bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil and platelet antibodies in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
Authors: Kwon S.‐W. , Procter J. , Dale J. K. , Straus S. E. , Stroncek D. F. 
Published: November 2003

Background and Objectives  Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), is an inherited disorder characterized by defective lymphocyte apoptosis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, accumulation of T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐αβ+ CD4− CD8− T cells (double‐negative T cells) and autoimmunity. We investigated the incidence and nature of neutrophil and platelet antibodies in patients with ALPS.Materials and Methods  Sera from 26 patients with ALPS were tested for neutrophil antibodies by granulocyte immunofluorescence, granulocyte agglutination and monoclonal antibody immobilization assays of granulocyte antigens, and for platelet antibodies using a solid‐phase antibody‐detection system.Results  Neutrophil antibodies were detected in 46% of patients with ALPS. Antibody specificity could be defined in eight of the 12 patients with neutrophil antibodies. Among these eight patients, four had antibodies directed against more than one antigen. Overall, 14 antibodies directed to specific antigens were identified: three were directed to the HNA‐1a antigen of FcγRIIIb; two to the HNA‐1b antigen of Fcγ‐RIIIb; two to epitopes common to all FcγRIIIb molecules; four to the HNA‐2a antigen of the NB1 glycoprotein; and three to neutrophil β2 integrins. Platelet antibodies were detected in 35% of patients with ALPS. No antibody specificities were identified among the platelet antibodies. There was no association between the detection of neutrophil antibodies and a history of clinical neutropenia, or between the detection of platelet antibodies and a history of clinical thromobocytopenia.Conclusions  Neutrophil and platelet antibodies are important markers of ALPS, but do not always cause clinical cytopenias. The specificities of neutrophil antibody were similar to those found in children with autoimmune neutropenia but without ALPS.
Induction of an antitumour adaptive immune response elicited by tumour cells expressing de novo B7‐1 mainly depends on the anatomical site of their delivery: the dose applied regulates the expansion of the response
Authors: Sartoris Silvia , Testi Maria G. , Stefani Elisabetta , Chignola Roberto , Guerriero Chiara , Matucci Andrea , Cestari Tiziana , Scarpa Aldo , Riviera Anna P. , Zanoni Giovanna , Tridente Giuseppe , Andrighetto Giancarlo 
Published: November 2003

Summary De novo expression of costimulatory molecules in tumours generally increases their immunogenicity, but does not always induce a protective response against the parental tumour. This issue was addressed in the mouse Sp6 hybridoma model, comparing different immunization routes (subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and intravenous) and doses (0·5 × 106 and 5 × 106 cells) of Sp6 cells expressing de novo B7‐1 (Sp6/B7). The results can be summarized as follows. First, de novo expression of B7‐1 rendered Sp6 immunogenic, as it significantly reduced the tumour incidence to ≤15% with all delivery routes and doses tested, whereas wild‐type Sp6 was invariably tumorigenic (100% tumour incidence). Second, long‐lasting protection against wild‐type Sp6 was mainly achieved when immunization with Sp6/B7 was subcutaneous: a dose of 0·5 × 106 Sp6/B7 cells elicited protection that was confined to sites in the same anatomical quarter as the immunizing injection. Repeated injections of the same dose extended protection against wild‐type Sp6 to other anatomical districts, as well as a single injection of a 10‐fold higher dose (5 × 106 cells). Finally, Sp6‐specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte activity was detected in draining lymph nodes, and the splenic expansion of Sp6‐specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte precursors quantitatively correlated with the dose of antigen. We conclude that activation of a protective immune response against Sp6 depends on the local environment where the immunogenic form of the ‘whole tumour cell antigen’ is delivered. The antigen dose regulates the anatomical extent of the protective response.
Killer immunoglobulin‐like receptor expression on single cells: a cautionary note
Authors: Radeloff Britta , Laun Katja , Zirra Maja , Volz Armin 
Published: November 2003

SummaryNatural killer (NK) cells keep the surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules under surveillance using killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIR). Virus‐infected or aberrant cells are frequently characterized by a reduced surface expression of MHC class I antigens and may therefore be removed by cytolysis. NK cells are heterogeneous with regard to the expression of KIR genes. The resulting subpopulations show distinguishable specificities allowing the recognition of cells lacking varying combinations of MHC class I antigens. The KIR expression pattern in single NK cells has previously been analyzed by Husain and colleagues by cDNA preamplification of CD3− CD56+ single cells and subsequent gene‐specific polymerase chain reaction. We show here that the data of this study contain inconsistencies. These inconsistencies are discussed in the context of KIR mRNA abundance and single‐cell cDNA amplification efficiency.
Fluorescent resolution target for super‐resolution microscopy
Authors: Stark P. R. H. , Rinko L. J. , Larson D. N. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryHistorically, resolution in fluorescence optical microscopy has been limited by the Rayleigh criterion. Recently, however, several techniques have achieved resolution below that specified by the Rayleigh criterion. Among these are 4‐Pi confocal microscopy, harmonic excitation light‐microscopy, stimulated emission depletion microscopy, near‐field scanning optical microscopy and I5M. The most widely accepted current method of resolution testing is to image an array of closely packed fluorescent beads or beads dispersed in a matrix. This shows that the system is capable of resolving a feature with a given diameter; however, it does not demonstrate the classical resolution of the system. We have fabricated a fluorescent resolution target for better characterization of a system's resolution.
Atomic force microscopy study of living diatoms in ambient conditions
Authors: Gebeshuber I. C. , Kindt J. H. , Thompson J. B. , Del Amo Y. , Stachelberger H. , Brzezinski M. A. , Stucky G. D. , Morse D. E. , Hansma P. K. 
Published: November 2003

SummaryWe present the first in vivo study of diatoms using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three chain‐forming, benthic freshwater species –Eunotia sudetica, Navicula seminulum and a yet unidentified species – are directly imaged while growing on glass slides. Using the AFM, we imaged the topography of the diatom frustules at the nanometre range scale and we determined the thickness of the organic case enveloping the siliceous skeleton of the cell (10 nm). Imaging proved to be stable for several hours, thereby offering the possibility to study long‐term dynamic changes, such as biomineralization or cell movement, as they occur. We also focused on the natural adhesives produced by these unicellular organisms to adhere to other cells or the substratum. Most man‐made adhesives fail in wet conditions, owing to chemical modification of the adhesive or its substrate. Diatoms produce adhesives that are extremely strong and robust both in fresh‐ and in seawater environments. Our phase‐imaging and force‐pulling experiments reveal the characteristics of these natural adhesives that might be of use in designing man‐made analogues that function in wet environments. Engineering stable underwater adhesives currently poses a major technical challenge.
Pressure‐flow variables in patients treated with tolterodine for detrusor overactivity
Authors: Wagg A. , Malone‐Lee J. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis that drug treatment which modifies detrusor function (tolterodine) may influence the higher detrusor pressure at urethral opening and closure recorded in patients with detrusor overactivity than in those with stable bladders.PATIENTS AND METHODSAll patients treated with tolterodine in the treatment arm of a phase III, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of tolterodine were eligible for the study. Patients underwent urodynamics before and immediately after 4 weeks of therapy. The detrusor pressure at urethral opening, at maximum flow and at urethral closure, and the maximum bladder capacity and postvoid residual urine volume were recorded from matched urodynamic studies in the trial. Patients with a reduction in urinary frequency of more than two voids per 24 h were defined as responders to treatment and urodynamic data were dichotomised accordingly to allow comparison.RESULTSThere were no between‐group differences in either the detrusor pressure at opening or closure when responders were compared with non‐responders. Successful treatment was associated with a statistically significant change in bladder capacity and postvoid residual volume, although the change in residual volume was not clinically significant. Values of detrusor pressure at opening before treatment were greater in non‐responders.CONCLUSIONThe absence of changes in the pressure‐flow plot variables is in keeping with previous studies reporting the search for a urodynamic variable which might be used to predict a favourable outcome after drug treatment.
Dynamic three‐dimensional spiral computed tomographic cysto‐urethrography: a novel technique for evaluating post‐traumatic posterior urethral defects
Authors: El‐Kassaby A.‐W. , Osman T. , Abdel‐Aal A. , Sadek M. , Nayef N. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo present a new method of identifying the anatomy of posterior urethral distraction defects (PUDDs) using three‐dimensional spiral computed tomography/cysto‐urethrography (CTCUG), as conventional two‐dimensional CUG can give a false interpretation of the exact anatomy.PATIENTS AND METHODSTwenty‐one patients presenting with a PUDD were assessed between February 2001 and October 2002. All patients initially underwent combined ascending and micturating CUG (ACUG), followed by CTCUG analysed using special software. In this technique all soft‐tissue densities were subtracted from the volume of interest leaving only high‐density images, i.e. pelvic bony structure and the contrast medium‐filled bladder and urethra. The images were taken over a sequence and 36 different images viewed by ‘roll and spin’ techniques, each of which had a different plane of vision. Images were supplied as static CT films and as a movie on a compact disk using a computer program.RESULTSThe technique allows one CT image to be viewed from 36 different angles both dynamically and statically, allowing the surgeon the unique opportunity to view the PUDD through several planes and precisely identify its anatomy. By comparing the data obtained with this technique to those obtained by conventional ACUG, and each in relation to the operative findings, the following aspects could be more thoroughly evaluated by CTCUG: the location of the distraction injury, the length of the distraction defect, the degree and direction of urethral end‐alignment, the relation of the ectopic bony fragments and bone callus to the urethra, and the presence of various pathological defects, e.g. fistulae, false passages and diverticulae.CONCLUSIONWith CTCUG, both static and dynamic images can be obtained, allowing the easier staging of a PUDD and thus better surgical planning and consequently better results from reconstruction.
Split renal function does not change after successful treatment in children with primary vesico‐ureteric reflux
Authors: Matsumoto F. , Shimada K. , Harada Y. , Naitoh Y. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the renal growth pattern in patients with primary vesico‐ureteric reflux (VUR) using long‐term measurements of split renal function with 99mTc‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 712 children aged < 16 years (466 boys and 246 girls) with primary VUR were referred to our hospital from July 1991 to December 2000. VUR was diagnosed by voiding cysto‐urethrography. The patients were treated either surgically (group 1) or conservatively (group 2) and followed with serial 99mTc‐DMSA scintigraphy for up to 10 years. There were 942 examinations in 367 of 712 patients who had repeat scintigraphy. Patients with secondary VUR, VUR to a solitary or fused kidney, or upper urinary tract obstruction, were excluded. Five of 298 patients (1.7%) who had ureteric reimplantation had a febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) soon after surgery but none recurred (recurrence is an indication for surgery in children with VUR); there was no febrile UTI in the 69 patients in group 2. Planar scintigraphy with 99mTc‐DMSA was used to assess the absolute uptake (AU) of each kidney, measured as a percentage of the injected dose, and the relative uptake (RU = AU of each kidney/AU of both kidneys) calculated. The initial examination was at least 4 weeks after any febrile UTI in most patients. Serial studies were conducted 1 year after surgery and then biannually in group 1. In group 2 the DMSA scan was repeated every 2–3 years. The change in split renal function was compared with the RU of the right kidney.RESULTSThe RU of the right kidney at the initial scan correlated closely with those on repeated scans in both groups. The correlation coefficients were 0.99 in group 1 and 0.94–0.97 in group 2 at every study. The change of RU remained within 0.05 in all patients after treatment.CONCLUSIONSUnder strict control of UTI, split renal function in children with primary VUR does not change. There may be no possibility of accelerated or compensatory growth of the kidney with reflux nephropathy, but no concern about deterioration and atrophy either.
Induction of potent antitumour natural‐killer cells from peripheral blood of patients with advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Oikawa T. , Kawai K. , Ishiwata I. , Ohno T. , Akaza H. 
Published: November 2003

In this section there are four papers on a variety of topics. The subject of antitumour natural killer cells is addressed in patients with advanced prostate cancer. In another study, the authors describe their work into the effect of oestrogen and testosterone on the urethral seam of the developing male mouse genital tubercle. Another group of authors studied ion‐channel currents of smooth muscle cells isolated from the prostate of the guinea pig, and the final paper describes how a novel pyrrole derivative, NS‐8, suppresses the rat micturition reflex by inhibiting afferent pelvic nerve activity.OBJECTIVETo examine whether antitumour natural‐killer (NK) cells can be induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with advanced prostate cancer, as cell therapy using antitumour immune cells is a promising candidate treatment but such patients generally have a suppressed immune response against cancer cells.PATIENTS AND METHODSPBMCs were obtained from 10 patients (four with stage D2 and six with stage B or C disease). For the NK cell expansion, PBMCs were co‐cultured with irradiated HFWT cells, a cell line originating from Wilms’ tumour, in RHAM α culture medium supplemented with 5% autologous plasma and interleukin‐2 (200 U/mL) for 2 weeks.RESULTSWhen PBMCs were co‐cultured with HFWT cells, lymphocytes from all patients had a 20‐ to 130‐fold expansion after 2 weeks of culture. The CD16+ CD56+ cells constituted > 70% of the proliferated lymphocyte population. The induced NK cells had significantly greater cytotoxicity against a prostate cancer cell line (PC‐3) than lymphocytes cultured with no HFWT cells. There was no significant difference in growth and phenotypes of lymphocytes and the induced NK cell activity between patients with stage D2, B or C.CONCLUSIONNK cells with potent cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cell lines from patients with advanced prostate cancer were selectively expanded. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this approach could be a candidate for cell therapy for advanced prostate cancer.
Stress incontinence surgery for patients presenting with mixed incontinence and a normal cystometrogram
Authors: Osman T. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcome of surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in patients presenting with a combination of stress and sensory urge UI.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe study comprised 75 women presenting with mixed incontinence; the most important inclusion criterion was a negative cystometrogram for detrusor overactivity. Based on random selection, a third of the patients received a 6‐month course of anticholinergic treatment (group 1) and 50 (group 2) had surgery for SUI. The surgical procedure depended on the Valsalva leak‐point pressure (VLPP); those with a VLPP of ≥ 90 cmH2O underwent Burch retropubic bladder neck suspension (group 2a, 24 patients) while 26 (group 2b) with a VLPP of < 90 cmH2O had pubovaginal sling (PVS) surgery. A further group of 20 patients with pure SUI (no urge UI) underwent surgery (PVS in 12 and Burch in eight) as a control group (group 3). After at least 6 months of follow‐up (mean 9.3, sd 1.7), 68 patients were evaluable; they were assessed subjectively and objectively for dryness, and by a urodynamic evaluation and quantitative assessment using the SEAPI scoring system.RESULTSIn group 1 none of the patients became completely dry; there was persistent stress with and without urge UI in nine (43%) and 12 (57%) of the available 21 patients, respectively. Only three of those who had persistent SUI with no urge in the whole study group were satisfied and chose to continue anticholinergic therapy despite SUI. In this group the mean (sd) improvement in the subjective and objective SEAPI score was 3.4 (1.0) and 2.3 (3.8), respectively. In group 2a, 20 of the available 23 patients (87%) became completely dry (both stress and urge continent). The mean improvement in the SEAPI scores was 7.8 (0.9) and 7.8 (1.3), respectively. In group 2b, 20 of the 24 patients (83%) became completely dry, with mean improvements in SEAPI scores of 8.2 (0.4) and 7.9 (0.3), respectively. The improvement was statistically significant after surgery, vs anticholinergic therapy, for all variables (P < 0.05). The incidence of persistent urge UI was highest in group 1 (43%), being 13% in group 2 (13% and 12% in 2a and b, respectively). In group 3 there was de novo urge UI in four of the 20 patients, and not significantly different from that in group 2.CONCLUSIONMost patients with mixed stress and urge UI and a normal cystometrogram were cured of both symptoms by surgery. The incidence of residual urge in such patients was no higher than that of de novo urge after surgery in patients with genuine SUI.
Cytopathological expression of different types of urothelial carcinoma in situ in urinary bladder washings
Authors: Demir M.A. , Ryd W. , Aldenborg F. , Holmang S. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and compare the cytopathological expression of the five major histological types of carcinoma in situ (CIS) in urinary bladder washings from patients with flat urothelial lesions.MATERIALS AND METHODSSeventy‐five cases of primary and secondary urothelial CIS with no concomitant tumours, and having tissue and cytological samples, were identified. Biopsies were evaluated based on the consensus classification as: large‐cell pleomorphic; large‐cell non‐pleomorphic; small‐cell; clinging; and cancerization of the urothelium. In the cytological classification the ‘clinging’ category was excluded, as its definition depends on the histological appearance. κ statistics were used to evaluate the correlation between histopathology and cytology.RESULTSMore than one subtype of CIS could often be identified in both the histological and cytological specimens. Cytology often showed more subtypes than did histopathology. Statistically, there was only a moderate correlation between histopathology and cytology for recognising different patterns.CONCLUSIONDifferent patterns of CIS can be identified by cytology; it is important for cytologists to be aware of the cytological spectrum of CIS and not to under‐diagnose monomorphic, pagetoid (cancerization) and small‐cell forms. Studies on treatments for CIS and of the clinical significance of different subtypes of CIS should include both cytopathology and histopathology.
The subjective and objective benefits of a remote‐controlled intraurethral device for managing the female acontractile bladder
Authors: Lynch W.J. , Testa G.A. , Bell D.F. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVETo determine the subjective and objective benefits of the InflowTM (SRS Medical Systems, N. Billerica, MA, USA) intraurethral device for managing acontractile bladders in women.PATIENTS AND METHODSTwenty women with acontractile bladders who had been managed unsuccessfully by the usual methods were recruited. All patients were asked to complete a quality‐of‐life (QoL) questionnaire and were assessed with urine flowmetry and urine culture; to measure the postvoid residual urine (PVR) in the bladder, ultrasonography was used after activating the device.RESULTSThere was a decrease in the QoL score from a mean of 59.6 before insertion to means of 11.2, 8.8, 6.3 and 5.0 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months afterward. The mean (range) urinary flow rate was 10.7 (9–16) mL/s and the PVR 3 (0–17) mL. Three patients had temporary asymptomatic bacteriuria and two a single infection after the device was inserted that settled readily with antibiotics.CONCLUSIONThis study shows that the Inflow device provides an effective method of bladder drainage, with few side‐effects and a significant improvement in QoL.
Repeating the measurement of prostate‐specific antigen in symptomatic men can avoid unnecessary prostatic biopsy
Authors: Singh R. , Cahill D. , Popert R. , O'Brien T.S. 
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVESTo report the 2‐year clinical and biochemical follow‐up of symptomatic men who had a high prostate‐specific‐antigen (PSA) level, for whom our policy has been to avoid biopsy in those with a normal repeat PSA, as minimizing negative prostate biopsies is an important goal in managing men with a high PSA, where the decision for biopsy based on one high value may be inappropriate.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 101 men (median age 72 years, range 47–85) referred to a urology department over 1 year with a PSA level above the age‐specific reference range (but < 50 ng/mL) had a repeat PSA measurement. Those with a normal PSA and a normal digital rectal examination (DRE) were not biopsied. Their follow‐up included a symptom review, DRE and PSA measurements.RESULTSOf the 101 men, 67% presented with LUTS, 11% with symptoms of urinary infection, 8% with haematuria and 9% for screening. In 35 patients the repeat PSA level was normal; in three of these 35 prostate cancer was diagnosed after biopsy because of an abnormal DRE, three were lost to follow‐up and one died from unrelated causes. Thus 28 patients were available for review at 2 years. In 23 (82%) the PSA remained within the normal range. In 66 of the 101 men the repeat PSA was abnormal. Cancer was diagnosed in 28 and the remaining 36 with no cancer were managed by PSA review; 30 were reviewed at 2 years and in half of them the PSA level returned to normal.CONCLUSIONSIn symptomatic men referred with a raised PSA level and who have a normal DRE and normal repeat PSA, prostatic biopsy can be safely avoided.