bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β<sub>2</sub>-Microglobulin Clearance Decreases with Renalin Reuse
Authors: Castro Rui , Morgado Teresa 
Published: April 2003

The HEMO study revealed that β<sub>2</sub>-microglobulin clearance decreases over time with Renalin reuse in the high-flux group. It was suggested that the reuse of polysulfone or cellulose triacetate high-flux dialyzers with Renalin (without bleach) results in degradation of the high-flux capacity. At our haemodialysis unit (Vila Real, Portugal) we reused dialyzers until January 2000 (limited to 10 reuses), with an automatic machine Renatron<sup>®</sup> (Renal Systems, Minntech<sup>®</sup>). All of our 31 patients who started with postdilution haemodiafiltration on-line (HDFol) were always dialyzed with F-80 polysulfone (Fresenius<sup>®</sup>). The reposition rate was 10 litres/session until 1998 and 20 litres/session thereafter. Reuse techniques were abandoned in our country in January 2000 following an EEC directive. Thereafter, we have decided to maintain HDFol with the same dialyzers without reuse. The mean β<sub>2</sub>-microglobulin predialysis values did not decrease over time until reuse was terminated (1995 with low-flux haemodialysis: 25.4 ± 6.4 µg/l; 1997: 24.7 ± 6.6 µg/l; 1998: 29.2 ± 8.9 µg/l; 1999: 33.7 ± 4.7 µg/l) whereas β<sub>2</sub>-microglobulin clearances were reasonable with HDFol (1998: 56.4 ± 25.9 ml/min; 1999: 47.9 ± 16.4 ml/min). After stopping reuse we have noticed that predialysis β<sub>2</sub>-microglobulin values decreased (2000: 23.0 ± 3.9 µg/l) in accordance with β<sub>2</sub>-microglobulin clearance duplication (2000: 84.1 ± 25.0 ml/min; p < 0.01). It is our opinion that the reuse of polysulfone dialyzers with Renalin should be abandoned in the field of high-flux haemodialysis. It causes deterioration in the β<sub>2</sub>-microglobulin clearance and probably interferes with the high-flux haemodialysis benefits, namely the reduction of dialysis-related amyloidosis.
IGHV3-Associated Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms Confer Susceptibility to Bullous Pemphigoid
Authors: Raux Grégory , Gilbert Danièle , Joly Pascal , Martel Philippe , Roujeau Jean-Claude , Prost Catherine , Lefranc Marie-Paule , Tron François 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective: </i>To determine whether the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes contribute to the occurrence of bullous pemphigoid (BP), polymorphisms of both the immunoglobulin constant IGHC and variable IGHV groups were studied in 100 Caucasian BP patients and 143 ethnically matched healthy individuals. <i>Methods:</i> To analyze the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the IGHG constant locus, a genomic immunoglobulin gamma 3 probe which detects polymorphisms in the gamma constant genes was hybridized to <i>Bst</i>EII- or <i>Bam</i>HI/<i>Sac</i>I-digested germline DNA, while IGHV3 subgroup polymorphism was analyzed by hybridizing a cloned VH3 probe to <i>Eco</i>RI-digested DNA. <i>Results:</i> No difference in the frequencies of the genotypes defined by the constant probe was observed between patients and controls. Analysis of the RFLP obtained with the VH3 probe showed that within the range of 4.5 and 1.5 kb, the observed band pattern was composed of 8 monomorphic and 7 polymorphic bands. Among the latter, 4 allowed to define 10 different restriction patterns. One pattern was shown to be significantly less frequent in patients than in controls. <i>Conclusion: </i>IGHV3 polymorphism might be a factor conferring susceptibility to BP.
Identification of the White Blood Cell Populations Responsible for Th1 Immunity to Trophoblast and the Timing of the Response in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Polgar K. , Hill J.A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Aim:</i> The purpose of this study was to identify the white blood cell populations responsible for Th1 immunity to trophoblast as evidenced in our in vitro assays following trophoblast activation and the timing of this response. <i>Study Design:</i> Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 32 nonpregnant women with a history of at least three prior first trimester spontaneous abortions of unknown etiology except their PBMC secreted Th1 embryotoxic cytokines in response to trophoblast stimulation. White blood cell populations were separated from PBMC by magnetic immunobeads and cultured with and without a trophoblast antigen extract. Supernatants from these cultures were added to two cell mouse embryos and after four days of culture assessment of blastocyst development was made to determine the white blood cell population responsible for embryotoxicity. In separate experiments trophoblast-activated PBMC culture supernatants were prepared over seven time points and individual Th1 cytokines (IL-2, INF-γ, TNF-α) were measured by ELISA to determine the timing of the response to trophoblast stimulation. <i>Results:</i> The white blood cell (CD45) populations responsible for embryotoxicity in response to trophoblast were T cells (CD3) and NK (CD56) cells. Levels of IL-2 peaked in the first 24 h of culture followed by TNF-α and IFN-γ levels which peaked at 96 h of culture. <i>Conclusions:</i> Our data demonstrated that the white blood cell populations responsible for embryotoxicity in our in vitro assays, were both T and NK cells. The kinetics of the cytokine response to trophoblast found in our study parallels the time course of a typical Th1 cytokine response. The profile of secreted cytokines support our hypothesis that trophoblast can produce Th1 immunity in some women with recurrent pregnancy loss that have embryotoxic effects in vitro.
Effect of Dilazep Dihydrochloride on Serum Cardiac Troponin T Levels in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Nakamura Tsukasa , Ushiyama Chifuyu , Osada Shiwori , Ugai Kazuya , Takahashi Yutaka , Tanaka Araki , Shimada Noriaki , Ebihara Isao , Koide Hikaru 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aim:</i> Cardiac troponin T is a highly sensitive marker for the detection of myocardial injury. We studied whether dilazep dihydrochloride affects cardiac troponin T levels in hemodialysis patients. <i>Methods:</i> Our study included 60 hemodialysis patients without symptoms of acute myocardial ischemia. We measured serum cardiac troponin T levels by the Elecsys<sup>®</sup> troponin T assay and randomized 40 hemodialysis patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) into two treatment groups: a dilazep dihydrochloride group (300 mg/day, n = 20) and a placebo group (n = 20). Treatment was continued for 12 months. <i>Results:</i>There were no significant differences between pre- and postdialysis cardiac troponin T levels before treatment. LVH was noted in 40 patients out of 60 hemodialysis patients (67%). Cardiac troponin T levels were significantly higher in these patients (0.23 ± 0.08 µg/l) than in hemodialysis patients without LVH (0.09 ± 0.03 µg/l). Cardiac troponin T levels were reduced from 0.24 ± 0.08 to 0.12 ± 0.06 µg/l (p < 0.01) in patients treated with dilazep dihydrochloride. There were no change in cardiac troponin T levels in patients receiving placebo (from 0.21 ± 0.08 at baseline to 0.20 ± 0.07 µg/l). <i>Conclusion:</i> Dilazep dihydrochloride may be effective in ameliorating myocardial damage in hemodialysis patients.
Increased Duodenal Mucosa Infiltration by Mast Cells in Rats with Portal Hypertension
Authors: Diez-Arias J.A. , Aller M.A. , Palma M.D. , Arias J.L. , Muñiz E. , Sánchez M. , Arias J. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Enteropathy characterized by vascular and inflammatory alterations in the submucosa and mucosa has been described in patients with portal hypertension. <i>Aims:</i> To verify the theory of inflammatory etiopathogenesis in experimental portal hypertensive duodenopathy, a prehepatic portal hypertension model based on the development of a single and triple partial ligation of the portal vein was used in the rat. <i>Methods:</i> Five rats in each group (male Wistar, 230–255 g) were subjected to single (group II) or triple (group III) partial ligation of the portal vein and then compared to 5 control animals (group I, no operation). The animals were sacrificed 6 weeks later to analyze the histological parameters of the duodenal mucosa and submucosa, i.e., number, diameter and area of submucosal vessels, density of mast cells and mitotic cells. Body, liver and spleen weights and collateral circulation type were also assayed. <i>Results:</i> As was demonstrated by the collateral circulation in all of the animals, the partial portal ligation was successful. Compared to the controls, the number of vessels per microscopic field (25 ± 3.16 vs. 18.60 ± 1.52), their diameter (20.09 ± 2.90 vs. 12.61 ± 3.97 µm, p < 0.05) and consequently their total area (12,749.30 ± 2,298.26 vs. 3,455.82 ± 1,702.33 µm<sup>2</sup>) were increased in the animals with a single partial ligation (group II) as well as in animals receiving triple partial ligation (group III) (33 ± 12.88, p < 0.05; 22.92 ± 6.72 µm, p < 0.05 and 51,376.95 ± 43,732.24 µm<sup>2</sup>, p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, the density of mast cells increased from 3.26 ± 1.18 in controls to 10.74 ± 1.47, p < 0.01 and 22.50 ± 6.42, p < 0.01 in single and triple partial portal ligated animals, respectively. Mitosis was significantly induced in crypts of the duodenal mucosa of the single portal ligated animals (25.20 ± 1.78 vs. 17.40 ± 1.14, p < 0.01) but was inhibited in triple partial ligated animals (12.40 ± 5.12, p < 0.05). Compared to controls, both groups of rats developed liver atrophy with a greater decrease in the liver/body weight ratio in the single (2.71 ± 0.50%, p < 0.01) compared to the triple partial ligated animals (3.33 ± 0.09%, p < 0.01). <i>Conclusions:</i> The correlation of the degree of portal hypertension with the vascular changes and mast cell density suggests that both the hypertensive state and inflammation may play a role in the development of portal hypertensive intestinal vasculopathy. The inverse relation of portal hypertension with liver atrophy and mitosis rate in the crypts of the duodenal mucosa has not been clarified and should be investigated in future studies.
How Effective Is Extensive Nonsurgical Treatment of Patients with Clinically Active Crohn’s Disease of the Terminal Ileum in Preventing Surgery?
Authors: Bemelman W.A. , Ivenski M. , van Hogezand R.A. , Hermans J. , Veenendaal R.A. , Griffioen G. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of extensive nonsurgical management of patients with clinically active Crohn’s disease of the terminal ileum and to identify parameters that could predict failure of this nonsurgical approach. <i>Methods:</i> All consecutive patients hospitalized for the first time because of active Crohn’s disease of the terminal ileum between 1985 and 1994 were included. Two groups of patients were defined. Patients who responded favorably to the extensive treatment protocol (group I), and patients in whom an ileocolic resection had been performed (group II). Treatment and patient characteristics were related to outcome. <i>Results:</i> Twenty-nine (38%) of the 76 patients were treated successfully by nonsurgical management (group I) and did not have surgery until the end of follow-up (mean 8.0 years, range 3–12 years). In total, 47 patients (62%) had ileocolic resection (group II). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a longer time between onset and exacerbation of this disease, the presence of stenosis and extraintestinal manifestations were independent predictors of failure of nonsurgical treatment. <i>Conclusion:</i> Prolonged medical treatment is effective in only one third of the clinically admitted patients. It should be applied with caution particularly in patients exhibiting stenosis, extraintestinal manifestations or a known history of Crohn’s disease of more than 5 years.
<i>Staphylococcus lugdunensis:</i> An Emerging Cause of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infections
Authors: Elliott Sean P. , Yogev Ram , Shulman Stanford T. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Staphylococcus lugdunensis</i>, a coagulase-negative staphylococcus first described in 1988, has gained recognition as an organism with considerable pathogenic capability in adults. In contrast to the indolent presentation characteristic of other coagulase-negative staphylococci, <i>S. lugdunensis</i> infections resemble the aggressive behavior of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Although the organism has been isolated from a wide variety of infections in adults, it is a very rare cause of pediatric infections. We describe the first two pediatric patients who developed ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections caused by <i>S. lugdunensis</i>. These cases suggest that coagulase-negative staphylococci should be identified to the species level and that, if <i>S. lugdunensis</i> is identified, greater morbidity compared to that associated with other coagulase-negative staphylococcal shunt infections should be anticipated. A longer course of therapy is recommended for <i>S. lugdunensis</i> infections.
Measurement of Gastric P<sub>CO2</sub> as an Index of Tissue Hypoxia during Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Epstein Lawrence J. , Jervis Jr. Oliver J. , Henderson, II James H. , Sullivan Marjorie , Mohsenifar Zab 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Gastric mucosal ischemia develops in critically ill patients in a number of clinical settings due to diversion of blood flow from the splanchnic bed to more vital organs, and can be detected by the measurement of gastric intramucosal pH (pHi). <i>Study Objective:</i> We hypothesized that similar changes would occur during obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to increased respiratory work during the periods of apnea. <i>Methods:</i> Gastric P<sub>co2</sub>, pHi and arterial blood gases were measured during 3 conditions in 8 patients with severe OSA: at baseline awake, while asleep with ≧30 obstructive apneas or hypopneas per hour, and asleep after elimination of apneas with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). <i>Results:</i> Significant changes between the baseline and apnea conditions were detected using ANOVA for repeated measures for gastric P<sub>CO2</sub>, 40.2 ± 5.3 vs. 85.4 ± 34.0 (p < 0.001), pHi, 7.41 ± 0.06 vs. 7.11 ± 0.17 (p < 0.005), and the gastric-arterial P<sub>CO2</sub> difference (D<sub>CO2</sub>), –2.3 ± 5.5 vs. 44.3 ± 36.21 (p < 0.006). Nasal CPAP returned all measures back to baseline values. <i>Conclusions:</i> Gastric tissue hypoxia develops in patients with severe OSA and may be a marker of disease severity. Treatment of OSA with CPAP eliminates the regional tissue hypoxia.
Current Status of Liver Transplantation for Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Frilling Andrea , Malago Massimo , Broelsch Christoph Erich 
Published: April 2003

Hepatocellular carcinoma accounts for more than 5% of all malignancies with a continuous increase worldwide. The most important risk factor is liver cirrhosis, frequently associated with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus infection. Liver resection is the only treatment that can potentially achieve cure. In carefully selected patients with a tumor smaller than 5 cm the 5-year survival is around 50%. The presence of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension limits the feasibility of hepatic resection. Child-Pugh A patients without major associated risk factors may be considered as the ideal target group for resection. A significant local disease recurrence rate of more than 70% at 5 years is the main problem of hepatic resection. Orthotopic liver transplantation offers the possibility of removing a potentially multicentric tumor and the underlying end-stage liver disease. Due to pure selection of suitable candidates the initial reports on the efficacy of liver replacement in a cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were disappointing. Taking the shortness of donor organs and the high posttransplant tumor recurrence rate into account, several groups developed criteria qualifying transplantation. A tumor size of >6 cm and gross intrahepatic portal vein involvement seem to be of significant prognostic importance. Patients with smaller solitary tumors or less than 3 tumors with a total tumor diameter of <8 cm have the same survival after transplantation as those with benign liver disease. Living donor liver transplantation offers a new approach to overcome the organ shortage and to theoretically extend the indication for transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma.
The Masseter Reflex: Postprocessing Methods and Influence of Age and Gender
Authors: Fitzek Sabine , Fitzek Clemens , Hopf Hanns Christian 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> Normative values of the masseter reflex are scarce. We studied the latencies, amplitudes and side differences of the masseter reflex in 105 healthy volunteers between the ages of 5 and 78 years. <i>Methods:</i> Latencies were calculated as the mean of 10 single sweeps and, simultaneously, measured from the summation curve. Short-term reproducibility was determined in 33 volunteers by retesting the reflex after 1 week. <i>Results:</i> There was a positive correlation between age and latencies and a negative correlation between age and amplitude. Maximal normal latencies were 8.3 ms for men and 7.9 ms for women in the age group below 50 years and 9.1 and 9.2 ms for the age group above 50 years. Latency differences between the right and left sides of >0.4 ms for subjects aged below 50 years and >0.5 ms for subjects aged above 50 years exceeded the 95% confidence interval. Amplitudes did not depend on gender. Calculated as a percentage of the side with higher amplitude, differences above one third could be accepted as abnormal. <i>Conclusion:</i> The masseter reflex appears to be a stable and robust clinical test, if age and gender differences are taken into account.
Oat-Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate
Authors: López Cubillana P. , Martínez Barba E. , Prieto A. , Server Pastor G. , Sola J. , Nicolás J.A. , García Hernández J.A. , Gómez G. , Martínez Pertusa P. , Pérez Albacete M. , Bañón V. , Valdelvira P. , Guardiola A. , Castillo D. , Cao E. , Alonso J.D. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Any carcinoma of prostatic origin which is not an acinary adenocarcinoma of the prostate is considered to be an atypical carcinoma. One member of this group of atypical prostatic tumors is the oat-cell carcinoma, or small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the prostate. This variety of carcinoma constitutes the histologic basis of <1% of all prostatic neoplasms. <i>Methods:</i> Between 1992 and 1997, four patients were diagnosed with SCC of the prostate at our hospital. In 3 of the 4 cases, the histopathological diagnosis was pure SCC, and in the 4th case there was a component of prostatic adenocarcinoma associated with the SCC. At the time of diagnosis, extracapsular extension of the tumor was present in all 4 cases, with T3 or higher stages in all of them (T<sub>3A</sub>N&#8320;M<sub>1</sub>, T<sub>3A</sub>N&#8320;M&#8320;, T<sub>3B</sub>N&#8320;M<sub>1</sub>, and T<sub>4</sub>N&#8320;M&#8320;). Because of the presence of extracapsular extension, radiotherapy and radical surgery were ruled out for all 4 patients. They were all offered systemic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (1 g/m<sup>2</sup>), doxorubicin (50 mg/m<sup>2</sup>) and vincristine (1.2 mg/m<sup>2</sup>). This therapeutic protocol was carried out in only 2 cases. <i>Results:</i> Survival was <1 year in the 3 patients with pure SCC, and the patient with a mixed tumor is alive with detectable disease 9 months after diagnosis. <i>Conclusions:</i> This poor vital prognosis in SCC stresses the need for early diagnosis a timely and appropriate therapeutic intervention in this condition.
Estimation of Neonatal Body Composition: Isotope Dilution versus Total-Body Electrical Conductivity
Authors: Hashimoto Kazumasa , Wong William W. , Thomas Alicia J. , Uvena-Celebrezze Jennifer , Huston-Pressley Larraine , Amini Saeid B. , Catalano Patrick M. 
Published: April 2003

The objective of the study is to evaluate neonatal body composition determined by the isotope dilution method compared with the total-body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) method. An oral dose of <sup>18</sup>O- and <sup>2</sup>H-labeled water was given to 40 healthy term newborns, and 26 infants successfully completed the protocol. The isotope concentrations in urine samples were measured by gas-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Fat and percent body fat (%F) estimated by isotope dilution were correlated with fat and %F estimated. Total body water measured by isotope dilution of <sup>18</sup>O and <sup>2</sup>H was 2.44 ± 0.36 and 2.49 ± 0.35 kg, respectively (p < 0.001). Fat and %F estimated by <sup>18</sup>O, <sup>2</sup>H, and TOBEC were 0.48 ± 0.20 kg and 13.7 ± 5.1%, 0.48 ± 0.19 kg and 13.7 ± 4.6%, and 0.38 ± 0.21 kg and 10.9 ± 5.0%, respectively. Neither fat nor %F estimates by isotope dilution showed good correlation with the TOBEC estimates (r = 0.22–0.57). Because of the wide variation of water content in individuals, the isotope dilution method may not be the optimal way of assessing body composition, and specifically body fat, in newborns.
Pentoxifylline Attenuates UVB-Induced Cutaneous Erythema
Authors: Lowitt Mark H. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The mechanism for ultraviolet-B (UVB)-associated cutaneous erythema may involve production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Pentoxifylline inhibits TNF-α production. <i>Objective:</i> To assess the effect of oral pentoxifylline on UVB-induced erythema in humans. <i>Methods:</i> Baseline minimum erythema doses (MEDs) for UVB were measured. Subjects received pentoxifylline 400 mg orally every 8 h for 4 doses. MED assays were repeated 2 h after the last dose of pentoxifylline. Pre- and posttreatment MED results were assessed by the paired t test. <i>Results:</i> Oral administration of pentoxifylline to 7 normal adults elevated the MED for UVB in all 7 individuals. <i>Conclusion:</i> Pentoxifylline may diminish the cutaneous sunburn response to UVB radiation when it is administered prior to ultraviolet exposure.
Control of Major Hemorrhage from the Spleno-Mesenteric Vein Junction during Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Successful Use of an Occlusion Balloon Catheter
Authors: Fujino Yasuhiro , Ku Yonson , Nakamura Takeshi , Iwasaki Takeshi , Kuroda Yoshikazu 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Vascular disruption is sometimes associated with intractable hemorrhage due to either vessel fragility or increased blood flow rates in patients with chronic pancreatitis during surgical operation. This paper describes the successful use of an occlusion catheter for repairing a major laceration at the spleno-mesenteric vein junction. <i>Methods:</i> A 14-Fr Fogarty occlusion balloon catheter was directly inserted into the splenic vein through the site of venous laceration and inflated to stop blood flow from the splenic vein. <i>Results:</i> This procedure perfectly controlled massive hemorrhage from the spleno-mesenteric vein junction. The injured site was repaired with a continuous suture in 5 min. <i>Conclusion:</i> The direct insertion of a balloon catheter to the injured site is simple and expeditious to control major hemorrhage from the spleno-mesenteric vein junction when the situation is otherwise unmanageable.