bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Review of severe vaso‐occlusive retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus and the antiphospholipid syndrome: associations, visual outcomes, complications and treatment
Authors: Au Alicia , O'Day Justin 
Published: February 2004

Abstract Purpose: To discuss the pathogenesis of severe vaso‐occlusive retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the association with antiphospholipid antibodies, and its implications for management and prognosis. Methods: An illustrative case history of a woman with SLE and severe vaso‐occlusive retinopathy in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies is presented. A literature review of previously reported cases and previously published data on the topic was performed and forms the basis for discussion. Results: This is a rare form of retinopathy in SLE as distinct from the more common, benign form, being classically a microangiopathy with diffuse capillary non‐perfusion and small arterial or arteriolar occlusions in the retina. Poor visual outcomes with visual loss are reported in 80% of cases with neovascularization occurring in 40% of cases. It is associated with antiphospholipid antibodies, typically characterized by microthrombosis and immune complex mediated vasculopathy rather than a true vasculitis. There is a strong association between this severe form of retino­pathy and central nervous system manifestations of SLE. Anticoagulation has a role in the secondary prevention of thrombosis in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, but the role of aspirin and immunosuppression is unclear in the treatment of this condition. Vigilant ophthalmic follow up and aggressive treatment of neovascularization and vitreous haemorrhage can prevent further visual loss. These points are highlighted in the brief case report presented. Conclusion: Severe vaso‐occlusive retinopathy is a rare form of retinopathy in SLE often associated with poor visual prognosis and neovascularization. It may be a manifestation of the antiphospholipid syndrome. Treatment is aimed at preventing further thrombosis and complications arising from neovascularization.
Clinical Case Notes
Authors: A Wilson Graham , Devaux Angele , Aroichane Maryam 
Published: February 2004

AbstractA 10‐month‐old boy, known to have the 13q deletion syndrome, presented with leukocoria in a microphthalmic right eye. He was found to have bilateral retinoblastoma requiring enucleation of the right eye and laser, cryotherapy and external beam radiation to the left eye. This case demonstrates that retinoblastoma may be present in a microphthalmic eye and that more than one imaging modality should be used in the evaluation of suspected retinoblastoma, as calcification may be absent on the computed tomography scan but present on B‐mode ultrasound. Children with a known 13q deletion require immediate and serial ophthalmological examinations.
Clinical Case Notes
Authors: Koppens Joanna M , Pon Jo‐Anne MC , Allen Jonathan , Sloan Brian H 
Published: February 2004

AbstractCastleman's disease, also known as angiofollicular lymphoid hyperplasia, is a lymphoproliferative disorder that is generally benign. The lesions most commonly originate in the lymph nodes of the mediastinum. The second documented case of Castleman's disease of the lacrimal gland is reported in an 84‐year‐old woman who presented with an 8‐year history of a left upper lid mass. This was excised via a lateral orbitotomy, and a diagnosis of Castleman's disease was made histologically. Relevant images of the clinical findings and histology are shown.
Involvement of apoptosis‐inducing factor in neuronal death after hypoxia‐ischemia in the neonatal rat brain
Authors: Zhu Changlian , Qiu Lin , Wang Xiaoyang , Hallin Ulrika , Candé Céline , Kroemer Guido , Hagberg Henrik , Blomgren Klas 
Published: February 2004

AbstractApoptosis‐inducing factor (AIF) triggers apoptosis in a caspase‐independent manner. Here we report for the first time involvement of AIF in neuronal death induced by cerebral ischemia. Unilateral cerebral hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) was induced in 7‐day‐old rats by ligation of the left carotid artery and hypoxia (7.7% O2) for 55 min. AIF release from mitochondria and AIF translocation to nuclei was detected immediately after HI, and only in damaged areas, as judged by the concurrent loss of MAP‐2. AIF release was detected earlier than that of cytochrome c. Cells with AIF‐positive nuclei displayed nuclear condensation and signs of DNA damage. The number of AIF‐positive nuclei showed a positive correlation with the infarct volume 72 h post‐HI, and this was not changed by treating the animals with boc‐Asp‐fmk (BAF), a multicaspase inhibitor. BAF treatment reduced the activity of caspase‐3, ‐2 and ‐9 (78, 73 and 33%, respectively), and prevented caspase‐dependent fodrin cleavage in vivo, but did not affect AIF release from mitochondria or the frequency of positive nuclear AIF or DNA damage 72 h post‐HI, indicating that these processes occurred in a caspase‐independent fashion. In summary, AIF‐mediated cell death may be an important mechanism of HI‐induced neuronal loss in the immature brain.
Functional characterization of prostaglandin F2α receptor in the spinal cord for tactile pain (allodynia)
Authors: Muratani Tadatoshi , Nishizawa Mikio , Matsumura Shinji , Mabuchi Tamaki , Abe Kohji , Shimamoto Keiko , Minami Toshiaki , Ito Seiji 
Published: February 2004

AbstractProstaglandin F2α (PGF2α) binds to its receptor (FP) to increase the intracellular‐free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by coupling of FP with Gq protein. Spinal intrathecal administration of PGF2α to mouse induces touch‐evoked pain (mechanical allodynia), in which capsaicin‐insensitive primary afferent Aβ‐fibres and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor ɛ4 subunit are involved. FP in the spinal cord, however, was not well characterized. Here, we showed constitutive expression of FP mRNA in mouse spinal cord, and functionally characterized spinal FP‐expressing cells which were involved in PGF2α‐induced mechanical allodynia. The method for repetitive administration of oligodeoxyribonucleotides through tubing to conscious mice was established for mechanical allodynia evaluation. We identified an antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide targeting FP mRNA, causing both disappearance of PGF2α‐induced mechanical allodynia and decrease of FP mRNA. With saline‐administered mice, PGF2α rapidly increased [Ca2+]i of the cells in the deeper layer of the dorsal horn. In contrast, when the FP antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide was repeatedly administered, the population of PGF2α‐responsive cells in the slices reduced, and PGF2α‐induced [Ca2+]i increase of these cells diminished. These data strongly suggested that, in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, there are the FP‐expressing cells which are involved in PGF2α‐induced mechanical allodynia.
Diffusion interactions in glasses arising from discontinuities in anion concentration
Authors: Okongwu D. A. , Lu W-K , Hamielec A. E. , Kirkaldy J. S. 
Published: February 2004

A multicomponent diffusion formalism based on the Nernst-Planck equation is presented which is capable of generating from tracer diffusion data the discontinuous cation diffusion profiles which arise in diffusion couples when a stationary anion concentration profile contains a step discontinuity. Such couples can be constructed with ion exchange resins, zeolites, and glasses. This formalism introduces the electroneutrality condition through the zero flux (ΣZ1J1=0) condition alone, thus avoiding the mathematical difficulties associated with the application of the discontinuous neutrality condition (ΣZiCi=0) to a set of differential equations. The agreement between the predictions and the experiments for a series of silica glass couples is found to be good.
It is argued that the well-known contradiction between the electroneutrality constraint on the real charge and the nonuniform field predicted within the Nernst-Planck formalism can be removed if the proposition is accepted that a distribution of dipoles, and therefore of dipole charge, is associated with each diffusion profile of such magnitude that solutions of the Poisson equation become exactly consistent with the diffusion-generated electric field.
Interleukin‐1β Stimulates Growth Hormone‐Releasing Hormone Receptor mRNA Expression in the Rat Hypothalamus In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Taishi P. , De A. , Alt J. , Gardi J. , Obal F. , Krueger J. M. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractChanges in growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH), GHRH‐receptor (R), somatostatin and interleukin (IL)‐1β mRNA levels were determined in fetal rat hypothalamic cultures after administration of IL‐1β (1, 10, 100 ng/ml, 2 h incubation), and in adult rat hypothalamus 5 h after intracerebroventricular injection of IL‐1β (2.5 and 25 ng). IL‐1β stimulated GHRH‐R mRNA expression both in vitro (10 and 100 ng/ml) and in vivo (2.5 and 25 ng). Somatostatin mRNA was significantly stimulated and GHRH mRNA slightly reduced in vitro, while these mRNA species were not altered in vivo in response to IL‐1β. IL‐1β stimulated its own expression both in vitro (10 and 100 ng/ml) and in vivo (25 ng). IL‐1β‐induced mRNA responses occurred 2 h after treatment in vitro (incubation times, 30 min to 6 h). IL‐1β also elicited slight GHRH releases in vitro. Up‐regulation of hypothalamic GHRH‐R by IL‐1β may explain previous findings suggesting that IL‐1β stimulates GHRH activity.
Activation of Postsynaptic GABAB Receptors Modulate the Firing Activity of Supraoptic Oxytocin and Vasopressin Neurones: Role of Calcium Channels
Authors: Li Y. , Stern J. E. 
Published: February 2004

AbstractOxytocin and vasopressin release from neurohypophysial terminals is closely related to the firing activity of magnocellular neurones in the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei. It is well established that activation of GABAA receptors potently inhibits the activity of SON neurones and, thus, hormone release. However, whether postsynaptic GABAB receptors are expressed in magnocellular neurones, and the role they play in controlling their firing activity, is still controversial. In the present work, we combined immunohistochemical and electrophysiological techniques to determine whether activation of GABAB receptors in identified oxytocin and vasopressin neurones modulates their firing activity. Patch‐clamp recordings from SON neurones were obtained either in the slice preparation or from acutely dissociated neurones. Activation of GABAB receptors with the selective agonist baclofen (10 µm) inhibited voltage‐gated Ca2+ currents, reduced the duration of individual action potentials, as well as the magnitude of the hyperpolarizing after‐potential. SON firing activity was reduced by baclofen, and effect that was accompanied by a small membrane hyperpolarization. The inhibition of firing discharge persisted in the presence of synaptic blockade media, and was also observed in acutely dissociated SON neurones. Finally, GABAB‐mediated modulation of firing activity was largely blocked by the Ca2+ channel blocker Co2+ (2 mm). In general, baclofen modulatory actions were significantly larger, or observed more predominantly, in vasopressin neurones. In summary, these results support the expression of functional postsynaptic GABAB receptors in SON neurones, activation of which efficiently modulates neuronal excitability, in a Ca2+‐ and cell‐type dependent manner.
Anthony D. Smith on nations and national identity: a critical assessment
Authors: Guibernau Montserrat 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThis paper offers a critical assessment of Anthony D. Smith's classical definition of the nation. In so doing, it argues that Smith fails to establish a clear‐cut distinction between the concept of nation and state, since he attributes to the nation some of the features of the state, for instance the sharing of legal rights and duties among all its members. In addition, Smith's definition neglects the existence of nations without states. The paper offers a detailed examination of Smith's definition of the nation and the possible reasons why he has decided to introduce some fundamental changes into it in his most recent work. The paper then moves on to consider Smith's definition of national identity and to offer an alternative to it by including a reflection of how national identity is constructed in the global era.
Revisiting the Health Belief Model: Nurses applying it to young families and their health promotion needs
Authors: Roden Janet 
Published: February 2004

AbstractThe Health Belief Model (HBM) was reviewed with the aim of modifying it so that it reflected a health promotion stance for young families. Since this model's inception, health professionals like nurses have been involved in using the HBM to guide their practice. It is argued that to assist families, nurses now need a model that is focused on ‘health.’ In support of this approach, reorienting the HBM and basing it on ‘positive’ health definitions associated with health promotion, by modifying it through adding the constructs ‘perceived behavioral control’ (representing health locus of control) and ‘behavioral intention’ from Ajzen will provide nurses with a more appropriate and useful model for interacting with families and their preschool children. A summary of positive and negative aspects of the modification of the HBM is presented, followed by a strategy for the process of validating the revised HBM for young families.
Criterion validity, test‐retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the St George urinary incontinence score
Authors: Blackwell A.L. , Yoong W. , Moore K.H. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVETo assess the criterion validity, test‐retest reliability and the sensitivity to change after treatment of the St George Urinary Incontinence Score (SGUIS).PATIENTS AND METHODSWomen presenting with urinary incontinence completed two SGUIS tests one week apart. A frequency‐volume chart (FVC) was completed before the first attendance and the women had a 1‐h pad test before treatment. Patients were treated conservatively under the care of a urogynaecologist or nurse continence advisor, or surgically with an open or laparoscopic colposuspension. After treatment, the SGUIS, FVC and 1‐h pad test were repeated.RESULTSThe SGUIS correlated moderately well with the number of leaks per week (Spearman's r = 0.610, 95% confidence interval 0.516–0.689, P < 0.001) but less well with the 1‐h pad test loss (r = 0.257, 0.124–0.380, P = 0.002). The test‐retest reliability was acceptable, as the mean (sd) difference between the first and second SGUIS was 0.337 (2.675), with limits of agreement of −5.012 to −5.686. The change in the SGUIS after treatment correlated well with the improvement in the number of leaks per week (r= 0.742, 0.662–0.805, 156 samples, P < 0.001) but not as well with the change in 1‐h pad test loss (r= 0.531, 0.405–0.636, 151, P < 0.001), although the trend was similar.CONCLUSIONThe criterion validity of the SGUIS appeared adequate for both the number of leaks per week on the FVC and leakage on the 1‐h pad test. The statistical reproducibility of the test was adequate and appeared more responsive to change after treatment than the other measures. The score is suitable for rapid self‐administration by patients with a range of incontinence types, unlike most other currently available test instruments.
Robot‐assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy: preliminary UK results
Authors: Undre S. , Munz Y. , Moorthy K. , Martin S. , Rockall T. , Vale J. , Darzi A. 
Published: February 2004

Authors from London describe the early results from the UK in the use of robot‐assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy. In a small group of patients they found that patients could be treated early, with early discharge from hospital.The use of retrograde balloon dilatation of PUJ obstruction is revisited by authors from Plymouth, who review their 10 years of experience with this technique. They found that the procedure gave good symptomatic relief in 76% of their patients, but found no relationship between symptom relief and renographic improvement. In a few patients with a long‐term follow‐up there was symptomatic improvement and good maintenance of split renal function.OBJECTIVETo describe the results of our first two cases of laparoscopic adrenalectomy using the da VinciTM surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA).PATIENTS AND METHODSAmongst 75 robot‐assisted procedures performed at our institution, two patients underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The set‐up time, procedure time, hospital stay, complications and outcomes were recorded.RESULTSBoth operations were completed successfully using the robot; the mean (range) set‐up time was 31 (25–37) min and mean procedure time 118.5 (107–130) min. One patient had a postoperative pulmonary embolus and was discharged 5 days after surgery; the second patient was discharged after 3 days. There were no intraoperative complications; both patients were well at the 1‐year follow‐upCONCLUSIONSRobot‐assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy is technically feasible and can be conducted efficiently and safely with the da Vinci surgical system.
A preliminary study of natural‐fill radiotelemetered ovine fetal cystometry
Authors: Thiruchelvam N. , Godley M.L. , Farrugia M.K. , Cuckow P.M. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVETo determine whether fetal cystometric studies by radiotelemetry are feasible in the fetal lamb, and potentially suitable for chronically monitoring fetal bladder pressures in an experimental fetal model of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), as in utero BOO (e.g. caused by posterior urethral valves) results in significant postnatal bladder dysfunction but the pathophysiological progression of fetal bladder maldevelopment remains poorly understood.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe procedure required fetal sheep surgery and anaesthesia. Radiotelemetry implants comprised catheters that transmitted pressure fluctuations to an implant body; data were then transmitted using radio frequency to a receiver that passed this information to a computer. Four fetuses were used with different methods of catheter placement to optimize the technique.RESULTSRecordings were possible in three of the four sheep; during observation there were: (i) quiet periods with no abdominal or bladder pressure rises; (ii) synchronous activity in the bladder and abdomen; and (iii) discriminate activity, associated with intravesical activity only. Four patterns of discriminate bladder activity were observed, defined as void, immature void, staccato activity and ‘unstable’ type activity.CONCLUSIONSRadiotelemetry cystometry for long‐term monitoring is feasible in the experimental fetus without causing death or morbidity, or inhibiting growth. The method can discriminate reproducible patterns of detrusor activity. Recorded ‘voiding’ types were consistent between experiments and as reported in other fetal animal studies.
Incidental carcinoma of the prostate: clinicopathological, stereological and immunohistochemical findings studied with logistic regression and self‐organizing feature maps
Authors: Mattfeldt T. , Trijic D. , Gottfried H.‐W. , Kestler H.A. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVETo identify significant predictive factors determining category T1a and T1b in incidental prostatic carcinoma with classical and neural multivariate data analysis methods.MATERIALS AND METHODSIncidental prostatic carcinomas diagnosed in our department during 1990–99 (66 cases) were re‐examined. Besides acquiring routine clinical and pathological data the tumours were assessed by scoring immunohistochemistry for proliferative activity and p53‐overexpression. Tumour vascularization (angiogenesis) and epithelial texture variables were investigated by quantitative stereology. The data were evaluated by classical statistical methods (t‐test, correlation analysis, logistic regression). Moreover, self‐organizing feature maps (SOMs) were applied as an exploratory approach to unsupervised data analysis by artificial neural networks.RESULTSThe proliferative fraction, p53 overexpression of tumour cell nuclei, preoperative prostate‐specific antigen value and density of capillary vascularization correlated with the Gleason score in incidental prostatic carcinoma. In a stepwise logistic regression analysis with the tumour categories T1a and T1b as dependent variables, the Gleason score and the volume fraction of epithelial cells were significant independent predictors of the tumour category. The cases could be grouped into clusters of different degrees of malignancy using SOMs.CONCLUSIONSTexture variables of tumour cells are of central importance for the extent of propagation in the prostate in incidental prostatic adenocarcinomas. Gleason score and quantitative stereological estimates of the volume fraction of tumour cells are significant predictors of T1a and T1b categories of incidental prostatic carcinoma. Unsupervised clustering of T1 prostate carcinoma cases by SOMs correlates well with the dichotomous classification into T1a and T1b according to the UICC.
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in human renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Jacobsen J. , Grankvist K. , Rasmuson T. , Bergh A. , Landberg G. , Ljungberg B. 
Published: February 2004

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, one of the most important angiogenetic factors) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by analysing many RCCs for the expression of immunohistochemical (IHC) VEGF‐staining related to clinicopathological findings and survival.PATIENTS AND METHODSVEGF immunostaining was examined with the tissue microarray (TMA) method on tumour samples from 229 patients and validated in 71 by ordinary tissue sections (TS). IHC VEGF expression was quantified by estimating the volume density and staining intensity on a three‐grade scale.RESULTSIn most RCCs there was VEGF staining in the cell cytoplasm and membrane. In cell membranes the VEGF expression declined with storage time. IHC VEGF expression analysed by TMA and TS gave corresponding results. There was no difference in VEGF expression among conventional, papillary and chromophobe RCCs. There were significant correlations between VEGF expression and tumour size and stage. In univariate analysis VEGF expression correlated with survival, especially in conventional RCCs; this prognostic information was lost in multivariate analysis. The VEGF staining intensity correlated only with VEGF expression but not with any clinicopathological factors.CONCLUSIONSVEGF protein was present in most RCC cells. There was no difference in VEGF expression among the different RCC types. The correlation between VEGF expression and tumour stage and with prognosis indicates the significance of VEGF within tumour growth and progression in RCC.