bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Review of an Inactivated Vaccine against Hantaviruses
Authors: Cho Hae-Wol , Howard Colin R. , Lee Ho-Wang 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective: </i>Hantaviruses cause haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and result in severe morbidity and mortality in humans. Safe and effective vaccines are needed to reduce the incidence of human illness. In this study, the immune response to an inactivated hantavirus vaccine was measured in 64 human volunteers for Hantavax<sup>®</sup> and 10 human volunteers for a Hantaan-Puumala virus combination vaccine at high risk of infection by virtue of their residence and occupation. <i>Methods:</i> A serum sample was obtained from each volunteer before the initial vaccination (day 0), 30 days after each inoculation and 1 year after the initial dose. All sera were kept at –20° until tested. IgG-specific antibody titres were tested by ELISA and immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Neutralizing antibody titres were determined by a plaque reduction neutralizing test. <i>Results:</i> Thirty days after vaccination, 79 and 62% of the subjects had developed a significant hantavirus antibody titre as measured by IFA and ELISA, respectively. Seroconversion rates increased to 97% 1 month after the booster dose. Neutralizing antibody titres paralleled this trend, with 13% of vaccine recipients producing neutralizing antibody 1 month after the first dose and 75% of vaccine recipients responding 1 month after boosting. Antibody titres had declined by 1 year, however, with only 37 and 43% of sera found to be positive by IFA and ELISA, respectively. Re-vaccination at this time produced a vigorous anamnestic response, with 94 and 100% of vaccine recipients yielding positive antibody titres. Only 50% of the sampled population, however, produced neutralizing antibodies following the booster dose 1 year later. <i>Conclusions:</i> The vaccine was well tolerated and there were no apparent differences in the responses in human subjects. However, further improvement of this vaccine is necessary in order to induce a longer-lasting humoral immune response.
Pharmacology and Physiology of Ovine Corticosteroid Receptors
Authors: Richards Elaine M. , Hua Yi , Keller-Wood Maureen 
Published: April 2003

The aim of these studies was to characterize the ovine corticosteroid receptors (MR, mineralocorticoid receptors and GR, glucocorticoid receptors) in ovine hippocampus and brainstem. Adrenal-intact and adrenalectomized ewes were studied; adrenalectomized ewes were killed 47 ± 9 h after steroid withdrawal, when symptoms of hypotension and/or hyperkalemia became evident. RT-PCR, immunoblotting and pharmacologic studies indicated the presence of both MR and GR in hippocampus and brainstem. Competitive binding studies using <sup>3</sup>H-cortisol in brain tissue showed that the ovine MR binds cortisol, aldosterone and progesterone with equal affinity. Differences in receptor availability in intact and adrenalectomized ewes, along with determination of the binding affinity (K<sub>d</sub>) of MR and GR, suggested that MR occupancy is about 90%, whereas GR occupancy is about 30%, in normal animals. There was a significant increase in protein level of MR in brainstem, and the appearance of a higher molecular weight band for MR in hippocampus following steroid withdrawal, however no significant change in mRNA was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR for either MR or GR in hippocampus or brainstem following steroid withdrawal. These studies suggest that physiological ligands of MR in the sheep brain include progesterone and cortisol, and that, as in other species, affinity of MR for cortisol is greater than that of GR.
On Vowel Height and Consonantal Voicing Effects: Data from Italian
Authors: Esposito Anna 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThis paper reports an acoustic study of CV sequences in Italian (where C is /b, d, g, p, t, k/ and V is one of the seven Italian vowels in stressed position). It explores the effects of vowel height, consonantal voicing, and place of articulation on a number of acoustic attributes of vowels (duration, f₀, F<sub>1</sub>), and on the duration of the preceding stop closure, VOT and RVOT (defined as the interval from C release to the acoustic vowel onset). The aim is to provide, for Italian, a comprehensive account of all the various interactions between consonantal voicing, vowel height and consonant place on the above acoustic attributes in order to propose an explanation for such effects, and to compare the present results and interpretations with previous explanations and with previous data on Italian and other languages.
Correlation between Intrathecal Sulfatide and TNF-α Levels in Patients with Vascular Dementia
Authors: Tarkowski E. , Tullberg M. , Fredman P. , Wikkelsö C. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> Subcortical vascular dementia (SVD) is associated with white matter lesions and demyelination. The aim of the present study was to examine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of TNF-α, a proinflammatory cytokine mediating myelin damage, in SVD patients. The intrathecal TNF-α levels were related to the clinical symptoms of dementia, as well as to intrathecal levels of sulfatide, a marker of white matter degradation, and of neurofilament, a marker of neuronal degeneration. <i>Methods:</i> CSF levels of TNF-a, sulfatide and neurofilament were all analyzed by immunoenzymatic procedures in 17 patients with SVD and in 26 healthy controls. <i>Results:</i> The intrathecal concentration of TNF-α was significantly increased in SVD patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.0001). The intrathecal levels of TNF-α were significantly correlated (r = 0.6, p = 0.02) to the levels of sulfatide, but not to the levels of neurofilament, (r = 0.08, NS). <i>Conclusions:</i> We have demonstrated intrathecal production of TNF-α in SVD patients. The correlation between TNF-a and sulfatide levels in the CSF suggests that this apoptosis-inducing cytokine leads to the death of oligodendrocytes, thereby contributing to white matter degeneration, a hallmark of SVD.
Early Cord Clamping Protects At-Risk Neonates from Polycythemia
Authors: Capasso Letizia , Raimondi Francesco , Capasso Antonio , Crivaro Valeria , Capasso Rachele , Paludetto Roberto 
Published: April 2003

Neonatal polycythemia is a potentially lethal, multi-organ disease. We have performed a prospective, open-label study to test the hypothesis that an early cord clamping proximally to the neonate’s abdomen could avert from the neonatal circulation a blood volume critical to the occurrence of polycythemia in at-risk neonates. Newborns were divided into group 1 (clamping time within 10 s) and group 2 (clamping time 11–120 s). Group 1 had statistically significant more blood volume sequestered in the cord and less manifestations of polycythemia. <i>Conclusion:</i> An early cord clamping is an effective and zero-cost way to prevent polycythemia in at-risk neonates.
Polyphenol Pattern and Antioxidant Activity of Different Tomato Lines and Cultivars
Authors: Minoggio M. , Bramati L. , Simonetti P. , Gardana C. , Iemoli L. , Santangelo E. , Mauri P.L. , Spigno P. , Soressi G.P. , Pietta P.G. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> Besides antioxidant vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids and related phenolics. The biological activities of these polyphenols have become well known in recent years evidencing their beneficial effects on human health. In this context, the characterization of the flavonoids present in tomatoes is of great interest. Thus the polyphenol pattern (including flavonols, flavanones and cinnamate derivatives), lycopene and β-carotene concentrations and the total antioxidant activity (TAA) of the phenolic fraction from different tomato lines and cultivars have been determined. <i>Methods:</i> The characterization was obtained by means of spectrophotometry and HPLC analyses. <i>Results:</i> Mean values for single flavonoids were 0.68 ± 0.16 for naringenin, 0.74 ± 0.12 for rutin and 0.32 ± 0.06 for a rutin-pentoside. Mean total polyphenol content was 13.15 ± 1.15 mg/100 g and mean TAA value was 1.3 ± 0.10 mmol/g. The obtained TAA values resulted in good accordance with the total polyphenol content (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.7928). The main phenolic acids were chlorogenic (mean ± SE 0.20 ± 0.03) and caffeic acid (mean ± SE 0.03 ± 0.01). Mean levels of lycopene and β-carotene were 5.38 ± 0.90 and 1.18 ± 0.40 mg/100 g, respectively. <i>Conclusions:</i> Almost all the lines characterised by low carotenoid content produce high levels of polyphenols, and consequently have the most powerful antioxidant potential.
Complete reconstitution of human lymphocytes from cord blood CD34+ cells using the NOD/SCID/γcnull mice model
Authors: Hiramatsu Hidefumi , Nishikomori Ryuta , Heike Toshio , Ito Mamoru , Kobayashi Kimio , Katamura Kenji , Nakahata Tatsutoshi 
Published: April 2003

AbstractEstablishment of an assay capable of generating all classes of human lymphocytes from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) will provide new insight into the mechanism of human lymphopoiesis. We report ontogenic, functional, and histologic examination results of reconstituted human lymphocytes in NOD/SCID/ γcnull mice after the transplantation of human cord blood (CB) CD34+ cells. After transplantation, human B, natural killer (NK), and T cells were invariably identified in these mice, even though no human tissues were cotransplanted. Immature B cells resided mainly in bone marrow (BM), whereas mature B cells with surface immunoglobulins were preferentially found in spleen. NK cells were identified in BM and spleen. T cells were observed in various lymphoid organs, but serial examinations after transplantation confirmed human T lymphopoiesis occurring in the thymus. These human lymphocytes were also functionally competent. Human immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, and IgG were detected in the sera of these mice. T cells showed a diverse repertoire of T-cell–receptor Vβ (TCR Vβ) chains, proliferated in response to phytohemagglutinin, and were cytotoxic against cell lines. NK activity was demonstrated using the K562 cell line. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that human lymphocytes formed organized structures in spleen and thymus that were analogous to those seen in humans. In the thymus, CD4 and CD8 double-positive T cells were predominant and coexpressed CD1a and Ki-67, thereby supporting the notion that T lymphopoiesis was taking place. NOD/SCID/ γcnull mice provide a unique model to investigate human lymphopoiesis without the cotransplantation of human tissues.
Quality of Non–Breast Cancer Health Maintenance Among Elderly Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Earle Craig C. , Burstein Harold J. , Winer Eric P. , Weeks Jane C. 
Published: April 2003

Purpose: To assess the quality of preventive health care, the role of health care participation, and the patient and provider characteristics associated with high-quality care for breast cancer survivors. Methods: We analyzed the 1997 to 1998 Medicare data of elderly women who were diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer in 1991 or 1992 while living in a Survival, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) tumor registry area and who survived to the end of 1998 without evidence of cancer recurrence. Controls were matched for age, race, and geographic location. Results: The 5,965 breast cancer survivors received more preventive services (influenza vaccination, lipid testing, cervical and colon screening, and bone densitometry) than matched controls. Among both groups, those who were younger, non–African-American, of higher socioeconomic status, living in urban areas, and receiving care in a teaching center were most likely to receive high-quality health maintenance. Those survivors who continued to see oncology specialists were more likely to receive appropriate follow-up mammography for their cancer, but those who were monitored by primary care physicians were more likely to receive all other non–cancer-related preventive services. Those who saw both types of practitioners received more of both types of services. When the control group was restricted only to women actively undergoing mammographic screening before the study period, receipt of preventive services was similar. Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors receive high-quality preventive services, but disparities on the basis of nonmedical factors still exist. Cancer follow-up may provide regular contact with the health system, maximizing the likelihood of receiving appropriate general medical care.
Risk Factors for Relapse in Clinical Stage I Nonseminomatous Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Results of the German Testicular Cancer Study Group Trial
Authors: Albers Peter , Siener Roswitha , Kliesch Sabine , Weissbach Lothar , Krege Susanne , Sparwasser Christoph , Schulze Harald , Heidenreich Axel , de Riese Werner , Loy Volker , Bierhoff Erhard , Wittekind Christian , Fimmers Rolf , Hartmann Michael 
Published: April 2003

Purpose: To prospectively assess potential risk factors for relapse in clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis (CS I NSGCT). Patients and Methods: From September 1996 to May 2002, 200 patients with CS I NSGCT were prospectively assigned to retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), and risk factor assessment was performed within a multicenter protocol. One hundred sixty-five patients had an adequate minimum follow-up of 12 months (mean, 34.5 months) or had pathologic stage II. Results: Pathologic stage II disease was found in 27.9% of patients. Only 0.6% of patients relapsed in the retroperitoneum after confirmation of pathologic stage I disease. With reference pathology, vascular invasion (VI) was most predictive of stage in multifactorial analysis (accuracy, 65.1%). However, the positive predictive value (PPV) of VI to predict patients who have metastatic disease or relapse during follow-up was only 52.7%. With absent VI, low-risk patients had a negative predictive value (NPV) of 76.9%. With a combination of several risk factors, the PPV increased to 63.6% and the negative predictive value increased to 86.5%. Conclusion: Even with an optimal combination of prognostic factors and reference pathology, more than one third of patients predicted to have pathologic stage II or relapse during follow-up will not harbor metastatic disease and, therefore, would be overtreated with adjuvant therapy. However, patients at low risk may be predicted at an 86.5% level, and thus, surveillance in highly compliant patients would be a valuable option. For high-risk patients, further reduction of adjuvant treatment is necessary.
Allogeneic Stem-Cell Transplantation From Related and Unrelated Donors in Older Patients With Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Bertz Hartmut , Potthoff Karin , Finke Jürgen 
Published: April 2003

Purpose: To improve outcome for older patients with poor-prognosis myeloid malignancies by using allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (alloHSCT) from unrelated and sibling donors after reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC). Patients and Methods: Nineteen older patients (median age, 64 years; range, 60 to 70 years) with active myeloid malignancies were treated with an RIC regimen that was based on fludarabine, melphalan, and carmustine followed by alloHSCT from matched unrelated (n = 12) or sibling donors (n = 7). Before transplantation, patients had a median of 50% bone marrow blasts (range, 0% to 70%). Graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil or methotrexate. Eleven of 12 patients with an unrelated donor also received anti–T-lymphocyte globulin (ATG). Results: Engraftment was successful for all 19 patients. Seventeen assessable patients achieved complete response (CR). Four patients experienced relapse; three achieved CR again after donor lymphocyte infusion (n = 1) or a second alloHSCT (n = 2). Six patients died as a result of relapse (n = 2), GvHD-associated complications (n = 2), or fungal infections (n = 2), resulting in a 1-year nonrelapse mortality rate of 22%. With a median follow-up of 825 days (range, 595 to 1,028 days), 13 of 19 patients are alive, resulting in a 1-year survival rate of 68% (95% confidence interval, 48% to 89%). Conclusion: In older patients with untreated poor-prognosis leukemia, this RIC regimen combined with alloHSCT sufficiently reduces the leukemic burden, resulting in a high CR rate. When ATG is added, matched unrelated donor transplantation can be performed safely in older patients. For these patients, early transplantation after diagnosis offers a fair chance of cure.
Self-Assembly and Substituent Effect of Copper(I) Complexes with 1,2-Bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzene Ligands
Authors: Kawano Tomikazu , Kuwana Jun , Ueda Ikuo 
Published: April 2003

Abstract
The reaction of 1,2-bis(2-pyridylethynyl)benzenes (L1–L5) with copper(I) ions proceeded smoothly to afford mononuclear copper(I) chelate complexes CL1–CL3 or dinuclear copper(I) molecular rectangular boxes, CL4 and CL5, in excellent yields, depending on the size of the substituent. If a ligand with a small substituent was used, the self-assembly of a mononuclear copper(I) chelate complex was achieved. If a ligand with a bulky substituent was used, the self-assembly of dinuclear copper(I) molecular rectangular boxes was achieved. The equilibrium between these two copper(I) complexes was also observed in solution.
Prevention of Hip Fractures by External Hip Protectors
Authors: van Schoor Natasja M. , Smit Johannes H. , Twisk Jos W. R. , Bouter Lex M. , Lips Paul 
Published: April 2003

ContextSeveral randomized controlled trials have been performed to examine the effectiveness of external hip protectors in reducing the incidence of hip fractures, but the results are controversial.ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of hip protectors in reducing the incidence of hip fractures in an elderly high-risk population.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsRandomized controlled trial of elderly persons aged 70 years or older, who have low bone density, and are at high risk for falls. Participants lived in apartment houses for the elderly, homes for the elderly, and nursing homes in Amsterdam and surrounding areas in the Netherlands. They were enrolled in the study between March 1999 and March 2001; the mean follow-up was 69.6 weeks. Of the 830 persons who were screened, 561 persons were enrolled.InterventionExternal hip protector. Both groups received written information on bone health and risk factors for falls.Main Outcome MeasureTime to first hip fracture. Survival analysis was used to include all participants for the time they participated.ResultsIn the intervention group, 18 hip fractures occurred vs 20 in the control group. Four hip fractures in the intervention group occurred while an individual was wearing a hip protector. At least 4 hip fractures in the intervention group occurred late at night or early in the morning. Both in univariate analysis (log-rank P = .86) and in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-2.03), no statistically significant difference between the intervention group and control group was found with regard to time to first hip fracture. In addition, the per protocol analysis in compliant participants did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.25-2.38).ConclusionThe hip protector studied was not effective in preventing hip fractures.
Reproductive adaptations to a large‐brained fetus open a vulnerability to anovulation similar to polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Barnett Deborah K. , Abbott David H. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractDuring the ovarian or menstrual cycle, prior to ovulation, many female primates exhibit a relatively prolonged follicular phase and terminate the postovulatory luteal phase with menstrual bleeding. The prolonged follicular phase is a trait that distinguishes primate from nonprimate species. It enables extended estrogen‐induced proliferation and growth of the uterine endometrium prior to progesterone‐induced maturation during the luteal phase to accommodate a potential pregnancy with a rapidly invading placenta. Progressive development of both an extended duration of estrogen‐induced, preimplantation endometrial proliferation and a rapidly invading placenta across the Primate order may well have been necessary to accommodate differentiation and growth of an increasingly large fetal brain. Prolongation of the follicular phase in primates has also led to the isolation of the final stages of follicle selection (growth deviation of the dominant follicle from its contemporaries) solely within the follicular phase and thus outside the protection of luteal phase progesterone inhibition of pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion. Such primate reproductive characteristics put the latter stages of ovarian follicle selection at risk of exposure to excessive pituitary secretion of LH. Excessive secretion of LH during follicle selection could result not only in impaired follicle development, excessive ovarian androgen secretion, and ovulation failure, but also in excessive estrogenic stimulation of the uterine endometrium without intervening menstrual periods. Such reproductive abnormalities are all found in a single, prevalent infertility syndrome afflicting women in their reproductive years: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We propose that successful female reproductive adaptations to accommodate the growth demands of large‐brained primate fetuses have facilitated a particular vulnerability of higher primates to hypergonadotropic disruption of ovulatory function, as found in PCOS. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:296–319, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss.
Human physiological adaptation to pregnancy: Inter‐ and intraspecific perspectives
Authors: Rockwell L. Christie , Vargas Enrique , Moore Lorna G. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractReproductive success requires successful maternal physiological adaptation to pregnancy. An interspecific perspective reveals that the human species has modified features of our haplorhine heritage affecting the uteroplacental circulation. We speculate that such modifications — including early implantation and deep, widespread invasion of fetal (trophoblast cells) into and resultant remodeling of maternal uterine vessels — are responses to or compensation for the biomechanical constraints imposed by bipedalism which, in turn, render our species susceptible to the pregnancy complication of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is characterized by incomplete remodeling of maternal uterine vessels as the result of shallow trophoblast invasion, which in turn reduces uteroplacental blood flow and frequently leads to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Using an intraspecific perspective, we consider the fitness‐related consequences of variation in uteroplacental blood flow during high‐altitude pregnancy. Although birth weights are reduced at high altitudes in Bolivia, multigenerational Andean residents are relatively protected from altitude‐associated IUGR. Our preliminary data suggest that Andean women have greater uteroplacental oxygen delivery than European high‐altitude residents due to more complete growth and remodeling of maternal uterine vessels. Identification of the physiological and genetic mechanisms involved in such inter‐ and intraspecific variations in pregnancy physiology will likely be useful for understanding human evolution and contemporary challenges to successful reproduction. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:330–341, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.