bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of preoperative transthoracic echocardiography in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma
Authors: Devaux B. , Lentschener C. , Jude N. , Valensi L. , Pili‐Floury S. , Dousset B. , Ozier Y. 
Published: June 2004

Background:  Adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma is a life‐threatening procedure. Few echocardiographic assessments have been reported in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.Methods:  Sixty‐three consecutive patients undergoing adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma underwent routine preoperative M‐mode and two‐dimensional echocardiography, and Doppler examination. Abnormal echocardiographic findings were defined as left ventricular dilatation or dysfunction (left ventricular percentage fractional shortening <30%), and/or left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, and/or left ventricular hypertrophy (left ventricular mass index >110 g m−2 in women and >134 g m−2 in men) and/or valvular abnormalities. Physical characteristics, daily urinary metanephrine and normetanephrine excretions, preoperative functional limitation, pre‐existing congestive heart failure, type and duration of surgery, and haemodynamic instability in the intra and postoperative periods were compared in patients with normal and abnormal echocardiographic findings.Results:  Twenty‐four out of 63 patients were found to have abnormal preoperative echocardiography. There was no difference between patients with normal and abnormal preoperative echocardiography as regards to the investigated criteria, except for pre‐existing self‐reported functional limitation and chest pain suggesting coronary artery disease.Conclusions:  The relevance of routine preoperative echocardiographic examination in patients scheduled for adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma, who have no cardiac symptoms or clinical evidence of cardiac involvement, is questionable.
Bayesian Analysis of Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Breast Images
Authors: de Pasquale Francesco , Barone Piero , Sebastiani Giovanni , Stander Julian 
Published: June 2004

SummaryWe describe an integrated methodology for analysing dynamic magnetic resonance images of the breast. The problems that motivate this methodology arise from a collaborative study with a tumour institute. The methods are developed within the Bayesian framework and comprise image restoration and classification steps. Two different approaches are proposed for the restoration. Bayesian inference is performed by means of Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms. We make use of a Metropolis algorithm with a specially chosen proposal distribution that performs better than more commonly used proposals. The classification step is based on a few attribute images yielded by the restoration step that describe the essential features of the contrast agent variation over time. Procedures for hyperparameter estimation are provided, so making our method automatic. The results show the potential of the methodology to extract useful information from acquired dynamic magnetic resonance imaging data about tumour morphology and internal pathophysiological features.
Surrogate nits impregnated with white piedra – a case report
Authors: Ghorpade A 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTWhite piedral spores packed inside empty pedicular nits were accidentally found on microscopic examination in a 42‐year‐old Indian woman who presented with hair loss. The diagnosis of piedra was confirmed on culture. She responded to topical 2% miconazole nitrate solution and manual removal of the nits. This is the first case report of pedicular nits found to be impregnated with spores of white piedra.
HIV seronegative eosinophilic pustular folliculitis successfully treated with doxicycline
Authors: Brazzelli V , Barbagallo T , Prestinari F , Ciocca O , Vassallo C , Borroni G 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTEosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is an unusual disease, first described in adult East Asians in 1970 by Ofuji. It is characterized by follicular papules and pustules tending to coalesce and form plaques involving the trunk, face and extremities. In recent years, it has been often associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or with immunosuppressed and/or oncohaematological patients. EPF has been described in immunocompetent adult caucasian patients only occasionally. The diagnosis requires clinical and microbiological features such as sterile folliculitis and histopathological findings characterized by folliculitis and perifolliculitis with eosinophilic infiltrate. We describe an HIV seronegative caucasian male with EPF, allergic to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and indomethacin, treated with oral doxicycline. The treatment led to the complete remission of the lesions within 2 months.
Evidence for diversity within Propionibacterium acnes: a comparison of the T‐cell stimulatory activity of isolates from inflammatory acne, endocarditis and the laboratory
Authors: Jappe U , Boit R , Farrar MD , Ingham E , Sandoe J , Holland KT 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTBackground  Propionibacterium acnes is primarily associated with the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris but reports are increasing in number implicating P. acnes in other diseases such as abscess formation, meningitis and endocarditis. The pathogenicity of P. acnes is thought to be partly due to the interaction of the bacterium with the immune system. Historically, investigations have focused on humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses to P. acnes antigens without attention to the possibility that different antigens may be expressed by different isolates.Objective  Investigations were performed to determine whether there were differences between a laboratory strain of P. acnes (P‐37) and fresh clinical isolates in their ability to stimulate naive and adult lymphocytes.Material and methods  The fresh isolates were collected from a patient with inflammatory acne and a patient with P. acnes‐induced prosthetic valve endocarditis. The lymphocyte transformation assay was used to detect responses to whole‐cell suspensions of stationary phase P. acnes isolates during 7 days of incubation.Results  The acne isolate was significantly more stimulatory for cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs) than the laboratory isolate (P. acnes P‐37) at day 4 of incubation. There were no significant differences between the three strains at any other time points. However, the isolate cultivated from inflammatory acne was significantly more stimulatory for peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) from acne donors than the endocarditis isolate or the laboratory strain at most time points. There were no significant differences between the endocarditis strain and the laboratory strain.Conclusion  It can be hypothesized that in case of P. acnes‐induced endocarditis lymphocyte stimulation is a disadvantage for the microorganism and therefore a lack of lymphocyte stimulation may be relevant to the pathogenesis of endocarditis.
Spontaneously remitting dermatomyositis
Authors: Jordan JR , Paruthi S , Pichardo RO , Challa VR , Donofrio PD , Jorizzo JL 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTDermatomyositis (DM) is an inflammatory myopathy of skeletal muscle with characteristic cutaneous findings. It is a rare disorder with a bimodal age distribution that affects almost twice as many women as men. One category of DM, normal‐enzyme DM, is characterized by cutaneous changes only at baseline, normal serum muscle enzyme levels and myositis demonstrated by electromyography (EMG) and/or muscle biopsy specimens. Typically, patients with normal‐enzyme DM progress to severe muscle involvement and require systemic corticosteroid therapy. The patient we report has normal‐enzyme DM confirmed by serial serum enzymes, EMG, and skin and muscle biopsies but is unique in that she never experienced progression of muscle weakness although muscle involvement was documented histologically and by EMG. Follow‐up examination after 1 year revealed near‐complete resolution of cutaneous involvement after topical therapy and no evidence of muscle weakness.
The borderline syndrome in psychosomatic dermatology Overview and case report
Authors: Harth W , Mayer K , Linse R 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTThe borderline syndrome is one of the most severe disturbances of psychosomatic dermatology. Patients with borderline syndrome are situated ‘on the border’ of psychosis, neurosis and personality disorders. The skin as a borderline organ carries a symbolic role. The clinical picture includes artefactual skin diseases due to self‐mutilation by conscious or unconscious cutting, and rubbing, scratching or para‐artefactual manipulations of pre‐existing dermatoses. Leading symptoms of the borderline syndrome are poor impulse control, emotional instability and poor ego strength with low frustration tolerance and unstable personal relationships. We present the case of a 38‐year‐old female patient with borderline syndrome suffering from para‐artefactual skin diseases of the face and a massive hyperhidrosis of the hands and feet. Within 9 months she was treated in four acute psychiatric hospitals and by 12 psychiatrists and psychotherapists. Early and accurate diagnosis and high‐quality, sophisticated long‐term therapy are necessary.
A unified middle class or two middle classes? A comparison of career strategies and intergenerational mobility strategies between teachers and managers in contemporary Hong Kong1
Authors: Wong Yi‐Lee 
Published: June 2004

AbstractA debate over whether the ‘service class’ is a unitary middle class or is divided between professionals and managers remains unsettled. This qualitative mobility study seeks to elucidate mobility processes of how professional and managerial groups secure their advantages throughout their working lives and over generations. Using data on contemporary Hong Kong, this paper compares the career strategies and intergenerational mobility strategies of forty teachers and thirty managers. Despite employing somewhat different career strategies, managers do not seem less able than teachers to secure their advantages through their worklives. Using the same intergenerational mobility strategies, teachers and managers exploit economic, cultural, and social resources in a similar way for their children's education. So far as demographic stability over generations is concerned a unified service class is in the making.
Women's and men's careers in British sociology1
Authors: Platt Jennifer 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe career experience of men and women in British university sociology since 1950 is compared, using published data for the whole group and fresh data from a sample of departments. It is shown that, when like is compared with like, the outcomes for men and for women have not been as different as is often suggested; family reasons were more salient in women's careers, but in the end have not made much difference to their destinations. But the proportions of women recruited have varied over time, and the experience of both sexes has been strongly influenced by historical factors affecting different periods. Within the constraints which those have imposed, individuals have not all made the same choices, and that too has affected the outcomes.
The retreat of multiculturalism in the liberal state: theory and policy1
Authors: Joppke Christian 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis article discusses a recent retreat of multiculturalism in the liberal state. This retreat has occurred both at the level of theory and policy. With the help of some recent liberal critiques of multiculturalism, the first part maps out some shortcomings of the notion of minority integration through cultural recognition, particularly with respect to immigrants. The second part discusses a retreat from multiculturalism policies in three states that had been prominently committed to them: Australia, the Netherlands, and Britain. This practical retreat of multiculturalism is due to a variety of factors, their importance differing across cases: the chronic lack of public support for multiculturalism policies; inherent deficits and failures of multiculturalism policies, especially in socio‐economic respect; and a new assertiveness of the liberal state to impose liberal principles.
Immunohistochemical localization and expression of fibromodulin in adult rat periodontium and inflamed human gingiva
Authors: Qian H , Xiao Y , Bartold PM 
Published: June 2004

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and expression of fibromodulin in adult rat periodontal tissues and inflamed human gingiva.Materials and methods:  The distribution of fibromodulin in rat molar periodontium and human gingival tissue was studied by immunohistochemistry. The expression of fibromodulin mRNA from human gingival fibroblasts, periodontal ligament fibroblasts and osteoblasts was studied by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). For comparative purposes, the distribution and mRNA expression of collagen types I and III, as well as the two small leucine‐rich proteoglycans decorin and biglycan were also studied.Results:  In the adult rat periodontium, fibromodulin was distributed in the suprabasal gingival epithelium, gingival and periodontal fibroblasts as well as their surrounding extracellular matrices. Strong expression was noted in the palatal gingival tissues and the interfaces of the periodontal ligament with alveolar bone and cementum. In human gingival tissues, staining of fibromodulin was detected in the connective tissue of inflamed gingiva associated with both gingivitis and periodontitis; whereas, weak staining for this molecule was noted in healthy gingival tissues. The expression of mRNA for fibromodulin was strongest in the cultured osteoblasts. Periodontal ligament fibroblasts showed only a weak level of expression for fibromodulin mRNA.Conclusions:  Fibromodulin is differentially expressed throughout the periodontium being primarily associated with collagen type I in non‐mineralized sites. In addition fibromodulin showed an upregulation in inflamed gingival tissue.
Effects of near‐infrared irradiation to stellate ganglion in glossodynia
Authors: Nakase M , Okumura K , Tamura T , Kamei T , Kada K , Nakamura S , Inui M , Tagawa T 
Published: June 2004

Objective:  This study was designed to assess the effect of stellate ganglion near‐infrared irradiation (SGR) on glossodynia and the mechanism of action.Study design:  Thirty‐seven patients with glossodynia received SGR once weekly for 4 weeks. The response to treatment was evaluated on the basis of the change in pain intensity, assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after 4 weeks of treatment. The temperature and blood flow of the tongue were also measured before and after first SGR. As control, eight healthy subjects were studied.Results:  Tongue pain as assessed by the VAS decreased in 28 of the 37 patients (75.7%). Mean pain intensity decreased significantly from 5.1 ± 2.2 to 1.9 ± 2.1 (P < 0.05). Tongue blood flow at rest in the patients with glossodynia [7.2 ± 1.6 ml min−1 (100 g)−1] was significantly lower than that in the healthy subjects [7.8 ± 0.23 ml min−1 (100 g)−1]. Five minutes after SGR, the temperature of the tongue rose 1.5 ± 0.21°C, and blood flow increased to 8.5 ± 1.2 ml min−1 (100 g)−1. Tongue blood flow (at rest) after 4 weeks of SGR had increased to 7.7 ± 1.1 ml min−1 (100 g)−1.Conclusion:  SGR is an effective treatment for glossodynia. The mechanism by which SGR improves symptoms associated with glossodynia is thought to be as follows: SGR inhibits abnormally increased sympathetic activity associated with glossodynia. This is followed by normalization of decreased tongue blood flow, thereby alleviating pain.
Ranula: another HIV/AIDS associated oral lesion in Zimbabwe?
Authors: Chidzonga MM , Rusakaniko S 
Published: June 2004

Aim:  To show that sublingual ranula is associated with HIV/AIDS and as such should be considered an HIV/AIDS associated oral lesion in Zimbabwe.Objectives:  To retrospectively study the prevalence, age and gender distribution, the HIV serostatus of ranula patients and the trend in prevalence of ranula and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in patients at the two largest referral Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery specialist centres in Harare, Zimbabwe. To use this information to infer an association between ranula and HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe.Design:  Descriptive study with a retrospective and prospective component.Setting:  Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical clinics at specialist referral hospitals, Harare Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Government Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe.Subjects:  Eighty‐three cases of ranula were studied: 45 cases retrospectively and 38 consecutively. A total of 231 cases of KS were studied retrospectively.Methods:  Histopathologic records of patients who presented with ranula and KS during the period January 1981 to September 2003 were studied. Gender and age were recorded for each case. Thirty‐eight ranula patients studied consecutively during the period June 1999 to September 2003 were consented for HIV testing.Results:  There were 83 cases of ranula; 43.4% male and 56.6% female. There were 231 cases of KS, 61.2% male and 38.8% female. Male to female ratio was 1:1.3 for ranula and for KS was 1:0.6. Ranula was predominant in the 0–10 year age group (73.5%) while KS was most common in the 21–40 year age group (76.4%). Ranula and KS both had a marked rise in prevalence from 1992 to 2003. A total of 88.5% of the ranula cases tested HIV positive with 95% in the 0–10 year age group.Conclusion:  There was a rising prevalence of ranula which mirrors that of KS (an HIV/AIDS associated oral lesion) and that 88.5% of ranula patients were HIV positive with 95% of them in the 0–10 year age group. Sublingual ranula should thus be considered another HIV/AIDS associated lesion in Zimbabwe, especially in children.
A Novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Protein, U274, Is Transported to the Cell Surface and Undergoes Endocytosis
Authors: Tan Yee-Joo , Teng Eileen , Shen Shuo , Tan Timothy H. P. , Goh Phuay-Yee , Fielding Burtram C. , Ooi Eng-Eong , Tan Hwee-Cheng , Lim Seng Gee , Hong Wanjin 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) genome contains open reading frames (ORFs) that encode for several genes that are homologous to proteins found in all known coronaviruses. These are the replicase gene 1a/1b and the four structural proteins, nucleocapsid (N), spike (S), membrane (M), and envelope (E), and these proteins are expected to be essential for the replication of the virus. In addition, this genome also contains nine other potential ORFs varying in length from 39 to 274 amino acids. The largest among these is the first ORF of the second longest subgenomic RNA, and this protein (termed U274 in the present study) consists of 274 amino acids and contains three putative transmembrane domains. Using antibody specific for the C terminus of U274, we show U274 to be expressed in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells and, in addition to the full-length protein, two other processed forms were also detected. By indirect immunofluorescence, U274 was localized to the perinuclear region, as well as to the plasma membrane, in both transfected and infected cells. Using an N terminus myc-tagged U274, the topology of U274 and its expression on the cell surface were confirmed. Deletion of a cytoplasmic domain of U274, which contains Yxxφ and diacidic motifs, abolished its transport to the cell surface. In addition, U274 expressed on the cell surface can internalize antibodies from the culture medium into the cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments also showed that U274 could interact specifically with the M, E, and S structural proteins, as well as with U122, another protein that is unique to SARS-CoV.
Modulation of Env Content in Virions of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus: Correlation with Cell Surface Expression and Virion Infectivity
Authors: Yuste Eloísa , Reeves Jacqueline D. , Doms Robert W. , Desrosiers Ronald C. 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTSpecific mutations were created in the cytoplasmic domain of the gp41 transmembrane protein of simian immunodeficiency virus strain 239 (SIV239). The resultant strains included a mutant in which Env residue 767 was changed to a stop codon, a double mutant in which positions 738 and 739 were changed to stop codons, another mutant in which a prominent endocytosis motif was changed from YRPV to GRPV by the substitution of tyrosine 721, and a final combination mutant bearing Q738stop, Q739stop, and Y721G mutations. The effects of these mutations on cell surface expression, on Env incorporation into virions, and on viral infectivity were examined. The molar ratio of Gag to gp120 of 54:1 that we report here for SIV239 virions agrees very well with the ratio of 60:1 reported previously by Chertova et al. (E. Chertova, J. W. Bess, Jr., B. J. Crise, R. C. Sowder II, T. M. Schaden, J. M. Hilburn, J. A. Hoxie, R. E. Benveniste, J. D. Lifson, L. E. Henderson, and L. O. Arthur, J. Virol.76:5315-5325, 2002), although they were determined by very different methodologies. Assuming 1,200 to 2,500 Gag molecules per virion, this corresponds to 7 to 16 Env trimers per SIV239 virion particle. Although all of the mutations increased Env levels in virions, E767stop had the most dramatic effect, increasing the Env content per virion 25- to 50-fold. Increased levels of Env content in virions correlated strictly with higher levels of Env expression on the cell surface. The increased Env content with the E767stop mutation also correlated with an increased infectivity, but the degree of change was not proportional: the 25- to 50-fold increase in Env content only increased infectivity 2- to 3-fold. All of the mutants replicated efficiently in the CEMx174 and Rh221-89 cell lines. Although some of these findings have been reported previously, our findings show that the effects of the cytoplasmic domain of gp41 on the Env content in virions can be dramatic, that the Env content in virions correlates strictly with the levels of cell surface expression, and that the Env content in virions can determine infectivity; furthermore, our results define a particular change with the most dramatic effects.
Transduction Profiles of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors Derived from Serotypes 2 and 5 in the Nigrostriatal System of Rats
Authors: Paterna Jean-Charles , Feldon Joram , Büeler Hansruedi 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT
We compared the transduction efficiencies and tropisms of titer-matched recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAV) derived from serotypes 2 and 5 (rAAV-2 and rAAV-5, respectively) within the rat nigrostriatal system. The two serotypes (expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein [EGFP]) were delivered by stereotaxic surgery into the same animals but different hemispheres of the striatum (STR), the substantia nigra (SN), or the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). While both serotypes transduced neurons effectively within the STR, rAAV-5 resulted in a much larger EGFP-expressing area than did rAAV-2. However, neurons transduced with rAAV-2 vectors expressed higher levels of EGFP. Consistent with this result, EGFP-positive projections emanating from transduced striatal neurons covered a larger area of the SN pars reticulata (SNr) after striatal delivery of rAAV-5, but EGFP levels in fibers of the SNr were higher after striatal injection of rAAV-2. We also compared the potentials of the two vectors for retrograde transduction and found that striatal delivery of rAAV-5 resulted in significantly more transduced dopaminergic cell bodies within the SN pars compacta and ventral tegmental area. Similarly, EGFP-transduced striatal neurons were detected only after nigral delivery of rAAV-5. Furthermore, we demonstrate that after striatal AAV-5 vector delivery, the transduction profiles were stable for as long as 9 months. Finally, although we did not target the hippocampus directly, efficient and widespread transduction of hippocampal neurons was observed after delivery of rAAV-5, but not rAAV-2, into the MFB.