bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of age, follicle stimulating hormone and Johnsen's score on successful sperm retrieval by microdissection testicular sperm extraction
Authors: TSUJIMURA AKIRA , MIYAGAWA YASUSHI , TAKAO TETSUYA , FUJITA KAZUTOSHI , KOMORI KAZUHIKO , MATSUOKA YASUHIRO , TAKADA SHINGO , KOGA MINORU , TAKEYAMA MASAMI , FUJIOKA HIDEKI , MATSUMIYA KIYOMI , OKUYAMA AKIHIKO 
Published: March 2005

Background:  The spermatozoa retrieval rate achieved by microdissection testicular sperm extraction (TESE) for patients with non‐obstructive azoospermia is still approximately 50%, despite technical advances. Predicting a successful outcome is important to avoid unnecessary surgery. A study was conducted to determine a method for calculating the predicted probability of successful microdissection TESE.Methods:  Testicular spermatozoa were retrieved in 41 of 100 patients by microdissection TESE. Ten clinical factors were examined in the search for an optimal logistic model for predicting a good outcome. Once the best delimiting value was established, sensitivity and specificity were calculated.Results:  Patient age, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration and Johnsen's score (JS) were shown to be influential factors by multivariate logistic analysis. The mathematical model for predicting the probability of a successful outcome was as follows: P = (1 + exp[0.144 × patient age − 0.059 × serum FSH concentration − 1.310 × JS])−1. When a predictive probability of 49.7% was selected as the best cut‐off value, sensitivity and specificity were 78.0% and 76.3%, respectively.Conclusion:  This present model is very useful for predicting successful microdissection TESE. In addition, we suggest that a younger patient age would increase the probability of success with this procedure. (Reprod Med Biol 2005; 4: 53–57)
Role of tumor necrosis factor‐α in Gram‐negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides induced implantation failure
Authors: DEB KAUSHIK , CHATURVEDI MADAN MOHAN , JAISWAL YOGESH KUMAR 
Published: March 2005

Background and aims:  Gram‐negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are known causative agents for pregnancy loss in mothers with genital tract infections. In this study, we attempt to test the role of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in the normal physiological processes of preimplantation embryonic development and LPS induced pregnancy loss in mice. Since the preimplantation mouse embryos grow in an unattached state for a considerable period (day 1–4.5) of its development in the maternal environment, it is possible that a critical level of soluble and biologically active TNF‐α is maintained in the maternal environment, and that any alteration in this could lead to implantation failure. Here we determine the pattern and level of expression of TNF‐α gene in preimplantation stage embryos and uterus collected from control and LPS treated pregnant animals during different stages of preimplantation period of pregnancy by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction.Methods:  The concentrations and biological activity of soluble TNF‐α protein present in oviductal fluid (OF) and uterine fluid (UF), in the normal and LPS treated animals, were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl) 2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on L929 cells, respectively. TNF‐α was also given i.p. to study its effect on implantation.Results:  An early expression of TNF‐α messenger ribonucleic acid in the preimplantation stage embryos collected from LPS treated animals was observed along with a significant rise in the level of biologically active soluble TNF‐α in the OF. Similarly, the level of bioactive and soluble TNF‐α present in the UF from LPS treated animals was significantly higher as compared to the control on day 4.42 of pregnancy.Conclusions:  TNF‐α given i.p. exerted similar effects on pregnancy as that of LPS. An incessant exposure of the preimplantation stage embryos to significantly high levels of maternal bioactive free/soluble TNF‐α, and an alteration in the normal pattern of its expression in the preimplantation stage embryos may be one of the causes of failure of implantation leading to poor pregnancy outcome in LPS treated mouse. (Reprod Med Biol 2005; 4: 79– 89)
Horizontal Equity and the Taxation of Employed and Self‐Employed Workers
Authors: FREEDMAN JUDITH , CHAMBERLAIN EMMA 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe schedular system of income tax in the UK frequently comes under attack, not least in relation to the distinctions it draws between the tax treatment of the employed and the self‐employed. However, on examination, it appears that non‐schedular systems of taxation share both these distinctions and the difficulties that arise from them, albeit to varying degrees. The division between employed and self‐employed is also problematic for social security systems. These difficulties are found, to a greater or lesser extent, in all the jurisdictions studied by the authors. It may be argued that all or some of the tax and social security differences are justified by fundamental economic and legal differences between the nature of employment and self‐employment relationships. This may be true where the relationships compared are unambiguously, on the one hand, employment and, on the other, self‐employment. However, there have always been non‐standard relationships that combine characteristics of both these broad categories. This grey area appears to be increasing with changing work patterns. Consequently, the simple dichotomous system adopted by the UK tax and social security systems has come under pressure. This article considers the problems arising from this situation and some of the ideas that have been put forward to deal with them. JEL classification: H24, K34.
Trends in Charitable Giving
Authors: PHAROAH CATHY , TANNER SARAH 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe charitable giving of UK households has changed considerably over the past 20 years. In particular, the proportion of households giving to charity fell by 5 percentage points between 1974 and 1993–94. An increase in the average size of donations meant that total voluntary income increased in real terms over the period, but, since 1988, voluntary income has stagnated. The greatest falls in the number of givers are among households in their twenties and thirties. There are clear trends in giving across households by age and income, with younger and poorer households tending to give less. But not only are today's younger households less likely to give than today's middle‐aged households; they are also less likely to give than today's middle‐aged households did when they were young. These generational trends in giving do not bode well for levels of voluntary income in the future. JEL classification: D12. D16.
Expression of p63 and p73 in ameloblastomas
Authors: Kumamoto Hiroyuki , Ohki Kousuke , Ooya Kiyoshi 
Published: March 2005

Background:  To clarify the role of p53 homologs in oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of odontogenic tumors, expression of p63 and p73 was analyzed in ameloblastomas as well as tooth germs.Methods:  Tissue specimens of nine tooth germs and 48 benign and five malignant ameloblastomas were examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for the expression of p63 and p73.Results:  Immunoreactivity for p63 and p73 was evident in epithelial cells neighboring the basement membrane in developing and neoplastic odontogenic tissues. p63 expression in desmoplastic ameloblastomas was significantly higher than in acanthomatous and granular cell ameloblastomas, and ameloblastic carcinomas showed higher p63 expression than metastasizing ameloblastomas. p73 expression was significantly higher in plexiform ameloblastomas than in follicular ameloblastomas, and basal cell ameloblastomas showed higher p73 expression than granular cell ameloblastomas. mRNA transcripts for ΔNp63 and TAp73 were detected in all developing and neoplastic odontogenic tissues. TAp63 mRNA was expressed in five of eight tooth germs, 16 of 34 ameloblastomas, and one of one malignant ameloblastoma, whereas ΔNp73 mRNA was recognized in one of eight tooth germs, nine of 34 ameloblastomas, and one of one malignant ameloblastoma.Conclusion:  The expression of p63 and p73 suggests that these p53 homologs play a role in differentiation and proliferation of odontogenic epithelial cells. Variations of predominantly expressed isoforms suggest that p63 and p73 might differentially function in odontogenic tissues.
Ultraviolet‐free phototherapy
Authors: Krutmann Jean , Medve‐Koenigs Kathrin , Ruzicka Thomas , Ranft Ulrich , Wilkens Jan H. 
Published: March 2005

Background: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation phototherapy has been used for decades in the management of common skin diseases. On the other hand, UV radiation is a complete carcinogen and as a consequence, UV phototherapy is usually not used for the long‐term management of children and young adults and in combination with topical or systemic immunosuppressants.Purpose: The therapeutic effectiveness of a new UV‐free irradiation device in the treatment of patients with atopic hand and/or foot eczema was studied.Methods: In a single‐blinded trial 10 patients with atopic hand and/or foot eczema were treated with a sham irradiation device and with the new developed UV‐free irradiation device DermoDyne® during the following 4 weeks. All irradiation's lasted 30 min per treatment three times weekly.Results: UV‐free irradiation was found to induce a significant clinical improvement of atopic hand and foot eczema (P=0.0001) in marked contrast to the sham‐irradiation (P=0.39).Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate that visible light can be successfully used for the treatment of patients with atopic eczema.
UVA1 phototherapy for disseminated granuloma annulare
Authors: Schnopp C. , Tzaneva S. , Mempel M. , Schulmeister K. , Abeck D. , Tanew A. 
Published: March 2005

Background/Purpose: Disseminated granuloma annulare is a benign granulomatous skin disease of unknown etiology. Recently, UVA1 (340–400 nm) phototherapy has been found effective in a small series of four patients. The purpose of this two‐center study was to determine the rate and duration of clinical response to UVA1 phototherapy in a larger cohort of 20 patients with disseminated granuloma annulare.Methods: Twenty patients with long‐standing, stable disease (median 42 months, 95% CI 23–105) underwent UVA1 phototherapy. Sixteen patients were treated with a high‐dose regimen (median single dose 110 J/cm2, 95% CI 103–121) and four patients with a medium‐dose regimen (median single dose 50 J/cm2, CI 50–50). The clinical response was graded on a 5‐point scale [0=none, 1=poor, 2=moderate, 3=substantial, 4=(near) complete]. After cessation of therapy, patients with a clinical score of 3 or 4 were followed up to evaluate the duration of clinical improvement.Results: At the end of treatment, five patients each had substantial improvement or (near) complete clearance. Another five patients had a moderate response, three patients were considered as poor responders and two patients as treatment failures. Out of the 10 patients with good or excellent response nine were available for follow up. Of these, two patients were still clear after 3 and 6 months, and seven patients relapsed after a median of 3 months (95% CI 1.68–6.46).Conclusions: UVA1 phototherapy provided good or excellent results in half of our 20 patients with disseminated granuloma annulare. In the majority of patients with a satisfactory response, however, discontinuation of treatment was followed by early recurrence of disease.
Probing the magnetoacoustic boundary layer in the peculiar magnetic star 33 Lib (HD 137949)
Authors: Kurtz D. W. , Elkin V. G. , Mathys G. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
We show unprecedented resolution of the amplitudes and phases of the principal 2.015-mHz mode and its 4.030-mHz harmonic as a function of atmospheric depth in the roAp star 33 Lib using high-resolution Very Large Telescope (VLT) Ultraviolet–Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) spectra. We show that the pulsation amplitude increases upwards into the Nd iii line-forming layer away from an atmospheric node, and increases downwards from the same node in the Nd ii line-forming layer. We suggest that the Nd iii layer, which arises at, or above, τ ∼ 10−3, overlaps with the magnetoacoustic boundary layer, and that our detailed observations of pulsation amplitude and phase variations with depth provide a first probe of this layer.
Placental Malaria Diminishes Development of Antibody Responses toPlasmodium falciparumEpitopes in Infants Residing in an Area of Western Kenya WhereP. falciparumIs Endemic
Authors: Bonner Phillip Cullison , Zhou Zhiyong , Mirel Lisa B. , Ayisi John G. , Shi Ya Ping , van Eijk Anna M. , Otieno Juliana A. , Nahlen Bernard L. , Steketee Richard W. , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTTo determine the effect of placental malaria (PM) infection on the development of antibody responses to malaria in infants, we measured immunoglobulin G levels to seven differentPlasmodium falciparumepitopes by using plasma samples collected at monthly intervals from infants born to mothers with and without PM. Overall, PM was associated with diminished antibody levels to all of the epitopes tested, especially with infants aged ≥4 to 12 months, and the difference was statistically significant for four of the seven epitopes (P< 0.0035). These findings suggest that PM can negatively influence the development of immune responses to malaria in infants.
Characterization of Virus-Responsive Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in the Rhesus Macaque
Authors: Chung Eugene , Amrute Sheela B. , Abel Kristina , Gupta Gunjan , Wang Yichuan , Miller Christopher J. , Fitzgerald-Bocarsly Patricia 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) are potent producers of alpha interferon (IFN-α) in response to enveloped viruses and provide a critical link between the innate and adaptive immune responses. Although the loss of peripheral blood PDC function and numbers has been linked to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) progression in humans, a suitable animal model is needed to study the effects of immunodeficiency virus infection on PDC function. The rhesus macaque SIV model closely mimics human HIV infection, and recent studies have identified macaque PDC, potentially making the macaque a good model to study PDC regulation. In this study, we demonstrate that peripheral blood PDC from healthy macaques are both phenotypically and functionally similar to human PDC and that reagents used for human studies can be used to study macaque PDC. Both human and macaque PBMC expressed IFN-α in response to herpes simplex virus (HSV), the prototypical activator of PDC, as measured by using an IFN bioassay and IFN-α-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assays. Similar to human PDC, macaque PDC were identified by using flow cytometry as CD123+HLA-DR+lineage−cells. In addition, like human PDC, macaque PDC expressed intracellular IFN-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β/CCL4, and IFN-inducible protein 10/CXCL10 upon stimulation with HSV, all as determined by intracellular flow cytometry. We found that IFN regulatory factor 7, which is required for the expression of IFN-α genes, was, similar to human PDC, expressed at high levels in macaque PDC compared to monocytes and CD8+T cells. These findings establish the phenotypic and functional similarity of human and macaque PDC and confirm the utility of tools developed for studying human PDC in this animal model.
Glycolipids of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Strain H37Rv Are Potential Serological Markers for Diagnosis of Active Tuberculosis
Authors: Tiwari R. P. , Tiwari Dileep , Garg Sanjay K. , Chandra Ramesh , Bisen Prakash S. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT

A simple and cost-effective diagnostic tool (TB Screen Test) for the screening of patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis and for differentiation of those individuals from individuals without tuberculosis, other common infections, and healthy controls has been developed. The serological responses of purified mycobacterial glycolipid antigens were examined by a liposome agglutination assay. The assay was able to detect very low antiglycolipid antibody concentrations in the infected individuals. The sera from the tuberculosis patient group had significantly higher concentrations of antiglycolipid antibody than the sera from uninfected control subjects, with 94% sensitivity and 98.3% specificity. Glycolipids of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
H37Rv antigens were isolated, purified, and characterized. After interchelation with liposome particles, these purified antigens specifically bound to the antiglycolipid antibodies present in the sera of patients with tuberculosis, resulting in the formation of a blue agglutination. This protocol clearly differentiates healthy controls and
M. bovis
BCG-vaccinated subjects from those with active tuberculosis. The resultant diagnostic tool, the TB Screen Test, is more economical and rapid (4 min) than other currently available products and can be used for the mass screening of a heavily afflicted population.
THE POLITICAL EVOLUTION OF PRINCIPAL-AGENT MODELS
Authors: Miller Gary J. 
Published: March 2005

▪ Abstract  With tools borrowed from the economic analysis of insurance, principal-agency theory has allowed political scientists new insights into the role of information asymmetry and incentives in political relationships. It has given us a way to think formally about power as the modification of incentives to induce actions in the interests of the principal. Principal-agency theory has evolved significantly as political scientists have sought to make it more applicable to peculiarly political institutions. In congressional oversight of the bureaucracy, increasing emphasis has been placed on negotiation of administrative procedures, rather than the imposition of outcome-based incentives, as originally conceived. Awareness of the problem of credible commitment has impelled more dramatic reformulations, in which agents perform their function only when their interests conflict with those of the principal, and they are guaranteed some degree of autonomy. The ‘political master’ finds himself in the position of the ‘dilettante’ who stands opposite the ‘expert,’ facing the trained official who stands within the management of administration. ( Weber 1958 )
Prospective dosing of warfarin based on cytochrome P-450 2C9 genotype
Authors: Voora Deepak , Eby Charles , Linder Mark W. , Milligan Paul E. , Bukaveckas Bonny L. , McLeod Howard L. , Maloney William , Clohisy John , Burnett Steven R. , Grosso Leonard , Gatchel Susan K. , Gage Brian F. 
Published: March 2005

SummaryCytochrome P-450 2C9 (CYP2C9) polymorphisms (CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3) reduce the clearance of warfarin, increase the risk of bleeding, and prolong the time to stable dosing. Whether prospective use of a retrospectively developed algorithm that incorporates CYP2C9 genotype and nongenetic factors can ameliorate the propensity to bleeding and delay in achieving a stable warfarin dose is unknown. We initiated warfarin therapy in 48 orthopedic patients tailored to the following variables: CYP2C9 genotype, age, weight, height, gender, race, and use of simvastatin or amiodarone. By using pharmacogenetics-based dosing, patients with a CYP2C9 variant achieved a stable, therapeutic warfarin dose without excessive delay. However compared to those without a CYP2C9 variant, patients with a variant continued to be at increased risk (hazard ratio 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4–9.5, p = 0.01) for an adverse outcome (principally INR > 4), despite pharmacogenetics-based dosing. There was a linear relationship (R2 = 0.42, p < 0.001) between the pharmacogenetics-predicted warfarin doses and the warfarin maintenance doses, prospectively validating the dosing algorithm. Prospective, perioperative pharmacogenetics-based dosing of warfarin is feasible; however, further evaluation in a randomized, controlled study is recommended.
Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase promotes human prostate cancer invasion and metastasis
Authors: Chiarelli Christian , Kozarekar Pallavi , Adler Howard L. , Cao Jian 
Published: March 2005

SummaryDevelopment of metastases requires cancer cells to breach underlying basement membrane, migrate through interstitial stroma and gain access to blood or lymphatic vessels. Membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) has been linked with these processes. Expression of MT1-MMP in human prostate cancer correlates with the stage of this disseminated disease. The mechanism underlying this observation, however, still remains to be understood. To study the role of MT1-MMP in prostate cancer dissemination, endogenous and recombinant MT1-MMP expressed in human prostate cancer cell lines (DU-145 and LNCaP) were examined. Using FITC-labeled Ma-trigel, a soluble basement membrane extract coated coverslips, LNCaP cells stably expressing a chimera of MT1-MMP and Green Fluorescent Protein (MT1-GFP) degraded Matrigel and readily migrated over degraded substrates. The degradation of Matrigel by LNCaP cells expressing MT1-GFP was sensitive to MMP inhibitors, CT-1746 and TIMP-2, but not TIMP-1. Cell migration was dramatically enhanced by expression of MT1-MMP. By employing surgical orthotopic implantation of LNCaP cells stably expressing MT1-GFP into the prostate gland of immunodeficient mice, we demonstrated that MT1-MMP promotes lymph node and lung metastasis of prostate cancer cells. Together, these results emphasize the pivotal role of MT1-MMP in prostate cancer dissemination and confirm that MT1-MMP is a suitable target to prevent cancer metastasis.
Bleeding and re-thrombosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome on oral anticoagulation
Authors: Ciampa Antonio , Margaglione Maurizio , Scenna Giovanna , Iannaccone Luigi , Brancaccio Vincenzo , Ames Paul R. J. 
Published: March 2005

SummaryThe aimof this studay was to compare bleeding and re-thrombosis in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS), mitral valve replacement (MVR) and inherited thrombophilia (IT) at different oral anticoagulation intensities. It entailed a prospective 8-year follow-up on 67 patients with PAPS, 89 with IT and 24 with MVR. Anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies detected by Elisa and lupus anticoagulant by clotting assays. At INR 2–3 minor bleeding rate was higher in MVR (33.3) than PAPS (10.9) and IT (4.2)(p<0.0001). At INR 3–4 minor bleeding rate was higher in PAPS (142) than IT (33.3) and MVR (5.8)(p<0.0001). At either INR major bleeding rate were not significantly different across the three groups, but in PAPS major and minor bleeding rates were superior at INR 3–4 than INR 2–3 (p=0.02 and p<0.0001). Re-thrombosis rate was higher in PAPS than IT at INR 2–3 (4.0 vs 0.35) (p=0.01) and at INR 3–4 (10.5 vs. nil). The hazard ratio for re-thrombosis between PAPS and IT was 13 (95% IC 1.6–102.2, p=0.015). By regression analysis, baseline IgG aCL titre (>80 GPL) (p=0.001) and male sex (p=0.03) independently predicted re-thrombosis. In conclusion, in PAPS, high intensity oral anticoagulation was not superior to conventional intensity in preventing re-thrombosis but was offset by greater bleeding rates. Male sex and elevated baseline IgG aCL predicted re-thrombosis in PAPS that is 13-fold more re-thrombogenic than IT.