bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Cord Blood Level of IgE Specific for <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> and Allergic Manifestations in Infancy
Authors: Nambu Mitsuhiko , Shintaku Noriaki , Ohta Shigeru 
Published: April 2003

The relationship between the cord blood level of IgE specific for <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> (Dp-IgE) and the development of allergic disorders in infants was investigated. None of the 10 infants who had no family history of allergic disorders and a cord blood Dp-IgE level of <0.07 IU/ml developed atopic dermatitis by 10 months of age. Among the infants whose mothers had atopy, those with a cord blood Dp-IgE level of ≧0.07 IU/ml showed a higher prevalence of allergic disorders at 3 years of age than those with a cord blood Dp-IgE level of <0.07 IU/ml. These observations suggest that the cord blood Dp-IgE level may be related to allergic manifestations in infancy.
Beneficial Effects of Intraperitoneally Administered Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate on the Levels of Lipid Peroxide and Activity of Glutathione Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase in Skin, Blood and Liver of Thermally Injured Guinea Pigs
Authors: Lussi A. , Naziroglu M. , Francescut P. , Kökçam I. , Yilmaz Ş. 
Published: April 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal α-tocopheryl acetate administration on concentration of lipid peroxide (as malonyldialdehyde, MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in plasma, red blood cells (RBC), skin and liver of thermally injured guinea pigs. MDA levels in the plasma, skin and liver were increased at the 15th min after the thermal injury compared to the control group. However, they were significantly lower in the α-tocopheryl-acetate-treated groups than both control and thermally injured groups from the 15th min to the 6th day. SOD activity of the skin and RBC and vitamin E levels in the plasma were significantly decreased between the 15th min and 6th day and then both parameters, i.e. SOD and vitamin E, were significantly increased by α-tocopheryl acetate administration. GSH-Px activity in the skin was also significantly decreased in groups from the 15th min to the 6th day, whereas it remained unchanged by the α-tocopheryl acetate administration. On the other hand, GSH-Px activity and GSH levels in the RBC remained the same during both thermal injury and α-tocopheryl acetate administration. In conclusion, we observed that the intraperitoneal administration of α-tocopheryl acetate protects the skin against thermal injury, which suggests that it may be due to the upregulation of enzymatic antioxidants.
Lordosis of Rats Is Modified by Neurosteroidogenic Effects of Membrane Benzodiazepine Receptors in the Ventral Tegmental Area
Authors: Frye Cheryl A. , Petralia Sandra M. 
Published: April 2003

Progestins modulate lordosis through actions in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Whether neurosteroidogenesis of 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), involving mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors (MBR), is important for lordosis was investigated. Ovariectomized (Ovx), hormone-primed rats (experiments 1, 3, 5, 6) and rats in behavioral estrus (experiments 2 and 4) were unilaterally infused via chronic guide cannula to the VTA with a MBR agonist, N,N-dihexyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl) indole-30-acetamide (FGIN 1–27) or antagonist 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboximide (PK-11195). Experiment 1: Estradiol benzoate (EB)-primed (25 µg) rats administered 0 or 25 µg progesterone (P<sub>4</sub>) SC showed increased lordosis when infused with 5.0 µg FGIN 1–27 to the VTA; those administered 100 or 200 µg P<sub>4</sub> SC exhibited greater lordosis when infused with 2.5 or 5.0 µg FGIN, relative to saline-infused rats. Experiment 2: Rats, near the termination of behavioral estrus, infused with 2.5 or 5.0 µg of FGIN 1–27 to the VTA, showed increased lordosis compared to that seen following vehicle administration. Experiment 3: EB-primed rats administered 200 or 500 µg P<sub>4</sub> SC showed decreased lordosis when infused with 100, 200, or 400 ng PK-11195, relative to saline-infused rats. Experiment 4: Rats infused at the peak of behavioral estrus with 100, 200, or 400 ng PK-11195 to the VTA exhibited reduced lordosis compared to that seen following vehicle administration. Experiment 5: 3α,5α-THP (100 ng) infusions to the VTA reinstated lordosis of hormone-primed rats infused with PK-11195 (100 ng) to the VTA. Experiment 6: FGIN 1–27 (5.0 µg) and PK-11195 (100 ng) infusions aimed at the VTA respectively increased and decreased midbrain levels of 3α,5α-THP compared to vehicle. Notably, the specific effects observed with infusions to the VTA were not seen with infusions to the control site, the substantia nigra. These data suggest that neurosteroidogenesis involving MBRs in the VTA mediates lordosis of hormone-primed or behavioral estrous rats.
Extravascular Necrotizing Granuloma Induced by Mineral Wool in Circumscribed Scleroderma Lesions
Authors: Aberer Elisabeth , Dekan Gerhard , Mayr-Kanhäuser Sigrid , Aberer Werner 
Published: April 2003

Cutaneous extravascular necrotizing (Churg-Strauss) granulomas have been described as a special tissue reaction pattern in patients with immunoreactive or infectious diseases. A patient with <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> s.l., genospecies <i>Borrelia afzelii</i>-induced circumscribed scleroderma developed symmetrical erythematous papules after exposure to mineral wool, a man-made silicon fibre. Histology of skin biopsies of papular skin lesions revealed vessel necrosis, eosinophilic collagen necrosis and extravascular palisading granulomas with high amounts of eosinophils. Amorphous vitreous particles, 1–10 µm in size and identical to agar-embedded mineral wool, were detected within necrotizing palisading granulomas by polarized light. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis revealed electron-dense particles showing spectra of silicates and silica consistent with mineral wool. The observation that exposure to mineral wool can induce Churg-Strauss-like granulomas in the skin of predisposed individuals can serve as a model for the pathogenesis of allergic granulomatosis.
Increased Common Carotid Artery Intima media Thickness in Adolescent Hypertension
Authors: Páll Dénes , Settakis Georgios , Katona Éva , Csiba László , Kakuk György , Limburg Martien , Bereczki Dániel , Fülesdi Béla 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The aim of the present work was to investigate intima media thickness (IMT) in healthy and in hypertensive adolescents and its influencing factors. <i>Methods:</i> 103 hypertensive and 58 healthy adolescents were studied. IMT was measured in the common carotid artery using B-mode ultrasonography. Additionally, laboratory parameters (blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL- and LDL-cholesterols) and left ventricular mass indices were obtained. <i>Results:</i> IMT in the common carotid artery was higher in hypertensive adolescents (means ± SD: 0.55 ± 0.11 mm) than in healthy control subjects (0.48 ± 0.08 mm, p < 0.001). Similarly, a higher left ventricular mass index was measured in hypertensive (103.2 ± 30.6 g/m<sup>2</sup>) than in healthy teenagers (91.1 ± 25.2 g/m<sup>2</sup>, p < 0.001). In general, IMT in adolescents was associated with age, weight, body mass index, left ventricular mass index and average systolic and diastolic blood pressure values of the subjects. By assessing the multivariate association between IMT and other factors, intima-media thickness was only associated with age and left ventricular mass index of the hypertensive subjects and was independent from all the investigated factors in normotensive controls. <i>Conclusions:</i> Our data suggest an ongoing target-organ damage in adolescent hypertension. These patients need to be subjected to early diagnostic methods, treatment and a regular follow-up, in order to avoid severe clinical manifestations of secondary target-organ damage due to hypertension.
Dental Caries Related to Plasma IgG and Alpha<sub>1</sub>-Acid Glycoprotein
Authors: de Soet J.J. , Schriks M.C.M. , Kratz E. , Poland D.C.W. , van Dijk W. , van Amerongen W.E. 
Published: April 2003

This study was aimed at determining whether dental caries is associated with induction of the systemic immune system or cytokine response. For this purpose, 85 children from Den Pasar, Bali, Indonesia, aged 6–7 years, were examined clinically and blood plasma was obtained via finger puncture. The concentrations of the acute-phase protein α<sub>1</sub>-acid glycoprotein (AGP), total IgG and the specific IgG and IgM immunoglobulins against <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> were determined. Immunoelectrophoresis was used for the determination of the AGP concentration and ELISA for IgG and IgM detection. The mean dmft of the whole group was 8.8 ± 2.9, the mean number of infected pulps was 3.9 ± 2.2 and the mean number of abscesses was 0.5 ± 0.8. The plasma concentration of AGP ranged between 0.13 and 1.6 mg/ml serum (mean 0.86 ± 0.26 mg/ml). Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the concentration of IgG against <i>S. mutans</i> (log-transformed) was significantly correlated with dmft (adjusted r<sup>2</sup> = 0.083, standardized β coefficient = 0.31, p = 0.008). When the concentration AGP was included in the model the correlation improved significantly (for IgG: adjusted r<sup>2</sup> = 0.157, standardised β coefficient = 0.36, p = 0.002; for AGP: β coefficient = –0.30, p = 0.009). The results suggest a relationship between caries and systemic parameters of inflammation. On the basis of this, severe caries might have consequences on the general health of the subject.
Systematic Review of Studies Comparing the Anti-Caries Efficacy of Children’s Toothpaste Containing 600 ppm of Fluoride or Less with High Fluoride Toothpastes of 1,000 ppm or Above
Authors: Ammari A.B. , Bloch-Zupan A. , Ashley P.F. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To determine the clinical effectiveness of low fluoride (F) toothpastes, containing 600 ppm or less, with toothpaste containing 1,000 ppm or more fluoride in preventing dental caries. <i>Design:</i> Systematic review of randomised controlled trials comparing low fluoride toothpastes containing 600 ppm F or less with toothpastes containing 1,000 ppm or more in children or adults. <i>Results: </i>Seven randomised controlled trials were included. These were categorised into two groups depending on the fluoride concentration in the low fluoride group (250 and 500 ppm) and analysed separately. <i>250 ppm:</i> Results of the meta-analysis were statistically significant (p = 0.002 and 0.0005) and in favour of the control group (1,000 ppm). DFS increments in the 250-ppm group were 0.6–0.7 greater than the 1,000-ppm group. <i>500 ppm:</i> Only two studies were in this category, and one of them failed to present the baseline caries levels, so a meta-analysis was not carried out. <i>Conclusion:</i> 250 ppm fluoride dentifrice was not as effective in caries prevention in permanent dentition as dentifrice containing 1,000 ppm F or more. More studies have to be carried out to test the anticaries efficacy of 500 against 1,000 ppm and above.
Efficiency of Cytokine Gene Transfer in Corneal Endothelial Cells and Organ-Cultured Corneas Mediated by Liposomal Vehicles and Recombinant Adenovirus
Authors: Bertelmann Eckart , Ritter Thomas , Vogt Katrin , Reszka Regina , Hartmann Christian , Pleyer Uwe 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> Gene transfer of immunoregulatory cytokines could contribute to reduce rejection of corneal grafts. The aim of our study was to examine the gene transfer efficiency of liposomal vehicles compared to adenoviral vectors for transferring the Epstein-Barr-virus-derived interleukin 10 homologue (viral IL-10, vIL-10) into corneal endothelial cells and organ-cultured human corneas (HC) in vitro. <i>Method:</i> To test liposomal efficiency, 2 lipid formulations (SP-Chol/DOPE 20/80 and DDAB/DOPE 30/70 in various concentrations) were complexed with a plasmid containing the vIL-10 cDNA in an eukaryotic expression vector (pcDSRα-BCRF-I). The complexes were transferred to (1) subconfluent bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCEC) after 1 passage and to (2) HC stored in organ culture. In addition, BCEC and HC were transduced with the recombinant adenoviral vector encoding for vIL-10 (AdvIL-10). Secretion of vIL-10 in the supernatants from both transfected BCEC and HC was measured by specific ELISA. <i>Results:</i> For gene transfer in BCEC, both transfection methods (liposomes and adenovirus) led to high secretion of vIL-10 [>2 ng/ml (liposomes) and <150 ng/ml (adenovirus) per 5,000 initially planted BCEC]. Expression levels in BCEC were dependent on the concentration of applied liposomes. For gene transfer in HC, only the adenoviral transduction technique achieved a high production of vIL-10, whereas liposomal transfection led only to low vIL-10 secretion (4.8 µg/ml vs. 95 pg/ml per quarter of cornea). <i>Conclusion:</i> For transfection of corneal endothelial cells in culture, liposomes can be considered as a safe and useful alternative method of gene transfer avoiding side-effects of viral vectors. However, for transfection of organ-cultured HC, adenoviral vectors are superior to liposomal vehicles.
Effects of Intra-Abdominal Drainages on Adhesion Formation and Prevention by Phospholipids in a Rat Model
Authors: Bertram P. , Treutner K.-H. , Tietze L. , Vicas M. , Weiss C. , Anurov M. , Titkova S. , Polivoda M. , Oettinger A.P. , Schumpelick V. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background and Aims:</i> The study was designed to asses the adhesiogenic capacity of silicone drainages and the protective effect of phospholipids (PL). <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A total of 75 Wistar rats were randomly assigned to the different groups. In a preliminary trial (pt; n = 15), all rats underwent midline laparotomy. The control group (C<sub>pt</sub>; n = 5) received no further treatment. In the other animals, either an ‘easy flow’ drainage (EF<sub>pt</sub>; n = 5) or an ‘Aachen’ drainage (AC<sub>pt</sub>; n = 5) was placed into the abdominal cavity. In the final study (fs; n = 60), rats underwent laparotomy and colonic anastomosis. The control groups (C<sub>fs</sub>) received no drainages. In the other groups either one of the two types of drainages (EF<sub>fs</sub>, AC<sub>fs</sub>) were introduced. In 50% of the rats, 75 mg/kg of PL were administered intraperitoneally (C<sub>fs</sub>+PL, EF<sub>fs</sub>+PL, AC<sub>fs</sub>+PL). The other rats received no additional treatment (C<sub>fs</sub>ØPL, EF<sub>fs</sub>ØPL, AC<sub>fs</sub>ØPL). All animals were sacrificed 10 days after surgery. Areas of adhesions and anastomotic bursting pressures were measured (mean ± SD). <i>Results:</i> In the preliminary trial, analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no differences between the groups after application of drainages (values are given in mean ± SD): C<sub>pt</sub> mean 23.3 ± 29.4 mm<sup>2</sup>, EF<sub>pt</sub> 829.7 ± 679.3 mm<sup>2</sup>, AC<sub>pt</sub> 609.9 ± 219.4 mm<sup>2</sup>. In the final study, 2-factorial ANOVA showed a significant effect (p < 0.001) for the use of drainages but not for the application of PL (C<sub>fs</sub>ØPL 140.6 ± 124.2 mm<sup>2</sup>, C<sub>fs</sub>+PL 67.7 ± 60.4 mm<sup>2</sup>, EF<sub>fs</sub>ØPL 1,217.0 ± 458.3 mm<sup>2</sup>, EF<sub>fs</sub>+PL 1,266.8 ± 368.3 mm<sup>2</sup>, AC<sub>fs</sub>ØPL 861.7 ± 274.8 mm<sup>2</sup>, AC<sub>fs</sub>+PL 544.2 ± 193.8 mm<sup>2</sup>). Post hoc test for pairwise comparisons adjusted to Bonferroni showed significant differences (p < 0.001) between all of the three pairs (C<sub>fs</sub> 104.1 ± 92.3 mm<sup>2</sup> vs. EF<sub>fs</sub> 1,241.9 mm<sup>2</sup> ± 413.3 mm<sup>2</sup>; C<sub>fs</sub> vs. AC<sub>fs</sub> 702.9 mm ± 234.3 mm<sup>2</sup>; EF<sub>fs</sub> vs. AC<sub>fs</sub>). <i>Discussion:</i> The final study demonstrates the adhesiogenic capacity of silicone drainage tubes in combination with anastomoses. Any protective effect of PL alone or in combination with drainages could not be shown. <i>Conclusions:</i> Indication for the use of drainages in standard surgical procedures should be reconsidered within the scope of their potential to cause adhesions and subsequent complications.
Biotherapy with the Pineal Immunomodulating Hormone Melatonin versus Melatonin plus <i>Aloe vera</i> in Untreatable Advanced Solid Neoplasms
Authors: Lissoni Paolo , Giani Luisa , Zerbini Stanislao , Trabattoni Patrizia , Rovelli Franco 
Published: April 2003

The possibility of natural cancer therapy has been recently suggested by advances in the knowledge of tumor immunobiology. Either cytokines such as IL-2, or neurohormones, such as the pineal indole melatonin (MLT), may activate anticancer immunity. In addition, immunomodulating substances have also been isolated from plants, particularly from <i>Aloe vera</i>. Preliminary clinical studies had already shown that MLT may induce some benefits in untreatable metastatic solid tumor patients, whereas, for the time being, no clinical trial has been performed with aloe products. We have carried out a clinical study to evaluate whether the concomitant administration of aloe may enhance the therapeutic results of MLT in patients with advanced solid tumors for whom no effective standard anticancer therapies are available. The study included 50 patients suffering from lung cancer, gastrointestinal tract tumors, breast cancer or brain glioblastoma, who were treated with MLT alone (20 mg/day orally in the dark period) or MLT plus <i>A. vera</i> tincture (1 ml twice/day). A partial response (PR) was achieved in 2/24 patients treated with MLT plus aloe and in none of the patients treated with MLT alone. Stable disease (SD) was achieved in 12/24 and in 7/26 patients treated with MLT plus aloe or MLT alone, respectively. Therefore, the percentage of nonprogressing patients (PR + SD) was significantly higher in the group treated with MLT plus aloe than in the MLT gorup (14/24 vs. 7/26, p < 0.05). The percent 1-year survival was significantly higher in patients treated with MLT plus aloe (9/24 vs. 4/26, p < 0.05). Both treatments were well tolerated. This preliminary study would suggest that natural cancer therapy with MLT plus <i>A. vera</i> extracts may produce some therapeutic benefits, at least in terms of stabilization of disease and survival, in patients with advanced solid tumors, for whom no other standard effective therapy is available.
Circadian Secretions of IL-2, IL-12, IL-6 and IL-10 in Relation to the Light/Dark Rhythm of the Pineal Hormone Melatonin in Healthy Humans
Authors: Lissoni Paolo , Rovelli Franco , Brivio Fernando , Brivio Orietta , Fumagalli Luca 
Published: April 2003

It has been demonstrated that cytokine activities are under neuroendocrine control, recently mainly exerted by the pineal gland through the circadian secretion of its main hormone melatonin (MLT). It is mainly released during the night, but at present it is still unclear which relation exists between MLT and the circadian secretion of cytokines. This study was performed to evaluate the circadian secretion of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 in relation to that of MLT. The study included 10 healthy volunteers whose venous blood samples were collected at 8 a.m., noon, 4 p.m., 8 p.m., 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. The mean levels of MLT were significantly higher during the night than during the light phase of the day. Similarly, IL-2 mean levels significantly increased during the night. IL-6 mean values were higher during the light period of the day without, however, any significant differences with respect to the nocturnal mean levels. Finally, no substantial circadian variation was seen in IL-10 and IL-12 mean concentrations. These results show that IL-2 secretion increases during the night, concomitantly to that of the pineal hormone MLT, whereas there is no evidence of a circadian secretion for the other cytokines. Since the pineal gland has been proven to stimulate IL-2 endogenous production, the nocturnal increase in IL-2 blood concentrations could depend at least in part on the promoting action of MLT, whose release increases during the dark period of the day.
Three-Dimensional Stapes Footplate Motion in Human Temporal Bones
Authors: Hato Naohito , Stenfelt Stefan , Goode Richard L. 
Published: April 2003

The literature provides conflicting information on whether the motion of the stapes footplate is piston-like or some other type of motion, such as rotational or rocking. Examination of the three-dimensional (3D) motion of the stapes footplate appears to be an excellent way to understand this complicated motion. Five microsphere reflective targets were placed on the stapes footplate in ten fresh human cadaver temporal bone preparations, and their vibration measured through an extended facial recess approach using a laser Doppler vibrometer. The five target sites on the stapes footplate were center, anterior, posterior, superior and inferior. The stimulus was a sound input of 80–120 dB SPL at the tympanic membrane over a frequency range of 0.1 to 10 kHz. The 3D motion of the stapes footplate was calculated using the velocity amplitude and phase obtained for each target. For frequencies up to 1.0 kHz the vibration of the stapes footplate was primarily piston-like; this motion became complex at higher frequencies, with rotary motion along both the long and short axis of the footplate. When the cochlea was drained, stapes footplate motion became essentially piston-like for all frequencies.
A Community-Centric Internet Portal for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery with a Probabilistic Functional Atlas
Authors: Nowinski Wieslaw L. , Belov Dmitry , Benabid Alim-Louis 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective: </i>This paper describes an Internet portal for stereotactic and functional neurosurgery with a probabilistic functional atlas (PFA) calculated from electrophysiological and neuroimaging data. This portal enables (1) data sharing among neurosurgeons; (2) the calculation of probabilistic functional maps of stereotactic target structures from a neurosurgeon’s own data, optionally combined with data from other neurosurgeons, and (3) the construction and development of a PFA of the human brain by the neurosurgical community via the Internet. <i>Method:</i> The overall approach is done in three steps: (1) development and validation of the algorithm for PFA generation; (2) design and development of the portal for stereotactic and functional neurosurgery with tools for the rapid calculation, presentation, and use of the PFA, and (3) portal testing with the initial data acquired for 274 Parkinson’s disease patients, 487 hemispheres, and 500 best contacts. This paper covers step 2 and some results from step 3. <i>Results:</i> The Internet portal has been developed in Java and tested with the available data. Functions have been developed for: (1) data input, transfer, and editing; (2) data selection for PFA generation; (3) PFA generation; (4) PFA display and interactive manipulation, and (5) target planning. The portal has been put on the Internet for public use and so far more than 100 users downloaded it. <i>Conclusion:</i> The Internet portal for stereotactic and functional neurosurgery with a PFA potentially increases both the accuracy of targeting and the neurosurgeon’s confidence. The portal may be useful for both experienced functional neurosurgeons who have studied numerous cases and novices in the field. The use of the PFA through this portal, and sharing and expanding its content by neurosurgeons represents a paradigm shift from manufacturer centric to community centric.