bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strontium Nitrate Decreased Histamine-Induced Itch Magnitude and Duration in Man
Authors: Zhai H. , Hannon W. , Hahn G.S. , Harper R.A. , Pelosi A. , Maibach H.I. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Previous studies have demonstrated that strontium salts have a potent and broad ability to suppress sensory irritation. <i>Objective:</i> To ascertain the possible antipruritic effects of topical strontium salts, we conducted a double-blind randomized study to evaluate the effect of 20% strontium nitrate on itch magnitude (intensity) and duration. <i>Methods:</i> In 8 human subjects, strontium nitrate was applied to the volar forearm and vehicle control to the contralateral volar forearm for 30 min; both substances were reapplied for an additional 5 min. Itch was then experimentally induced by intradermal injection of histamine. Itch magnitude was rated each minute for the first 20 min using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Itch duration in minutes was also recorded. <i>Results:</i> Strontium nitrate, in comparison to its vehicle control, significantly shortened itch duration from 28.1 ± 5.4 min (mean ± SEM) to 18.5 ± 4.2 min (p < 0.01) and reduced itch magnitude at time points 12–20 min and overall (p < 0.05). <i>Conclusion:</i> Strontium nitrate may act as a topical antipruritic agent in reducing histamine-mediated itch.
Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis in aPatient with Systemic Immunosuppression after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Hunger R.E. , Paredes B.E. , Quattroppani C. , Krähenbühl S. , Braathen L.R. 
Published: April 2003

We report a 36-year-old woman who slowly developed an ulceration on the left thigh 2 years after transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome. At this time point, the patient was treated with prednisone, tacrolimus and azathioprine for immunosuppression and with phenprocoumon and low-dose aspirin for anticoagulation in the presence of polycythemia vera. A biopsy of the skin lesion was obtained and revelaed encapsulated yeast that was identified by microbiological and serological methods as <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> serotype D. The patient had no signs of systemic infection and a therapy with fluconazole (200 mg/day) was started. The lesion healed within 8 weeks and fluconazole was stopped after 3 months. Due to interactions between fluconazole, tacrolimus and phenprocoumon, the latter drugs were decreased to prevent toxicity. So far, 1 month after stopping fluconazole, no recurrence of skin lesions has been observed.
Impact of Sedation and Resident Teaching on Complications of Colonoscopy
Authors: Galandiuk Susan , Ahmad Pasha 
Published: April 2003

There is controversy regarding the frequency of sedation-related complications of colonoscopies and whether these procedures are safely performed by physicians-in-training. We retrospectively reviewed the safety of 1,004 consecutive outpatient colonoscopies. No perforations occurred. No patients were hospitalized for sedation-related complications. Seventeen percent of patients had significant changes in vital signs that lasted less than 5 min. These changes were less common in patients receiving ≤3 mg midazolam intravenously without meperidine (p < 0.005). Complications were slightly more frequent in procedures performed by trainees (23%) than by gastroenterologists (12%) and by surgeons (18%) (p = 0.01). These data support the safety of colonoscopy under intravenous sedation, even when performed by trainees.
<i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> Causing Solitary Liver Abscess
Authors: Brönnimann Simon , Baer Hans U. , Malinverni Raffaele , Büchler Markus W. 
Published: April 2003

The authors report on a case of a solitary liver abscess due to <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> in a 53-year-old diabetic white male and review all published cases of solitary listerial abscesses of the liver. <i>L. monocytogenes</i> is a rare cause of solitary liver abcess which occurs in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus. The clinical signs are variable and often mimic malignancy, with epigastric pain, night sweats and weight loss. Prevalent features are poor control of glycemia, temperature up to 38.5°C and elevated alkaline phosphatase. Optimal treatment includes percutaneous drainage of the hepatic abscess and antibiotic therapy with an aminopenicillin or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Outcome of the reviewed patients was favourable with no mortality and no relapse of the disease.
Prognosis Factors in Carcinoma of the Head of the Pancreas
Authors: Wenger F.A. , Peter F. , Zieren J. , Steiert A. , Jacobi C.A. , Müller J.M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Due to a low survival rate even after a R0 resection of cancer of the head of the pancreas, a strict indication for a pancreaticoduodenectomy seems to be sensible. We have therefore analyzed our patients for possible prognosis factors. <i>Methods:</i> In a retrospective trial the courses of disease of all patients (1981–1996) with resected histologically proven carcinoma of the head of the pancreas were analyzed. The following patient-specific parameters were evaluated and examined in a single or multivariate analysis of prognosis factors: age, gender, tumor size (T status), lymph node involvement (N status), dimension of resection, operation method, time of operation, morbidity, clinic lethality and survival rate. <i>Results:</i> Between 1981 and 1996, 500 patients with ductal adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas were treated surgically. The rate of resection increased from 32.1% (1981–1986) to 37.8% (1991–1996) whereas the mortality rate decreased from 13.3 to 7.3%. The 5-year survival rate after resection was 11.8% with a median survival time of 13.8 months. In a multivariate analysis, only small tumors (T1, p < 0.016), the R0 status (p < 0.017) and the resection had a significant influence on the survival rate. <i>Conclusion:</i> Prognosis factors in the treatment of pancreatic cancer were tumor size (T1), tumor resection and R0 status.
Sacral Magnetic Stimulation in Paradoxical Puborectalis Syndrome
Authors: Shafik Ahmed 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Purpose:</i> Our earlier studies have demonstrated that sacral magnetic stimulation (MS) in the canine model, in healthy volunteers and in constipated subjects brought about a rise in rectal pressure and a decline in rectal neck (anal canal) pressure as well as rectal evacuation. Based on these results, we studied the effect of sacral MS on defecation in patients with paradoxical puborectalis syndrome (PPS). <i>Methods:</i> Eleven subjects (8 women, 3 men; age 36–53 years) with PPS were enrolled in the study. The magnetic coil was placed on the back with its center located between L4 and L5. Stimulation parameters were set at 70% of maximum intensity, 40 Hz frequency and 2 s burst length with 2 s off. During MS, the rectal neck and gastric (intra-abdominal) pressures were measured. The procedure was performed in the empty and the full rectum using the balloon expulsion test in the latter. <i>Results: </i> MS of the empty and balloon-filled rectum brought about a rise in the rectal pressure (p < 0.001), decline in rectal neck pressure (p < 0.001) and no significant change in intragastric pressure (p > 0.05). The balloon was expelled by all patients. <i>Conclusions:</i> Sacral MS succeeded in expelling the water-filled rectal balloon. The method is simple, easy, noninvasive, nonradiologic and can be performed on an outpatient basis in the treatment of PPS.
Reference Typing Report for Complement Receptor 1 (CR1)
Authors: Moulds J.M. , Brai M. , Cohen J. , Cortelazzo A. , Cuccia M. , Lin M. , Sadallah S. , Schifferli J. , Bala Subramanian V. , Truedsson L. , Wu G.W. , Zhang F. , Atkinson J.P. 
Published: April 2003

A total of 100 Chinese blood donors (50 from Shen-Zhen and 50 from Taiwan) were studied by the participants in addition to 9 reference samples. A new nomenclature for the CR1 structural alleles was recommended by the participants which would use a numbering system, e.g. CR1*1. The structural allele frequencies in the Chinese were: CR1*1 (190 kD) 0.96, CR1*2 (220 kD) 0.03, CR1*3 (160 kD) 0.01 and CR1*4 (250 kD) 0.00. The <i>Hin</i>dIII expression polymorphism was also studied and the high expressing allele had a gene frequency of 0.71 while the low expressor gene frequency was 0.28. Erythrocyte copy numbers were quantified and compared between laboratories with good correlation (R = 0.55–0.88). The mean (± SD) erythrocyte copy number was 463 (± 229) in the Taiwan donors and 446 (± 207) in the Mainland Chinese.
Complement-Mediated Regulation of <i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> Infection in Mice
Authors: Caterina P. , Lynch D. , Ashman R.B. , Warton A. , Papadimitriou J.M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Trichomonas vaginalis</i> is a flagellated protozoan which causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease of the human genitourinary tract. The importance of the alternative complement pathway in host defence against <i>T. vaginalis</i> was investigated in vitro. Kinetic studies utilising immunofixation following electrophoresis showed that both a strongly and weakly virulent strain of <i>T. vaginalis</i> activated murine serum C3. In vivo studies with congenic-resistant, C5-deficient, B10.D2/OSn- and C5-sufficient, B10.D2/nSn mice showed that the presence of C5 is a significant factor in the innate host resistance to primary infection with a strongly virulent, but not a weakly virulent trichomonad strain.
MHC Class I Cross-Talk with CD2 and CD28 Induces Specific Intracellular Signalling and Leads to Growth Retardation and Apoptosis via a p56<sup>lck</sup>-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Ruhwald Morten , Pedersen Anders E. , Claesson Mogens H. 
Published: April 2003

Ligation of the major histocompatibility complex class I molecules (MHC-I) on human T lymphoma cells (Jurkat) initiates p56<sup>lck</sup>-dependent intracellular signalling events (phosphotyrosine kinase activity; [Ca<sup>2+</sup>]<sub>i</sub>) and leads to augmented growth inhibition and apoptosis. MHC-I ligation in concert with ligation of CD2 or CD28 augments, changes or modifies the pattern of activation. Ligation of MHC-I and CD2 alone resulted in growth inhibition, whereas CD28 ligation alone had no effect on cell proliferation. Ligation of MHC-I together with CD2 augmented growth inhibition and enhanced the level of apoptosis. In parallel experiments with the p56<sup>lck</sup>-negative Jurkat mutant cell, JCaM1.6, cross-linking neither influenced cell signalling nor cellular growth functions, indicating a cardinal role of the <i>src</i> kinases in signal transduction via MHC-I, CD2 and CD28 molecules. The results presented here provide evidence for the involvement of MHC-I molecules in the modulation of signal transduction via the CD2 and CD28 costimulatory molecules.
Pregnancy Outcome and Total Parenteral Nutrition in Malnourished Pregnant Women
Authors: Caruso Alessandro , De Carolis Sara , Ferrazzani Sergio , Trivellini Carmen , Mastromarino Carmen , Pittiruti Mauro 
Published: April 2003

<b>Objective:</b> We evaluated pregnancy outcome and fetal growth in women requiring total parenteral nutrition (TPN). <b>Methods:</b> Eleven malnourished pregnant women were treated with TPN in a single institution, starting at a mean gestational age of 20 ± 8 weeks (± SD). Serial ultrasound evaluations of fetal growth (biparietal diameter, femur length, abdominal circumference) were performed. The paired Student t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for the statistical analysis: p values <0.05 were considered significant. <b>Results:</b> The duration of TPN ranged from 14 to 220 days. Maternal nutritional state was well preserved and no complications were related to treatment. A gestational age of 35 ± 3 weeks at delivery (mean ± SD), birth weight of 2,251 ± 670 g (mean ± SD) and birth percentile of 29 ± 16 (mean ± SD) were observed. One intrauterine death occurred. The comparison between the sonographic findings, before and 2 weeks after starting TPN, showed a fetal percentile gain with a statistically significant increase in the abdominal circumference percentile (p < 0.05) from a median percentile of 2 (range 2–32) to 33 (range 2–78). <b>Conclusions:</b> TPN proved to be helpful and lifesaving in malnourished pregnant women and promoted fetal growth, as shown by the longitudinal ultrasonographic evaluations.
Transvaginal Sonographic Fetal Biparietal Diameter/Kidney Length Ratio in Early Pregnancy as a Screening Tool for Renal Malformations
Authors: Guariglia Lorenzo , Rosati Paolo 
Published: April 2003

<b>Objective:</b> The aim of the study was to produce by 7.0 MHz high resolution transvaginal scan early in pregnancy normal values of biparietal diameter/kidney length ratio that can be used as reference ranges. <b>Methods:</b> In this prospective cross-sectional study, a transvaginal high-resolution sonography was performed between 11 and 16 weeks’ gestation in 807 pregnant women with a history of regular cycles, singleton pregnancies and absence of fetal malformations. Measurements of kidney length and biparietal diameter were obtained in all cases and biparietal diameter/kidney length ratio was plotted against gestational age. <b>Results:</b> The values of biparietal diameter/kidney length ratio were found to be fairly constant throughout the period evaluated. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our results indicate that this new age-independent ratio can be useful in the early detection of some fetal kidney malformations affecting normal growth.
A Case of Congenital Familial Short Femur Diagnosed Prenatally
Authors: Makino Yasuo , Inoue Toshio , Shirota Kyoko , Kubota Syuhei , Kobayashi Hideki , Kawarabayashi Tatsuhiko 
Published: April 2003

A fetus at 24 weeks of gestation had been suspected of congenital familial bilateral short femur. The Japanese mother, 41 years old and 139 cm in height presented with bilateral short femur herself. The mother had two affected aunts and one affected daughter in her family history. Ultrasound examination was given to the mother for the first time at 24 weeks of gestation and it revealed bilateral short femur of 30 mm in length on the right and 31 mm on the left femur of the fetus. Other examinations were entirely normal and the pregnancy resulted in a full-term spontaneous vaginal delivery to a male baby. Birth weight was 2,790 g and the 1 and 5 min Apgar scores were at 8 and 10. Diagnosis was confirmed by skeletal radiographs.
Does the Hemoglobin Concentration in Fetal Blood Interfere with the Accuracy of Fetal Reflection Pulse Oximetry?
Authors: Arikan Guerkan M. , Haeusler Martin C.H. , Haas Josef , Scholz Heinz 
Published: April 2003

<b>Objective:</b> Our goal was to investigate the influence of the fetal hemoglobin (Hb) concentration on the accuracy of reflection pulse oximetry. <b>Methods:</b> 179 fetuses were monitored by a reflection pulse oximetry system (RPOX MK2). Pulse oximetry measurements (SO<sub>2POX</sub>) were compared with the oxygen saturation and pH of umbilical artery and vein (UA-, UV-SaO<sub>2</sub>) immediately after delivery. Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed. Because it is unknown whether low or high Hb concentrations might interfere with the SO<sub>2POX</sub> measurements, the influence of the Hb level on the correlations was evaluated by weighting the linear regression in both ways; by Hb concentrations as weighting factor and as an inverse weighting factor (1/Hb). <b>Results:</b> There was a significant correlation between SO<sub>2POX</sub> and UV-SaO<sub>2</sub> (for the last 10 min of delivery, r = 0.45, p < 0.0005) but not with pH or UA-SaO<sub>2</sub>. Linear regression analysis between SO<sub>2POX</sub> and UV-SaO<sub>2</sub> showed a multiple R of 0.45. Hb concentration in fetal blood ranged from 9.2 to 20.5 mg/dl. The weighted regression indicated a multiple R<sub>Hb</sub> of 0.49, which did not differ by the inverse weighting (multiple R<sub>inverse Hb</sub>: 0.49). <b>Conclusions:</b> Pulse oximetry measurements seem to reflect oxygen saturation in fetal blood, however further improvement is necessary. The Hb concentration in fetal blood does not interfere with the accuracy of fetal pulse oximetry and need not be taken into consideration in calibration curves.
Detection and Measurement of Fetomaternal Hemorrhage following Diagnostic Cordocentesis
Authors: Chitrit Yvon , Caubel Patrick , Lusina Daniel , Boulanger Marie-Christine , Balledent Françoise , Schwinte Anne Lyse , Herrero Rafael 
Published: April 2003

<b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cordocentesis on fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH). <b>Methods:</b> One hundred and three diagnostic cordocenteses, without any other associated procedure, were performed at 23–40 weeks’ gestation. FMH was detected using the Kleihauer-Betke staining of maternal blood taken immediately before and after cordocentesis. <b>Results:</b> Significant FMH occurred after 40 (38.8%) of the 103 procedures. An increased risk of fetal bleeding was associated with both an anterior placenta (odds ratio (OR) 5.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.27–15.3; p < 0.001) and a transplacental cordocentesis (OR 37.0; 95% CI 2.15–636; p < 0.001). The volume of FMH was greater after cordocentesis with an anterior placenta (90th percentile 6.20 ml) than after cordocentesis with a lateral (90th percentile 4.58 ml) or posterior placenta (90th percentile 1.35 ml) (p < 0.001). After fetal blood sampling, significant FMH occurred more frequently with a procedure duration of 3 min or more (OR 4.45; 95% CI 1.70–11.7; p = 0.002) and with two or more needle insertions (OR 4.65; 95% CI 1.80–12.1; p = 0.001). <b>Conclusion:</b> FMH following cordocentesis may be related to placental injuries. This event is influenced by placental location, procedure duration and the number of needle insertions.
Enrichment of Fetal Nucleated Red Blood Cells from the Maternal Circulation for Prenatal Diagnosis: Experiences with Triple Density Gradient and MACS Based on More than 600 Cases
Authors: Gänshirt Dorothee , Smeets Frank W.M. , Dohr Angelika , Walde Corinna , Steen Imke , Lapucci Chiara , Falcinelli Christina , Sant Rosalie , Velasco Martha , Garritsen Henk S.P. , Holzgreve Wolfgang 
Published: April 2003

<b>Objective:</b> We wanted to obtain statistically relevant data about the efficiency of our method for the isolation of fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) from the maternal circulation. <b>Methods:</b> More than 600 samples were investigated using a triple density gradient followed by magnetic separation of anti-CD71-labeled cells, and yields and purities of recovered NRBCs were determined. <b>Results:</b> The enrichment effectivity as well as the morphological condition of cells was reproducibly good, if blood samples were enriched within 48 h after sampling. The efficacy was independent of various methodological parameters and our technique was superior to other magnetic cell-sorting techniques. Mean yields and purities of NRBCs increased with increasing gestational age, ranging from 100 to 1,000 cells per 40-ml blood sample and from 0.1 to 1%, respectively, from the 6th week of gestation to term. In pregnancies with preeclampsia NRBCs were increased by a factor of 10. <b>Conclusion:</b> Our enrichment technique proved to be optimized with respect to various methodological parameters, which were compared in the present study, and it is efficient and reproducible for the enrichment of NRBCs from the maternal circulation in all three gestational trimesters.
High Levels of Maternal Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Down Syndrome Pregnancies: The Possible Role of a Transcription Factor on Chromosome 21
Authors: Goshen Ran , Gonik Bernard , Ariel Ilana , Weiss Yael , de-Groot Nathan , Hochberg Abraham 
Published: April 2003

Increased levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are used as markers for Down syndrome (DS) screening of low-risk populations. The pathophysiology for increased hCG levels remains unknown. In general, hCG synthesis is limited by the rate of β-chain formation. In the placenta, 2 of a total of 6 hCG β-genes are expressed. We hypothesized that in DS, a transcriptional factor may upregulate β-chain transcription by interacting with the β<sub>5</sub>-promoter. Primary cell cultures of skin fibroblasts from both normal and DS midtrimester fetuses were established and transfected with the β<sub>5</sub>-promoter linked to the chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase reporter gene. The chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase activity was measured. Three of six DS-derived cell cultures showed a three-fold increase in acetylation. The increase in hCG promoter activity in DS-derived fibroblasts suggests a possible role for a transcriptional factor located on the human chromosome 21 by either directly or indirectly interacting with the β<sub>5</sub>-promoter.
Evaluation of Fetal Echogenic Bowel in the Second Trimester
Authors: Yaron Yuval , Hassan Sonia , Geva Eli , Kupferminc Michael J. , Yavetz Haim , Evans Mark I. 
Published: April 2003

Previous studies cite different possible etiologies for fetal echogenic bowel (FEB). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible etiologies for second-trimester FEB, and to provide clinical guidelines for evaluation of this finding. The study included 79 patients diagnosed with FEB in the second trimester. Fifteen cases (19%) were associated with maternal vaginal bleeding. Of these, 12 patients underwent amniocentesis, 9 of which had visible blood products in the amniotic fluid. Seven cases (8.9%) had associated severe malformation. Seven other cases (8.9%) were noted in multifetal pregnancies. Five fetuses (6.3%) had evidence of bowel obstruction or perforation not associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). Chromosomal aberrations were found in 5 fetuses (6.3%). Intrauterine infection with cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, or parvovirus B-19 was documented in 5 patients (6.3%). Three cases (3.8%) were associated with subsequent unexplained stillbirth. Two fetuses (2.5%) were found to be affected by CF. Finally, in 30 cases (38%), no obvious reason for FEB was found. We conclude that the evaluation of second-trimester FEB should include targeted ultrasound for associated malformations, infectious studies, DNA analysis for CF mutations, amniocentesis for chromosomal analysis and evaluation of the amniotic fluid for degraded blood products, and an autopsy in cases of stillbirth. Even when no apparent reason is found, pregnancies should be considered at high risk for poor outcome.