bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of gender difference and epitope specificity of IgG antibody activity against IgA1 hinge portion in IgA nephropathy patients by using synthetic hinge peptide and glycopeptide probes*
Authors: NAKAMURA IKUKO , IWASE HITOO , ARAI KENJI , NAGAI YOKO , TOMA KAZUNORI , KATSUMATA TADASHI , HIKI YOSHIYUKI , KOKUBO TOHRU , SANO TAKASHI , KOBAYASHI YUTAKA 
Published: February 2004

SUMMARY:Background and Aims:  There are many reports on the presence of an incompletely glycosylated O‐linked oligosaccharide(s) on the IgA1 hinge region in some immunoglobulin (IgA) nephropathy patients. Furthermore, the production of an antibody against the naked hinge peptide portion was reported in an IgA nephropathy patient. In this report, characterization of the IgG antibody against the hinge portion was carried out by using synthetic hinge glycopeptide probes.Methods and Results:  The following synthetic hinge peptide and glycopeptides were prepared: 19mer peptide, V‐P‐S‐T‐P‐P‐T‐P‐S‐P‐S‐T‐P‐P‐T‐P‐S‐P‐S (designated HP), the peptide having a single α‐linked GalNAc residue at positions 4, 7, 9, 11 and 15 (4 GN − 15 GN, respectively) and the same peptide having five GalNAc residues at all five positions (GN5). The mean value of the antibody activity against these probes was compared with each other. The highest activity against the naked hinge peptide (HP) and lowest activity against the fully glycosylated hinge peptide (GN5) were obvious. As attachment of GalNAc to position 4 or 11 on the peptide brought about a significant reduction of the activity against the naked hinge peptide, the P‐S‐T‐P sequence included in both positions was thought to be the most probable site recognized by these antibodies. As an additional unexpected observation, a gender difference in this antibody activity against all the probes was found. The antibody activity in a female was significantly higher compared with that in a male.Conclusion:  Because the frequency of incidence of IgA nephropathy is known to be slightly higher in males, this gender difference might indicate a protective meaning to remove aberrantly glycosylated molecules from the patient's serum.
Renal imaging in pyelonephritis
Authors: SHEN YVONNE , BROWN MARK A 
Published: February 2004

SUMMARY:Background:  Pyelonephritis accounts for a significant number of hospital admissions. It is unclear from existing literature whether all patients requiring admission to hospital should undergo renal imaging or if there is a subset that indicates clinical parameters for those who are more likely to have significant renal imaging abnormalities.Method and Results:  We undertook a retrospective study of 60 consecutive patients hospitalized with pyelonephritis, the majority of whom underwent renal ultrasound at the time of admission. Clinical data collected included age, sex, fever, serum creatinine, days for resolution of fever, premorbid conditions, and results of renal imaging. Sixteen per cent were found to have new and clinically significant abnormal findings; predominantly, urinary tract obstruction. We found no significant difference between the groups with abnormal and normal renal imaging in terms of any easily detectable clinical parameter such as change in serum creatinine, premorbid conditions, age, days for fever to resolve or white cell count on admission. We found a high proportion of Escherichia coli resistant to ampicillin (46%) but not to amoxycillin/clavulinic acid.Conclusion:  Although our study did not test whether immediate imaging is more advantageous than delaying imaging for those who fail to respond to treatment, our findings suggest that early imaging is a cost‐effective part of management. On the basis of these data, we recommend renal imaging for all patients requiring hospital admission for pyelonephritis, and suggest that initial empirical therapy should include an intravenous dose of cephalosporin but not ampicillin.
Melatonin as a new drug for improving oocyte quality
Authors: Takasaki Akihisa , Nakamura Yasuhiko , Tamura Hiroshi , Shimamura Katsunori , Morioka Hitoshi 
Published: January 2004

Background:  Although recent technical advances have benefited infertile couples, inadequate embryo development as a result of poor quality oocytes still contributes to infertility. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate melatonin as a drug for improving oocyte quality in such cases.Methods:  Twenty‐seven women from whom fewer than three fertilized embryos were grown and who failed to fall pregnant in previous treatment cycles were enrolled in the current prospective clinical study. Subjects took 1 mg or 3 mg tablets of melatonin orally at 22:00 h from the fifth day of the previous menstrual cycle to the day they were injected with human chorionic gonadotropin. The numbers of mature follicles, retrieved oocytes, degenerate oocytes, and fertilized embryos were compared to their previous data without melatonin (the control cycle).Results:  Intrafollicular melatonin concentrations were significantly increased, and intrafollicular lipid peroxide concentrations showed a tendency towards lower levels in the 3 mg melatonin treatment cycles compared with the control cycles. The number of degenerate oocytes was significantly reduced, and the number of fertilized embryos showed a tendency towards an increase in the 3 mg cycle compared to the control cycle. Three women succeeded in falling pregnant.Conclusion:  Melatonin is likely to become the drug of choice for improving oocyte quality in women who cannot fall pregnant because of poor quality oocytes. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 139–144)
Incidental deviation of short and long CAG repeats in the androgen receptor gene for Japanese male infertility
Authors: Nakabayashi Akira , Sueoka Kou , Matsuda Noriko , Asada Hironori , Tanigaki Reiko , Sato Kenji , Tajima Hiroto , Ogata Tsutomu , Naoaki Kuji  , Yoshimura Yasunori 
Published: January 2004

Aim: The present study investigated whether the CAG repeat length in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene on the X chromosome is associated with male infertility.Methods: The CAG repeat length between the two groups of 143 idiopathic infertile Japanese men with severe oligozoospermia or non‐obstructive azoospermia and 100 fertile men were analyzed. The azoospermia factor deletions were also analyzed.Results: Although there was no significant difference in the mean length between the two groups observed (P = 0.055), the distribution in the infertile men was wider than that in the fertile men. Similar results were detected in the combined data from previous Japanese reports and our present data including 261 infertile and 235 fertile men. We detected 12 and 34 CAG repeats in the present study that were the shortest and the longest repeats in Japan, respectively.Conclusions: These results suggest that excessive expansion or reduction of CAG repeats might be related to impaired spermatogenesis. (Reprod Med Biol 2003;2: 145–150)
Accuracy of sperm velocity assessment using the Sperm Quality Analyzer V
Authors: Hirano Yuki , Shibahara Hiroaki , Shimada Kazuhiko , Yamanaka Seiji , Suzuki Tatsuya , Takamizawa Satoru , Motoyama Mitsuhiro , Suzuki Mitsuaki 
Published: January 2004

Aim:  The correct diagnosis of the functional capacity of human sperm is limited. The Sperm Quality Analyzer (SQA) with the visualization system (SQA V, Medical Electronic System, Hatavorzo, Israel), an upgraded version of SQA, was recently developed to provide a rapid and low‐cost quantitative evaluation of sperm quality as well as sperm velocity assessment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the SQA V's new parameters correlate with computer‐aided sperm analysis (CASA) estimates.Methods:  Semen quality analysis of 66 fresh samples was determined using SQA V and CASA.Results:  There were significant correlations of total sperm concentration (P < 0.001), sperm motility (P = 0.145), and percentage of progressive motile sperm (P = 0.001), between the SQA V variables and the CASA estimates. The sperm velocity assessed by SQA V was significantly correlated with some of the CASA estimates, including sperm motility (P = 0.001), the percentage of progressively motile sperm (P < 0.001), straight‐line velocity (P < 0.001), curvilinear velocity (P < 0.001) and average path velocity (P < 0.001). However, it did not correlate with amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat cross frequency, straightness, or linearity, assessed by CASA.Conclusion:  Assessment of sperm motility has been shown as one of the important factors to predict the functional capacity of human sperm. On the basis of the present study, SQA V is considered useful for screening sperm quality in the management of male infertility. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 151–157)
Validity of trans‐rectal ultrasound‐guided embryo transfer against retroflexed uterus
Authors: Isobe Tetsuya , Minoura Hiroyuki , Kawato Hiroaki , Toyoda Nagayasu 
Published: January 2004

Background:  Embryo transfer is one of the most critical steps affecting the success of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection‐embryo transfer. It has been reported that uterine contraction caused by touching the uterine fundus at the time of embryo transfer decreased the pregnancy rate. It was demonstrated that there is a significant rise in the pregnancy rate by adequate positioning of embryos. Transabdominal ultrasound‐guided embryo transfer has been reported to improve the pregnancy rate compared with the clinical touch method. The improvement of the pregnancy rate under ultrasound guidance can be attributed to the accurate positioning of the embryos aided by good visualization without touching the uterine fundus. However, sometimes difficulties are encountered when visualizing the tip of the catheter in cases where the patient has a retroflexed uterus.Methods:  In the present study, we investigated the difference in the pregnancy rates and in the implantation rates between transabdominal ultrasound‐guided group and trans‐rectal ultrasound‐guided group in retroflexed cases.Results and Conclusion:  We found that the pregnancy rate and the implantation rate were higher among the trans‐rectal group compared with the transabdominal group in retroflexed cases. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 159–163)
Relationship between follicular fluid hormone levels, embryo quality, and maternal age during in vitro fertilization after the short or long protocol with a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist
Authors: Yokota Yoshimasa , Yokota Mikako , Yokota Hidemi , Ishikawa Yasuko , Sato Setsuko , Araki Yasuhisa 
Published: January 2004

Purpose:  To examine the relationship between embryo quality and follicular fluid hormonal level in short and long protocol gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist treatment cycles.Methods:  A total of 90 patients had non‐polycystic ovary syndrome (non‐PCOS) and 10 had PCOS. A total of 100 subjects underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thirty‐six subjects underwent conventional IVF and 64 subjects underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The dominant follicles were initially retrieved and a hormonal assay was done. A total of 32 patients underwent a short protocol and 66 patients were treated with the long protocol. Estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), total testosterone (TTE) and androstenedione (ASG) levels in follicular fluid (FF) were compared in the two treatment groups (short and long protocol), in regard to maternal age and oocyte/embryo quality.Results:  The retrieval FF volume was not significantly different between the PCOS and non‐PCOS patients; however, P4 was significantly lower with PCOS (P < 0.01). Analysis of four different hormone levels was not significantly different between the short and long protocol groups. No significant relationship was found between four hormone levels in regard to oocyte morphology and embryo quality. The levels of P4 of younger women was significantly lower than that of older women; furthermore, a significantly higher TTE and ASG were found in the younger women. Progesterone was found to statistically significantly increase with FF volume.Conclusion:  Follicular fluid P4 from the younger group was significantly lower, and TTE and ASG was significantly higher when compared to the older group. Analysis of four different hormone levels revealed no significant difference between the short and long protocol groups. No significant relationship was found between four hormone levels, oocyte morphology, and embryo quality. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 165–169)
Olfactory recognition and behavioural avoidance of angiosperm nonhost volatiles by conifer‐inhabiting bark beetles
Authors: Zhang Qing‐He , Schlyter Fredrik 
Published: February 2004

Abstract  1 When searching for suitable hosts in flight, especially in mixed forests, conifer‐inhabiting bark beetles will encounter not only suitable host trees and their odours, but also unsuitable hosts and nonhost trees. Rejection of these trees could be based on an imbalance of certain host characteristics and/or a negative response to some nonhost stimuli, such as nonhost volatiles (NHV).2 Recent electrophysiological and behavioural studies clearly indicate that conifer‐inhabiting bark beetles are not only able to recognize, but also to avoid, nonhost habitats or trees by olfactory means. Green leaf volatiles (GLV), especially C6‐alcohols, from the leaves (and partly from bark) of nonhost angiosperm trees, may represent nonhost odour signals at the habitat level. Specific bark volatiles such as trans‐conophthorin, C8‐alcohols, and some aromatic compounds, may indicate nonhosts at the tree species level. Flying bark beetles are also capable of determining whether a possible host is unsuitable by reacting to signals from conspecifics or sympatric heterospecifics that indicate old or colonized host tree individuals.3 Combined NHV signals in blends showed both redundancy and synergism in their inhibitory effects. The coexistence of redundancy and synergism in negative NHV signals may indicate different functional levels (nonhost habitats, species, and unsuitable hosts) in the host selection process. Combinations of NHV and verbenone significantly reduced the number of mass attacked host trees or logs on several economically important species (e.g. Dendroctonus ponderosae, Ips typographus, and I. sexdentatus).4 We suggest a semiochemical‐diversity hypothesis, based on the inhibition by NHV of bark beetle host‐location, which might partly explain the lower outbreak rates of forest insects in mixed forests. This ‘semiochemical‐diversity hypothesis’ would provide new support to the general ‘stability‐diversity hypothesis’.5 Natural selection appears to have caused conifer‐inhabiting bark beetles to evolve several olfactory mechanisms for finding their hosts and avoiding unsuitable hosts and nonhost species. NHV and unsuitable host signals have potential for use in protecting trees from attack. The use of these signals may be facilitated by the fact that their combination has an active inhibition radius of several metres in trap test, and by the observation of area effects for several trees near inhibitor soruces in tree protection experiments. Furthermore, incorporation of negative signals (such as NHV and verbenone) and pheromone‐based mass‐trapping in a ‘push–pull’ fashion may significantly increase the options for control against outbreaks of conifer‐inhabiting bark beetles, especially in high risk areas.
Effects of bud phenology and foliage chemistry of balsam fir and white spruce trees on the efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis against the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana
Authors: Carisey Nathalie , Bauce Éric , Dupont Alain , Miron Sylvain 
Published: February 2004

Abstract  1 Efficacy of commercial formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki (Btk) against spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana was investigated in mixed balsam fir‐white spruce stands. Btk treatments were scheduled to coincide with early flaring of balsam fir shoots, and later with flaring of white spruce shoots. Btk efficacy on the two host trees was compared and examined according to the foliar content of nutrients and allelochemicals and the insect developmental stage at the time of spray.2 Larvae fed white spruce foliage were less vulnerable to Btk ingestion than larvae fed balsam fir foliage. Higher larval survival on white spruce, observed 10 days after spray, was related to higher foliage content in tannins and a lower N/tannins ratio, which might have induced inactivation of Btk toxins.3 Larval mortality due to Btk did not depend on spruce budworm larval age.4 Foliage protection of both host trees was similar in plots treated with Btk: larval mortality due to Btk treatment reduced insect grazing pressure on balsam fir trees; meanwhile, suitability of white spruce foliage seemed to decrease very rapidly, which induced high larval mortality among spruce budworm fed on white spruce trees. Nevertheless, following Btk sprays, 50% more foliage remained on white spruce than on balsam fir trees, because of the higher white spruce foliage production.5 Both spray timings achieved similar protection of white spruce trees, but Btk treatments had to be applied as early as possible (i.e. during the flaring of balsam fir shoots to optimally protect balsam fir trees in mixed balsam fir‐white spruce stands).
Clinical effects of exposure to the White‐stemmed gum moth (Chelepteryx collesi)
Authors: Balit Corrine R , Geary Merilyn J , Russell Richard C , Isbister Geoffrey K 
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackground:  The White‐stemmed gum moth (Chelepteryx collesi) can be found in eastern Australia. The clinical effects of injuries caused by its many spine‐like hairs are poorly defined and concern about the numerous hairs that remain embedded following contact with the cocoon have led to heroic means of removal.Objective:  To examine the clinical effects of injuries by the caterpillar or cocoon of the White‐stemmed gum moth.Methods:  Prospective observational study of caterpillar injuries from calls to the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre. Cases resulting from C. collesi exposure were included for analysis. Caterpillars and cocoons were expertly identified where available and a follow‐up consultation of all patients was conducted. Information was collected on the circumstances of exposure, local and systemic effects and treatment.Results:  From the 26 included cases, seven had confirmed caterpillar contact (all children aged 1–11), six had confirmed cocoon contact and 13 had exposures consistent with C. collesi, but no caterpillar was caught. All cases occurred in summer. Of 13 confirmed exposures there was no difference between caterpillars and cocoons, and these were considered together. Affected areas were hands, feet, or both, following C. collesi being handled or trodden on. Pain was reported in all 13 cases, one with severe pain. In 10 cases pain duration was < 60 min. Six subjects had more than 100 hairs embedded (small black dots). In three cases, the hairs were surrounded by swelling and yellow discolouration. Despite the attempted removal of multiple hairs, they remained embedded for prolonged periods but caused no sequelae.Conclusion:  The clinical effects of the White‐stemmed gum moth were minor with local pain. Although hairs remained in all cases, they caused no problems. Complete removal of hairs is neither possible nor necessary, and painful and invasive methods should be avoided.
Does the presence of an emergency physician improve access based quality indicators in a rural emergency department?
Authors: O'Connor Alan E , Lockney Amanda L , Sloan Peter M , McGrail Matthew 
Published: February 2004

AbstractObjective:  To assess the effect that the presence of an emergency physician in the ED has on the access indicators of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.Methods:  A retrospective study was carried out in a 265 bed regional referral hospital in Victoria. The performance of the ED over a 6 month period, during which time there was incomplete emergency physician coverage, was monitored using The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) access indicators as the benchmark. These indicators are waiting time by triage category, and access block.Results:  A total of 11 999 patient presentations were eligible for inclusion in the study. Emergency physicians were present for 76.5% of these presentations. All the indicators show a trend towards improvement when an emergency physician was present. However, the only indicator that shows a significant improvement is waiting time by triage category, and this is due mainly to an improvement within triage category 4.Conclusion:  There is some evidence that the presence of an emergency physician improves performance within this group of access based indicators within a rural ED, however, the effect seen here is small. More studies are needed on this topic and also on the development of quality indicators for rural ED.
Compliance with advice and appropriateness of emergency presentation following contact with the HealthDirect telephone triage service
Authors: Sprivulis Peter , Carey Mary , Rouse Ian 
Published: February 2004

AbstractObjective:  Evaluation of compliance with advice and appropriateness of emergency presentation following contact with a telephone triage service (HealthDirect).Methods:  Compliance rates, triage distributions and admission rates were determined using linked HealthDirect and ED records for patients living within 2 km of an ED that presented during 2000.Results:  Of 13 019 presentations, 842 (6.5%) were HealthDirect contacts. In the HealthDirect group there were a greater proportion of patients under the age of 15 (290, 34% vs 1598, 13.1%) and women (481, 57% vs 5610, 46%). The triage distributions and admission rates for HealthDirect contacts and other patients were similar (HealthDirect 37.6% admitted, 95% CI 34–41, others 38.4% admitted, 95% CI 38–39, Pχ2 = 0.67). Of 3996 callers to HealthDirect, 3167 (79%) complied with advice with 963 (61%) complying with advice to present and 212 (9%, 95% CI 8–10%) presenting despite advice to defer presentation. Triage distributions and admission rates for compliers and non‐compliers were similar (compliers 38% admitted, 95% CI 34–41, non‐compliers, 37% admitted, 95% CI 30–44, Pχ2 = 0.89).Conclusions:  HealthDirect contacts were of similar appropriateness to non‐HealthDirect presenters and appear to attend the ED independent of HealthDirect advice. HealthDirect has a limited capacity to influence ED utilization or workload.
Multidisciplinary assessment at triage: A new way forward
Authors: Richardson Joanna R , Braitberg George , Yeoh Michael J 
Published: February 2004

AbstractObjective:  To evaluate a dual doctor and nurse triage system at a tertiary referral hospital.Methods:  Data were compared between periods of multidisciplinary triage and periods of standard triage. Data comparison was also made between rostered multidisciplinary triage shifts and non‐multidisciplinary triage shifts. Staff satisfaction with the process was assessed.Results:  The percentage of patients seen within Australasian Triage Scale performance indicator thresholds increased from 75% to 81% in Category 2 patients (P = 0.12) and 56% to 78% in Category 3 patients (P < 0.0001). There was a reduction of 50% in the number of patients who left prior to being seen by a doctor (P = 0.024). Surveys showed high staff satisfaction with the process.Conclusions:  We feel that multidisciplinary triage performs a useful function in our department enabling us to reduce waiting times. The process is widely accepted amongst the staff and it ensures a senior doctor assesses most patients. It reduces the number of patients leaving prior to being seen by a doctor and it provides one way of getting around access block and a physically small department.