bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of prophylactic scleral buckling in the management of retained intraocular foreign bodies
Authors: Azad Raj Vardhan , Kumar Neena , Sharma Yog Raj , Vohra Rajpal 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the role of prophylactic scleral buckling procedure with pars plana vitrectomy for the removal of retained intraocular foreign bodies (RIOFB) in the prevention of postoperative retinal detachment. Methods: In a prospective, clinical, controlled study, 28 patients with RIOFB without retinal detachment were randomly divided into two groups of 15 (group I) and 13 (group II) patients. All patients underwent a standard three‐port pars plana vitrectomy with foreign body removal. In addition to this standard procedure, patients assigned to group I had a 360° encircling scleral buckle placed at the time of surgery. Group II patients did not have any scleral buckling. All patients were followed up for an average period of 11.8 months. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, duration of injury, nature of injury, and site, size and type of RIOFB. Results: The retinal detachment rate was found to be 6.6% in group I and 30.8% in group II (P = 0.24). Prophylactic scleral buckling reduced the risk of retinal detachment by 24% but this was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Prophylactic scleral buckle placement with pars plana vitreous surgery for RIOFB may reduce the risk of late onset retinal detachment. A larger study would seem warranted.
Goldenhar syndrome: a case from Papua New Guinea
Authors: Tay Thain Siong , Kitz Christa , Booth Frances 
Published: February 2004

AbstractGoldenhar syndrome is well known for its classical triad of epibulbar dermoids or lipodermoids, auricular appendages and pretragal fistulas. The syndrome was later included under the broader classification of oculoauriculovertebral spectrum to cover a wide range of associated anomalies. Here, a case is presented of Goldenhar syndrome in a child from Papua New Guinea. The patient had large epibulbar lipodermoids requiring surgical debulking primarily for mechanical lagophthalmos and secondarily for cosmesis. Further multidisciplinary effort is required to manage her systemic manifestations of the syndrome.
Clinical Case Notes
Authors: Murthy Gyanam G , Ingole Avinash B , Desai Sangeeta 
Published: February 2004

AbstractA 65‐year‐old woman presented with malignant melanoma of the right socket following evisceration of her right eye for ocular trauma 8 years previously. Computed tomography demonstrated a solid mass adjacent to the residual eviscerated eyeball without extra­orbital extension. The tumour was removed by total exenteration of the orbit. The clinical and radiological features of this condition, and a review of the literature are presented.
Ponderal index is a poor predictor of in utero growth retardation
Authors: Haggarty P. , Campbell D.M. , Bendomir A. , Gray E.S. , Abramovich D.R. 
Published: January 2004

Objective  To evaluate the usefulness of ponderal index (PI) and related indices of weight and length in identifying asymmetric growth, body thinness and organ asymmetry associated with IUGR.Design  Cross sectional study.Setting  Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.Population  The population includes term (≥37 weeks) singleton live births (n= 53,934) between 1986 and 1996, ultrasound measurements in 2522 pregnancies, 712 unselected term pregnancies in 1979/1980 and stillbirths (24–36 weeks) between 1986 and 1995 where the fetus was diagnosed as suffering from acute (n= 73) or chronic (n= 30) anoxic death.Methods  The strength of association between direct measures of IUGR and various indices of weight and length was determined by linear and multiple stepwise linear regression.Main outcome measures  Weight, length, PI and skinfold thicknesses (triceps, biceps, flank thighs, back) were measured at birth. Abdominal circumference, biparietal diameter and femur length were measured by ultrasound at ≥37 weeks. Ratio of liver, heart and kidney to brain were measured in stillbirths.Results  Weight alone was a better predictor of skinfold thickness, abdominal circumference and the ratio of abdominal circumference to biparietal diameter than weight divided by length raised to the power 1, 2, 3 (PI), 4 or 5. The inclusion of gestational age made little difference to the predictive ability of weight for these full term births. Weight, but not PI, was significantly different between the two groups of stillborn fetuses (chronic and acute), which had significantly different (P < 0.001) organ ratios.Conclusion  Body weight alone was a better predictor of anthropometric ratios, organ asymmetry and measures of thinness at birth thought to be associated with IUGR than the PI. The inclusion of a length term generally reduced the predictive ability with the highest powers resulting in the poorest prediction.
Induction of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) by interleukin‐12 p40 monomer and homodimer in microglia and macrophages
Authors: Jana Malabendu , Dasgupta Subhajit , Saha Ramendra N. , Liu Xiaojuan , Pahan Kalipada 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe present study was undertaken to explore the role of interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) p40 in the expression of TNF‐α in microglia. Interestingly, we have found that IL‐12 p70, p402 (the p40 homodimer) and p40 (the p40 monomer) dose‐dependently induced the production of TNF‐α and the expression of TNF‐α mRNA in BV‐2 microglial cells. In addition to BV‐2 microglial cells, p70, p402 and p40 also induced the production of TNF‐α in mouse primary microglia and peritoneal macrophages. As the activation of both NF‐κB and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) is important for the expression of TNF‐α in microglial cells, we investigated the effect of p40 on the activation of NF‐κB as well as C/EBPβ. Activation of NF‐κB as well as C/EBPβ by p40 and inhibition of p40‐induced expression of TNF‐α by Δp65, a dominant‐negative mutant of p65, and ΔC/EBPβ, a dominant‐negative mutant of C/EBPβ, suggests that p40 induces the expression of TNF‐α through the activation of NF‐κB and C/EBPβ. In addition, we show that p40 induced the activation of both extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK). Interestingly, PD98059, an inhibitor of ERK, inhibited p40‐induced expression of TNF‐α through the inhibition of C/EBPβ, but not that of NF‐κB, whereas SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, inhibited p40‐induced expression of TNF‐α through the inhibition of both NF‐κB and C/EBPβ. This study delineates a novel biological function of p40 in inducing TNF‐α in microglia and macrophages.
Asymmetric contribution of α and β subunits to the activation of αβ heteromeric glycine receptors
Authors: Shan Qiang , Nevin Simon T. , Haddrill Justine L. , Lynch Joseph W. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis study investigated the role of β subunits in the activation of αβ heteromeric glycine receptor (GlyR) chloride channels recombinantly expressed in HEK293 cells. The approach involved incorporating mutations into corresponding positions in α and β subunits and comparing their effects on receptor function. Although cysteine‐substitution mutations to residues in the N‐terminal half of the α subunit M2–M3 loop dramatically impaired the gating efficacy, the same mutations exerted little effect when incorporated into corresponding positions of the β subunit. Furthermore, although the α subunit M2–M3 loop cysteines were modified by a cysteine‐specific reagent, the corresponding β subunit cysteines showed no evidence of reactivity. These observations suggest structural or functional differences between α and β subunit M2–M3 loops. In addition, a threonine→leucine mutation at the 9′ position in the β subunit M2 pore‐lining domain dramatically increased the glycine sensitivity. By analogy with the effects of the same mutation in other ligand‐gated ion channels, it was concluded that the mutation affected the GlyR activation mechanism. This supports the idea that the GlyR β subunit is involved in receptor gating. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that β subunits contribute to the activation of the GlyR, but that their involvement in this process is significantly different to that of the α subunit.
Anti‐Proliferative Effect of Mycobacteria, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α on Primary Cultures Derived from Endometrial Stroma: Possible Relevance to Endometriosis?
Authors: Clayton R.D. , Duffy S.R. , Wilkinson N. , Garry R. , Jackson A.M. 
Published: January 2004

Problem:  To assess the effects of mycobacteria and inflammatory cytokines on proliferation of endometrial stromal cells. An effect on endometrial stromal cell proliferation in vitro may suggest a similar effect on endometriotic cells in vivo.Method of study:  Primary cultures of endometrial stromal cells were grown from female volunteers. Proliferation of cells was assessed by cell counting and incorporation of tritiated thymidine after exposure to mycobacteria or inflammatory cytokines.Results:  When assessed by cell counting, stromal cell growth was reduced following treatment with Connaught Bacillus of Calmette and Guérin (BCG) and Pasteur BCG: Mycobacterium smegmatis demonstrated a cytotoxic effect. Addition of the cytokines interferon (IFN)‐γ or tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α at high concentrations led to a reduction in cell growth by 24 hr in two of three cell lines. A reduction in proliferation was also found when assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation, which was statistically significant for Connaught BCG and M. smegmatis.Conclusions:  Endometrial stromal cells are susceptible to the anti‐proliferative effects of mycobacteria. The BCG and other mycobacteria are known immunomodulators in other disease conditions. Further work is required to assess whether these in vitro effects might translate into a useful therapy for endometriosis.
Therapy with Dendritic Cells Influences the Spontaneous Resorption Rate in the CBA/J × DBA/2J Mouse Model
Authors: Blois Sandra , Alba Soto Catalina D. , Olmos Sofia , Chuluyan Eduardo , Gentile Teresa , Arck Petra C. , Margni Ricardo A. 
Published: January 2004

Problem:  DBA/2J‐mated CBA/J female mice are prone to a high incidence of fetal abortions. This fetal wastage can be dramatically reduced by immunizing the female mice with BALB/c, but not with DBA/2J spleen cells during early gestation. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Recently, dendritic cells (DC) have been described at the feto‐maternal interface in the human uterus. In this work, we studied the effect of adoptive transfer of DC on the maintenance of pregnancy in the CBA/J × DBA/2J model.Methods:  Bone marrow‐derived DC were generated from virgin female CBA/J mice (6–8 weeks old). CBA/J females were inoculated with DC twice before mating. Four different experimental groups were included: (i) no treatment control, (ii) mice injected with culture medium [granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF)], (iii) immunized with DC and (iv) immunized with paternal DBA/2J antigens lisate‐pulsed DC, n = 5.Results:  The control abortion rate was 23.8%, and with GM‐CSF alone was 17.6%. Following inoculation of syngeneic DC abortion rates were reduced to 2.2%, but protection was short‐lived. Abortion rates with DC pulsed with DBA/2J antigens was 5%. Serum of interleukin (IL)‐6 levels were lower in the latter two groups up to the time of abortion. The kinetics of immunoglobulin G asymmetric antibodies synthesis was modified, but there was no correlation between asymmetric antibodies production and the lowering of abortions rates.Conclusion:  Syngeneic DC prevented abortions and this was linked to a decrease in IL‐6 levels, but not with levels of asymmetric antibodies.
Nerve Growth Factor and its Functional Receptor TrkA are Up‐regulated in Murine Decidual Tissue of Stress‐triggered and Substance P‐mediated Abortion
Authors: Tometten Mareike , Klapp Burghard F. , Joachim Ricarda , Fest Stefan , Zenclussen Ana C. , Peters Eva M. , Hertwig Kai , Arck Petra C. 
Published: January 2004

Problem:  Stress, elicited by environmental and social conditions, is known to affect the homeostasis of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. In pregnancy, perceived stress results in a predomination of inflammatory abortion‐associated Th1 cytokines over immunosuppressive, pregnancy‐protective‐associated Th2 cytokines, putatively via neuropeptide substance P (SP). Nerve growth factor (NGF), an important trophic factor for sympathetic neurons, has been implicated in the responsiveness of immune‐competent cells through its functional receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase (TrkA). Thus, the aim of the present study was to identify a cross‐talk between distinct neurotrophic and immune mediators in pregnancy maintenance.Method of Study:  Using immune fluorescence, we evaluated decidual and placental expression of NGF and TrkA on gestation day (gd) 13.5 in the abortion‐prone mouse model CBA/J × DBA/2J in (1) CBA/J female control mice; (2) CBA/J mice exposed to stress on gd 5.5; and (3) CBA/J mice injected with SP on gd 5.5 to mimick stress perception.Results: Stress and SP injection significantly increased the abortion rate and up‐regulated decidual NGF and TrkA expression compared with the control. Stress, but not SP injection down‐regulated placental NGF, whereas no changes in placental TrkA were observed.Conclusion:  Our data suggest a functional role for NGF in stress‐triggered, SP‐mediated abortion.
Assignment of the Lowest Triplet State of the Carbonyl Group
Authors: Dym S. , Hochstrasser Robin M. , Schafer Margaret 
Published: February 2004

A study of the electronic spectrum of the 3nπ*←1A1 transition of benzophenone crystals is presented. The transition originates at 24 194 cm−1, and it displays carbonyl stretching and ring torsion modes of the molecule. The observed polarization ratio (Ib / Ia) of 2.5 ± 0.2 is indicative of the fact that at least two of the spin substates of the triplet can combine with the ground state in electric dipole radiation. The two transitions are z (parallel to C–O) and y (perpendicular to C–O in the R2CO plane) polarized with the former dominant by a factor of 3.
A polarized high-field Zeeman study of the transition shows that the σz and σx spin designated states are the active ones; this result shows that the 3nπ* state is of A2 (in C2υ) type and that the σx state becomes active through vibronic coupling amongst higher states. The appearance of torsional modes in the spectrum is discussed in relation to this vibronic coupling.
Combining Economic and Conjoint Analysis to Determine Optimal Academic Services
Authors: Howard Mona Whitley , Sobol Marion G. 
Published: January 2004

ABSTRACTIn today's era of global competition, organizations must manage their functions and activities in a manner such that they are responsive to customers' needs and can provide excellence in service to the customer while also being efficient and cost conscious. These issues are extremely common in corporate organizations, but such concerns are equally relevant in service industries, including institutions of higher education. This study is conducted at a private, undergraduate institution of higher education. We utilize focus group evaluation and conjoint analysis combined with economic analysis in the form of a newly designed preferred utility economic cost diagram to pick the ideal services that should be provided to enrolled students at the institution. The package of ideal services accounts for preferred utility expressed by students and a new methodology (preferred utility function) to balance these against financial considerations to optimize services and financial gains for a college adult education program. This combination of focus groups and mathematical techniques can be easily employed by educational institutes.
Changes in Neutrophil Surface‐Receptor Expression After Stimulation with FMLP, Endotoxin, Interleukin‐8 and Activated Complement Compared to Degranulation
Authors: Videm V. , Strand E. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractNeutrophil activation induces changes in the expression of surface receptors and may lead to degranulation. Surface expression of β2‐integrins, l‐selectin, complement receptor 1 (CR‐1), decay‐accelerating factor (DAF), C5a receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and ICAM‐3 was compared by flow cytometry on isolated neutrophils stimulated with phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (FMLP), endotoxin or interleukin‐8 and on neutrophils in whole blood anti‐coagulated with the thrombin inhibitor lepirudin and stimulated with cobra venom factor to induce complement activation. Myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin in the supernatants were quantified in enzyme immunoassays. With high enough doses, all stimulants induced significant upregulation of β2‐integrins, CR‐1 and DAF and downregulation of l‐selectin. ICAM‐3 was either unchanged or somewhat downregulated. Only FMLP and PMA induced significant upregulation of ICAM‐1. Combined measurement of β2‐integrins and l‐selectin permitted graded evaluation of early neutrophil activation. Measurement of degranulation showed no differences compared to unstimulated controls due to substantial spontaneous degranulation of isolated neutrophils by rewarming from 4 °C and incubation at 37 °C. Spontaneous activation was less in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid‐anti‐coagulated blood, but calcium chelation may also inhibit the stimulated responses. There was large activation of unstimulated neutrophils in lepirudin‐anti‐coagulated blood at 37 °C, obscuring changes induced by stimulation, which may render this anti‐coagulant unsuitable for studies of neutrophils.
CD47 Ligation Induces a Rapid Caspase‐Independent Apoptosis‐Like Cell Death in Human Monocytes and Dendritic Cells
Authors: Johansson U. , Higginbottom K. , Londei M. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractCD47 is a versatile cell‐surface molecule expressed on nearly all haematopoietic cells. In its capacity as a thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) receptor, CD47 has recently been shown to mediate cell death in certain cells, for example, activated but not resting T cells. Here, we have investigated the possibility that human monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) undergo cell death, following CD47 ligation. Using the TSP‐1‐derived CD47‐binding peptide 4N1K, we found that both freshly isolated monocytes and monocyte‐derived DCs underwent a rapid, caspase‐independent cell death. This was characterized by the simultaneous presence of phosphatidylserine exposure, plasma membrane permeability, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and highly fragmented DNA. Not all cells were sensitive to 4N1K‐induced apoptosis; a plateau of cell death reached at an average of 38% of the monocyte and DCs populations. The results presented here, thus, show that CD47 can mediate a rapid apoptosis‐like cell death of human monocytes and DCs.
Dichotomies and directions in acid‐related disorders
Authors: Peura D. A. , Malfertheiner P. 
Published: January 2004

SummaryPresentations by international experts from old and new worlds bordering the Atlantic Ocean revealed surprising similarities with respect to the diagnosis and management of patients with upper gastrointestinal disorders. It was agreed that Helicobacter pylori infection continues to play a key role in gastroduodenal disease and has a great impact on clinical management. However, testing and treatment strategies vary in patients affected by functional dyspepsia and those receiving nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy including aspirin. Among patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it was clear that we need to re‐evaluate the validity of the classical concept of GERD as a progressive spectrum and instead focus on the pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for producing the common symptom of heartburn and complications that occur in the three principle subsets of GERD patients: those with endoscopic negative reflux disease, erosive oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus. In addition, we need to be increasingly aware of the concept of extra‐oesophageal manifestations of gastro‐oesophageal reflux and the fact that GERD in adults often originates in childhood. In all these gastrointestinal disorders, proton pump inhibitor therapy has become the common thread either as a diagnostic tool or an effective short‐term or long‐term management strategy.
The role of the anterior cingulate cortex in pitch variation during sad affect
Authors: Barrett Jennifer , Pike G. Bruce , Paus Tomáš 
Published: January 2004

AbstractWe examined neural activity, in the frontal lobes, associated with speech production during affective states. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) response to the overt reading of emotionally neutral sentences was measured before and after a happy or sad mood induction. There was no explicit demand to produce affect‐congruent speech and a cover story was used to de‐emphasize the significance of the speech task in light of our experimental aims. Each fMRI measurement was acquired 6 s after the onset of sentence presentation so that speech could be recorded while the scanner noise was minimal; speech parameters (e.g. pitch variation) were extracted from the sentences and regressed against fMRI data. In the sad group we found the predicted changes in affect and pitch variation. Further, the fMRI data confirmed our hypothesis in that the ‘reading effect’ (i.e. the BOLD response to reading minus the BOLD response to baseline stimuli) in the supracallosal anterior cingulate cortex covaried negatively with both pitch variation and affect. Our results suggest that the anterior cingulate cortex modulates paralinguistic features of speech during affective states, thus placing this neural structure at the interface between action and emotions.
Neuronal protein kinase Cγ‐dependent proliferation and hypertrophy of spinal cord astrocytes following repeated in vivo administration of morphine
Authors: Narita Minoru , Suzuki Masami , Narita Michiko , Yajima Yoshinori , Suzuki Ryusuke , Shioda Seiji , Suzuki Tsutomu 
Published: January 2004

AbstractRepeated administration of morphine induced a time‐dependent inhibition of the morphine‐induced antinociceptive action, indicating the development of tolerance to morphine. We demonstrated that mice tolerant to morphine exhibited a significant increase in the level of protein kinase Cγ‐like immunoreactivity (PKCγ‐IR) in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The PKCγ‐IR was exclusively colocalized with the neuron‐specific markers neuronal nuclei (NeuN) and microtubule associated protein 2ab (MAP2ab). Here we found a dramatic increase in reactive astrocytes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord following repeated treatment with morphine, as characterized by the increase and morphological changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐positive cells. Furthermore, transgenic mice that express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the control of the mouse GFAP promoter displayed enhanced levels of EGFP expression after repeated treatment with morphine. Under these conditions, mice lacking the PKCγ gene failed to show any changes in astroglial hypertrophy or proliferation after repeated treatment with morphine. These findings strongly support the idea that the sustained activation of neuronal PKCγ is implicated in the increased levels of reactive astrocytes in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord following repeated treatment with morphine. This neuron–glia communication may lead to the development of tolerance to morphine‐induced antinociception.