bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgery results using different uterine wall incision directions in laparoscopic myomectomy of the intramural myoma
Authors: Morita Mineto , Asakawa Yasuyuki , Uchiide Ichiro , Nakakuma Masahito , Kubo Harumi 
Published: March 2004

Objective:  To study clinical outcomes for different uterine wall incision directions, comparing vertical incision and transverse incision in laparoscopic myomectomy of the intramural myoma.Methods:  Laparoscopic myomectomies were performed on 50 women with intramural myomas. Using a table of random numbers, they were randomly divided into a vertical incision group (25 women) and a transverse incision group (25 women) according to the direction of incisions in the uterine wall. The numbers of enucleated myoma, operation duration, amount of bleeding, and numbers of sutures were compared. The Mann–Whitney U‐test was used for analysis.Results:  For the transverse incision group, the amount of bleeding (137.6 ± 88.1 mL) was a significantly lower value (P = 0.0426) than for the vertical incision group (235.8 ± 169.4 mL). In addition, in cases where the maximum myoma nucleus diameter was 7 cm or larger, operation duration (129.0 ± 32.5 min) and amount of bleeding (158.9 ± 87.1 mL) showed significantly lower values (P = 0.0067 and P = 0.0002, respectively) for the transverse incision group than did operation duration (362.3 ± 147.3 min) and amount of bleeding (362.3 ± 147.3 mL) for the vertical incision group.Conclusion:  Transverse incision of the uterine wall is useful to reduce the amount of bleeding in the laparoscopic myomectomy of the intramural myoma. Transverse incision also shortens operation duration in cases where the myoma nuclei are large. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 33–37)
Low well‐being, cognitive impairment and visual impairment associated with functional disabilities in elderly Japanese patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Araki Atsushi , Nakano Tadasumi , Oba Kenzo , Ito Chikako , Mori Seijiro , Ishibashi Shun , Umeda Fumio , Abe Ryuzo , Kojima Hideto , Kikkawa Ryuichi , Kawamori Ryuzo , Ito Hideki 
Published: March 2004

Background:  The objective of this study is to examine the important factors associated with functional disabilities in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.Methods:  This was a multicenter cross‐sectional study. A total of 1135 elderly diabetic outpatients aged over 65 years in 10 hospitals participated in our study. Functional disabilities were assessed with questionnaires on the instrumental activity of daily livings (IADL), intellectual activity and social role using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence. Cognitive function and well‐being were assessed by the mini‐mental state examination and morale scale, respectively.Results:  The patients were divided into three age groups. The oldest (≥ 80 years) group reported significant high prevalence of functional disabilities (10% to 36%) compared to the youngest (65–69 years) group (4% to 20%). The number of vascular complications (≥ 4) was associated with a 5.5–8.8 fold increased risk of disabilities relating to the tasks on IADL (using public transportation, shopping, preparing meals and paying bills). Using multiple logistic regression analyses, low scores of morale scales (≤ 7) and mini‐mental state examination (≤ 23) were significantly associated with disabilities on the IADL, intellectual activity and social role after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, insulin treatment, microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. Insulin treatment and low visual acuity were also associated with the IADL after adjustment for the other variables.Conclusions:  Older age, insulin treatment, low well‐being, cognitive impairment, and visual impairment were independently associated with the functional disabilities of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus.
Distribution of acetylcholinesterase and cholineacetyl‐transferase activities in coronary vessels of younger and older adults
Authors: Cavallotti Carlo , Bruzzone Paolo , Mancone Massimo , Leali Francesca Mavia Tranguilli 
Published: March 2004

Background:  The cholinergic nerve fibers of coronary arteries, capillaries and veins were studied in younger and older humans by staining of acetylcholinesterase and cholineacetyltransferase activities on autopsy samples of coronary vessels with the aim of investigating age‐related changes.Methods:  Samples of human coronary vessels were harvested and exposed to the enzymatic staining for acetylcholinesterase, immunohistochemical staining for cholineacetyltransferase and quantitative analysis of images. Morphometric values were subjected to statistical analysis of data.Results:  Our results demonstrated that both acetylcholinesterase and cholineacetyltransferase are localized in the coronary vessels of younger and older humans. Staining of these two enzymes showed specific age‐related changes. Structures resembling cholinergic nerve fibers were located in coronary vessels, in the extra‐parenchymal (large caliber) and intraparenchymal (small caliber) branches (arteries and veins), organized in a plexus. Coronary arterioles of large caliber (diameter > 150 µm) were found to have many cholinergic nerve fibers. The quantitative analysis of images and the statistical analysis of the data demonstrated that the cholinergic neurotransmitters of coronary vessels (especially the extra‐parenchymal branches of coronary arteries) strongly decrease with age.Conclusions:  The age‐related changes of cholinergic nerve supply of the human coronary vessels may play a role in the control of coronary circulation. Further studies are needed in order to draw definite conclusions concerning the nervous control of coronary circulation under normal and/or pathological conditions.
Treatment of unresectable hepatocellular adenoma in dogs with transarterial iodized oil and chemotherapy with and without an embolic agent: A report of two cases
Authors: Cave T. A. , Johnson V. , Beths T. , Edwards R. , Argyle D. J. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractTransarterial iodized oil with chemotherapy was evaluated in two dogs with large, surgically unresectable hepatocellular adenoma. A single cycle of therapy was used in each dog. Chemoembolic mixtures varied: doxorubicin emulsified with iodized oil radiographic contrast (case 1), doxorubicin and mitomycin C emulsified with iodized oil radiographic contrast (case 2). In addition, dog 2 underwent arterial embolization with polyvinyl alcohol granules. Response was assessed by computed tomography at 1 and 3 months after treatment. Superselective catheterization of the hepatic arterial branch supplying the tumour was not achieved in either case. In the immediate post‐operative period, both dogs developed mild clinical signs that may have been consistent with post‐embolization syndrome, but neutropenia and reduced liver function were not observed. Tumour response was minimal: stable disease at 1 month and progressive disease at 3 months was observed in both cases.
Influence of honey bee products on transplantable murine tumours
Authors: Oršolic̃ N. , Knez̆evic̃ A. , Šver L. , Terzic̃ S. , Hackenberger B. K. , Bašic̃ I. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe effect of propolis [it is a water‐soluble derivative (WSDP)] and related polyphenolic compounds of propolis (caffeic acid, caffeic acid phenethyl ester and quercetin), honey, royal jelly and bee venom on tumour growth, metastasizing ability and induction of apoptosis and necrosis in murine tumour models (mammary carcinoma and colon carcinoma) was investigated. WSDP and related polyphenolic compounds showed significant anti‐metastatic effect (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) given either before or after tumour‐cell inoculation. Oral or systemic application of WSDP or caffeic acid significantly reduced subcutaneous tumour growth and prolonged the survival of mice. Honey also exerted pronounced anti‐metastatic effect (P < 0.05) when applied before tumour‐cell inoculation (peroral 2 g kg−1 for mice or 1 g kg−1 for rats, once a day for 10 consecutive days). Royal jelly did not affect metastasis formation when given intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. However, intravenous administration of royal jelly before tumour‐cell inoculation significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited metastasis formation. When mice were given 105 tumour cells intravenously immediately after bee venom injection, the number of tumour nodules in the lung was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in untreated mice or mice treated with bee venom subcutaneously. Local presence of bee venom in the tissue caused significant delay in subcutaneous tumour formation. These findings clearly demonstrate that anti‐tumour and anti‐metastatic effects of bee venom are highly dependent on the route of injection and on close contact between components of the bee venom and tumour cells. These data show that honey bee products given orally or systemically may have an important role in the control of tumour growth and tumour metastasizing ability.
Changing the way we think about global change research: scaling up in experimental ecosystem science
Authors: Osmond Barry , Ananyev Gennady , Berry Joseph , Langdon Chris , Kolber Zbigniew , Lin Gunghui , Monson Russell , Nichol Caroline , Rascher Uwe , Schurr Uli , Smith Stan , Yakir Dan 
Published: March 2004

AbstractScaling is a naturally iterative and bi‐directional component of problem solving in ecology and in climate science. Ecosystems and climate systems are unquestionably the sum of all their parts, to the smallest imaginable scale, in genomic processes or in the laws of fluid dynamics. However, in the process of scaling‐up, for practical purposes thewhole usually has to be construed as a good deal less than this. This essay demonstrates how controlled large‐scale experiments can be used to deduce key mechanisms and thereby reduce much of the detail needed for the process of scaling‐up. Collection of the relevant experimental evidence depends on controlling the environment and complexity of experiments, and on applications of technologies that report on, and integrate, small‐scale processes. As the role of biological feedbacks in the behavior of climate systems is better appreciated, so the need grows for experimentally based understanding of ecosystem processes.We argue that we cannot continue as we are doing, simply observing the progress of the greenhouse gas‐driven experiment in global change, and modeling its future outcomes. We have to change the way we think about climate system and ecosystem science, and in the process move to experimental modes at larger scales than previously thought achievable.
Miscanthus biomass production for energy in Europe and its potential contribution to decreasing fossil fuel carbon emissions
Authors: Clifton‐brown John C. , Stampfl Paul F. , Jones Michael B. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractField trials throughout Europe over the past 15 years have confirmed the potential for high biomass production from Miscanthus, a giant perennial rhizomatous grass with C4 photosynthesis. However, policies to promote the utilization of biomass crops require yield estimates that can be scaled up to regional, national and continental areas. The only way in which this information can be reliably provided is through the use of productivity models. Here, we describe MISCANMOD, a productivity model, which was used in conjunction with a GIS to plot potential, non‐water‐limited yields across Europe. Modelled rainfed yields were also calculated using a water balance approach based on FAO estimates of plant available water in the soil. The observed yields were consistent with modelled yields at 20 trial sites across Europe. We estimate that if Miscanthus was grown on 10% of suitable land area in the European Union (EU15), 231 TWh yr−1 of electricity could be generated, which is 9% of the gross electricity production in 2000. Using the same scenario, the total carbon mitigation could be 76 Mt C yr−1, which is about 9% of the EU total C emissions for the 1990 Kyoto Protocol baseline levels.
Net primary production and net ecosystem production of a boreal black spruce wildfire chronosequence
Authors: Bond‐Lamberty Ben , Wang Chuankuan , Gower Stith T. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractNet primary production (NPP) was measured in seven black spruce (Picea mariana(Mill.) BSP)‐dominated sites comprising a boreal forest chronosequence near Thompson, Man., Canada. The sites burned between 1998 and 1850, and each contained separate well‐ and poorly drained stands. All components of NPP were measured, most for 3 consecutive years. Total NPP was low (50–100 g C m−2 yr−1) immediately after fire, highest 12–20 years after fire (332 and 521 g C m−2 yr−1in the dry and wet stands, respectively) but 50% lower than this in the oldest stands. Tree NPP was highest 37 years after fire but 16–39% lower in older stands, and was dominated by deciduous seedlings in the young stands and by black spruce trees (>85%) in the older stands. The chronosequence was unreplicated but these results were consistent with 14 secondary sites sampled across the landscape. Bryophytes comprised a large percentage of aboveground NPP in the poorly drained stands, while belowground NPP was 0–40% of total NPP. Interannual NPP variability was greater in the youngest stands, the poorly drained stands, and for understory and detritus production. Net ecosystem production (NEP), calculated using heterotrophic soil and woody debris respiration data from previous studies in this chronosequence, implied that the youngest stands were moderate C sources (roughly, 100 g C m−2 yr−1), the middle‐aged stands relatively strong sinks (100–300 g C m−2 yr−1), and the oldest stands about neutral with respect to the atmosphere. The ecosystem approach employed in this study provided realistic estimates of chronosequence NPP and NEP, demonstrated the profound impact of wildfire on forest–atmosphere C exchange, and emphasized the need to account for soil drainage, bryophyte production, and species succession when modeling boreal forest C fluxes.
The Effects of MK‐0677, an Oral Growth Hormone Secretagogue, in Patients with Hip Fracture
Authors: Bach Mark A. , Rockwood Kenneth , Zetterberg Carl , Thamsborg Gorm , Hébert Réjean , Devogelaer Jean‐Pierre , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Rizzoli René , Ochsner J.Lockwood , Beisaw Norman , Gluck Oscar , Yu Leisure , Schwab Thomas , Farrington Jeanne , Taylor Alice M. , Ng Jennifer , Fuh Vivian ,   for the MK 0677 Hip Fracture Study Group
Published: March 2004

Objectives:To evaluate the effects of MK‐0677, an orally active growth hormone (GH) secretagogue, on functional recovery from hip fracture in previously mobile older individuals.Design:Placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blind trial.Setting:Thirteen medical centers in England, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States. Patients were recruited between 3 and 14 days postoperatively, or no more than 18 days postfracture, at acute care hospitals and rehabilitation centers.Participants:One hundred sixty‐one hip‐fracture patients were enrolled. Entry criteria included consenting hip‐fracture patients who were aged 65 and older and who were ambulatory before their fracture, medically stable postoperatively, and mentally competent. Patients were excluded if they had multiple fractures or severe trauma, diabetes mellitus, cancer, uncontrolled hypertension, congestive heart failure, or total hip replacement in the involved extremity.Intervention:Random assignment to 6 months of daily treatment with MK‐0677 or placebo. Patients were followed for an additional 6 months after completion of therapy.Measurements:Change from Week 6 to Week 26 in a panel of functional performance measures. Additional outcome measures included change in the Sickness Impact Profile for Nursing Homes (SIP‐NH), the ability to live independently, and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) levels.Results:MK‐0677 treatment increased serum IGF‐I levels by 84% (95% confidence interval (CI)=63–107), compared with an increase of 17% (95% CI=8–28) on placebo. There were no significant differences between MK‐0677 and placebo in improvement in functional performance measures or in the overall SIP‐NH score. Although MK‐0677 patients showed greater improvement relative to placebo in three of four lower extremity functional performance measures, in the physical domain of the SIP, and in the ability to live independently, these differences were not statistically significant.Conclusion:Although MK‐0677 treatment increased serum IGF‐I, it is uncertain whether clinically significant effects on physical function were achieved. Measuring function in clinical trials in hip‐fracture patients is difficult because of the lack of validated outcome measures, high variability, and the lack of a baseline assessment. Present functional performance measures may not be sufficiently responsive for use as the primary endpoint of small intervention studies; alternatively, stimulation of GH may not result in significant functional improvement.
Tumour angiogenic activity and vascular survival ability in bladder carcinoma
Authors: Papadopoulos I , Giatromanolaki A , Koukourakis M I , Sivridis E 
Published: March 2004

Background:Tumour angiogenic activity (TAA) is an important prognostic factor in many human tumours, including transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder. The new tumour vessels are formed in the invading tumour front. This peripheral tumour area is internalised as soon as the growing tumour forms a new front.Aims:To investigate and compare TAA with the ability of the tumour vasculature to survive (VSA) in inner tumour areas.Methods:Fifty one cystectomy specimens with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder were studied. Sections were stained immunohistochemically for endothelial cells and proliferation activity, using the monoclonal antibodies CD31 and MIB-1, respectively. TAA was studied at the invading tumour edge—designated as the mean number of blood vessels in three “hot spots” at this site. VSA was assessed by comparing the vascular density in peripheral and inner tumour areas.Results:High TAA at the invading tumour edge significantly correlated with lymph node involvement, but not with patient survival. Extensive lymphocytic infiltration was more frequent in tumours with high TAA. VSA was significantly higher in tumours of high proliferation index, high histological grade, advanced T stage, and poor prognosis. However, there was no association with metastasis to regional lymph nodes.Conclusion:VSA and TAA provide a more complete profile of the tumour vasculature and are associated with aggressive tumour behaviour in transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder. The qualitative information provided by VSA may be important for the identification of angiogenic tumours with differential responses to various antiangiogenic treatments.
Specificity of lymphoreticular accumulation of prion protein for variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: Hilton D A , Sutak J , Smith M E F , Penney M , Conyers L , Edwards P , McCardle L , Ritchie D , Head M W , Wiley C A , Ironside J W 
Published: March 2004

Background:Immunocytochemical accumulation of prion protein (PrP) in lymphoid tissues is a feature of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (vCJD) that has been used both to aid in the diagnosis of patients and as a basis of large scale screening studies to assess the prevalence of preclinical disease in the UK. However, the specificity of this approach is unknown.Aim:To assess the specificity of lymphoreticular accumulation of PrP for vCJD by examining a range of human diseases.Methods:Paraffin wax embedded lymphoreticular tissues from patients with several reactive conditions (58 cases), tumours (27 cases), vCJD (54 cases), and other human prion diseases (56 cases) were assessed. PrP accumulation was assessed by immunocytochemistry using two different monoclonal anti-PrP antibodies and a sensitive detection system.Results:All cases of vCJD showed widespread lymphoreticular accumulation of PrP; however, this was not seen in the other conditions examined.Conclusion:Lymphoreticular accumulation of PrP, as assessed by immunocytochemistry, appears to be a highly specific feature of vCJD.
Prevalence and relevance of EBV latency in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Israel
Authors: Bar-Sela G , Kuten A , Minkov I , Gov-Ari E , Ben-Izhak O 
Published: March 2004

Background:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is frequently associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The incidence of NPC in Western countries is lower than in the Far East, and EBV latency in NPC is less prevalent. Israel, as a part of the Mediterranean area, is one of the countries with an intermediate risk for NPC.Methods:Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) and in situ hybridisation (ISH) for EBV encoded RNA (EBER) were used to evaluate the prevalence and possible prognostic value of EBV latency among Israeli patients with NPC. Forty five patients with different NPC histologies were studied.Results:LMP-1 IHC was positive in six samples only, all with undifferentiated histology. EBER ISH was positive in 40 of the 45 samples. According to histological type, three of five patients with squamous cell carcinoma were EBV positive and 37 of 40 non-keratinising and undifferentiated carcinoma cases were positive. Although EBV was more prevalent in patients with non-squamous carcinoma, the difference was not significant, probably because of the small number of patients with keratinising carcinoma. With regard to the clinical categories and survival, no significant difference could be detected between patients who were positive or negative for EBER ISH. No association was found between EBV latency and patient sex, age, origin, stage, or survival.Conclusions:NPC in Israel is highly associated with EBV latency as detected by EBER ISH. LMP-1 IHC is considerably less sensitive in detecting EBV latency in NPC among the same patient group.
Peripheral CD4+CD8+ T cells are differentiated effector memory cells with antiviral functions
Authors: Nascimbeni Michelina , Shin Eui-Cheol , Chiriboga Luis , Kleiner David E. , Rehermann Barbara 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAlthough an increased frequency of CD4+CD8+ T cells has been observed in the peripheral blood during viral infections, their role, function, and biologic significance are still poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the circulating CD4+CD8+ T-cell population contains mature effector memory lymphocytes specific for antigens of multiple past, latent, and high-level persistent viral infections. Upon in vitro antigenic challenge, a higher frequency of CD4+CD8+ than single-positive cells displayed a T helper 1/T cytotoxic 1 (Th1/Tc1) cytokine profile and proliferated. Ex vivo, more double-positive than single-positive cells exhibited a differentiated phenotype. Accordingly, their lower T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC) content and shorter telomeres proved they had divided more frequently than single-positive cells. Consistent with expression of the tissue-homing marker CXCR3, CD4+CD8+ T cells were demonstrated in situ at the site of persistent viral infection (ie, in the liver during chronic hepatitis C). Finally, a prospective analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a chimpanzee, the only animal model for HCV infection, showed a close correlation between the frequency of activated CD4+CD8+ T cells and viral kinetics. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that peripheral CD4+CD8+ T cells take part in the adaptive immune response against infectious pathogens and broaden the perception of the T-cell populations involved in antiviral immune responses. (Blood. 2004;104:478-486)