bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in familial prostate cancer in a Japanese population
Authors: SUZUKI KAZUHIRO , MATSUI HIROSHI , OHTAKE NOBUAKI , NAKATA SEIJI , TAKEI TOMOYUKI , KOIKE HIDEKAZU , NAKAZATO HARUKI , OKUGI HIRONOBU , HASUMI MASARU , FUKABORI YOSHITATSU , KUROKAWA KOHEI , YAMANAKA HIDETOSHI 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim: Vitamin D acts as an antiproliferative agent against prostate cells. Epidemiological study has shown that a low level of serum vitamin D concentration is a risk factor for prostate cancer. Vitamin D acts via vitamin D receptor (VDR), and an association of genetic polymorphisms of the VDR gene has been reported. In the current study, we examined the association of VDR gene polymorphisms with familial prostate cancer in a Japanese population.Methods: We performed a case–control study consisting of 81 familial prostate cancer cases and 105 normal control subjects. Three genetic polymorphisms (BsmI, ApaI and TaqI) in the VDR gene were examined by the restriction fragment restriction length polymorphism method.Results: Overall, there was no significant association of the VDR gene polymorphisms with familial prostate cancer risk in the cases and control subjects. However, a weak association between BsmI or TaqI genotypes and cancer risk was observed in subjects under 70 years of age. Stratification of cases by clinical stage or pathological grade did not show significant association between the VDR gene polymorphisms and prostate cancer risk.Conclusion: In the present study, we could not confirm any significant association between VDR gene polymorphisms with familial prostate cancer risk in a Japanese population. Further large‐scale case–control studies are warranted to confirm the importance of VDR gene polymorphisms in familial prostate cancer.
Evaluation of cases where the right kidney is higher than the left kidney
Authors: SAITO SEIICHI 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: Finding the right kidney higher than the left kidney on excretory urography (EXU) is unusual. In the present study, the position of the kidneys was evaluated in patients, and the frequency, causes or attribution were investigated.Methods: Kidney positions were evaluated in 1625 patients. Subsequent evaluations by computed tomography scan were performed for each case where the right kidney was higher than the left. If a patient had right hydronephrosis, bladder evaluations such as ultrasonography and/or cystoscopy were also conducted. Patients with a left contracted kidney were excluded.Results: The right kidney was higher than the left in 81 (5%) of 1625 cases. In 30 cases (37%), the cause or attribution existed in the right urinary tract. Eleven of these cases were due to tumors or cysts in the right kidney, four were due to congenital anomalies, and 15 were due to hydronephrosis. In 10 (12.3%) of the cases, the cause or attribution existed in the left urinary tract. All of them were cysts or tumors of the left kidney. Of the other 13 (16.0%) cases, eight were caused by hepatatrophy and splenomegaly as a result of liver cirrhosis, two were caused by aortic aneurysm, one was caused by visceral inversion, one was caused by a right ovarian tumor, and one was caused by pneumonectomy. Malignancies, including two renal cell carcinomas and three bladder cancers at the right ureteral orifice, were found in five cases (6%).Conclusion: The above results suggest that the right kidney is higher than the left in five percent of all cases undergoing EXU. In cases where the right kidney is higher than the left, and a left contracted kidney cannot be found, further evaluation is recommend.
Bi‐weekly epirubicin, etoposide and low‐dose dexamethasone for hormone‐refractory prostate cancer
Authors: ODRAZKA KAREL , VACULIKOVA MILOSLAVA , PETERA JIRI , MORAVEK PETR , PROSVIC PETR , ZOUL ZDENEK , RYDEL LUBOS , BRODAK MILOS , VESELSKY ZBYNEK , LOUDA MIROSLAV , SIMAKOVA EVA 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy and favorable toxicity profile of chemotherapy regimens given at lower doses and frequent intervals. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a bi‐weekly chemohormonal regimen consisting of epirubicin, etoposide, and low‐dose dexamethasone (EED) in patients with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).Methods: We treated a total of 32 patients who had failed hormonal therapy and antiandrogen withdrawal. Chemotherapy was given every 2 weeks and consisted of epirubicin (30 mg/m2 intravenously, day 1) and etoposide (50 mg/m2 orally, days 1–7). Dexamethasone (1.5 mg orally, every other day) was given continuously until disease progression. Twenty patients (63%) had received prior treatment with estramustine phosphate. Each patient's pain response was evaluated according to analgesic use. Toxicity was graded using the Common Toxicity Criteria (version 2.0).Results: Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels showed a decline of 50% or greater in 16 of 32 patients (50%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 32–68%) with a median time to biochemical progression of 5 months (range, 4–9 months). The median survival for all patients was 10.5 months (range, 3–35 months). Four of 10 patients (40%) with measurable soft tissue lesions achieved partial response according to standard criteria. Eleven of 23 symptomatic patients (48%, 95% CI, 27–69%) experienced an improvement in pain with a median duration of 6 months. The regimen was tolerated well by the patients, with only four patients (12%) having grade 3 leukopenia.Conclusion: Chemohormonal EED regimen proved to be active and well‐tolerated in patients with HRPC.
Cellular adhesion molecules and cardiovascular disease. Part I. Their expression and role in atherogenesis
Authors: Hope S. A. , Meredith I. T. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAtherosclerosis is now recognized to be an inflam­matory disease, and several inflammatory markers have been shown to be associated with both the presence and future risk of symptomatic cardiovascular ­disease. Cellular adhesion molecules, particularly members of the selectin family and immunoglobulin superfamily, are intimately involved in the recruitment of leucocytes to sites of inflammation, including ­developing atherosclerotic lesions. Their role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been clearly demonstrated using knockout mice models. Plasma levels of adhesion molecules, which have been shed from the cell surface, have been associated with the presence of clinical atherosclerotic disease, although published studies differ in their findings. This limited consensus in the literature may be explained either by unrecognized confounding factors, or perhaps by the unpredictable relationship between cell surface expression and activity of cellular adhesion molecules and their shedding into the plasma. While cell surface activity of adhesion molecules appears critical in the develop­ment of atherosclerotic lesions, the measurement of plasma levels of soluble adhesion molecules may offer little additional benefit for individual patients in the prediction of the extent of atherosclerotic disease above the assessment of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 380−386)
Outcome from surgical management of secretory pituitary adenomas in Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Inder W. J. , Espiner E. A. , MacFarlane M. R. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Background:  Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of the neurosurgeon in the management of secretory pituitary tumours, but most reports are from major centres.Aims:  To audit the surgical outcome of patients with acromegaly and Cushing's disease treated in a small centre (Christchurch, New Zealand) by a dedicated neurosurgeon with an interest in pituitary disease, and follow‐up through an outpatient Department of Endocrinology.Methods: All cases of acromegaly and Cushing's disease admitted for surgery in Christchurch Hospital between 1984 and 2000 were audited. Data concerning preoperative findings, surgical remission rate, complications and follow‐up were obtained from 44 patients (28 acromegaly, 16 Cushing's disease).Results: Of the 28 acromegalic patients, 14 patients (50%) had a mean growth hormone level <2.5 µg/L within the first postoperative week. Of the 15 Cushing's disease patients in whom the pituitary fossa was explored, 13 patients (87%) entered a postoperative remission, defined as an 08.00 h cortisol <200 nmol/L (normal range 250−800 nmol/L). No perioperative deaths occurred. Two of the 43 patients (4.7%) developed permanent diabetes insipidus, while eight of the 28 patients who were operated on for acromegaly (29%) eventually required some replacement treatment for hypopituitarism during follow‐up (one presented with apoplexy and seven were treated with postoperative radiotherapy).Conclusion: In a small centre with a dedicated pituitary surgeon, operative remission rates approach those obtained in larger, more specialized centres. However, given New Zealand's small, but geographically spread population, consideration should be given to establishing one or two units for the surgical management of secretory pituitary adenomas. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 168−173)
Quality of care of patients hospitalized with congestive heart failure
Authors: Scott I. A. , Denaro C. P. , Flores J. L. , Bennett C. J. , Hickey A. C. , Mudge A. M. , Atherton J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground:  Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an increasingly prevalent poor‐prognosis condition for which effective interventions are available. It is ­therefore important to determine the extent to which patients with CHF receive appropriate care in Australian hospitals and identify ways for improving suboptimal care, if it exists.Aim:  To evaluate the quality of in‐hospital acute care of patients with CHF using explicit quality indicators based on published guidelines.Methods:  A retrospective case note review was ­performed, involving 216 patients admitted to three teaching hospitals in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, between October 2000 and April 2001. Outcome measures were process‐of‐care quality ­indicators calculated as proportions of all, or strongly ­eligible (ideal), patients who received ­specific interventions.Results:  Assessment of underlying causes and acute precipitating factors was undertaken in 86% and 76% of patients, respectively, and objective evaluation of left ventricular function was performed in 62% of patients. Prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was used in only 29% of ideal patients. Proportions of ideal patients receiving pharmacological treatments at discharge were: (i) angiotensin‐­converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) (82%), (ii) target doses of ACEi (61%), (iii) alternative vasodilators in patients ineligible for ACEi (20%), (iv) β‐blockers (40%) and (v) warfarin (46%).Conclusions:  Opportunities exist for improving quality of in‐hospital care of patients with CHF, ­particularly for optimal prescribing of: (i) DVT prophylaxis, (ii) ACEi, (iii) second‐line vasodilators, (iv) β‐blockers and (v) warfarin. More research is needed to identify methods for improving quality of in‐hospital care. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 140−151)
Prevalence and predictors of renal artery stenosis in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Wang Y. , Ho D. S. W. , Chen W. H. , Wang Y. Q. , Lam W. F. , Shen Z. J. , Lu C. Z. , Chui M. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Background:  Ischaemic nephropathy is currently a major public health issue in atherosclerotic populations. Although atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in Asia has reached epidemic proportions over the last two decades, there is little published data on the prevalence of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) in Oriental subjects. Because ARAS may be clinically silent until end‐stage renal failure sets in, it is important to identify patients with significant but clinically unsuspected ARAS. ARAS and coronary artery disease (CAD) often coexist.Aims:  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of ARAS among Chinese patients with CAD.Methods:  A total of 230 consecutive Chinese patients with CAD confirmed by coronary angiography underwent an abdominal aortogram in the same sitting to screen for ARAS. Patient demographics and comorbid­ities were analysed for any association with ARAS.Results:  A total of 34 (14.8%) patients was found to have significant ARAS. Age and multivessel CAD were independent predictors of ARAS. Hypertension, renal insufficiency, extracranial cerebrovascular disease and female gender were also associated with a higher risk of ARAS but did not independently predict ARAS.Conclusion:  Clinically silent yet angiographically significant ARAS is common among CAD patients. The prevalence and predictors of ARAS among Chinese patients with CAD are similar to those reported for Caucasian subjects. Underlying ARAS should be suspected in CAD patients with such comorbidities as hypertension, renal insufficiency, extracranial cerebrovascular disease, and more so in the elderly and those with multivessel disease. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 280−285)
The effect of ketamine on 0.25% and 0.125% bupivacaine for caudal epidural blockade in children
Authors: JOHNSTON P , FINDLOW D , ALDRIDGE L. M , DOYLE E 
Published: December 2004

SummaryForty boys aged from one to five years undergoing orchidopexy were randomly allocated to receive one of two solutions for caudal epidural injection. Group A received 1 ml??kg−1 of 0.125% bupivacaine with ketamine 0.5 mg??kg−1 and Group B received 1 ml??kg−1 of bupivacaine 0.25% with ketamine 0.5 mg??kg−1. Postoperative pain was assessed by means of a modified Objective Pain Score and analgesia was administered if this score exceeded four. The median duration of caudal analgesia was 8 h in Group A compared with 9.5 h in Group B (P<0.05). The time taken to recover the ability to walk was a median of two h in Group A and three h in Group B (P<0.05). There were no differences between the groups in the incidence of urinary retention or postoperative sedation.
Anaesthetic management in a neonate with congenital complete heart block
Authors: Castilla Mariano , Jerez Marta , Llácer Manuel , Martinez Sandra 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe present the case of a neonate undergoing surgery on the first day of life for the installation of a permanent pacemaker because of the existence of congenital complete heart block (CCHB) with a basal heart rate of 43 b·min−1 and minimal elevation after initiating an isoproterenol perfusion. The intervention was under general anaesthesia with laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) and spontaneous ventilation. The principal anaesthetic goals were to assure adequate anaesthesia, with haemodynamic and respiratory stability, to maintain the best possible heart rate and to avoid postoperative respiratory depression or apnoea.
Treatment outcome and incidence of psychiatric disorders in dermatological out‐patients
Authors: Picardi A , Abeni D , Renzi C , Braga M , Melchi CF , Pasquini P 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTObjective  Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among dermatological patients is high. We aimed at estimating the short‐term incidence of psychiatric disorders among patients with skin disease.Methods  The 12‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) was used to identify subjects free from psychiatric morbidity at their first dermatological visit. The GHQ‐12 was administered again after 1 month during a computer‐assisted telephone interview.Results  A total of 277 subjects was included in the study. At the follow‐up interview, 21 (7.6%) were found to have significant psychiatric morbidity. Only lack of improvement was associated with increased incidence of psychiatric morbidity (13.6%), with an odds ratio of 3.1 (95% confidence interval 1.2–7.8), after adjustment for gender, age, educational level and clinical severity.Conclusions  Physicians should devote special attention to the risk of psychiatric complications in patients who have not improved with treatment.
Lethal systemic dissemination from a cutaneous infection due to Curvularia lunata in a heart transplant recipient
Authors: Tessari G , Forni A , Ferretto R , Solbiati M , Faggian G , Mazzucco A , Barba A 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTA 69‐year‐old male heart transplant recipient, being treated with Cell Cept, FK 506 and methylprednisolone had multiple deep brown skin nodules and nodes, on the upper right arm. Skin biopsy and culture detected a strain of Curvularia lunata. The infection disseminated to the whole skin surface, oral mucosa, upper third of the oesophagus and to the lungs. Therapy with antibiotics and antifungal drugs was ineffective. The patient died of sepsis. We did not find any other case of systemic dissemination from a skin infection due to C. lunata among heart transplant recipients. We feel that heart transplant recipients need adequate education to prevent situations that would put them at risk for infection and to seek medical advice immediately for an early diagnosis and an effective therapy.
Primers for nine microsatellite loci in the hermaphroditic snail Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Knott K. E. , Puurtinen M. , Kaitala V. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractVariation in and amplification conditions for nine polymorphic microsatellite loci identified from Lymnaea stagnalis, a hermaphroditic pulmonate snail, are described. Eight populations from central Finland were studied, which varied in terms of both observed polymorphism and heterozygosity. The number of alleles at each locus is moderate (two to seven), except for one exceptional locus having 16 alleles, and for which null alleles are possible. There is no evidence for genotypic disequilibrium in the populations for all pairs of loci. Heterozygosity levels are indicative of outcrossing in L. stagnalis, whose mating system will be characterized further using these markers.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Japanese paper wasp,Polistes chinensis antennalis(Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
Authors: Tsuchida K. , Saigo T. , Tsujita S. , Takeuchi K. , Ito N. , Sugiyama M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe isolated 13 microsatellite markers for the Japanese paper waspPolistes chinensis antennalis. Null alleles were ruled out in the loci because we could detect polymerase chain reaction products for 578 haploid males. Our results indicate that these markers are excellent tools for the analysis of pedigrees within colonies for species with a complicated pedigree structure due to worker reproduction (male production by workers in queen‐right colonies).
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Hypocreales)
Authors: Rehner S. A. , Buckley E. P. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Beauveria bassiana, an entomogenous fungus used for the biological control of pest insects, comprises a globally‐distributed species complex of regionally endemic lineages. In order to study the population genetics of B. bassiana, detail species boundaries, conduct ecological studies of natural populations and track fates of experimentally‐released strains, sensitive genetic markers are required. We describe the isolation and characterization of eight microsatellite loci that amplify successfully from strains representative of the phylogenetic diversity in the B. bassiana complex.
Isolation and characterization of nuclear microsatellite loci in the tropical arboreal palm Oenocarpus bacaba (Arecaceae)
Authors: Lepsch‐Cunha N. , Lund C. A. , Hamilton M. B. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractStudies of mating patterns are needed to determine how habitat heterogeneity created by deforestation influences tropical plant populations. Eight microsatellite loci were isolated with a subtractive hybridization method for Oenocarpus bacaba (Arecaceae), a subcanopy palm tree at the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project, near Manaus, Brazil. Additionally, two heterospecific loci originally developed for the heart palm Euterpe edulis were shown to be variable. Loci averaged 9.6 alleles per locus. Five loci did not fit Hardy–Weinberg expectations with significant deficits of heterozygous genotypes consistent with null alleles. Many loci had high average probabilities of paternity exclusion.
Eleven microsatellite markers in Nasonia, Ashmead 1904 (Hymenoptera; Pteromalidae)
Authors: Pietsch Christof , Rütten Karsten , Gadau Jürgen 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe designed primer sequences for 11 microsatellite markers in the jewel wasp Nasonia vitripennis. Most loci could be cross‐amplified in Nasonia longicornis and Nasonia giraulti, which make them amenable for linkage analysis in hybrid crosses. Eight loci were assigned to specific chromosomes. Additionally, 10 loci showed allelic variation in a Nasonia vitripennis field population. The observed number of alleles in this population ranged from two to seven, with observed heterozygosities from 0.0750 to 0.4750.
A Longitudinal Study of Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Barnes Deborah E. , Yaffe Kristine , Satariano William A. , Tager Ira B. 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline is associated with maintenance of cognitive function over 6 years or with level of cognitive function on tests performed 6 years later in a longitudinal study of healthy older people.DESIGN: Prospective cohort.SETTING: Community‐based study of noninstitutionalized adults aged 55 and older living in Sonoma, California.PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred forty‐nine cohort members without evidence of cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disability, or cognitive impairment at baseline.MEASUREMENTS: Cardiorespiratory fitness measures were based on a standard treadmill exercise test protocol and included peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2), treadmill exercise duration, and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES). Cognitive function was evaluated at baseline with a modified Mini‐Mental State Examination (mMMSE) and after 6 years of follow‐up with a detailed cognitive test battery that included the full MMSE, three tests of attention/executive function, two measures of verbal memory, and two tests of verbal fluency.RESULTS: Participants with worse cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline experienced greater decline on the mMMSE over 6 years (mean mMMSE decline (95% confidence interval) by baseline peak VO2 tertile: lowest = −0.5 (−0.8 to −0.3), middle = −0.2 (−0.5–0.0), highest = 0.0 (−0.3–0.2), P = .002 for trend over tertiles). Participants with worse baseline cardiorespiratory fitness also performed worse on all cognitive tests conducted 6 years later. Results were similar for analyses based on peak VO2, treadmill exercise duration, and OUES. After adjustment for demographic and health‐related covariates, measures of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated most strongly with measures of global cognitive function and attention/executive function.CONCLUSION: Baseline measures of cardiorespiratory fitness are positively associated with preservation of cognitive function over a 6‐year period and with levels of performance on cognitive tests conducted 6 years later in healthy older adults. High cardiorespiratory fitness may protect against cognitive dysfunction in older people.