bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seminal immunoreactive relaxin in domestic animals and its relationship to sperm motility as a possible index for predicting the fertilizing ability of sires
Authors: Kohsaka T. , Hamano K. , Sasada H. , Watanabe S. , Ogine T. , Suzuki E. , Nishida S. , Takahara H. , Sato E. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAlthough immunoassayable relaxin has been detected in human and boar seminal plasma, there is no evidence suggesting the existence of immunoreactive relaxin in the seminal plasma of other domestic animals. The first objective of this study was to determine whether immunoreactive relaxin was present in the seminal plasma of bulls, rams and he‐goats. In addition, the correlation of immunoreactive relaxin with sperm motility as an index for predicting the fertilizing ability of bull sires was investigated. Semen with normal sperm motility was collected from bulls, rams and he‐goats, and the relaxin immunoreactivity of the semen samples was measured using a time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TR‐FIA) for porcine relaxin that we developed. The presence of relaxin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in seminal plasma from bulls, rams and he‐goats. The level of immunoreactive relaxin in seminal plasma was the highest in bulls followed by humans, rams, boars and he‐goats in that order, when relaxin levels in boar and human semen having normal sperm motility were also assayed under the same conditions. When the correlation between the seminal plasma level of immunoreactive relaxin and sperm motility was examined in bull semen samples as an index for predicting fertilizing ability, it was found that the relaxin level was significantly correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa showing the most intensive motility (r = 0.64, p < 0.05). These results indicate that immunoreactive relaxin is widely found in the seminal plasma of domestic animals and that measuring the relaxin concentration of seminal plasma may be useful to identify subfertile sires or predict the fertility potential of individual sires.
A quick, practical test procedure to evaluate the performance of instruments used for in vitro UV protection measurements
Authors: Klette E. , Wendel V. , Wittern K. P. , Gers‐Barlag H. 
Published: December 2004

SynopsisThe in vitro determination of the UV protection of sunscreens is usually performed by means of transmission measurements with special photometers. Many different instruments are used. Besides numerous commercially available instruments, which are equipped by the manufacturer for the specific measurement, other modular instruments are used. We present here a quick and practical method to evaluate the performance of these instruments with respect to their measuring ranges and to compare the uniformity and reliability of the results obtained with these instruments.
A randomized placebo‐controlled trial of adefovir dipivoxil in advanced HIV infection: the ADHOC trial
Authors:   ADHOC International Steering Committee
Published: December 2004

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy and safety of adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) added to stable background antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV‐infected individuals with advanced HIV disease.MethodsADHOC was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, international multicentre trial. Three hundred and one individuals with CD4 cell counts < 100 cells/μL or < 200 cells/μL with nadir < 50 cells/μL were allocated to receive either 120 mg ADV (subsequently 60 mg) (n = 161) or matching placebo (n = 140) once daily.ResultsOver a median follow‐up of 76 weeks, 23 (14%) and 18 (13%) participants assigned ADV and placebo, respectively, developed a new AIDS event or died (hazard ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval 0.66–2.29,P= 0.51). There was a lower incidence of new or recurrent herpes events in the ADV group (P = 0.009). The mean increase in CD4 cell count from baseline to week 24 was 23.0 and 24.4 cells/µL in ADV and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.89), and the mean decrease in RNA was 0.32 and 0.35 log10copies/mL at week 24 (P = 0.87) in a subset of participants. There was greater weight loss in the ADV group during the trial (P = 0.007). One hundred and twenty‐four participants (41%) had stable background ART in the 8 weeks prior to and the 24 weeks after randomization. There was no significant imbalance in background ART regimens between the two treatment groups. Ninety‐seven serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred, 65 and 32 in the ADV and placebo groups, respectively, with significantly shorter time to first SAE in the ADV group (P = 0.002). A total of 33 participants developed proximal renal tubular dysfunction during the trial, all but one in the ADV group.ConclusionsDue to the early termination of recruitment, ADHOC was unable to assess the original objective of clinical disease progression. Adding ADV to background antiretroviral therapy in advanced HIV disease did not provide immunological or virological improvement compared with placebo. Furthermore, at the doses used in this trial, ADV was associated with a significantly higher incidence of SAEs.
Estimating the effect of antiretroviral treatment during HIV seroconversion: impact of confounding in observational data
Authors:   CASCADE Collaboration
Published: December 2004

ObjectiveTo assess whether treatment with antiretroviral drugs within the first 3 months of infection with HIV affects medium‐term health outcomes.Design and methodsData from 20 cohorts in Europe and Australia were used Concerted Action on SeroConversion to AIDS and Death in Europe (CASCADE). Analysis was restricted to persons seroconverting in 1988–1998 who started antiretroviral treatment in the first 3 months or 1–2 years from seroconversion. The relationship between times to low CD4 count, AIDS and death and time of initiation of treatment was estimated using proportional hazards models.ResultsSeroconversion illness was more common in those who began antiretroviral treatment in the first 3 months (73%) than in those who started treatment within 1–2 years post‐seroconversion (33%). Subjects receiving early antiretroviral treatment had times to AIDS and to CD4 counts <200 cells/μL that were intermediate between those of subjects starting treatment within 1–2 years and those of the subset of these subjects starting treatment within 1–2 years who also had a prior CD4 count of >350 cells/μL and no prior AIDS diagnosis.ConclusionsOn the basis of these analyses, the effect of antiretroviral treatment initiation during HIV seroconversion is uncertain. It may result in lower rates of progression compared with starting antiretroviral treatment at 1–2 years, but the early antiretroviral treatment group had a similar or even higher incidence of low CD4 counts and AIDS events than the group who started antiretroviral treatment within 1–2 years with CD4 counts over 350 cells/μL and no prior AIDS diagnosis. Estimates of the effect of early treatment are probably confounded with a number of factors, including, in particular, reasons for treatment initiation.
Are salinas a suitable alternative breeding habitat for Little Terns Sterna albifrons?
Authors: Catry Teresa , Ramos Jaime A. , Catry Inês , Allen‐Revez Manuel , Grade Nuno 
Published: December 2004

This paper describes the breeding population, breeding habitats and reproductive variables of Little Terns Sterna albifrons in natural (sandy beaches) and alternative (salinas) habitats. Studies of nesting success conducted between 1998 and 2002 in these two types of habitat were combined with a literature review of census work from the past 30 years in order to assess whether salinas are suitable alternative breeding habitat for Little Terns. Most of the Portuguese Little Tern population now breeds in salinas. Census data from the last 30 years show that this is a recent breeding behaviour, because until the 1990s most colonies were located on sandy beaches. Destruction and disturbance of the natural habitat has caused this habitat shift. Despite this shift, the Portuguese Little Tern breeding population did not decline during this period and no significant differences were found in nesting success between natural and alternative habitats. This might indicate that salinas are a suitable alternative breeding habitat for Little Terns, but differences in laying period, clutch size and egg size were recorded between birds nesting on sandy beaches and in salinas in the same area. Birds nested earlier on sandy beaches and laid larger clutches and eggs than in salinas. These data suggest that, when both habitats are available, older and/or higher quality birds prefer sandy beaches for breeding, presumably trying to re‐nest in salinas when first breeding attempts failed. We discuss conservation priorities and management actions for both habitats.
Why Seychelles Warblers fail to recolonize nearby islands: unwilling or unable to fly there?
Authors: Komdeur Jan , Piersma Theunis , Kraaijeveld Ken , Kraaijeveld‐Smit Femmie , Richardson David S. 
Published: December 2004

The Seychelles WarblerAcrocephalus sechellensisis a rare island endemic which, from 1920 to 1988, occurred only on Cousin Island (29 ha) in the Seychelles. Despite the saturated nature of this population and the possibility of obtaining higher reproductive success on new nearby islands, inter‐island dispersal by Seychelles Warblers is extremely rare (0.10%). We test the hypothesis that Seychelles Warblers show an adaptation typical for island birds: a low‐cost reduced‐size flight apparatus. We compared the anatomy of the flight apparatus (wing shape, wing loading, skeletal parts and musculature) of Seychelles Warblers with that of three closely related migratoryAcrocephalusspecies (Eurasian Reed WarblerA. scirpaceus, Australian Reed WarblerA. australisand African Reed WarblerA. baeticatus). Seychelles Warblers do not differ from the migratory warblers in pectoral mass and skeletal attachment area relative to body mass, wing shape and wing loading. Seychelles Warblers show the morphological structures required for sustained flight, but may have the behavioural reluctance to cross what they may regard as extensive bodies of water.
How Do Patients Choose Physicians? Evidence from a National Survey of Enrollees in Employment‐Related Health Plans
Authors: Harris Katherine M. 
Published: December 2004

Objective. This study examines the process by which patients search for and choose physicians.Data Source. A survey to a random sample of individuals between the ages of 21 and 64 with employer‐related health benefits, drawn from a nationally representative panel of households.Study Design. Logit models are used to measure the effect of patient characteristics on the probability of (1) using alternative sources of information to support the choice of a current physician, (2) seriously considering another physician before choosing a current physician, and (3) stating a willingness to switch physicians when information suggests that other health plan doctors receive higher quality ratings.Principal Findings. Although a minority of respondents actively searches for a physician, there appears to be substantial variation in the degree of consumer activism across patient subgroups. Poor health status, higher levels of service use in the past year, and stronger ties to individual physicians are associated with less consumer activism. At the same time, greater levels of consumer activism were found among racial and ethnic minorities, among those who report using information to choose their physicians, and among those who switched physicians as a result of dissatisfaction some time in the past five years. Source of quality information (medical experts versus patient advocates) did not influence stated willingness to switch physicians.Conclusions. Despite predictions of the increasing importance of consumer choice in shaping the health care delivery system, the results largely confirm the image depicted in the previous literature of patients as passive health care consumers of physician services, and highlight the importance of investments in the development of decision support tools in consumer‐driven health care systems.
The spectrum of primary cutaneous elastolytic granulomas and their distinction from granuloma annulare: a clinicopathological analysis
Authors: Limas C 
Published: December 2004

Aims:  Actinic granuloma (AG) and annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma (AEGCG) are terms commonly applied to cutaneous lesions characterized by elastolysis, elastophagocytosis and a multinucleated cell infiltrate. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship of these lesions to granuloma annulare (GA) which they resemble clinically.Methods and results:  The clinicopathological data of 20 patients whose biopsies showed the histology of elastolytic granuloma as well as those of previously published cases with identical tissue changes were analysed to assess differences between AG, AEGCG and GA. The tissue changes of AG and AEGCG are identical and differ substantially from GA because of the predominant elastolysis and elastophagocytosis in the absence of necrobiosis and palisading granuloma. Actinic and/or thermal injury could be elicited frequently in the patient's history, but not always.Conclusions:  AG may be considered as an aetiopathological subdivision of AEGCG. Patients with biopsies showing both GA and AEGCG are occasionally encountered. AEGCG is easily differentiated from incidental elastolysis which may be seen in a variety of aetiologically unrelated processes.
Deep penetrating naevus: clinicopathological study of 31 cases with further delineation of histological features allowing distinction from other pigmented benign melanocytic lesions and melanoma
Authors: Robson A , Morley‐Quante M , Hempel H , McKee P H , Calonje E 
Published: December 2004

Aims:  To examine a series of deep penetrating naevus (DPN) and discuss the differential diagnosis of pigmented, deep penetrating melanocytic lesions and their biological potential. DPN has been described as a variant of common acquired intradermal melanocytic naevus. DPN remains poorly recognized by pathologists, partly attributable to its relatively rare occurrence.Methods and results:  Thirty‐one cases of deeply pigmented lesions were studied. The patients included 17 females and 14 males with an age range between 3 and 56 years (mean 25.8, median 23). The common clinical sites were face (n = 10) back (n = 6) and lower extremity (n = 7). The clinical diagnoses included various benign melanocytic naevi, and malignant melanoma, as well as non‐melanocytic lesions. Histologically, all cases presented as wedge‐shaped lesions composed of fusiform cells but also epithelioid melanocytes, with pale cytoplasm and oval nuclei. Pigment was identified in melanophages but also within lesional melanocytic cells. Nine cases contained mitotic figures. Nine cases showed the coexistence of ‘ordinary’ common acquired naevocytes, and seven lesions showed overlapping features with either ordinary blue naevus or Spitz naevus. In 13 lesions there was at least one feature that may cause concern as to the biological nature of the tumour. These include asymmetry, cytological atypia, inflammation, or an ‘expansile’ advancing margin. Each tumour was treated by simple excision; one lesion recurred after 1 year. No tumour metastasized.Conclusions:  DPN is a distinct variant of melanocytic naevus. In some cases the histological features overlap with other benign melanocytic lesions. Criteria for recognizing malignant examples remain unclear, but cytological atypia and low mitotic activity do not necessarily portend a sinister outcome.
WT‐1 assists in distinguishing ovarian from uterine serous carcinoma and in distinguishing between serous and endometrioid ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Al‐Hussaini M , Stockman A , Foster H , McCluggage W G 
Published: December 2004

Aims : It has been suggested that WT‐1 is helpful in distinguishing a primary ovarian serous carcinoma (OSC) from a primary uterine serous carcinoma (USC). Since both neoplasms are often disseminated at diagnosis and since USC often spreads to the ovary and vice versa, it may be difficult to ascertain the primary site. This is important, since adjuvant therapies for OSC and USC may differ. WT‐1 staining patterns also differ between OSC and ovarian endometrioid carcinoma and so it is possible that WT‐1 may assist in the distinction of these two neoplasms, which is sometimes problematic, especially with poorly differentiated tumours. This study aims to document the value of WT‐1 in these settings. Cases of ovarian borderline serous tumour, primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) and uterine endometrioid carcinoma were also studied.Methods and results : Cases of OSC (n = 38), USC (n = 25) (in five of these cases there was also a component of endometrioid adenocarcinoma), ovarian endometrioid carcinoma (n = 13), uterine endometrioid carcinoma (n = 7), ovarian borderline serous tumour (n = 16) and PPSC (n = 6) were stained with WT‐1. Cases were scored on a scale of 0–3, depending on the percentage of positive cells. The intensity of staining was scored as weak, moderate or strong. There was positive nuclear stainingof 36 of 38 (94.7%) OSC with WT‐1. In most OSC (68.4%), >50% of cells stained positively and staining was usually strong. Five of 25 (20%) USC were positive with only two cases exhibiting staining of >50% of cells. All primary ovarian and uterine endometrioid carcinomas were negative. All PPSC were positive, usually with diffuse strong immunoreactivity. Fourteen of 16 borderline serous tumours exhibited positivity with WT‐1.Conclusions : WT‐1 is useful in distinguishing OSC (characteristically diffuse strong nuclear positivity) from USC (characteristically negative). However, rarely OSC is negative and occasional cases of USC are positive. WT‐1 may also be helpful in differentiating poorly differentiated OSC from poorly differentiated ovarian endometrioid carcinoma.
Accuracy of the determination of S100B protein expression in malignant melanoma using polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Tímár J , Udvarhelyi N , Bánfalvi T , Gilde K , Orosz Zs 
Published: December 2004

Aims : To compare the routinely used polyclonal anti‐S100 and a mouse monoclonal anti‐S100B antibody for their accuracy in the detection of the S100B expression profile (pattern and intensity) in a series of 67 primary (n = 37) and lymph node metastatic (n = 30) melanoma tissues. S100B is the lineage marker of malignant melanoma. Antibodies routinely used for melanoma diagnosis are not necessarily specific for this protein. Furthermore, clinical monitoring of melanoma progression is mostly based on the determination of serum S100B protein levels without knowing the actual expression level in the primary and/or metastatic tissue.Methods and results : The profile of expression patterns (focal, heterogenous and diffuse) as well as intensity ranges (+, ++ and +++) were similar for the two antibodies in melanoma tissues. However, comparison of the patterns and intensities on the basis of individual cases revealed a high frequency of discrepancies (50.7 and 58.2%, respectively). Severe discrepancy between the two antibodies in the determination of the S100B protein expression pattern (focal versus diffuse or focal versus heterogeneous) was relatively frequent; 13.4 and 11.9%, respectively. Furthermore, a similar rate of severe discrepancy was observed between the two antibodies in the determination of the intensity of S100B expression levels (+ versus +++ or + versus ++); 19.4 and 8.9%, respectively. Separate analysis of the primary tumours and metastases gave similar results.Conclusion : For the accurate determination of S100B protein expression in malignant melanoma it is highly recommended that a monospecific antibody is used.
Preeclampsia is associated with loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase expression in vascular smooth muscle cells of the human umbilical cord
Authors: Schönfelder G , Fuhr N , Hadzidiakos D , John M , Hopp H , Paul M 
Published: December 2004

Aims : Umbilical blood vessels are not innervated and regulation of blood flow to the placenta must depend on structural changes and the effect of vasoactive factors. Failure to achieve these adaptations may result in reduced fetoplacental perfusion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is expressed in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of the fetoplacental circulation. nNOS has been described as a non‐endothelial NOS counterregulating vasoconstriction only in the VSMCs of animal models. Therefore, we investigated nNOS expression in the fetoplacental unit from preeclamptic and healthy pregnancies.Methods and results : We investigated nNOS regulation by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis. nNOS activity was determined by measuring the conversion of L‐3H‐arginine to L‐3H‐citrulline. nNOS expression was revealed only in VSMCs of the human umbilical veins, but not in umbilical arteries. A more direct assessment of nNOS activity showed that a small, but consistent amount of nNOS is present in the denuded media of the umbilical vein. In VSMCs of the umbilical veins during preeclampsia a total loss of nNOS protein expression and a significant decrease in mRNA expression were seen.Conclusions : Loss of nNOS expression is associated with preeclampsia. It may alter the regulation of blood flow in the fetal and maternal placental vasculature in preeclampsia. However, the impact of NO produced by nNOS on the vascular tone of umbilical veins remains to be elucidated.
Microvessel density compared with the Chalkley count in a prognostic study of angiogenesis in breast cancer patients
Authors: Hansen S , Sørensen F B , Vach W , Grabau D A , Bak M , Rose C 
Published: December 2004

Aims: Evaluation of angiogenesis by intratumoral vessel profiles can be performed by different methods. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of estimates obtained by the intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) method and then to compare with corresponding estimates obtained by the Chalkley method.Methods and results: A total of 330 patients treated for primary, unilateral, invasive breast carcinoma were included. The median follow‐up time was 14 years and 4 months. The microvessels were immunohistochemically stained by antibodies to CD34. MVD was not significantly correlated with any clinicopathological variables. By univariate analysis, MVD showed no prognostic value with regard to recurrence‐free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS), while the Chalkley count had significant prognostic value (P < 0.0001; RFS and OS). In the Cox multivariate analysis, MVD had no prognostic impact {median HR [confidence interval (CI)] was 0.93 [0.66, 1.32] for RFS; and HR [CI] was 0.86 [0.62, 1.19] for OS}, while the Chalkley count [median HR (CI) was 2.12 (1.48, 3.06) for RFS; and HR (CI) was 1.71 (1.23, 2.37) for OS] provided independent prognostic value when adjusted for age, menopausal status, axillary lymph node status, tumour size, histological grade, adjuvant systemic treatment and radiation therapy. In comparing the results obtained by MVD in our study with those from other published studies we find good agreement.Conclusions: The Chalkley count technique seems to be preferable for estimating angiogenesis with regard to the prognostic stratification of breast cancer patients, based on its strong prognostic impact, and acceptable reproducibility.