury involves melatonin receptors, the direct antioxidant effects on melatonin appear to be independent of receptor activity.
13C‐Urea breath test: Reproducibility and association with the severity of Helicobacter pylori‐associated antral gastritis
Authors: MATTHEWS GEOFFREY M , CUMMINS ADRIAN G , LAWRENCE ANDREW , JOHNSON BRUCE , CAMPBELL FIONA , BUTLER ROSS N 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the present paper was to assess the reproducibility of the 13C‐urea breath test (13C‐UBT) and its ability to reflect the level of Helicobacter pylori‐associated inflammation.Methods: Asymptomatic H. pylori‐positive subjects (n = 21) performed the 13C‐UBT six times. The H. pylori‐positive symptomatic subjects (n = 55) performed the 13C‐UBT and had antral biopsies taken for histopathology, culture, urease activity assay and myeloperoxidase activity assay.Results: No significant intraindividual variation in 13C‐UBT results were observed for the asymptomatic subjects. The 13C‐UBT results were significantly higher in symptomatic subjects with a moderate to severe gastritis compared to a mild gastritis and to no inflammation (34.5 ± 4.4 vs 17.7 ± 2.8 vs 1.7 ± 0.1, respectively, P < 0.01). The 13C‐UBT results significantly correlated with urease (r = 0.55) and myeloperoxidase activity (r = 0.82) but not with bacterial load.Conclusion: The 13C‐UBT is a reproducible determinant of H. pylori infection and non‐invasively assesses the severity of antral inflammation.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Gallbladder cancer in India: A dismal picture
Authors: BATRA YOGESH , PAL SUJOY , DUTTA USHA , DESAI PREMAL , GARG PRAMOD KUMAR , MAKHARIA GOVIND , AHUJA VINEET , PANDE GIRISH KUMAR , SAHNI PEUSH , CHATTOPADHYAY T K , TANDON RAKESH KUMAR 
Published: January 2005

AbstractBackground: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies. The data regarding GBC are, however, limited.Methods: Records of 634 patients with GBC over a 10‐year period were examined with regard to the clinical presentation, investigative findings, treatment, operative findings and outcome.Results: The mean age of patients was 51 ± 11 years and men : women ratio was 0.36:1.00. Pain, jaundice and hepatomegaly were seen in 81.0%, 76.0% and 61.5% patients, respectively. On imaging, a mass replacing the gallbladder was seen in 73% patients. Gallstones were present in 54% patients. Surgery was carried out in 291 (46%) patients and endoscopic treatment in 72 (19%) patients but no intervention was carried out in the remaining patients because of disseminated disease. Among the patients who were operated on, 2.0% had stage I GBC, 3.4% stage II, 17.5% stage III, 47.0% stage IVa and 29.8% stage IVb. Radical resection was possible in 133 (46%) patients. The 30‐day mortality was 10% with most (90%) deaths in patients with stage IV disease. The median survival after simple cholecystectomy and radical surgery was 33.5 and 12.0 months, respectively. However, among those who underwent debulking, palliative bypass or exploratory laparotomy alone, the survival ranged between 1 and 3 months. Logistic regression analysis showed that only radical resection improved the long‐term survival (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The majority of patients with GBC in India have advanced unresectable disease. Detection of GBC at an early stage is incidental and rare but is associated with long‐term survival. Radical surgery, when feasible, is the only option for achieving long‐term survival.© 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Poverty Mapping with Aggregate Census Data: What is the Loss in Precision?
Authors: Minot Nicholas , Baulch Bob 
Published: January 2005

AbstractSpatially disaggregated maps of the incidence of poverty can be constructed by combining household survey data and census data. In some countries (notably China and India), national statistics agencies are reluctant, for reasons of confidentiality, to release household‐level census data, but they are generally more willing to release aggregated census data, such as village‐ or district‐level means. This paper examines the loss in precision associated with using aggregated census data instead of household‐level data to generate poverty estimates. The authors show analytically that using aggregated census data will result in poverty rates that are biased downward (upward) if the rate is below (above) 50%, and that the bias approaches zero as the poverty rate approaches zero, 50%, and 100%. Using data from Vietnam, it is found that the mean absolute error in estimating district‐level poverty rates is 2.5 percentage points if the census data are aggregated to the enumeration‐area level means, and 3–4 percentage points if the data are aggregated to commune or district level. Finally, the authors propose a method for reducing the error using variances calculated from the census. When this approach is applied to the Vietnam data, this method can cut the size of the aggregation errors by around 75%.
Income Inequality in Rural China: Regression‐based Decomposition Using Household Data
Authors: Wan Guanghua , Zhou Zhangyue 
Published: January 2005

AbstractA considerable literature exists on the measurement of income inequality in China and its increasing trend. Much less is known about the driving forces of this trend and their quantitative contributions. Conventional decompositions, by factor components or by population subgroups, provide only limited information on the determinants of income inequality. This paper represents an early attempt to apply the regression‐based decomposition framework to the study of inequality accounting in rural China, using household‐level data. It is found that geography has been the dominant factor but is becoming less important in explaining total inequality. Capital input emerges as a most significant determinant of income inequality. Farming structure is more important than labor and other inputs in contributing to income inequality across households.
Conceptions of Parenting in Different Cultural Communities: The Case of West African Nso and Northern German Women
Authors: Keller Heidi , Voelker Susanne , Yovsi Relindis Dzeaye 
Published: January 2005

Abstract The present study compares conceptions about parenting in two cultural communities that may be expected to hold different views on parent–child relationships. Sociodemographically diverse samples of 46 Northern German and 39 West African Nso women evaluated parenting behavior observed in 10 Nso and 10 German videotaped mother–infant interaction sequences. The individual evaluations were assessed in group contexts. The statements were analyzed with respect to their reference to parenting systems and interaction mechanisms as conceptualized in the component model of parenting. As expected, the Nso respondents addressed primary care, body contact and body stimulation more often than the German respondents who focused more on face‐to‐face communication and exclusive attention. Contrary to our expectations, distress regulation was addressed more often by the German respondents. Quantitative analyses are combined with the qualitative elaboration of the respondents’ evaluative comments. The identified ideas about parenting are discussed as reflecting the conscious nature of parenting as a shared cultural activity and related to cultural goals.
Late Hemodynamic Changes During a Negative Passive Head‐up Tilt Predict the Symptomatic Outcome to a Nitroglycerin Sensitized Tilt
Authors: BELLARD ELISABETH , FORTRAT JACQUES‐OLIVIER , SCHANG DANIEL , DUPUIS JEAN‐MARC , VICTOR JACQUES , LEFTHÉRIOTIS GEORGES 
Published: January 2005

Background: Sublingual nitroglycerin is advocated to sensitize the passive 70° head‐upright tilt test (HUTT) of patients with unexplained syncope. We hypothesized that a detailed analysis of hemodynamic responses recorded during a negative HUTT could predict the outcome to a subsequent nitroglycerin sensitized HUTT (NTG‐HUTT).
Methods: Thirty‐two patients (46 ± 3 years, 17 males) with recurrent unexplained syncope but a negative HUTT were included. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and central hemodynamics assessed by transthoracic impedance (preejection and rapid left ventricular ejection time, slow ejection time, peak amplitude of first derivative, and cardiac index) were recorded during supine rest and 45 minutes HUTT. Changes from supine rest of the variables were retrospectively compared between patients with a negative (n = 15, NTG‐HUTT(−)) and positive (n = 17, NTG‐HUTT(+)) outcome to 10 minutes subsequent NTG‐HUTT.
Result: Significant differences between groups were observed during the 15th–20th minutes (Italian protocol) and during the last 5 minutes of passive HUTT (Westminster protocol). The combination of cutoff values, determined by receiver operating curves, on hemodynamic variables changes during the last 5 minutes predicted the outcome to a NTG‐HUTT with a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 87%. The cutoff values determined during 15th–20th minutes gave an attractive sensitivity (85%) but a too weak specificity (53%) to shorten the 45 minutes passive HUTT at 20 minutes.
Conclusion: Outcome to a NTG‐HUTT can be reliably predicted by selected criteria determined from multiple hemodynamic variables recorded during a passive 70° HUTT.
Determinants and Prognostic Significance of Immediate Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Following Cardioversion in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Vein Isolation
Authors: HUSSER DANIELA , BOLLMANN ANDREAS , KANG STEVEN , STRIDH MARTIN , SORNMO LEIF , OLSSON S. BERTIL , BHANDARI ANIL K. , CANNOM DAVID S. 
Published: January 2005

Background: Immediate recurrence of atrial fibrillation (IRAF) occurs frequently after electrical cardioversion, its electrophysiological determinants and prognostic significance have, however, not been studied in detail. This study aimed to explore (1) the association of IRAF with clinical characteristics, pulmonary vein (PV) arrhythmogenicity as well as atrial electrophysiologic properties and (2) the prognostic significance of IRAF for outcome of PV isolation for atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods and Results: The subjects of this study were 41 consecutive patients (30 males, 11 females) who underwent PV isolation for drug‐refractory AF. Following successful initial cardioversion, 19 patients (46%) had IRAF within 2 minutes. Coupling intervals of AF reinitiating beats arising from PVs were shorter (386 ± 39 vs 490 ± 136 ms, P = 0.008) and prematurity indices (0.38 ± 0.06 vs 0.51 ± 0.12, P = 0.01) smaller than those of premature beats not initiating AF. Patients with IRAF had more frequently AF duration <1 month, a longer P‐wave duration, and a longer mid coronary sinus AF cycle length. Multivariate regression analysis revealed coronary sinus AF cycle length (β= 0.186, P = 0.049), which was closely correlated with conduction time along the coronary sinus (R = 0.716, P = 0.003) to be independently associated with IRAF. While early AF recurrence rate (within the first 5 days) following the procedure was higher in the IRAF group (53 vs 18%, P = 0.02), outcome was not different between the two groups thereafter.
Conclusions: (1) IRAF is common in patients undergoing PV isolation for AF, (2) is initiated by premature atrial beats with short coupling intervals, and (3) seems to be associated with conduction disturbances along the coronary sinus. It reflects susceptibility of arrhythmia recurrence within the first 5 days after the procedure, but not thereafter.
Noninvasive Assessment of Acute Changes in Atrial Electrophysiology After Cardioversion by Signal‐Averaged P‐Wave Electrocardiography
Authors: ELESBER AHMAD A. , ROSALES ANA GABRIELA , SHEN WIN‐KUANG , MALOUF JOSEPH F. , HODGE DAVID O. , AMMASH NASER M. , CHANDRASEKARAN KRISHNASWAMY , GERSH BERNARD J. , HAMMILL STEPHEN C. , FRIEDMAN PAUL A. 
Published: January 2005

Background: Atrial remodeling secondary to atrial fibrillation (AF) may be important in the arrhythmogenic process. Unfortunately, the study of electrophysiologic remodeling in humans has been limited by the invasive nature of most tests of electrophysiologic characteristics. We sought to determine whether changes in atrial electrophysiology occur acutely (within the first hour) after cardioversion and whether these changes could be detected noninvasively by measuring the signal‐averaged P‐wave.
Methods: The filtered P‐wave duration (FPD) was measured by signal‐averaged electrocardiography (ECG) at 20 and 60 minutes after cardioversion in 46 patients with AF, and the difference between the two values was calculated. The root‐mean‐square voltage of the terminal 40 ms of the signal‐averaged P‐wave at 20 and 60 minutes and the difference between them were also determined.
Results: The FPD at 20 minutes was significantly different from that at 60 minutes (153.0 ± 19.1 vs 159.7 ± 24.8 ms; P = 0.02). In a univariate linear regression model, none of the clinical variables studied was significantly associated with the change in FPD. The root‐mean‐square voltage at 20 minutes was not significantly different from that at 60 minutes (5.8 ± 3.0 vs 5.5 ± 2.7; P = 0.14).
Conclusions: We conclude that significant changes in atrial electrophysiology occur within the first hour after cardioversion of AF. These changes can be detected by measuring the FPD.
School Nursing: Not Just Band‐Aids Any More!
Authors: Broussard Lisa 
Published: January 2005

ISSUES AND PURPOSE . School nursing has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. The complex social and physical needs of children require an expanded role with advanced knowledge and skills. The school nurse functions as health promoter, health educator, collaborator, and researcher. Issues related to advanced practice and policy development also affect school nursing practice.CONCLUSIONS/PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS . The current emphasis on educational accountability and improvement of standardized test scores has mandated close examination of resource allocation. There is a need to appreciate an expanded role for the school nurse, as the provision of healthcare services in the school will afford children an increased capacity to learn, thus improving school performance.
Tramadol: does it have a role in emergency medicine?
Authors: Close Benjamin R 
Published: January 2005

AbstractTramadol is a synthetic analgesic new to the Australasian market where its use is rapidly increasing. It is used extensively overseas, particularly in Europe where it has been popular since its introduction in Germany in the late 1970s. Tramadol has a dual mechanism of action: weak mu opioid receptor agonist and a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline. Thus, it has distinct advantages and disadvantages compared to other available analgesics. Its use is advocated in a variety of acute and chronic pain states as well as some non‐analgesic applications. The use of tramadol in an emergency setting is not well studied, with most published trials assessing its efficacy and tolerability in postoperative or dental models. This literature review concludes that tramadol does not offer any particular benefits over existing analgesics for the majority of emergency pain relief situations.
Vitamin C protects HL60 and U266 cells from arsenic toxicity
Authors: Karasavvas Nicos , Cárcamo Juan M. , Stratis George , Golde David W. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractAlthough there is no compelling evidence that vitamin C has antitumor activity in humans, clinical trials are testing the hypothesis that ascorbic acid (AA) will enhance the efficacy of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in myeloma. In vitro, AA cytotoxicity depends on its interaction with free transition metal ions in culture media leading to the generation of H2O2 and other reactive oxygen species (ROSs). Therefore, to circumvent the extracellular in vitro pro-oxidant effects of AA, we loaded HL60, U266, and RPMI-8226 cells with vitamin C by incubation with dehydroascorbic acid (DHA). Loading cells in this manner resulted in prominent, dose-dependent protection of As2O3-treated cells as measured by viability, colony formation, and apoptosis assays. Glutathione depletion enhanced cell sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of As2O3 and vitamin C loading provided protection. AA was found to generate cytotoxic concentrations of H2O2 in culture medium without cells and copper/iron chelators inhibited this reaction. However, AA did not generate H2O2 in simple buffer or human plasma. Direct incubation with AA resulted in increased intracellular ROSs, whereas DHA incubation decreased it. These results clarify an apparent paradox and indicate that vitamin C loading in HL60, U266, and RPMI-8226 cells ameliorates As2O3 cytotoxicity.