bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Voiceless Consonants and Locus Equations: A Comparison with Electropalatographic Data on Coarticulation
Authors: Tabain Marija 
Published: April 2003

Abstract
The appropriateness of using locus equations in a study of voiceless consonants is examined. The consonants investigated are the stops /t k/ and the fricatives /Θ s ∫/. The slope value of the locus equation, indicating degree of coarticulation in the CV syllable, is compared with electropalatographic (EPG) data on coarticulation. It is shown that, overall, there is a very poor correlation between locus equation and EPG data as regards coarticulation. It is also shown that more accurate locus equation results – in terms of their correlation with EPG data – are obtained for stop consonants when F<sub>2</sub> onset is sampled at stop release, rather than at the onset of voicing for the vowel. Finally, results for the voiceless consonants are compared with results for their homorganic voiced counterparts. Whilst there is no significant difference between voiced and voiceless consonants in the EPG data, there is a significant difference between voiced and voiceless consonants in the locus equation data. These results suggest that locus equations cannot provide invariant cues for stop and fricative place of articulation across the voiced-voiceless distinction.
Tactile Discrimination Task Not Disturbed by Thalamic Stimulation
Authors: Abbassian A.H. , Shahzadi S. , Afraz S.R. , Fazl A. , Moradi F. 
Published: April 2003

The major pathway of human somatosensation passes through the ventrocaudal nucleus (Vc) of the thalamus. We tested the effect of direct electrical stimulation of the Vc on tactile discrimination in 5 Parkinson patients undergoing stereotactic thalamotomy. Raised gratings with lines 3, 4, or 6 mm apart were used. Patients had to actively touch test patterns placed in the hand contralateral to the thalamus under operation and compare it with a reference 3-mm grating held continuously in their other hand. Their performance was best for 6-mm, followed by 3-mm and then by 4-mm patterns regardless of electrical stimulation. Under Vc stimulation, patients recognized the 4-mm gratings slightly better. This can be explained either by the nature of thalamocortical interaction, which makes it resistant to external noise, or by the involvement of other pathways that circumvent the effect of thalamic stimulation.
Five-Year Prognosis after Radical Prostatectomy in a Patient with Localized Prostate Cancer and Incidental Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Drinis Sophia , Finkelstein Michael P. , Tortorelis Dean G. , Konno Sensuke , Choudhury Muhammad S. 
Published: April 2003

We present a white male patient with an initial prostate-specific antigen level of 69 ng/ml, referred for urological evaluation. He was found to be free of prostatitis but diagnosed for prostate adenocarcinoma without any indications of metastatic disease. Lymphadenectomy then revealed lymphadenopathy of low-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Five-year follow-up after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) showed no evidence of metastatic or local prostate cancer recurrence. In addition, no radiation or chemotherapy was required for his lymphoma. Although RRP is a viable option in this unique case, the outcome thus far suggests that it should be considered a primary therapeutic modality.
Ovarian Hormones Do Not Attenuate Methamphetamine-Induced Dopaminergic Neurotoxicity in Mice Gonadectomized at 4 Weeks Postpartum
Authors: Yu Lung , Kuo Yumin , Cherng Chianfang G. , Chen Hsiang-Hua , Hsu Chia-Hung 
Published: April 2003

The present study was undertaken to assess the ability of ovarian hormones to alter methamphetamine (MA)-induced dopaminergic toxicity in male and female mice gonadectomized at 4 and 6 weeks of age. None of the following three treatments, estradiol benzoate (EB, 3 × 0.47 µg), progesterone (Prog, 3 × 0.47 µg), or EB (2 × 0.47 µg) followed by Prog (0.47 µg), affected the dopamine (DA)-depleting effects of MA in male and female mice gonadectomized when they were 4 weeks old. However, in contrast to the findings that male mice are more sensitive to MA-induced DA depletion than female mice, no sexual differences in the sensitivity to MA treatment were observed in mice gonadectomized at this age. Moreover, three daily doses of EB (0.47 µg) and EB (0.47 µg) combined with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4OHT, 6 µg) effectively attenuated striatal DA depletion produced by MA in female mice ovariectomized at 6 weeks of age. Three daily doses of Prog (0.47 µg) and EB (0.47 µg) combined with 4OHT (6 µg) significantly attenuated MA-induced striatal DA depletion in male mice gonadectomized at 6 weeks of age. Taken together, the modulating effects of ovarian hormones on MA-induced DA depletion in mouse striatum could be sex- and age-dependent. 4OHT did not block the protecting effects of EB on MA-induced DA depletion in female and male mice, suggesting that the estrogen receptor may not be involved in the protective effects of EB on attenuating MA-induced DA toxicity.
Hypomagnesemia and Smooth Muscle Contractility:Diffuse Esophageal Spasm in anOld Female Patient
Authors: Iannello Silvia , Spina Maurizio , Leotta Paolo , Prestipino Marcella , Spina Sebastiano , Ricciardi Nunziato , Belfiore Francesco 
Published: April 2003

The aim of this paper is to describe and discuss, on the basis of the available literature, the case of an old female patient, admitted to our university hospital because of a severe dysphagia for solid foods, in whom laboratory data showed a marked hypomagnesemia. She reported a long history (20 years) of allergic bronchial asthma treated with theophylline. Esophagography evidenced a disorder of esophagus motility with diffuse multiple spasm, reminiscent of the ‘corkscrew esophagus’. A link with the severe hypomagnesemia (Mg 1.1 mEq/l, normal range 1.6–2.1) was suspected, and a therapy with oral pidolate of Mg (1.5 g/twice a day) was started and continued for 4 months. This was associated with a slow progressive normalization of the Mg plasma level and reverted radiographic esophageal findings with disappearance of dysphagia. Mg is an important element for health and disease, and today Mg deficiency in man has become an accepted medical problem which might complicate many diseases. Neuromuscular disorders, as laryngeal spasm, are recognized complications of hypomagnesemia, but until now only 1 case of motor esophageal disorder associated with a low Mg plasma level was briefly reported in the literature, even if dysphagia is generally included in the symptomatological pattern of hypomagnesemia. Our observation of a severe form of esophageal spasm, associated with hypomagnesemia, in an aged female patient underlines the pathophysiological meaning of the plasma Mg level and suggests the need for routine Mg determination in the clinical setting.
Effects of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I on Growth and Polyamine Metabolism in Various Organs in Rats
Authors: Höpfner M. , Berger A. , Fölsch U.R. , Löser C. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aim:</i> Human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is known to be the mediator of growth hormone dependent proliferation and is responsible for growth-promoting effects in the gastrointestinal tract. Polyamines play an essential role in cell growth and differentiation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the growth-promoting potency of IGF-I in various organ systems simultaneously in rats and the potential role of the polyamine metabolism during IGF-I-induced gastrointestinal growth. <i>Methods:</i> Based on results of initial dose-response studies, male Wistar rats (150 g) were either treated by subcutaneous injections with (1) IGF-I (1 × 1,000 µg/kg/24 h); (2) IGF-I plus α-difluoromethylornithine (3 × 300 mg i.p./kg/24 h plus 2% in drinking water), a specific inhibitor of intracellular polyamine de novo synthesis, or (3) saline (controls). 9–10 animals per group were sacrificed after 5 days of treatment. <i>Results:</i> IGF-I caused a significant (p < 0.005) increase in the weight of small intestine and spleen due to hyperplasia in the small intestine and hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the spleen, while no trophic effects could be observed in stomach or pancreas. The amylase concentration in the pancreas was increased. Simultaneously administered α-difluoromethylornithine significantly (p < 0.005) abolished the IGF-I-induced trophic effects in small intestine and spleen. <i>Conclusions:</i> These data reveal different trophic effects of IGF-I in various organ systems: while significant growth stimulation was found in small intestine and spleen, no proliferation was seen in pancreas and stomach. Polyamines obviously play an important role in IGF-I-mediated gastrointestinal growth.
Sensitization of Mice with Olive Pollen Allergen Ole e 1 Induces a Th2 Response
Authors: Batanero Eva , Barral Patricia , Villalba Mayte , Rodríguez Rosalía 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Olive pollen is one of the main causes of allergy in Mediterranean countries, where it is widely distributed. One inconvenience in studying new immunotherapies for olive pollen allergy is the lack of suitable animal models. The aim of this study was to develop a murine model of IgE sensitization to Ole e 1, the major allergen of olive pollen, which mimics the immunological features of olive pollinosis in humans and to investigate the in vivo antigenicity of the recombinant form of the allergen. <i>Methods:</i> BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal administration of natural Ole e 1 (nOle e 1) and recombinant Ole e 1 (rOle e 1) in Al(OH)<sub>3</sub>, respectively. Serum levels of specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, cytokine production and the proliferative response of splenocytes after in vitro stimulation with nOle e 1 were analyzed by ELISA and flow cytometry. The binding capacity of rOle e 1-specific IgG1 was examined by ELISA and immunoblotting. <i>Results:</i> Sensitization with nOle e 1 or rOle e 1 induced high levels of specific IgE and IgG1 versus low IgG2a antibody levels. Splenocytes from sensitized mice exhibited a proliferative response to nOle e 1. In vitro stimulated splenic cells from nOle e 1-primed mice produced IL-4 and low or nondetectable levels of IFN-γ. Specific IgE and IgG1 antibodies of immunized mice bound to the same Ole e 1 isoforms and showed a similar degree of cross-reactivity as observed for human IgE. Mouse specific nOle e 1 IgG1 was strongly inhibited by IgE from allergic patients. The IgG1 antibodies elicited by rOle e 1 reacted with both the recombinant and natural forms of the allergen. <i>Conclusions:</i> A murine model of Ole e 1 sensitization has been established. rOle e 1 shows similar allergenicity and antigenicity to its natural form. This model should provide a useful tool for evaluating antigenic molecules and exploring new therapeutic approaches in order to treat IgE-mediated olive pollinosis.
Does Lumbar Cerebrospinal Fluid Reflect Ventricular Cerebrospinal Fluid? A Prospective Study in Patients with External Ventricular Drainage
Authors: Sommer Jan B. , Gaul Charly , Heckmann Josef , Neundörfer Bernhard , Erbguth Frank J. 
Published: April 2003

Ventriculitis may sometimes occur after an external ventricular drain has been removed, and diagnosis has to be made by lumbar puncture. But are the lumbar findings comparable to previously obtained ventricular results? In a prospective study, sample pairs of ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were obtained at an interval of <30 min in 25 patients with increased intracranial pressure suffering from cerebral hemorrhage (n = 15), meningitis/encephalitis (n = 6), cerebral infarction (n = 3), and meningeosis carcinomatosa (n = 1). CSF was analyzed for protein, albumin, IgG, IgA, IgM, glucose, lactate, and leukocytes including cytological differentiation. A significant ventriculo-lumbar increase was observed for protein, albumin, and the immunoglobulins. Lactate was distributed equally in ventricular and lumbar CSF, as well as glucose in the cerebral hemorrhage subgroup (n = 15). Cell count failed to show a clear ventriculo-lumbar ratio. Cytological distribution was comparable in lumbar and ventricular CSF, except for macrophages showing a significant rostrocaudal decrease. In conclusion, in cases of clinically suspected bacterial central nervous system infection after removal of an external ventricular drain, lumbar CSF lactate, glucose, and cytology are comparable to previously determined ventricular values, and thus may help physicians to choose the best treatment.
Analysis of Mixed Chimerism in Patients after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Using a Capillary Electrophoresis System
Authors: Tsutsumi Y. , Tanaka J. , Kato N. , Zhang L. , Mori A. , Kobayasi R. , Kasai M. , Asaka M. , Imamura M. 
Published: April 2003

We analyzed mixed chimerism (MC) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) using a capillary electrophoresis system with four kinds of fluorescence-labeled primers for microsatellites (D3S1359, D6S89, ACTBP2, HGH). The sensitivities of all microsatellites were at least 3%. The present method is sufficiently rapid: only 3–4 h are needed to perform all the procedures. For analysis of MC in 30 patients who had undergone allogeneic SCT, heterozygosity of all microsatellites was over 88% and informativeness of ACTBP2 and HGH was over 73%. We analyzed MC using this technique to determine whether it was useful for prediction of the prognosis of 22 patients who had undergone allogeneic SCT. MC was more frequently observed in patients who were treated without total body irradiation (TBI) than in patients who were treated with TBI (p = 0.009). MC was also seen in a larger percentage of patients without acute graft-versus-host disease (p = 0.027). Six patients developed graft failure or relapse among 12 patients with MC. The graft failure or relapse was higher in patients with MC than in patients with complete chimerism (CC) (p = 0.009) especially if they were over 30 years of age (p = 0.0005). In contrast, graft failure or relapse was not higher in patients with MC compared with patients with CC under 30 years of age (p = 0.78). These results show that MC is an important predictive factor, especially in patients over 30 years of age.
Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma: Clinicopathological Analysis of 19 Cases from Japan and Review of the Literature
Authors: Nishimura Rieko , Takakuwa Tetsuya , Hoshida Yoshihiko , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Aozasa Katsuyuki 
Published: April 2003

Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PL) is an extremely rare disease, and large-scale studies are rarely performed even in Western countries, in which all cases of PL reported to date were of the B-cell type. Little information regarding PL is available in Japan. Nineteen cases of PL were collected through a nationwide study in Japan, and paraffin-embedded specimens were processed for staining with hematoxylin and eosin and by immunohistochemical procedures. Clinicopathological findings were reviewed and compared with those reported in Western countries. The patient population consisted of 13 men and 6 women, ranging in age from 46 to 84 (average 62) years. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom. Tumors were located in the pancreatic head (12 cases), tail (4 cases) and body (2 cases), and ranged in size from 4 to 17 cm. Clinical stage was I<sub>E</sub> in 9 cases and II<sub>E</sub> in 10. Radical resection was performed in 10 cases and bypass operation in 1, followed by chemotherapy in 8. Immunophenotypically, 15 cases were B-cell and 4 were T-cell lymphomas. Seventy-three percent of B-cell tumors were diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. The 1-year actuarial survival rate for B-cell lymphomas (51.9%) was better than that of T-cell lymphomas (0%). However, in Japan the incidence of T-cell PLs was higher, and, partly as a consequence of this, prognosis was poorer than in Western countries.
Increased CD11/CD18 Expression and Altered Metabolic Activity on Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes from Patients with Polycythemia vera and Essential Thrombocythemia
Authors: Burgaleta Carmen , González Nuria , César Jesús 
Published: April 2003

Functional studies of granulocytes in polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are contradictory. In order to study the possible link between adhesion molecules and functional activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in these patients we measured the expression of CD11/CD18 glycoproteins and the oxidative burst of PMNs in patients with PV (13) and ET (18) and in 15 healthy voluntary donors. Experiments were performed by flow cytometry in total blood. The metabolism was stimulated by incubation with <i>Escherichia coli</i> and fMLP. Increased expression of CD11b/CD18 adhesion was obtained in PV and ET patients (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Studies of oxidative metabolism, stimulated by <i>E. coli,</i> showed a significantly reduced production of oxygen radicals in both groups of patients (p < 0.001). These data confirm the presence of a complex neutrophil dysfunction in PV and ET that probably reflects intrinsic abnormalities induced by changes in the cells’ surface of the neoplastic clone and impaired signal transduction.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Gene Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism in Kuwaiti Children with Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Haider M.Z. , Devarajan L.V. , Al-Essa M. , Kumar H. 
Published: April 2003

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease characterized by neovascularization which occurs in infants with short gestational age and low birth weight and can lead to retinal detachment and blindness. In a proportion of ROP cases, the disease progresses to advanced stages despite rigorous intervention. The genotypes for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism were determined in 181 premature Kuwaiti infants using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The incidence of different I/D genotypes was compared in ROP cases (n = 74) and non-ROP controls (n = 107) and within 2 subgroups of ROP patients: (1) in which ROP regressed spontaneously (stages 1–3, n = 53), and (2) in which ROP progressed to advanced stages (stages 4 and 5, n = 21). When the ROP cases were considered collectively as one group, the incidence of the DD genotype was almost identical to that of non-ROP controls. The incidence of heterozygous ID genotype was higher in non-ROP controls. The incidence of the II genotype was higher in ROP cases compared to non-ROP controls (p < 0.01). In contrast to this, when ROP cases were divided in 2 subgroups the incidence of the DD genotype was significantly higher in advanced stage ROP cases compared to spontaneously regressing ROP cases (p < 0.04). The incidences of ID and II genotypes were not significantly different amongst the 2 subgroups of ROP patients.
Probiotics Feeding in Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection, Bacterial Sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Infants
Authors: Dani Carlo , Biadaioli Roberto , Bertini Giovanna , Martelli Elena , Rubaltelli Firmino F. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> It has been suggested that probiotics can reduce the overgrowth of pathogens in the bowels of preterm infants and contribute to the reduction of the incidence of nosocomial infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of <i>Lactobacillus GG</i> supplementation in reducing the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacterial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm infants. <i>Methods:</i> A double-blind study was conducted in 12 Italian NICUs. Newborn infants with a gestational age <33 weeks or birthweight <1,500 g were randomized to receive standard milk feed supplemented with <i>Lactobacillus GG</i> (Dicoflor<sup>®</sup>, Dicofarm, Rome, Italy) in a dose of 6 × 10<sup>9</sup> colony-forming units (cfu) once a day until discharge, starting with the first feed or placebo. <i>Results:</i> Five hundred eighty-five patients were studied. The probiotics group (n = 295) and the placebo group (n = 290) exhibited similar clinical characteristics. The duration of <i>Lactobacillus GG</i> and placebo supplementation was 47.3 ± 26.0 and 48.2 ± 24.3 days, respectively. Although UTIs (3.4 vs. 5.8%) and NEC (1.4 vs. 2.7%) were found less frequently in the probiotic group compared to the control group, these differences were not significant. Bacterial sepsis was more frequent in the probiotics group (4.4%, n = 11) than in the placebo group (3.8%, n = 9), but the difference was not significant. <i>Conclusion:</i> Seven days of <i>Lactobacillus GG</i> supplementation starting with the first feed is not effective in reducing the incidence of UTIs, NEC and sepsis in preterm infants. Further studies are required to confirm our results in lower birthweight populations.
Glutathione Secretion into Rat Milk and Its Subsequent γ-Glutamyltranspeptidase-Mediated Catabolism
Authors: Fujikake Noboru , Ballatori Nazzareno 
Published: April 2003

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a critical cellular antioxidant and a cofactor for enzymes that detoxify carcinogens. GSH is present at high concentrations in all mammalian tissues, including mammary gland tissue (1– 2 m<i>M</i>), and recent studies indicate that the tripeptide may also be present in milk. The present study examined the hypothesis that GSH is secreted into rat milk, and that some of the secreted GSH is degraded by the ectoenzyme γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) within the milk space. To test this possibility, milk was collected over a 4-hour period in anesthetized, 9- to 11-day postpartum Wistar rats, as well as in similar rats treated with the GGT inhibitor acivicin. GGT enzymatic activity was relatively high in rat mammary tissue, and acivicin was able to inhibit most (∼80%), but not all of this activity. In control animals, GSH was present in milk, although at a relatively low concentration of ∼20–25 µ<i>M</i>. However, after treatment with acivicin, milk GSH concentration increased 3- to 4-fold. Most of the glutathione was in the reduced form, as no GSSG was detected (<2 µ<i>M</i>) in any of the milk samples. These results demonstrate that GSH is secreted into rat milk, but that a large fraction of the secreted GSH is degraded by the ectoenzyme GGT. Taken together with previous studies indicating the presence of GSH synthetic and catabolic enzymes in mammary tissue, these data suggest that the mammary gland has a functional γ-glutamyl cycle. This cycle may contribute to the secretion of cysteine into milk, which is a rate-limiting amino acid for neonatal growth and development.