bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comparison between the Soluble Transferrin Receptor, Transferrin Saturation and Serum Ferritin as Markers of Iron State in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Beerenhout Charles , Bekers Otto , Kooman Jeroen P. , van der Sande Frank M. , Leunissen Karel M.L. 
Published: April 2003

An adequate iron management is important in the treatment of anemia and in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TS) may be influenced by the presence of inflammation. Recently, the soluble transferrin receptor (s-TfR) has been advocated as a parameter of iron status in HD patients. The aim of the present study was to assess firstly the relation between serum ferritin, TS, and s-TfR in HD patients and to predict their agreement (assessed by kappa) in the diagnosis of iron deficiency, and, secondly, to assess the influence of inflammation on the relation between the parameters of iron state. Iron deficiency by either marker was respectively defined as ferritin <100 µg/l, TS <20%, or s-TfR >2.4 µg/ml. In the overall group of patients, TS and s-TfR were significantly related (r = –0.38), whereas s-TfR and serum ferritin were not. Both serum ferritin and TS were related to CRP (r = 0.50 and –0.34; p < 0.05), whereas s-TfR was not. The kappa value for agreement between serum ferritin and TS in the diagnosis of iron deficiency was 0.24 (p = 0.07), 0.12 (p = NS) for the agreement between TS and s-TfR and 0 for that between serum ferritin and s-TfR. In patients with CRP levels ≤2 mg/l (n = 16), the relation between parameters of iron state did not improve. Concluding, a large disagreement is observed between ferritin, TS and sTfR as markers of iron deficiency in HD patients, which appears to be only partly explained by the effect of inflammation.
Adjusting Dry Weight by Extracellular Volume and Body Composition in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Chen Yi-Chou , Chen Han-Hsiang , Yeh Jui-Chi , Chen Ssu-Yuan 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> At present, the determination of dry weight in patients on hemodialysis is largely made empirically by trial and error. Extracellular volume (ECV) assessment by bioimpedance analysis (BIA) is a preferable technique for determining dry weight, and it also provides useful data on body composition. <i>Methods:</i> We measured the ECV of 74 normal subjects and 121 stable chronic hemodialysis patients postdialysis. In addition, for the dialysis patients, we measured intracellular volume (ICV) and lean body mass (LBM) by BIA, and analyzed the ECV, blood pressure and complications of dialysis. We adjusted dry weight according to the ECV and repeated a BIA exam 4 months later to evaluate changes in body composition, blood pressure and dialysis status of these patients. <i>Results:</i> The ECV as a percentage of weight (ECV%) of hypertensive patients was significantly higher than that of normotensive patients (24.29 ± 3.56% vs. 21.50 ± 2.38%, p < 0.001). All patients with excessive ECV% had hypertension, but not all hypertensive patients had excessive ECV%. None of the normotensive patients had ECV excess. Some hypertensive patients with symptoms of dialysis complications still had excessive ECV%. Eight hypertensive patients with excessive ECV had decreased dry weight. ECV% (29.80 ± 2.03% vs. 27.10 ± 2.99%, p < 0.001) and blood pressure (159 ± 7 / 97 ± 4 vs. 137 ± 10 / 86 ± 8 mm Hg, p = 0.006 for systolic and p = 0.004 for diastolic) decreased. ECV was the only portion of body composition that decreased (p < 0.001) after decreasing dry weight, the other parameters remaining unchanged. Twenty symptomatic normotensive patients improved with elevation of the dry weight. The ECV (p = 0.007), ICV (p = 0.009) and LBM (p < 0.001) were significantly increased after increasing dry weight, while the ECV% (p = 0.39) and fat (p = 0.46) remained unchanged. <i>Conclusions:</i> (1) For hypertensive patients, ECV must be evaluated in order to adjust dry weight and correct hypertension. (2) For normotensive patients, if dialysis complications occur, dry weight should be increased until symptoms disappear or the blood pressure begins to rise.
Evaluation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Erythropoietin Serum Levels in B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients with Anemia
Authors: Capalbo Silvana , Battista Cosima , Delia Mario , Ciancio Angela , De Santis Gaetano , Dargenio Michela , Diomede Daniela , Liso Vincenzo 
Published: April 2003

Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and of erythropoietin (Epo) have been evaluated in 100 patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in order to determine whether these factors could be significant in the development of anemia, which was observed in some cases with advanced disease. In our series of patients, TNF-α serum levels had an inverse correlation with hemoglobin levels (r = –0.813). In patients with anemia, the serum levels of TNF-α were significantly higher (p = 0.022) than in those without anemia (186.7 ± 84.7 vs. 39.8 ± 20.7 pg/ml). Serum Epo levels were also significantly (p = 0.0003) increased in CLL patients with anemia compared to those without (134.1 ± 225.9 vs. 12.3 ± 4.8 mU/ml). The ratio of observed/predicted (O/P) serum Epo was adequate (>0.8) for the degree of anemia in 70% of patients with anemia and inadequate in the remaining 30%. In the latter, the mean serum TNF-α level was significantly higher (p = 0.005) than the mean for the anemic cases with an adequate O/P ratio of serum Epo (234.1 vs. 166.4 pg/ml). These data suggest that although CLL anemia is not characterized by inadequate Epo production, in some CLL patients this factor may be correlated. In these cases, the levels of TNF-α were significantly higher than in other anemic cases. Compared to other CLL patients with anemia, these CLL patients might better respond to therapy with recombinant human Epo in pharmacological doses.
Hormonal Sensitivity following Endocrine Withdrawal in Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer
Authors: Nishiyama Tsutomu , Terunuma Masahiro 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Prostate cancer is proposed to be classified according to hormonal sensitivity. The purpose of this study is to examine hormonal sensitivity of the patient with refractory prostate cancer subsequent to primary hormonal therapy. <i>Methods:</i> Sixteen patients with refractory prostate cancer subsequent to primary combination hormonal therapy were enrolled in this study. All 16 patients with progressive disease after elimination of oral hormonal agents or after response following hormonal withdrawal received dexamethasone (DXM) (initially 1.5 or 1.0 mg, then tapered to 0.5 mg) orally not only for the purpose of second-line hormonal therapy but also as an indicator of hormonal sensitivity. <i>Results:</i> Overall, 4 patients showed a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decrease of >50% from baseline on discontinuation of hormonal agents, while another 7 patients showed a PSA decrease of <50%. Five patients showed PSA level was progressed after the withdrawal. In all patients with PSA values that decline not only >50% but also <50% following oral endocrine withdrawal, the fall in PSA values had been >50% following DXM administration. However, the PSA value in the patients with PSA progression following the oral endocrine withdrawal kept rising after DXM administration. <i>Conclusions:</i> The findings in this study would just suggest a possible relationship between DXM sensitivity and the response to endocrine withdrawal. The patients whose PSA values decline following oral endocrine withdrawal may maintain hormonal sensitivity.
Bladder Dysfunction due to Behçet’s Disease
Authors: Saito Motoaki , Miyagawa Ikuo 
Published: April 2003

Behçet’s disease is a multiple disorder in which urogenital involvement mainly consists of genital aphthous ulcers, epididymitis, urethritis and recurrent cystitis. We report 2 cases of neurogenic bladder due to Behçet’s disease. Both cases showed detrusor hyperreflexia and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. One case has been managed by twice-daily intravesical oxybutynin treatment (5 mg/10 ml) and clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) 7 times/day, and the other case has been managed by CIC 6 times/day.
BTA Quantitative Assay and NMP22 Testing Compared with Urine Cytology in the Detection of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder
Authors: Casetta G. , Gontero P. , Zitella A. , Pelucelli G. , Formiconi A. , Priolo G. , Martinasso G. , Mengozzi G. , Aimo G. , Viberti L. , Tizzani A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> Both BTA TRAK and NMP22 urine concentrations have shown a sensitivity superior to urine cytology in the detection of bladder cancer. We compared these tumor markers with urine cytology performed on 3 consecutive samples and evaluated by an expert cytopathologist. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> The investigations were conducted on 94 patients undergoing a diagnostic cystoscopy for a high suspicion of bladder cancer (group 1) and on 102 patients with previous history of transitional cell carcinoma awaiting a follow-up cystoscopy (group 2). Biopsy specimens were obtained also from tumor negative patients. Immunoassays for BTA TRAK and NMP22 were carried out according to standard methods. The choice of the cut-off was based on the ground of sensitivity and specificity curves intersection. Urine cytology results were expressed as positive, negative and ‘dubious’. <i>Results:</i> Overall sensitivity was 56% for NMP22 (cut-off 11 U/ml) and 57% for BTA TRAK (cut-off 60 U/ml). When dubious results were considered as positive cases, urine cytology achieved a sensitivity of 73.3%. Assuming dubious cases as negative results, urine cytology sensitivity resulted 59.3%. When the 2 groups of patients were evaluated separately with different cut-off, there was no significant gain in sensitivity for BTA TRAK and NMP22 over urine cytology. <i>Conclusions: </i>Urine cytology performed on 3 samples showed the highest sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic advantage of urine cytology over BTA TRAK and NMP22 was maintained when patients were stratified by tumor grade.
Effects of a Long-Term Pharmacological Interruption of the Renin-Angiotensin System on the Fibrinolytic System in Essential Hypertension
Authors: Sakata Kazuyuki , Pawlak Roberts , Urano Tetumei , Takada Akikazu 
Published: April 2003

To assess the effects of pharmacological interruption of the renin-angiotensin system on the fibrinolysis, tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigens (PAI-1) and neurohormones, such as plasma renin activity, norepinephrine, angiotensin II (AII) and IV (AIV) concentrations, were measured in 60 hypertensives. Among them, 48 patients were divided into two groups (25 with 10–20 mg quinapril and 23 with 50–100 mg losartan) who received the drug for 6 months. AII had a weak positive correlation with free PAI-I (n = 60, r = 0.26, p < 0.05) whereas AIV had a strong positive correlation with free PAI-I (n = 60, r = 0.57, p < 0.0001). In both treatment groups, blood pressures were significantly reduced to similar levels after drug treatment. While plasma renin activity increased significantly in both groups after drug treatment, only the losartan group showed significant increases in AII and AIV concentrations. In the quinapril group, there was a significant change in t-PA (p < 0.001) without changes in PAI-1. In the losartan group, free PAI-I and total PAI-I (p < 0.05 for free PAI-I and p < 0.04 for total PAI-I) were significantly increased without a change in t-PA. Thus, quinapril enhanced fibrinolysis but losartan attenuated it. These unique effects of each drug on the fibrinolytic system appear to be associated with changes in AII and AIV concentrations.
Fibrinolysis Defect in Long-Term Hemodialysis Patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and Its Relation to Metabolic Disorders
Authors: Opatrný  Jr. Karel , Zemanová Pavlína , Mareš Jan , Vít Ladislav , Opatrná Sylvia , Šefrna František , Hejda Václav , Tomšů Martina , Eiselt Jaromír , Massry Shaul G. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) secondary to diabetes mellitus show a high incidence of atherosclerosis with its thrombotic complications. Both CRF and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) results in fibrinolysis defects causally related to atherogenesis and thrombogenesis. It is not well known whether or not and, if so, how fibrinolysis is altered in patients with both CRF and DM2. Our study was designed (1) to identify the fibrinolysis defect present in patients with DM2-mediated CRF and treated by long-term hemodialysis (DM2HD), and (2) to establish whether the fibrinolysis defect is related to the metabolic abnormalities observed in CRF or DM2. <i>Methods:</i> Sixteen DM2HD patients and 23 healthy individuals (HI) had their euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT), and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activities (act) and concentrations (ag) assessed before and after standard fibrinolytic stimulus (i.v. administration of 0.4 µg/kg BW 1-deamino-8-<i>D</i>-arginine vasopressin, DDAVP) along with metabolic status markers. <i>Results:</i> DDAVP caused a significant shortening of ECLT, rises in tPA act and ag, and a significant decrease in PAI-1 act. PAI-1 ag declined significantly in HI, but not in DM2HD. A comparison of responses to DDAVP revealed the groups differed significantly in the change in PAI-1 ag. Whereas, in HI, PAI-1 ag decreased by 11.8 ng/ml, no decrease was seen in DM2HD (0.0 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001; medians given; unpaired Wilcoxon’s test). Stepwise regression analysis showed the change in PAI-1 ag was highly group-specific (DM2HD vs. HI, regression coefficient 21.22; partial correlation 0.58; p < 0.0001) and, also dependent on the serum concentrations of apolipoprotein A-I (–32.41; –0.46; p < 0.01) and homocysteine (0.35; 0.36; p < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> Patients with type 2 DM and CRF on long-term hemodialysis have a fibrinolysis defect manifesting itself after standard fibrinolytic stimulus by an insufficient decrease in PAI-1 concentrations. The defect is related to decreased serum levels of apolipoprotein A-I and increased serum levels of homocysteine. The defect might be a factor contributing to accelerated atherosclerosis and thrombotic complications in these patients.
Different Effects of Castration and Estrogen Administration on Glomerular Injury in Spontaneously Hyperglycemic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) Rats
Authors: Tomiyoshi Yoshiyuki , Sakemi Takanobu , Aoki Shigehisa , Miyazono Motoaki 
Published: April 2003

<i>Aim:</i> Non-insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus model rats, Otsuka-Long-Evans-Tokushima-Fatty (OLETF), develop diabetic nephropathy presenting with mesangial expansion leading to glomerular sclerosis and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), especially in elderly males. The effects of sex hormones and castration on the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) have been studied in this strain rat. However, there have been no detailed studies on the effects of castration and sex hormone in the development of diabetic nephropathy. <i>Methods:</i> In this study we examine the effect of castration or estrogen on the development of glomerular injury in OLETF rats. Thirty male OLETF rats and 10 male long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats as a normal control were used. OLETF rats were divided into three groups: group 1 received sham-operation, group 2 was castrated at 6 weeks, and group 3 was administered 0.1 mg estrogen subcutaneously once a month from 6 weeks to 58 weeks of age and LETO rats were assigned to group 4. Body weight, urinary protein and fasting blood glucose, serum albumin and other serum constituents were investigated every 12 weeks from 12 weeks to 60 weeks of age. In groups 1–3, glucose tolerance test was performed at 38 weeks. Each group was studied morphologically at the end of the experiment (60 weeks of age). <i>Results:</i> Castration attenuated proteinuria and glomerular sclerosis accompanied by an amelioration of glucose tolerance, a decrease in mesangial expansion and an attenuation of the GBM thickening. In contrast, although estrogen equally ameliorated glucose tolerance and attenuated the mesangial expansion and the GBM thickening, estrogen failed to attenuate proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. A significant increase in glomerular tuft volume, and serum levels of growth hormone, total cholesterol and triglycerides was observed in the estrogen-treated rats as compared with the castrated rats. <i>Conclusion:</i> Besides the mechanisms involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy, other mechanisms may be involved and contribute to the development of glomerulosclerosis in the estrogen-treated rats, leading to a difference in glomerular injury between the castrated and estrogen-treated OLETF rats.
Effects of Interleukin-1-Beta, Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha, Alone or in Association with Hexarelin or Galanin, on Growth Hormone Gene Expression and Growth Hormone Release from Pig Pituitary Cells
Authors: Mainardi Gian Luca , Saleri Roberta , Tamanini Carlo , Baratta Mario 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> We studied the effects of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α on GH gene expression and secretion with or without galanin and hexarelin. <i>Methods:</i> Pituitary cells from adult pigs were treated with IL-1β, IL-6 or TNF-α (1, 10 and 100 ng/ml), alone or in association with galanin or hexarelin (10<sup>–8</sup><i>M</i>): GH mRNA was measured by RT-PCR and GH secretion by ELISA. <i>Results:</i> IL-1β (1, 10 and 100 ng/ml) and IL-6 (1 and 10 ng/ml) significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced GH output. IL-1β and TNF-α (1 and 10 ng/ml) reduced (p < 0.05) the galanin-induced GH secretion and IL-6 (10 ng/ml) potentiated the effect of both GH releasers (p < 0.05). GH gene expression was increased only by IL-6 at the concentrations of 1 and 10 ng/ml, either alone or in association with both galanin and hexarelin. <i>Conclusions:</i> We hypothesize that cytokines may play a paracrine/autocrine role in GH regulation in the pituitary independently from the intracellular pathways of the GH secretagogues.
Effects of Elevated Pressure on Prostanoid Receptor Gene Expression Levels in Human Trabecular Meshwork
Authors: Schneemann Andrea , Hoyng Philip F.J. , Kamphuis Willem 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of increased intraocular pressure on the expression levels of the prostanoid receptor genes (DP, EP<sub>1–4</sub>, FP, IP, TP) in the trabecular meshwork of human donor eyes. Anterior segments of human donor eyes were perfused in an ex vivo anterior segment perfusion system under different pressure regimes. The expression levels of the prostanoid receptors and of several housekeeping genes were assessed by non-competitive real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR). Perfusion of the anterior segments for 24 h at 10 mm Hg, followed by 24 h at 30 mm Hg, caused a significant decrease in the expression of the EP<sub>2</sub> receptor compared to a constant perfusion under 10 mm Hg. No significant changes were found for the other prostanoid receptor transcripts. When the pressure was raised to 30 mm Hg for only 1 or 3 h, no changes in the EP<sub>2</sub> receptor expression levels were evident. However, a transient DP and TP receptor expression increase was found after 1-hour perfusion at 30 mm Hg. Whether these changes in expression are part of a response of the trabecular meshwork cells in order to normalise intraocular pressure needs to be studied further.
Iron Deficiency Anaemia: An Unusual Complication of Meckel’s Diverticulum
Authors: Al-Onaizi Iman , Al-Awadi Fatma , Al-Dawood Abdul-Latif 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> To describe a case of Meckel’s diverticulum with an unusual complication of iron deficiency anaemia due to chronic intestinal bleeding. <i>Clinical Presentation and Intervention:</i> A 12-year-old boy presented with bloody diarrhoea and abdominal pain in association with a long-standing history of black stools and progressive pallor. Biochemical tests revealed low serum iron (1.2 mmol/l) indicating iron deficiency anaemia and low serum albumin (29 g/l). The other tests were normal. Colonoscopy performed on the 8th day of hospitalization was normal. A technetium-99m pertechnetate scan showed an ectopic gastric mucosa in the Meckel’s diverticulum confirmed at surgery in the region of the antimesentric border and on histopathology. <i>Conclusion:</i> Findings indicated that the patient had a bleeding Meckel’s diverticulum, complicated by iron deficiency anaemia.
TORCH Agents in Pregnant Saudi Women
Authors: Ghazi Hani O. , Telmesani Abdulwahab M. , Mahomed Mahomed F. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To determine the seroprevalence rates of IgG to common TORCH agents in pregnant Saudi women using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. <i>Subjects and Methods:</i> A total of 926 samples of sera were tested for antibodies to TORCH agents known to cause serious congenital infections: <i>Toxoplasma gondii,</i> rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1 and HIV-2). <i>Results:</i> Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected in 35.6%, CMV total IgG antibodies were found in 92.1%, rubella IgG antibodies in 93.3%, HSV-1 IgG antibodies in 90.9%, HSV-2 IgG in 27.1%, and VZV IgG antibodies in 74.4%. A 0% seroprevalence rate for HIV-1 and -2 was found. <i>Conclusion:</i> Pregnant Saudi women commonly have IgG antibodies to rubella, CMV, HSV-1 and -2, VZV, and <i>T. gondii.</i> Serological evidence of HIV infection was not observed.
Prevention Campaign against Skin Cancer
Authors: Heinzerling L.M. , Dummer R. , Panizzon R.G. , Bloch P.H. , Barbezat R. , Burg G. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The melanoma incidence has increased over recent decades. Educational campaigns aim to encourage protection from the sun and early detection of melanoma. <i>Methods:</i> During a campaign in Switzerland, information on risk factors, sun protection and melanoma prevention was distributed. 10,987 people completed a questionnaire regarding risk factors, and 2,746 people were examined by a dermatologist. <i>Results:</i> Men had a higher risk as assessed by skin type, ultraviolet exposure, family history, number of moles and sunburns during childhood. Changes in moles were reported significantly more often by people with: (1) a positive family history (p < 0.0001); (2) multiple moles (p < 0.0001), and (3) sunburns during childhood (p < 0.0001). A precancerous or cancerous condition was suspected in 16% of individuals examined. <i>Conclusion:</i> Early detection of melanoma can be achieved by this type of campaign. Primary prevention is a long-term approach and educational efforts targeting risk groups must be continued.