bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oscillatory flow in the steelmaking vessel
Authors: Lee M. S. , O'Rourke S. L. , Molloy N. A. 
Published: September 2003

Physical modelling of the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) was undertaken with the object of developing an overall flow pattern within the vessel as a function of fluid‐flow dynamics/vessel geometry interaction. The study was initiated as the result of localised refractory wear occurring in the knuckle region of a BOF vessel. The occurrence of the wear coincided with a change in lance tip design. This preferential wear limited the campaign life of the vessel. Modelling the fluid dynamics of the system was to examine any possible relationship between fluid‐flow patterns and this refractory wear pattern. The 4‐fold symmetry of the newer lance tip allowed the application of a quadrant sector model of the bath. This simplified the flow to the effect of an individual nozzle. A scale of 1/6th was chosen on the basis of the bath depth and flow rates required. Results from this work indicate that waves may have a role in this localised wear.The multiphase system of the BOF involving supersonic gas jets, molten iron and slag, and the interaction between these, ensure that there is no single model, in which all facets of similarity may be satisfied simultaneously. This is the major problem in modelling the BOF.
Neural adhesion molecule (N‐CAM) in pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex‐pleomorphic adenoma
Authors: Saleh E. R. M. , França C. M. , Marques M. M. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:  The neural cell adhesion molecule (N‐CAM) has been implicated in the behaviour of the adenoid cystic carcinoma. In vitro, it was demonstrated that N‐CAM inhibits cell invasion. The aim of this study was to search for N‐CAM in the most common salivary gland tumour that has a malignant counterpart.Methods:  We investigated the presence of N‐CAM in pleomorphic adenoma and its malignant counterpart, the carcinoma ex‐pleomorphic adenoma, using the immunohistochemistry technique.Results:  Neural cell adhesion molecule was expressed in all cases of pleomorphic adenoma, strongly labelling the luminal cells of the double‐layered ductform structures. This expression was weaker in neoplastic myoepithelial cells and progressively diminished at a distance from the luminal cells. In carcinoma, ex‐pleomorphic adenoma N‐CAM was either totally absent or faintly present at the apical pole of the few luminal cells.Conclusions:  As a result of the peculiar distribution of N‐CAM in pleomorphic adenoma, we speculated that N‐CAM behaves as a tumour‐suppressor molecule, which is expressed in the benign neoplasm and which is down‐regulated after malignancy, when the tumour assumes an invasive behaviour.
Immunohistochemical study of syndecan‐1 down‐regulation and the expression of p53 protein or Ki‐67 antigen in oral leukoplakia with or without epithelial dysplasia
Authors: Kurokawa Hideo , Matsumoto Shinobu , Murata Tomoyuki , Yamashita Yoshihiro , Tomoyose Taiki , Zhang Min , Fukuyama Hiroshi , Takahashi Tetsu 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:  Leukoplakia is an oral pre‐cancerous lesion that sometimes develops into squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, leukoplakia with epithelial dysplasia is useful for studying carcinogenesis at the cellular level. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a potential association between the loss of syndecan‐1 expression and the expression of p53 protein and Ki‐67 antigen, and to identify reliable markers for predicting malignant changes in oral leukoplakia with epithelial dysplasia.Methods:  Changes in the expression of syndecan‐1, p53, and Ki‐67 were examined immunohistochemically in 43 cases of oral leukoplakia with or without epithelial dysplasia. The subjects were categorized as: none, 13 cases; mild dysplasia, 5 cases; moderate dysplasia, 17 cases; and severe dysplasia, 8 cases. The expression of these molecules in normal oral epithelia (22 cases) was also investigated.Results:  Strong syndecan‐1 expression was observed on the surface of keratinocytes in normal epithelium. Immunopositivity was lost gradually as the extent of epithelial dysplasia increased. In normal epithelium, p53 and Ki‐67 appeared mainly in the basal cell layer, while they were more widely distributed in leukoplakia. Specifically, significant changes were observed in the labeling index of p53 and Ki‐67 in leukoplakia as epithelial dysplasia progressed from mild to moderate or severe.Conclusion:  Our results reveal that overexpression of p53 protein and Ki‐67 antigen, and down‐regulation of syndecan‐1 expression in the lower part of the epithelium, are associated with dysplastic changes. Therefore, the down‐regulation of syndecan‐1 expression may be the most important reliable marker for dysplastic changes.
Salivary gland disease in HIV/AIDS and primary Sjögren's Syndrome: analysis of collagen I distribution and histopathology in American and African patients
Authors: McArthur Carole P. , Africa Charlene W. J. , Castellani William J. , Luangjamekorn Nida J. , McLaughlin Matthew , Subtil‐DeOliveira Antonio , Cobb Charles , Howard Paul , Gustafson Steven , Palmer Dennis , Miranda Roberto N. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:  Salivary gland disease (SGD) in HIV/AIDS is clinically and histopathologically very similar to Sjögren's Syndrome (SS), although the mechanism of tissue damage is unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of SGD in primary SS and in HIV/AIDS in USA and in West African patients, and to seek distinguishing histopathologic features that may help to elucidate underlying mechanisms.Methods:  Histologic sections of minor salivary glands from 164 HIV‐positive and ‐negative patients from Cameroon and the US, and from 17 US patients with primary SS, were evaluated following salivary gland biopsy for inflammatory changes. To confirm the presence of fibrosis, collagen I, which is the most abundant collagen type, was assessed immunohistochemically in H&E‐stained sections.Results:  Forty‐eight per cent of patients with HIV from Cameroon had severe SGD, while it was only in 6% of patients from the US. Patients with HIV in the US had less fibrosis and collagen I deposits than Cameroonians. Seventy‐six per cent of US HIV‐positive patients had received anti‐retroviral therapy, while none of the African patients had. SS and AIDS patients had a tendency for lymphocytes to locate in a perivascular rather than in a periductal distribution.Conclusions:  The prevalence of SGD and the presence of fibrosis and collagen I in Cameroonians with HIV is significantly higher than in HIV‐positive American patients, and is similar to US patients with primary SS. The impact of patient selection, anti‐retroviral therapy, and pathogenic mechanisms on salivary gland pathology is discussed.
Exfoliative cytology of the oral mucosa in type II diabetic patients: morphology and cytomorphometry
Authors: Alberti Sandra , Spadella César T. , Francischone Telma R. C. G. , Assis Gerson F. , Cestari Tania M. , Taveira Luís A. A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:  In recent years, important advances have occurred in the determination of diagnostic criteria for the disease diabetes mellitus and in new strategies for its treatment. The purpose of this research was to develop a new method for diabetes diagnosis by microscopic and cytomorphometric analyses of the oral epithelium.Methods:  The smears were obtained from three distinct oral sites: buccal mucosa (cheek), tongue dorsum, and floor of the mouth in 10 control individuals and 10 type II diabetic patients. The oral smears were stained with Papanicolaou EA‐36 solution. The nuclear (NA) and cytoplasmic (CA) areas were evaluated from 50 integral cells predominant in each oral site by the use of the KS 300™ image analysis system (Carl Zeiss, Germany), by which the cytoplasmic/nuclear ratio (C/N) was calculated.Results:  The results showed that: (i) the epithelial cells of the diabetic group exhibited figures of binucleation and occasional karyorrhexis in all layers; (ii) the NA was markedly higher (P < 0.05) in the diabetic group; (iii) the CA did not exhibit a statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between these two groups; and (iv) the C/N mean was 37.4% lower in the type II diabetic group.Conclusions:  These results associated with clinical observations suggest that diabetes mellitus can produce alterations in oral epithelial cells, detectable by microscopy and cytomorphometry, which can be used in the diagnosis of this disease.
Unusual oral findings in dermatosparaxis (Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type VIIC)
Authors: De Coster P.J. , Malfait F. , Martens L.C. , De Paepe A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA 13‐year‐old patient with dermatosparaxis (Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type VIIC), an autosomal recessive disorder of procollagen‐I‐N‐proteinase, is presented. The oral findings comprise micrognathia, hypodontia, localized microdontia, opalescent tooth discoloration, root dysplasia, pulp obliteration, severe gingival hyperplasia, frontal open bite, and severe restriction of TMJ mobility. The reported anomalies suggest the need for expanding the present phenotypic spectrum. This is the first report on oral findings in the syndrome.
Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma – evidence for COX‐2 induction by areca quid ingredients in oral keratinocytes
Authors: Tang Deh‐Wei , Lin Shu‐Chun , Chang Kuo‐Wei , Chi Chin‐Wen , Chang Che‐Shoa , Liu Tsung‐Yun 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground:  Elevated expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 has been demonstrated in several human cancers. Whether COX‐2 is up‐regulated in areca quid (AQ) related oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unknown and the potential of AQ ingredients to induce COX‐2 expression has not been studied.Methods:  COX‐2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR in oral tissues. The COX‐2 mRNA and protein induction potential of AQ ingredients were analyzed by real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting in normal human oral keratinocyte (NHOK).Results:  COX‐2 protein expression was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in OSCC (n = 27) as compared to their adjacent non‐cancerous matched tissue (NCMT). COX‐2 protein was nearly undetectable in control normal oral mucosa. The level of COX‐2 mRNA was markedly elevated in 63% (12/19) of OSCC compared to NCMT. Hydroxychavicol induced COX‐2 mRNA and protein expression in NHOK.Conclusions:  COX‐2 protein as well as mRNA expression were significantly enhanced in OSCC as compared to NCMT. Hydroxychavicol, a unique ingredient in AQ, induced COX‐2 expression in NHOK, which highlighted early involvement of COX‐2 in AQ‐associated oral oncogenesis.
No Difference in Natural‐killer‐T cell population, but Th2/Tc2 Predominance in Peripheral Blood of Recurrent Aborters
Authors: Shimada Shigeki , Iwabuchi Kazuya , Kato Emi H. , Morikawa Mamoru , Sakuragi Noriaki , Onoé Kazunori , Minakami Hisanori , Yamada Hideto 
Published: September 2003

Problem: The aim of this study was to assess the natural‐killer‐T (NKT) cell population and cytokine expression in the peripheral blood of women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).Method of study: The percentages of CD3+CD4−CD8−TCRVα24+Vβ11+‐NKT cells and cells expressing intracellular interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐4, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α either with CD4+ or CD8+ cells were measured by flow cytometry at the midluteal phases in 15 RSA women and 15 fertile control women.Results: No significant differences in the NKT cell percentages were found between RSA and control women. However, in RSA women, the CD4+IL‐4+ cell and CD8+IL‐4+ cell percentages were significantly higher, and the Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 cell ratios were significantly lower, than those in the control.Conclusions: Th2/Tc2 dominance was found in the general circulation of RSA women; this finding provokes a new controversy on the Th1/Th2 balance concerning RSA etiology.
Maternal Serum Levels of Pro‐ Inflammatory Cytokines in Missed and Threatened Abortion
Authors: Paradisi Roberto , Porcu Eleonora , Venturoli Stefano , Maldini‐Casadei Mario , Boni Paola 
Published: September 2003

Problem: A study of association between pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and missed and threatened abortions with good outcome has been performed.Method of study: The presence of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)‐8 and IL‐12 and the soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (SIL‐2R) was investigated in maternal serum of 12 patients with threatened abortion twice (at admission and discharge), 14 patients with missed abortion, 14 women with healthy first‐trimester pregnancy, and 14 normal non‐pregnant women, using specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.Results: SIL‐2R and, in particular, IL‐12 was detected with significantly higher levels in missed abortion group compared with all other groups. IL‐8 was detected with no significant difference among all the groups studied.Conclusions: In spite of caution due to the small sizes of the subject samples, these results support a role of the immune system in the first trimester pregnancy and hypothesize that missed abortion may be associated with an enhanced Th1 reactivity, whereas threatened abortion with good outcome resembles the normal pregnancy with a non‐enhanced Th1 reactivity.
Effects of Fibronectin, VEGF and Angiostatin on the Expression of MMPs through Different Signaling Pathways in the JEG‐3 Cells
Authors: Zhang Jian , Cao Yu‐Jing , Li Fu‐Yang , Li Jing , Yao Li‐Bo , Duan En‐Kui 
Published: September 2003

Problem: The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible signal pathway of fibronectin (FN), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiostatin (AS) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in JEG‐3 cells.Methods of study: JEG‐3 cells were cultured and were examined for the effect of FN, VEGF and AS on the expression of MMPs by immunocytochemistry, gelatin zymography, Western blot analysis and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).Results: We found that up‐regulation of the expression of MMPs was induced by FN and VEGF through the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Flt‐1/p38SAPK/MAPKAPK2 signaling pathways, respectively. Furthermore, AS down‐regulated the expression of MMPs through the integrin αVβ3/FAK signaling pathway independent of the integrin‐binding motif Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD).Conclusion: These data indicate that the expression of MMPs is regulated by many independent factors (such as FN, VEGF and AS) through different signaling pathways which influence the behavior of trophoblast cells.
Predominant Intracellular Expression of CXCR4 and CCR5 in Purified Primary Trophoblast Cells from First Trimester and Term Human Placentae
Authors: Maldonado‐Estrada Juan , Menu Elisabeth , Roques Pierre , Vaslin Bruno , Dautry‐Varsat Alice , Barré‐Sinoussi Françoise , Chaouat Gérard 
Published: September 2003

Problem: The aim of the present study was to define the expression of CXCR4 and CCR5 on non‐cultured non‐stimulated primary human trophoblast cells (TCs) immediately after their immunopurification.Method of study: We have evaluated by flow cytometric analysis and immunofluorescence, highly purified primary TCs prepared from first trimester (8.2 ± 0.3 weeks, n = 15) and term (Caesarean section, n = 10) placentae for the cell surface and intracellular expression of CXCR4 and CCR5.Results: There was a high level of individual variability for CXCR4 and CCR5 expression between trophoblast batches. In first trimester and term placentae TCs, we found a greater number of TCs preparations expressing intracellular CXCR4 than CCR5 (P < 0.05). Both receptors were predominantly localized in the intracellular compartment of TCs, whatever if isolated from first trimester or term placentae.Conclusions: The functional consequences of the predominance of CXCR4 expression and of cellular addressing are briefly discussed.
Down‐Regulation of HLA‐G1 Cell Surface Expression in Human Cytomegalovirus Infected Cells
Authors: Pizzato Nathalie , Garmy‐Susini Barbara , Le Bouteiller Philippe , Lenfant Françoise 
Published: September 2003

Problem: Down‐modulation of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐G1 cell surface expression by human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has only been studied in cellular models expressing independent unique short (US) recombinant proteins, but not in the context of viral infection. To explore the level of HLA‐G1 cell surface expression after HCMV infection and to investigate the influence of US viral proteins, we infected HLA‐G1 expressing cells by HCMV laboratory strains.Method of study: Human U373‐MG astrocytoma cells were transfected with HLA‐G1 cDNA. Following HCMV infection, HLA‐G1 cell surface expression of these transfectants was evaluated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, using an HLA‐G specific monoclonal antibody, and compared with that of uninfected cells. US‐deleted viruses were then used to evaluate the implication of US proteins.Results: Using flow cytometry, it was found that HCMV infection of U373‐G1 cells decreased HLA‐G1 cell surface expression. Similar results were obtained with two different HCMV strains, namely Towne and AD169. Two color confocal microscopy staining further confirmed such HLA‐G down‐modulation in HCMV‐infected cells stained for immediate early (IE1/2) nuclear proteins expression. Infection of U373‐G1 cells with US‐deleted HCMV strain had no effect on the level of cell surface HLA‐G1 expression, thus demonstrating the US dependency of the HCMV‐mediated down‐regulation of HLA‐G1.Conclusion: HCMV infection down‐modulates HLA‐G1 expression at the cell surface. This is likely to have functional consequences in case of HCMV uterine infection during pregnancy.
Antinuclear Antibody Reduces the Pregnancy Rate in the First IVF‐ET Treatment Cycle but Not the Cumulative Pregnancy Rate without Specific Medication
Authors: Kikuchi Kumiko , Shibahara Hiroaki , Hirano Yuki , Kohno Takahiro , Hirashima Chikako , Suzuki Tatsuya , Takamizawa Satoru , Suzuki Mitsuaki 
Published: September 2003

Problem: It has been shown that the presence of antinuclear antibody (ANA) might reduce pregnancy rates after in vitro fertilization‐embryo transfer (IVF‐ET). However, the mechanism of implantation failure by ANA has not yet been clarified. This study was performed to investigate the impact of ANA on pregnancy rates after IVF‐ET, and the necessity of specific medication for infertile women who have ANA in their sera.Method of study: A total of 108 infertile women were treated by IVF‐ET or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)‐ET. ANA was examined by an indirect fluorescent antibody procedure. Data from women under 40 years old were analyzed retrospectively.Results: The implantation rates per embryo transferred in the first treatment cycles were 14.8% (eight of 54) and 32.4% (33 of 102), in women with and without ANA, respectively. There was a significant difference in the implantation rates between the two groups (P < 0.05). The pregnancy rates per ET in the first treatment cycles were 28% (seven of 25) and 54.2% (26 of 48), respectively. There was also a significant difference in the pregnancy rates between the two groups (P < 0.05). Afterwards, treatments with IVF‐ET or ICSI‐ET were repeatedly performed for unsuccessful patients, without any specific medication for ANA. The average ET cycles were 1.80 ± 1.13 and 1.27 ± 0.54, in women with and without ANA, respectively. The cumulative pregnancy rates per patient were 68% (17 of 25) and 55.6% (35 of 63), respectively. There was no significant difference in the overall pregnancy rates between the two groups.Conclusions: These findings suggest that ANA might have an impact on implantation failure in women treated by IVF‐ET or ICSI‐ET. ANA reduced the pregnancy rates in the first IVF‐ET or ICSI‐ET cycles but not the cumulative pregnancy rates without medication. This indicates that the mechanisms of implantation failure by ANA could be solved, and effective and safe medication should be developed for better implantation rates, especially in the first treatment cycle.
Relation Between Post‐partum Liver Dysfunction and Anti‐cytochrome 2D6 Antibodies
Authors: Izumi Yukiko , Tanaka Susumu , Hidaka Yoh , Shimaoka Yuki , Tatsumi Ke‐ita , Takano Toru , Kaneko Akira , Oku Kazumi , Amino Nobuyuki 
Published: September 2003

Problem:  Autoimmune thyroid disease frequently aggravates or develops after delivery through the immune rebound mechanism. However, little is known about the post‐partum development of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).Method of study:  We examined 18 patients who developed liver dysfunction after delivery or abortion. Serial examinations were performed in 10 of these cases. Anti‐cytochrome 2D6(CYP2D6) antibodies, which are liver‐specific autoantibodies, were measured using a sensitive radioligand assay.Results:  Liver dysfunction developed between 1 and 5 months after delivery and was mild and transient except in one case. One patient developed liver dysfunction after abortion. Eight of 10 patients who underwent serial serologic examinations were positive for anti‐nuclear antibodies, but anti‐smooth muscle antibodies were positive in only three patients, and were present only at low titer. None of the patients had anti‐mitochondrial antibodies. Nine of these 10 cases were diagnosed as definite or probable AIH according to the international scoring system of AIH. Nine of these 10 patients were positive for anti‐CYP2D6 antibodies. The increase of anti‐CYP2D6 antibodies was slightly delayed compared to increase of aminotransferase. Of the 18 patients who developed liver dysfunction, 15 cases (83.3%) were positive for anti‐CYP2D6 antibodies. Of the 77 post‐partum control subjects only three (3.9%) had positive antibodies.Conclusions:  Autoimmune hepatitis developed after delivery, similarly to the development of post‐partum autoimmune thyroid disease. Measurement of anti‐CYP2D6 antibodies by a sensitive radioligand assay could provide information important for the detection of post‐partum AIH.
Searching for Links between Endotoxin Exposure and Pregnancy Loss: CD14 Polymorphism in Idiopathic Recurrent Miscarriage
Authors: Karhukorpi Jari , Laitinen Tarja , Karttunen Riitta 
Published: September 2003

Problem: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (endotoxin) is a well‐known inducer of abortions in mice. In addition it has been proposed that gut‐derived LPS of gram‐negative bacteria may play a role in triggering idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM) in humans. CD14 is one of the key molecules that mediates the effects of LPS. Promoter region polymorphism (−159C/T) in the CD14 gene is functionally important by regulating CD14 levels. High‐producing CD14 genotype (TT) associates with deleterious effects of gut‐derived LPS in hepatic cirrhosis in humans. It is not known whether women with IRM are genetically more prone to suffer from toxic effects of LPS.Method of study: By using polymerase chain reaction we analyzed the CD14 promoter region polymorphism in 38 women with IRM and in 127 normal controls of Finnish origin.Results: There were no significant differences in the CD14(−159C/T) allele or the genotype frequencies between the IRM women and the controls. However, there was a trend associating the presence of the T allele with increased odds of miscarriage.Conclusions: Although we were not able to find a statistically significant association between CD14 genotypes and IRM in our relatively small study population, a further study with a larger sample size is warranted to explore the role of high‐producing CD14 genotypes in IRM. Also studies highlighting environmental LPS triggers and other intrinsic mediators of LPS signalling are needed to solve the enigmatic role of LPS in IRM in humans.