bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D Repletion in Patients with Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Coexistent Vitamin D Insufficiency
Authors: Grey Andrew , Lucas Jenny , Horne Anne , Gamble Greg , Davidson James S. , Reid Ian R. 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Vitamin D insufficiency is common in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and may be associated with more severe and progressive disease. Uncertainty exists, however, as to whether repletion of vitamin D should be undertaken in patients with PHPT. Here we report the effects of vitamin D repletion on biochemical outcomes over 1 yr in a group of 21 patients with mild PHPT [serum calcium &lt;12 mg/dl (3 mmol/liter)] and coexistent vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] &lt;20 μg/liter (50 nmol/liter)].
In response to vitamin D repletion to a serum 25(OH)D level greater than 20 μg/liter (50 nmol/liter), mean levels of serum calcium and phosphate did not change, and serum calcium did not exceed 12 mg/dl (3 mmol/liter) in any patient. Levels of intact PTH fell by 24% at 6 months (P &lt; 0.01) and 26% at 12 months (P &lt; 0.01). There was an inverse relationship between the change in serum 25(OH)D and that in intact PTH (r = −0.43, P = 0.056). At 12 months, total serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly lower, and urine N-telopeptides tended to be lower than baseline values (P = 0.02 and 0.13, respectively). In two patients, 24-h urinary calcium excretion rose to exceed 400 mg/d, but the group mean 24-h urinary calcium excretion did not change.
These preliminary data suggest that vitamin D repletion in patients with PHPT does not exacerbate hypercalcemia and may decrease levels of PTH and bone turnover. Some patients with PHPT may experience an increase in urinary calcium excretion after vitamin D repletion.
Dose-Dependent Generation of RET/PTC in Human Thyroid Cells after in Vitro Exposure to γ-Radiation: A Model of Carcinogenic Chromosomal Rearrangement Induced by Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Caudill Christy M. , Zhu Zhaowen , Ciampi Raffaele , Stringer James R. , Nikiforov Yuri E. 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Ionizing radiation is a well-known risk factor for thyroid cancer in human populations. Chromosomal rearrangements involving the RET gene, known as RET/PTC, are prevalent in thyroid papillary carcinomas from patients with radiation history. We studied the generation of RET/PTC in HTori-3 immortalized human thyroid cells exposed to a range of doses of γ-radiation and harvested 2, 5–6, and 9 d later. RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC3 were detected by RT-PCR followed by Southern blotting and hybridization with internal oligonucleotide probes. No RET/PTC was found in cells harvested 2 and 5–6 d after irradiation, whereas 59 RET/PTC events were detected in cells collected 9 d after exposure. The average rate of RET/PTC induction was 0.1 × 10−6 after exposure to 0.1 Gy, 1.6 × 10−6 after 1 Gy, 3.0 × 10−6 after 5 Gy, and 0.9 × 10−6 after 10 Gy. When adjusted for cell survival, the rate after 10 Gy was comparable with those after 5 Gy. RET/PTC1 was more common than RET/PTC3 after each dose, comprising 80% of all rearrangements. In this study, we demonstrate a dose-dependent induction of RET/PTC rearrangements in human thyroid cells after exposure to 0.1–10 Gy γ-radiation. This provides additional evidence for a direct link between this genetic event and radiation exposure and offers a powerful experimental system for studying radiation-induced carcinogenesis in the thyroid gland.
Functional Analysis of a Novel GATA3 Mutation in a Family with the Hypoparathyroidism, Deafness, and Renal Dysplasia Syndrome
Authors: Zahirieh Alireza , Nesbit M. Andrew , Ali Asif , Wang Kairong , He Ning , Stangou Maria , Bamichas Gerasimos , Sombolos Kostas , Thakker Rajesh V. , Pei York 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe hypoparathyroidism, deafness, and renal dysplasia (HDR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations of a member of the GATA-binding family of transcription factors, GATA3. This dual zinc finger transcription factor binds DNA with its C-terminal zinc finger (ZnF2) and stabilizes this binding with its N-terminal zinc finger (ZnF1). ZnF1 also interacts with other zinc finger proteins, notably Friend of GATA (FOG). The HDR syndrome has been described in patients with mutations affecting both ZnF1 and ZnF2 domains; the former result in inefficient interaction with FOG, and the latter result in disruption of DNA binding. We report a patient with renal failure, hypoparathyroidism, and bilateral hearing loss. Assessment of family members indicated that the disease arose as a de novo mutation in her mother. Analysis of GATA3 in the family revealed a heterozygous missense mutation resulting in a nonconservative change of a single amino acid (R276P) in the ZnF1 domain. Functional analysis using dissociation electrophoretic mobility shift and yeast two-hybrid assays showed reduced binding affinity to the GATA motifs but normal interaction with FOG in vitro. These results are consistent with the predicted functions of human GATA3-ZnF1 from three-dimensional molecular modeling and with HDR being a result of GATA3 haploinsufficiency.
A Novel GALNT3 Mutation in a Pseudoautosomal Dominant Form of Tumoral Calcinosis: Evidence That the Disorder Is Autosomal Recessive
Authors: Ichikawa Shoji , Lyles Kenneth W. , Econs Michael J. 
Published: April 2005

Abstract
Familial tumoral calcinosis is a rare metabolic disorder, characterized by ectopic calcification and hyperphosphatemia. Recently biallelic mutations in the GalNAc transferase 3 (GALNT3) gene were identified in two families with tumoral calcinosis. In the present study, we performed mutation analysis of the GALNT3 gene in a multigenerational family, which was originally described to have an autosomal dominant form of tumoral calcinosis. We identified a novel splice site mutation in intron 1 (IVS1–2a→t), likely leading to skipping of exon 2. The proband was a compound heterozygote for the splice site mutation and the previously reported nonsense mutation (484C→T; R162X). His affected maternal great uncle was homozygous for the splice site mutation. Biallelic mutations found in two generations demonstrated that the family had pseudoautosomal dominant inheritance, confirming that tumoral calcinosis is in fact an autosomal recessive trait. However, genetic and biochemical findings suggest that carriers of a single mutation may also manifest subtle biochemical abnormalities. Furthermore, coexpression of GALNT3 and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a key regulator of phosphate homeostasis, in certain tissues suggests that O-glycosylation of FGF23 by GALNT3 may be necessary for proper function of FGF23.
Impact of Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis Algorithm Study
Authors: Coursol Christian J , Sanzari Sabrina E 
Published: April 2005

BACKGROUND: In the intensive care unit at Royal Victoria Hospital, we noted that drugs prescribed for stress ulcer prophylaxis were not always indicated or optimal. Accordingly, we implemented an algorithm for stress ulcer prophylaxis to guide the medical team in their decisions. The agents selected for the algorithm were intravenous famotidine and omeprazole suspension or tablets, depending on the available administration route. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a treatment algorithm on the appropriateness of prescriptions for stress ulcer prophylaxis. METHODS: A quasi-experimental—type evaluative study was conducted based on a pre-/post-intervention design without a concurrent control group. A total of 555 complete admissions met the selection criteria; 303 patients formed the pre-intervention group, and 252 made up the post-intervention group (exposed to the treatment algorithm). RESULTS: After implementation of the algorithm, the proportion of inappropriate prophylaxis was decreased (95.7% vs 88.2%; p = 0.033). The number of days of inappropriate prophylaxis was also reduced significantly (p = 0.013), as was the cost per patient (p = 0.003) for all admissions. However, no difference was observed when the subgroup of patients who received prophylaxis alone was studied (p = 0.098 and p = 0.918). The presence of bleeding was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction by pharmacists of a treatment algorithm for stress ulcer prophylaxis in intensive care units allows a reduction of inappropriate prescriptions and thus a reduction in the cost of drugs. The use of omeprazole suspension seems to be an alternative to intravenous histamine2-inhibitors; however, a large-scale study is necessary to confirm the efficacy and safety of proton-pump inhibitors administered by an enteral tube.
High-Dose Clopidogrel Loading in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Longstreth Kristen L , Wertz James R 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE: To review the use of a 600-mg clopidogrel loading dose in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). DATA SOURCES: Human clinical trials and platelet studies available through PubMed (1966–March 2005), bibliographies of pertinent articles, and citations supplied by the drug manufacturer were accessed. DATA SYNTHESIS: The administration of a 600-mg loading dose of clopidogrel can decrease the time required for maximum platelet inhibition to 2 hours compared with ⩾6 hours achieved with 300 mg. This higher loading dose has been investigated in multiple platelet studies and one observational report. Several randomized controlled trials have used a 600-mg loading dose; however, these studies were not designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this loading regimen. To date, only one randomized trial has compared the 600-mg loading dose with a 300-mg loading dose. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with a conventional loading regimen of 300 mg in lower-risk patients, pretreatment with clopidogrel 600 mg was shown to be more effective in reducing periprocedural events and demonstrated similar safety. Studies are needed to clarify the use of a 600-mg loading dose in higher-risk patients, with concomitant glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonism, or when administration is delayed until immediately before or after PCI.
Angioedema Associated with Aspirin and Rofecoxib
Authors: Marshall Leisa L 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE: To report the probable association of angioedema with aspirin therapy and the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor rofecoxib. CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old white woman, previously tolerant to aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), developed angioedema of the lips after ingesting two 325-mg aspirin tablets during one day. The reaction occurred 3 hours after taking the second aspirin and resolved within 3 hours. Two weeks later, the patient took a 25-mg rofecoxib tablet for a sore throat, and she developed angioedema 51/2 hours later. Although the woman took 50 mg of diphenhydramine, the swelling did not subside. She repeated the diphenhydramine dose in the evening and, by noon the next day, 261/2 hours after the angioedema began, it was resolved. The patient's internist prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector and advised her to consult an allergist. With skin testing and oral rechallenge with aspirin, but not rofecoxib, the allergist determined the cause of the reactions to be aspirin-induced angioedema and selective COX-2 inhibitor intolerance. The Naranjo probability scale indicated that aspirin was a highly probable cause and rofecoxib was a probable cause of this patient's angioedema. DISCUSSION: Aspirin-induced angioedema and NSAID intolerance have been well documented. There are reports of both tolerance and intolerance to selective COX-2 inhibitors in patients with documented allergy-like reactions to aspirin and NSAIDs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with aspirin and NSAID intolerance may develop intolerance to COX-2 inhibitors, especially with repeated exposure.
Dyspnea during Thalidomide Treatment for Advanced Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Gordinier Mary E , Dizon Don S 
Published: April 2005

OBJECTIVE: To detail the dyspnea encountered in women receiving thalidomide as therapy for advanced ovarian cancer. CASE SUMMARIES: Eight of 18 (44%) patients with recurrent ovarian cancer developed dyspnea while receiving thalidomide 200 mg daily as part of a prospective Phase II study. Dyspnea was evaluated with pulse oximetry, chest X-ray and, if indicated, spiral computed tomography scan. Four patients had abnormal chest X-ray findings (1 pleural effusion, 1 pneumonia, 2 mild congestive heart failure), and one of these patients also had a pulmonary embolus. The other 4 patients had no objective test findings to explain their dyspnea. Five patients had resolution of symptoms when thalidomide was discontinued and, when the drug was resumed at a 50% dose reduction, experienced no further shortness of breath. DISCUSSION: While dyspnea in association with thalidomide has not previously been reported as a common adverse event, it was a frequent complaint of patients receiving this drug as part of a Phase II study. Comorbid conditions causing dyspnea were evaluated since they are common in this patient population; however, half of our patients had no objective evidence of such conditions. The Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable relationship between dyspnea and thalidomide therapy in the patients with no objective evidence of comorbidity. We advocate discontinuation of thalidomide until symptoms have resolved, at which time reintroduction of thalidomide at a reduced dose may be considered. CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving thalidomide may develop dyspnea as an adverse effect of the drug. In selected patients, thalidomide may be safely reintroduced once symptoms resolve.
Clinical Experience with Spironolactone in Pediatrics
Authors: Buck Marcia L 
Published: April 2005

BACKGROUND: In 2003, the Food and Drug Administration placed spironolactone on its list of drugs needing pediatric studies. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of spironolactone in a large group of children and evaluate its safety, focusing on its effects on potassium. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted. Patient demographic information was collected, as well as dosing regimens, use of other medications, and potassium concentrations. Patients were grouped by diagnosis. Comparisons were made with unpaired t-tests. RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients were evaluated. The average age was 20.8 months and weight was 9.5 kg. Sixty-two patients had heart disease (HD), 29 had chronic lung disease (CLD), and 9 had other conditions. The initial dose was 1.8 ± 0.7 mg/kg/day. Patients with CLD received a higher dose than those with HD (2 ± 0.8 vs 1.7 ± 0.5 mg/kg/day; p = 0.04). Sixty-six patients received furosemide and 37 received thiazides (12 received both). The average potassium concentration after initiation was 4.3 ± 0.8 mEq/L, with higher values in patients with CLD versus HD (4.7 ± 0.7 vs 4.2 ± 0.7 mEq/L; p = 0.007). Twenty-six patients required potassium supplementation, including 16 with CLD and 8 with HD; no other adverse effects were noted. Average length of treatment was 16 days, with a length of stay of 38 days. Of the 92 patients surviving to discharge, 66 continued on spironolactone. CONCLUSIONS: This sample demonstrates that spironolactone is a common component of diuretic regimens in pediatric patients. The only adverse effects were alterations in potassium. While hyperkalemia was more common initially, hypokalemia was more frequent with long-term use. Potassium concentrations should be carefully monitored, particularly in children receiving multiple diuretics. Additional research is needed to define the pharmacokinetics and optimal dosing interval of spironolactone, as well as determine its long-term effects on potassium.
Consumer, retailer, and producer assessments of product differentiation according to regional origin and process quality
Authors: Wirthgen Antje 
Published: April 2005

AbstractRegional marketing concepts can be a successful strategy for product differentiation. A research project in Northern Germany reveals the following results: consumers' stated preferences show clearly potential demand for regional food, in particular if environment‐friendly produced and controlled. The main influencing factors that could be identified by means of a rank‐ordered logit analysis are consumers' regional, nutrition, and environment consciousness as well as a low price sensitivity and mistrust in conventional food from somewhere else.Also some retailers indicated interest in regional marketing concepts, but rarely in environment‐friendly produced food: listing of regional specialities and a seasonal offer as well as a farmer's market outlet in a shopping center. Further, farmers showed general interest in regional marketing, but not combined with environment‐friendly production. Overall, one can conclude of these results, that the limiting factor for regional marketing seems to be more the supply than the demand side. [EconLit citations: Q130, M310.] © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 21: 191–211, 2005.
Marketing margins and price transmission on the Hungarian pork meat market
Authors: Bakucs Lajos Zoltán , Fertõ Imre 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThe analysis of vertical price relationship along the supply chain from producers to consumers has become a popular tool of evaluating the efficiency and degree of competition in agrifood systems over recent decades. There is a wealth of literature on the farm‐retail price spread for different commodities and countries. However, with one exception (Bojnec, 2002) none have studied price transmission and marketing margins in the transition economies. It is a common belief that because of the distorted markets inherited from the pre 1989 period, the deficiency of the price‐discovery mechanisms, and unpredictable policy interventions, marketing margins are generally larger in the transition economies than in competitive markets. Using cointegration analysis, we find that producer and retail pork meat prices are cointegrated, the retail prices entering the cointegration space as weakly exogenous variables. Structural tests imposing homogeneity conditions are carried out and show a competitive pricing strategy. Price transmission modeling suggests that, despite the common belief, price transmission on the Hungarian pork meat market is symmetric. [JEL classification: Q13, D12, D4.] © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 21: 273–286, 2005.
Photoresponses and pH responses of hydrogels composed of acrylamido azobenzene and acrylic acid
Authors: Chen Li , Li Shi‐Geng , Zhao Yi‐Ping , Wang Yu‐Cui , Wang Qing‐Wen 
Published: April 2005

AbstractA monomer with a side‐chain azobenzide, acrylamido azobenzene (AAAB), was synthesized, and a series of poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamido azobenzene) polymers and gels were prepared through the copolymerization of this AAAB monomer with acrylic acid. Their responses to pH and ultraviolet light were studied. These copolymers and gels showed good pH responses and photoresponses; these responses were caused by the ionization of carboxyl and the cis–trans isomerism of azobenzide, respectively. The molecular structures of the copolymers and gels were also studied with X‐ray diffraction, and the results showed that the copolymers with a certain amount of AAAB could form crystalline structures. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2163–2167, 2005
Synthesis of reactor blend of linear and branched polyethylene using metallocene/Ni‐diimine binary catalyst system in a single reactor
Authors: AlObaidi Fahad , Zhu Shiping 
Published: April 2005

AbstractThis work reports the synthesis of a series of reactor blends of linear and branched polyethylene materials using a combination of [1,4‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) acenaphthene diimine nickel(II) dibromide] (1)/MMAO, known as an active catalyst for the production of branched polyethylene, and [rac‐ethylenebis(indenyl) zirconium dichloride] (2)/MMAO, which is active for the production of linear polyethylene. The polymerization runs were performed at various levels of temperature, pressure, and catalyst 2 molar fractions. At 5°C, there was very low influence of catalyst 2 molar fraction on the overall catalyst activity. However, at 30°C and 50°C, the overall catalyst activity increased linearly with catalyst 2 molar fraction. The same linear dependency was also found for the polymerization reactions carried out at 60°C and 100°C. At various levels of temperature and ethylene pressure, higher melting temperature and crystallinity were observed with an increase in catalyst 2 molar fraction. At 60°C and 100 psig, the DSC thermograms of the polymers produced with 1/2/MMAO exhibited two distinct peaks with melting temperatures closely corresponding to the melting temperatures of the polymers produced with the individual catalysts, 1/MMAO and 2/MMAO. The GPCV analysis of all polyethylene samples showed monomodal molecular weight distributions with low polydispersities. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2212–2217, 2005
Influence of precipitated silica on dynamic mechanical properties and resistance to oil and thermal aging in CPE/NR blends
Authors: Pattanawanidchai Sirichai , Saeoui Pongdhorn , Sirisinha Chakrit 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBlends of 80/20 CPE/NR filled with various silica loadings were prepared, and their properties were determined. It was found that cure properties are influenced significantly by the addition of precipitated silica. Scorch time and cure time decrease with increasing silica loading, which could be explained by the thermal history attributed to the shear heating in the blending stage. An increase in crosslink density as a function of silica loading is believed to be caused by a migration of curatives to the NR phase. In terms of phase morphology, with increasing silica loading, the NR dispersed phase size decreases due to the increase in compound viscosity and, thus, the shear stress available for efficient blending. An increase in silica loading also enhances resistance to oil due to the decrease in the NR dispersed phase size associated with the dilution effect, but gives no significant impact on thermal aging resistance. According to the change in damping peak height associated with the shift in Tg of the CPE phase, silica appears to preferentially migrate to the CPE phase due to the strong interaction between CPE and silanol groups of the silica surfaces. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2218–2224, 2005
Modeling parison formation in extrusion blow molding by neural networks
Authors: Huang Han‐Xiong , Lu Song 
Published: April 2005

AbstractA series of experiments were carried out on the parison formation stage in extrusion blow molding of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) under different die temperature, extrusion flow rate, and parison length. The drop time of parison when it reached a given length and its swells, including the diameter, thickness, and area swells, were determined by analyzing its video images. Two back‐propagation (BP) artificial neural network models, one for predicting the length evolution of parison with its drop time, the other predicting the swells along the parison, were constructed based on the experimental data. Some modifications to the original BP algorithm were carried out to speed it up. The comparison of the predicted parison swells using the trained BP network models with the experimentally determined ones showed quite a good agreement between the two. The sum of squared error for the predictions is within 0.001. The prediction of the parison diameter and thickness distributions can be made online at any parison length or any parison drop time within a given range using the trained models. The predicted parison swells were analyzed. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2230–2239, 2005