bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting Decannulation Outcomes after Distraction Osteogenesis for Syndromic Micrognathia
Authors: Sorin Alexander , McCarthy Joseph G. , Bernstein Joseph M. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectives: To characterize the airway anatomy by upper endoscopy in children with syndromal mandibular hypoplasia and to determine whether predistraction endoscopy is predictive of the likelihood of successful outcomes after mandibular distraction.Study Design: Retrospective chart review.Methods: Assessment of the upper airway by subsites was qualitatively extrapolated into a devised 4‐point scale. Upper airways were characterized and evaluated in patients on the basis of decannulation outcomes after distraction.Results: Of the 20 patients, 12 were decannulated, and 6 remain tracheostomy dependent. The average compiled preoperative airway obstruction scores in decannulated patients (2.25) compared with those who failed decannulation (2.36) was not statistically significant (P = .291). A significant change after distraction was noted only at the levels of the oropharynx and supraglottis (P < .001). The average airway scores at these subsites in decannulated patients improved from a mean of 3.46 to 2.17 (P = .002). In patients who failed decannulation, the pre‐ and postdistraction scores also improved from 3.92 to 2.50 (P = .026). Analysis of the average postdistraction airway scores in decannulated patients (2.17) compared with failures (2.5) failed to reveal a significant difference (P = .375), suggesting that some patients remain tracheostomy dependent despite adequate mandibular expansion. Preoperative airway scores in the two groups were statistically equivocal and, therefore, not predictive of the likelihood of decannulation.Conclusions: Preoperative airway endoscopy alone is not predictive of the likelihood of successful decannulation after distraction osteogenesis. Comparison of the airway patency after distraction revealed statistically equivocal airway caliber, suggesting that some children fail to advance to decannulation despite adequate mandibular distraction.
Symptoms of stress incontinence 1 year after childbirth: prevalence and predictors in a national Swedish sample
Authors: Schytt Erica , Lindmark Gunilla , Waldenström Ulla 
Published: September 2004

Background.  The aims of the present study were to describe the prevalence of stress incontinence, as described by women themselves, 1 year after childbirth in a national sample of Swedish‐speaking women, and to identify possible predictors.Methods.  A cohort study, including 2390 women recruited from 593 antenatal clinics in Sweden during three 1‐week periods evenly spread over 1 year (1999–2000), representing 53% of women eligible for the study and 75% of those who consented to participate. Data were collected by means of questionnaires in early pregnancy, 2 months and 1 year after the birth, and from the Swedish Medical Birth Register.Results.  One year after the birth, 22% of the women had symptoms of stress incontinence but only 2% said it caused them major problems. The strongest predictor was urinary incontinence (overall leakage) 4–8 weeks after a vaginal delivery (OR 5.5, CI 95% 4.1–7.4) as well as after a cesarean section (OR 11.9, CI 95% 2.9–48.1). Other predictors in women with a vaginal delivery were: multiparity (OR 1.4; CI 95% 1.1–1.8), obesity (OR 1.6; CI 95% 1.1–2.4) and constipation 4–8 weeks postpartum (OR 1.4; CI 95% 1.1–1.9).Conclusion.  Stress incontinence 1 year after childbirth is a common symptom, which could possibly be reduced by identifying women with urinary leakage at the postnatal check‐up.
The protein kinase C system in focal adenitis of the lacrimal gland in the non‐obese diabetic mouse model for Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Tensing E‐K. , Törnwall J. , Hukkanen M. , Nordström D. C. E. , Konttinen Y. T. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  Non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice develop an autoimmune exocrinopathy characterized by hyposecretion of saliva and acinar cell atrophy. As the protein kinase C (PKC) system is involved in the signal transduction pathways associated with primary secretion and acinar cell differentiation and growth, the PKC profile was analysed in NOD mice. Methods:  Lacrimal glands from BALB/c, NOD, NOD scid and transgenic NOD × interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) mice were analysed for their PKC profiles using antibodies against several conventional (α, β, γ), novel (δ, ε, θ) and atypical (ι, λ) PKC isoforms using the Streptavidin/HRP (horseradish peroxidase) method. Results:  Acinar cells in BALB/c control mice expressed two conventional (α, β) and two atypical (ι, λ) PKC isoforms. In NOD and transgenic NOD × IFN‐γ mice the same isoforms were more strongly expressed. NOD scid mice lacked all other PKC isoforms except PKC λ. Conclusions:  Co‐expression of several PKC isoforms in single cell type may be necessary for transcriptional activation and agonist‐induced secretory responses. Hyposecretion in NOD mice was paradoxically associated with up‐regulation of the PKC system. This may be associated with a deranged signal transduction per se rather than with the immune‐inflammation, as the transgenic NOD × IFN‐γ mice showed similar PKC profiles. The NOD model does not reproduce lack/consumption of PKC II and PKC as in Sjögren's syndrome. This may be because the receptor autoantibodies in mice are directed against the adrenergic, not muscarinic, receptors. Lack and/or low level PKC expression in NOD scid mouse may explain the excessive acinar cell apoptosis in this model.
Marius Tscherning (1854–1939): his life and work in optical physiology
Authors: Norn Mogens , Jensen Ove A. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract.Background:  This article is based on Tscherning's papers, scientific protocols and letters and the many original instruments kept in the Medical History Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. History:  In 1884, after his thesis concerning the frequency of myopia in Denmark, Tscherning became adjunct director of the ophthalmological laboratory at the Sorbonne University in Paris. He was called back to Denmark in 1910 and appointed professor of ophthalmology and head of the Eye Department, Rigshospitalet. He continued to work scientifically as emeritus from 1925. Achievements:  Tscherning published about 100 scientific papers, mainly concerning optical physiology (i.e. the aetiology of myopia, entoptic phenomena, Purkinje pictures, the polygonal pattern provoked by corneal rubbing, etc.). He studied the law of Listing and projections depending on torsion of the eye and invented the ophthalmophacometer, which measures the changes that occur in the front and back curvatures of the crystalline lens during accommodation. Tscherning also studied aberration and calculated and constructed forward bulging periscopic (punctal) spectacle lenses. In addition, he studied colour sense, dark vision and adaptation.
Method for inducing experimental pneumococcal meningitis in outbred mice
Authors: Chiavolini Damiana , Tripodi Sergio , Parigi Riccardo , Oggioni Marco R , Blasi Elisabetta , Cintorino Marcella , Pozzi Gianni , Ricci Susanna 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis. Pneumococcal meningitis is associated with the highest mortality among bacterial meningitis and it may also lead to neurological sequelae despite the use of antibiotic therapy. Experimental animal models of pneumococcal meningitis are important to study the pathogenesis of meningitis, the host immune response induced after infection, and the efficacy of novel drugs and vaccines.

Results
In the present work, we describe in detail a simple, reproducible and efficient method to induce pneumococcal meningitis in outbred mice by using the intracranial subarachnoidal route of infection. Bacteria were injected into the subarachnoid space through a soft point located 3.5 mm rostral from the bregma. The model was tested with several doses of pneumococci of three capsular serotypes (2, 3 and 4), and mice survival was recorded. Lethal doses killing 50 % of animals infected with type 2, 3 and 4 S. pneumoniae were 3.2 × 10, 2.9 × 10 and 1.9 × 102 colony forming units, respectively. Characterisation of the disease caused by the type 4 strain showed that in moribund mice systemic dissemination of pneumococci to blood and spleen occurred. Histological analysis of the brain of animals infected with type 4 S. pneumoniae proved the induction of meningitis closely resembling the disease in humans.

Conclusions
The proposed method for inducing pneumococcal meningitis in outbred mice is easy-to-perform, fast, cost-effective, and reproducible, irrespective of the serotype of pneumococci used.
Aging is associated with increased collagen type IV accumulation in the basal lamina of human cerebral microvessels
Authors: Uspenskaia Olga , Liebetrau Martin , Herms Jochen , Danek Adrian , Hamann Gerhard F 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
Microvascular alterations contribute to the development of stroke and vascular dementia. The goal of this study was to evaluate age and hypertension related changes of the basal lamina in cerebral microvessels of individuals, who died from non-cerebral causes.

Results
We examined 27 human brains: 11 young and 16 old patients. Old patients were divided into two subgroups, those with hypertension (n = 8) and those without hypertension (n = 8). Basal lamina changes of the cerebral microvessels were determined in the putamen using antibodies against collagen type IV and by quantitative analysis of vessel number, total stained area of collagen, thickness of the vessel wall and lumen, and relative staining intensity using immunofluorescence. The total number of collagen positive vessels per microscopic field was reduced in old compared to young subjects (12.0+/-0.6 vs. 15.1+/-1.2, p = 0.02). The relative collagen content per vessel (1.01+/-0.06 vs. 0.76+/-0.05, p = 0.01) and the relative collagen intensity (233.1+/-4.5 vs. 167.8+/-10.6, p < 0.0001) shown by immunofluorescence were higher in the older compared to the younger patients with a consecutive reduction of the lumen / wall ratio (1.29+/-0.05 vs. 3.29+/-0.15, p < 0.0001). No differences were observed for these parameters between old hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients.

Conclusions
The present data show age-related changes of the cerebral microvessels in sections of human putamen for the first time. Due to the accumulation of collagen, microvessels thicken and show a reduction in their lumen. Besides this, the number of vessels decreases. These findings might represent a precondition for the development of vascular cognitive impairment. However, hypertension was not proven to modulate these changes.
Factors influencing preoperative stress response in coronary artery bypass graft patients
Authors: Morin Astrid M , Geldner Götz , Schwarz Udo , Kahl Martin , Adams Hans A , Wulf Hinnerk , Eberhart Leopold HJ 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
In many studies investigating measures to attenuate the hemodynamic and humoral stress response during induction of anaesthesia, primary attention was paid to the period of endotracheal intubation since it has been shown that even short-lasting sympathetic cardiovascular stimulation may have detrimental effects on patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this analysis was, however, to identify the influencing factors on high catecholamine levels before induction of anaesthesia.

Methods
Various potential risk factors that could impact the humoral stress response before induction of anaesthesia were recorded in 84 males undergoing coronary aortic bypass surgery, and were entered into a stepwise linear regression analysis. The plasma level of norepinephrine measured immediately after radial artery canulation was chosen as a surrogate marker for the humoral stress response, and it was used as the dependent variable in the regression model. Accordingly, the mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and the calculated pressure-rate product were taken as parameters of the hemodynamic situation.

Results
Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the oral administration of low-dose clonidine (mean dose 1.75 μg·kg-1) on the morning of surgery was the only significant predictor (p = 0.004) of the high variation in preoperative norepinephrine plasma levels. This intervention decreased norepinephrine levels by more than 40% compared to no clonidine administration, from 1.26 to 0.75 nmol·l-1. There was no evidence for dose-responsiveness of clonidine. All other potential predictors were removed from the model as insignificant (p > 0.05). The use of beta-blocker, ace-inhibitors, ejection fraction, and body mass index were significant determinants for the hemodynamic situation (heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pressure rate product) of the patient during the pre-induction period.

Conclusion
The oral administration of clonidine is the only significant predictor for the observed variation of norepinephrine levels during the preoperative period. Lack of significant dose responsiveness suggests that even a low dose of the drug can attenuate the preoperative stress response and thus is recommended in cardiovascular high risk patients.
Child-Pugh classification dependent alterations in serum leptin levels among cirrhotic patients: a case controlled study
Authors: Bolukbas Fusun F , Bolukbas Cengiz , Horoz Mehmet , Gumus Mahmut , Erdogan Mehmet , Zeyrek Fadile , Yayla Ali , Ovunc Oya 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
As anorexia and hypermetabolism are common in cirrhosis, leptin levels may be increased in this disease. In this study, we investigated the relation between the severity of disease and serum leptin levels in post-hepatitis cirrhosis and the role of body composition, gender and viral aetiology of cirrhosis in this association.

Methods
Thirty-five cases with post-hepatitis cirrhosis and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Body composition including body mass index, body fat percentage and body fat mass were determined. Serum leptin levels were assayed.

Results
Leptin levels were significantly higher among cirrhotic patients independent of sex compared to controls (p = 0.001). Female patients in both groups have had higher leptin levels than males (in cirrhotics p = 0.029, in controls p = 0.02).
Cirrhotic patients in each of A, B and C subgroups according to the Child- Pugh classification revealed significantly different levels compared to controls (p = 0.046, p = 0.004, p = 0.0001, respectively). Male cirrhotics in Child-Pugh Class B and C subgroups had significantly higher leptin levels compared to male controls (p = 0.006, p = 0.008). On the other hand, female patients only in Child Pugh class C subgroup have had higher levels of serum leptin compared to controls (p = 0.022).
Child-Pugh classification has been found to be the sole discriminator in determination of leptin levels in cirrhotics by linear regression (beta: 0.435 p = 0.015).

Conclusion
Serum leptin levels increase in advanced liver disease independently of gender, body composition in posthepatitic cirrhosis. The increase is more abundant among patients that belong to C subgroup according to the Child- Pugh classification.
Methods of assessment of patients for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy that correlate with final visual improvement
Authors: Aslam Tariq M , Patton Niall 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
This paper attempts to clarify the usefulness of various simple pre-operative measures in estimating the potential for a visually successful capsulotomy.

Methods
24 patients attending for capsulotomy had pre-operative measures of glare with BAT tester, visibility of posterior pole and grading of posterior capsular pearls and fibrosis seen at slit lamp. Visual function was measured before and after standardised capsulotomy. Correlations of the various preoperative measures with eventual visual function improvements were calculated.

Results
Pearls at slit lamp and poor posterior pole visualisation were all correlated with improvements in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity after capsulotomy. Amount of fibrosis visible at slit lamp and glare assessment were not correlated with vision improvements after laser.

Conclusion
Of the various measures that are taken prior to Nd : YAG capsulotomy, some correlate with eventual visual improvement but for others no clinical utility was found. Practitioners should note these findings as they are especially of use in more questionable or high-risk cases to help determine whether referral for PCO treatment by Nd: YAG capsulotomy is likely to benefit the patient.
Perceptions of first and third year medical students on self-study and reporting processes of problem-based learning
Authors: Musal Berna , Gursel Yucel , Taskiran H Cahit , Ozan Sema , Tuna Arif 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
The objective of this study is to investigate the perceptions of first and third year medical students on self-study and reporting processes of Problem-based Learning (PBL) sessions and their usage of learning resources.

Methods
The questionnaire applied to the students consisted of; questions about students' perceptions on searching and preparing phases of the self-study process, the breadth and depth of discussion during reporting phase and the usage of learning resources.

Results
First-year students spent more time for self-study and more highly rated the depth of discussion compared to third-year students. The searching and preparing phases of the self-study process were considered as statistically important factors strongly influencing the breadth and depth of discussion during the reporting phase. The effect of extensiveness of searching on the depth of discussion was negative among the first-year students, and positive among third-year students.

Conclusions
The relative shortness of third-year students' self-study periods can be related to their mental weariness, decreased motivation or first-year students' slowness in accessing appropriate resources. The third-year students' more frequent use of textbooks may be due to the improvement of their abilities in reaching relevant learning resources. The findings implied that the increase in students' PBL experience paralleled the development of their discussion skills using different learning resources.
Evaluation of the Taguchi methods for the simultaneous assessment of the effects of multiple variables in the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Morsi Hisham , Yong Kwee L , Jewell Andrew P 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background
The control of proliferation, differentiation and survival of normal and malignant cells in the tumour microenvironment is under the control of a wide range of different factors, including cell:cell interactions, cytokines, growth factors and hormonal influences. However, the ways in which these factors interact are poorly understood. In order to compare the effects of multiple variables, experimental design becomes complex and difficult to manage. We have therefore evaluated the use of a novel approach to multifactorial experimental design, the Taguchi methods, to approach this problem.

Method
The Taguchi methods are widely used by quality engineering scientists to compare the effects of multiple variables, together with their interactions, with a simple and manageable experimental design. In order to evaluate these methods, we have used a simple and robust system to compare a traditional experimental design with the Taguchi Methods. The effect of G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL3 and M-CSF on daunorubicin mediated cytotoxicity in K562 cells was measured using the MTT assay.

Results
Both methods demonstrated that the same combination of growth factors at the same concentrations minimised daunorubicin cytotoxicity in this assay.

Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that Taguchi methods may be a valuable tool for the investigation of the interactions of multiple variables in the tumour microenvironment.
Increase in Ty1 cDNA Recombination in Yeast sir4 Mutant Strains at High Temperature
Authors: Radford Sarah J , Boyle Meredith L , Sheely Catherine J , Graham Joel , Haeusser Daniel P , Zimmerman Leigh , Keeney Jill B 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Transposition of the Ty1 element of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is temperature sensitive. We have identified a null allele of the silent information regulator gene SIR4 as a host mutant that allows for transposition at high temperature. We show that the apparent increase in transposition activity in sir4 mutant strains at high temperature is dependent on the RAD52 gene and is thus likely resulting from an increase in Ty1 cDNA recombination, rather than in IN-mediated integration. General cellular recombination is not increased at high temperature, suggesting that the increase in recombination at high temperature in sir4 mutants is specific for Ty1 cDNA. Additionally, this high-temperature Ty1 recombination was found to be dependent on functional Sir2p and Sir3p. We speculate that the increase in recombination seen in sir4 mutants at high temperature may be due to changes in chromatin structure or Ty1 interactions with chromosomal structures resulting in higher recombination rates.
Multivariate Character Process Models for the Analysis of Two or More Correlated Function-Valued Traits
Authors: Jaffrézic Florence , Thompson Robin , Pletcher Scott D 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Various methods, including random regression, structured antedependence models, and character process models, have been proposed for the genetic analysis of longitudinal data and other function-valued traits. For univariate problems, the character process models have been shown to perform well in comparison to alternative methods. The aim of this article is to present an extension of these models to the simultaneous analysis of two or more correlated function-valued traits. Analytical forms for stationary and nonstationary cross-covariance functions are studied. Comparisons with the other approaches are presented in a simulation study and in an example of a bivariate analysis of genetic covariance in age-specific fecundity and mortality in Drosophila. As in the univariate case, bivariate character process models with an exponential correlation were found to be quite close to first-order structured antedependence models. The simulation study showed that the choice of the most appropriate methodology is highly dependent on the covariance structure of the data. The bivariate character process approach proved to be able to deal with quite complex nonstationary and nonsymmetric cross-correlation structures and was found to be the most appropriate for the real data example of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
Toward a Theory of Marker-Assisted Gene Pyramiding
Authors: Servin Bertrand , Martin Olivier C , Mézard Marc , Hospital Frédéric 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
We investigate the best way to combine into a single genotype a series of target genes identified in different parents (gene pyramiding). Assuming that individuals can be selected and mated according to their genotype, the best method corresponds to an optimal succession of crosses over several generations (pedigree). For each pedigree, we compute the probability of success from the known recombination fractions between the target loci, as well as the number of individuals (population sizes) that should be genotyped over successive generations until the desired genotype is obtained. We provide an algorithm that generates and compares pedigrees on the basis of the population sizes they require and on their total duration (in number of generations) and finds the best gene-pyramiding scheme. Examples are given for eight target genes and are compared to a reference genotype selection method with random mating. The best gene-pyramiding method combines the eight targets in three generations less than the reference method while requiring fewer genotypings.