bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Case report of vulvar liposarcoma
Authors: AshrafGanjooie Tahereh 
Published: March 2004

AbstractVulvar liposarcoma is very rare with only 11 cases reported since 1966. Primary vulvar sarcomas constitute 1–2% of all vulvar malignancies. Vulvar liposarcoma may be misdiagnosed as benign lesions because of its location and appearance. The case presented in this paper is a 65‐year‐old‐woman referred with a vulvar mass. The mass was clinically similar to lipoma. After total excision the pathologic report showed a well‐differentiated sclerosing liposarcoma. Since a favorable prognosis in vulvar liposarcoma is dependent on the early diagnosis, all clinicians who face patients with vulvar mass should have this diagnosis in their minds.
Huge localized vaginal neurofibromatosis: An unusual cause of postmenopausal bleeding
Authors: Sharma Jai Bhagwan , Wadhwa Leena , Malhotra Monika , Arora Raksha , Garg Anju , Singh Sompal 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA 55‐year‐old lady, menopausal for 8 years, presented with vaginal swelling for the preceding 6 months and with post menopausal bleeding (two bouts). Examination revealed a vaginal mass of 7 × 5 cm which was ultrasonically diagnosed as vaginal fibroid. The vaginal mass was excised and confirmed to be a vaginal neurofibroma on histopathology.
Huge seminoma developed in a patient with testicular feminization
Authors: Nojima Michio , Taguchi Takeshi , Ando Yusuke , Musha Yuka , Kobayashi Yuko , Ikeda Nobuyuki , Itoh Shigeru , Ishi Kazuhisa , Yoshida Koyo 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe report a 36‐year‐old patient who presented with primary amenorrhea and was found to have a giant abdominal tumor. There was a family history of primary amenorrhea in her two aunts. Physical and hormonal examinations as well as chromosomal analysis led to a diagnosis of testicular feminization. The patient underwent tumorectomy along with pelvic and para‐aortic lymphadectomy. The pathological diagnosis was bilateral seminoma of the testis with metastasis to para‐aortic lymph nodes. Nowadays, cases of undiagnosed seminoma developing into a huge abdominal mass in patients with testicular feminization are rarely encountered, since surgical castration is generally recommended as early as possible after puberty. In testicular feminization, the risk of malignant transformation of the dysgenetic male gonads increases substantially after puberty. Early and correct diagnosis together with careful follow‐up are critically important in managing testicular feminization, a rare congenital disorder.
Maternal listeriosis in pregnancy associated with measles virus infection
Authors: Naruse Katsuhiko , Yamasaki Mineo , Harada Naoya , Sakamoto Yoshiharu , Morikawa Hajime 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA case of maternal listeriosis associated with measles infection is described. Maternal listeriosis without fetal or neonatal involvement is relatively rare. This case was diagnosed early and treated appropriately, and the baby showed no symptoms or signs of feto‐maternal infection.
Association of bone mineral density with vitamin D and estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms during GnRH agonist treatment
Authors: Seko Masami , Takeuchi Hiroyuki , Kinoshita Katsuyuki , Tokita Akifumi 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAims:  This study examined whether or not a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) induced by the use of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) during sexual maturation is affected by vitamin D receptor and/or estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms, like the phenomenon observed during the postmenopausal period.Methods:  In 43 patients who received GnRHa therapy for 6 months to treat uterine myoma or endometriosis at our department and who were confirmed to have pituitary down‐regulation, we measured bone density before and after GnRHa treatment using DXA and analyzed the bone metabolism turnover using bone metabolic markers. Polymorphisms were analyzed by RFLP using FokI and TaqI for the vitamin D receptor gene and PvuII and XbaI for the estrogen receptor gene. The then determined gene polymorphism was analyzed in relation to the percentage decreases in BMD following GnRHa treatment.Results:  The patients were divided by f, t into two groups: (f, t) < 2 (Group V‐I) and (f, t) ≥ 2 (Group V‐II). They were also divided by P, x into two groups (P, x) < 3 (Group E‐I) and (P, x) ≥ 3 (Group E‐II). The BMD change was significantly higher in Group V‐II than in Group V‐I. Group E‐II tended to have a higher BMD change than Group E‐I, although this difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion:  Patients who often have f and t polymorphism are more likely to show BMD reduction following GnRHa therapy, like the phenomenon seen during the postmenopausal period, than patients with other gene polymorphisms. Measures to avoid BMD reduction are required when using GnRHa in such patients.
Efficient and non‐invasive method for investigating Helicobacter pylori in gravida with hyperemesis gravidarum: Helicobacter pylori stool antigen test
Authors: Cevrioglu Arif Serhan ,   Mustafa Altindis, Yilmazer Mehmet , Fenkci Ibrahim Veysel , Ellidokuz Ender , Kose Songul 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAim:  To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and severe hyperemesis gravidarum (H.Gravidarum) by using Helicobacter pylori Stool Antigen (HpSA) and other serologic test results.Methods:  Twenty‐seven pregnant women with H.Gravidarum and 97 asymptomatic pregnant women of matching gestational age without gastric problems were enrolled in a prospective study. Serum samples collected from cases were investigated in terms of specific antibodies for H. pylori (immunoglobulin‐IgG, IgA) and feces samples were investigated for HpSA. Statistical analysis of the data obtained from the groups was made by appropriate χ2 tests.Results:  Rate of HpSA positivity in patients with H.Gravidarum was 40.7%, while the same rate was 12.4% in the control group. The difference between the two groups was significant (P = 0.001). Rates of positivity for specific IgG formed against H. pylori in gravida with H.Gravidarum and in the asymptomatic gravida were 85.2% and 73.2%, respectively, and the rates for IgA were 48.1% and 41.2%, respectively. There was no difference between groups in terms of specific Igs formed against H. pylori (P > 0.05).Conclusion:  The HpSA scan showed a statistically significant relation between H. pylori infection and H.Gravidarum.  HpSA  test  gives  more  efficient,  reliable  and  realistic  results  than  specific  Igs formed against H. pylori in the identification of H. pylori positivity in gravida with H.Gravidarum.
Sex‐determining region Y levels in maternal plasma: Evaluation in abnormal pregnancy
Authors: Shimada Keiko , Murakami Kouichi , Shozu Makio , Segawa Tomoya , Sumitani Hiroshi , Inoue Masaki 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAim:  A number of studies for the measurement of cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal blood have been reported; however, their clinical significance has remained unclear. We proposed to clarify the relationship between fetal DNA levels and obstetrical disorders.Methods:  One hundred and eighty‐five cases of normal pregnancy, ranging from 8 to 40 weeks’ gestation, and 70 cases of abnormal pregnancy were included. SRY levels in maternal plasma were quantified with a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:  Sex‐determining region Y (SRY) levels and the number of patients with positive levels peaked at 33–36 weeks in normal pregnancy. The SRY levels in threatened abortion (11.6 ± 4.8 copies/mL to 0 ± 0, P < 0.05) and threatened preterm labor (44.6 ± 16.1 copies/mL to 15.9 ± 6.2, P < 0.01) were significantly higher than those of the normal group. In pre‐eclamptic patients, SRY levels were markedly higher than those of the normal group (173.2 ± 94.8 copies/mL to 22.4 ± 8.9, P < 0.05). Patients with premature separation of the placenta (266.8 ± 137.1 copies/mL to 4.9 ± 3.7, P < 0.05) and placenta previa (167.7 ± 32.4 copies/mL to 37.0 ± 17.3, p <0.01) also showed elevated SRY levels.Conclusion:  Sex‐determining region Y levels in maternal plasma were elevated in patients with an abnormal pregnancy, particularly those with placental injury of damage. These results suggested that increased SRY levels are consistently caused by the leak of fetal components, and thus the measurement of SRY levels in maternal plasma is useful for the evaluation of placental injuries.
The importance of multiaxial stress in creep deformation and rupture
Authors: GOODALL I. W. , SKELTON R. P. 
Published: March 2004

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the importance of multiaxial stress states by considering several distinct testing techniques used in assessing both creep deformation and creep damage accumulation. The requirements of testing programmes to determine the necessary data are discussed in respect of sensitivity and interdependence of the principal and hydrostatic stress ratios.
Background potassium channel block and TRPV1 activation contribute to proton depolarization of sensory neurons from humans with neuropathic pain
Authors: Baumann Thomas K. , Chaudhary Priya , Martenson Melissa E. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractProtons cause a sustained depolarization of human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons [Baumann et al. (1996) Pain, 65, 31–38]. In the present study we sought to determine which ion channels are expressed in human DRG neurons that could mediate the sustained responses observed in the patch‐clamp recordings. RT‐PCR of material from the DRG tissue revealed the presence of mRNAs for a nonselective cation channel that is activated by protons (TRPV1) and background potassium channels that are blocked by protons (TASK‐1, TASK‐3 and Kir2.3). Highly acidic solution (pH 5.4) applied to cultured DRG neurons evoked prolonged currents that were associated with a net increase in membrane conductance. Consistent with the involvement of TRPV1, these proton‐evoked currents were blocked by capsazepine and were only found in neurons that responded to capsaicin with an increase in membrane conductance. Less acidic extracellular solution (pH 6.0) evoked such currents only rarely, but was able to strongly enhance the currents evoked by capsaicin. Capsazepine (1 µm) blocked the currents evoked by capsaicin at pH 7.35, as well as the potentiated responses to capsaicin at pH 6.0. In neurons that were not excited by capsaicin, moderate extracellular acidification (pH 6.0) caused a sustained decrease in resting membrane conductance. The decrease in membrane conductance by protons was associated with inhibition of background potassium channels. This excitatory effect of protons was not blocked by capsazepine. We conclude that in most neurons the sustained depolarization in response to moderately acidic solutions is the result of blocked background potassium channels. In a subset of neurons, TRPV1 also contributes.
Decorin suppresses neurocan, brevican, phosphacan and NG2 expression and promotes axon growth across adult rat spinal cord injuries
Authors: Davies Jeannette E. , Tang Xiufeng , Denning Jeremy W. , Archibald Simon J. , Davies Stephen J. A. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe formation of misaligned scar tissue by a variety of cell types expressing multiple axon growth inhibitory proteoglycans presents a physical and molecular barrier to axon regeneration after adult spinal cord injuries. Decorin is a small, leucine‐rich proteoglycan that has previously been shown to reduce astrogliosis and basal lamina formation in acute cerebral cortex stab injuries. We have therefore tested whether mini pump infusion of hr‐decorin into acute stab injuries of the adult rat spinal cord can not only inhibit formation of an astroglial limitans but also deposition of the axon growth inhibitory proteoglycans neurocan, NG2, phosphacan and brevican. Combined immunohistochemical and quantitative Western blot analysis revealed major reductions in levels of core protein expression (>80% for 130‐kDa neurocan, 145/80‐kDa brevican, 300‐kDa phosphacan) and immunoreactivity for all four chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) within decorin‐treated injuries compared with untreated controls. Astrogliosis within lesion margins and the accumulation of OX42+ macrophages/microglia within lesion centres were also significantly reduced. These decorin‐induced changes in scar formation combined to promote the striking ability of axons from microtransplanted adult sensory neurons to enter, grow within and exit decorin‐infused spinal cord injuries, in sharp contrast to the complete failure of axons to cross untreated, CSPG‐rich lesions. Decorin pretreatment of meningial fibroblasts in vitro also resulted in a three‐fold increase in neurite outgrowth from co‐cultured adult sensory neurons and suppression of NG2 immunoreactivity. The ability of decorin to promote axon growth across acute spinal cord injuries via a coordinated suppression of inflammation, CSPG expression and astroglial scar formation make decorin treatment a promising component of future spinal cord regeneration strategies.
Monkey brain areas underlying remote‐controlled operation
Authors: Obayashi Shigeru , Suhara Tetsuya , Nagai Yuji , Okauchi Takashi , Maeda Jun , Iriki Atsushi 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe can control distant tools effectively by manipulating other objects as controllers in various remote‐operated ways, even when the two mechanics are altered. To master the remote operation, we may rely on internal representation to organize individual moves of the controller and tool into a set of sequences by mapping the motor space among hand, controller and tool as a continuum. The present study confirmed that monkeys could also organize a sequence by mapping such a motor space or reorganize by remapping even after alteration. In addition, to investigate the neural substrates underlying such mapping/remapping, we measured the regional cerebral blood flow of two monkeys during joystick‐controlled operation with alterable function of mechanics using positron emission tomography with . The monkeys were scanned during three different tasks produced by altering the directional gains of the x or y axis of the joystick — the two mechanics are congruent (standard task) and not congruent (reversed in the X or Y axis, X reverse or Y reverse task, respectively). Compared with random movement of the joystick as the control task, increased activities were detected in the prefrontal cortex, higher‐ordered motor cortex, posterior parietal cortex and cerebellum during the standard task. Common brain areas during performance of the X reverse and Y reverse task were identified as showing almost the same pattern as during the standard task. These shared areas may not simply be associated with organization of individual motor imagery, but also with context‐dependent processing of reorganization based on current functions by means of internal representation.
Generation of embryonic stem cells and transgenic mice expressing green fluorescence protein in midbrain dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Zhao Suling , Maxwell Sarah , Jimenez‐Beristain Antonio , Vives Joaquim , Kuehner Eva , Zhao Jiexin , O'Brien Carmel , De Felipe Carmen , Semina Elena , Li Meng 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe have generated embryonic stem (ES) cells and transgenic mice with green fluorescent protein (GFP) inserted into the Pitx3 locus via homologous recombination. In the central nervous system, Pitx3‐directed GFP was visualized in dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area. Live primary DA neurons can be isolated by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting from these transgenic mouse embryos. In culture, Pitx3–GFP is coexpressed in a proportion of ES‐derived DA neurons. Furthermore, ES cell‐derived Pitx3–GFP expressing DA neurons responded to neurotrophic factors and were sensitive to DA‐specific neurotoxin N‐4‐methyl‐1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine. We anticipate that the Pitx3–GFP ES cells could be used as a powerful model system for functional identification of molecules governing mDA neuron differentiation and for preclinical research including pharmaceutical drug screening and transplantation. The Pitx3 knock‐in mice, on the other hand, could be used for purifying primary neurons for molecular studies associated with the midbrain‐specific DA phenotype at a level not previously feasible. These mice would also provide a useful tool to study DA fate determination from embryo‐ or adult‐derived neural stem cells.
Optical survey of neural circuit formation in the embryonic chick vagal pathway
Authors: Sato Katsushige , Miyakawa Naohisa , Momose‐Sato Yoko 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe multiple‐site optical recording technique with a voltage‐sensitive dye, NK2761, was used to survey functional organization of neural circuits related to the vagus nerve in the embryonic chick brainstem. When we stimulated the vagus nerve, in addition to the responses in the vagal sensory nucleus (nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS)) and motor nucleus (dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMNV)) on the stimulated side, another response area was discriminated at the level of the pons/rostral medulla on the contralateral side. Characteristics of the contralateral optical signals suggested that they correspond to the neural activity in the second/higher‐ordered nucleus of the vagal pathway, possibly the parabrachial nucleus, which receives inputs from the NTS. Blockade of non‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors abolished the responses on the contralateral side, together with the postsynaptic firing in the NTS, suggesting the significance of non‐NMDA receptor function in sensory information transfer via the NTS. The responses on the contralateral side were first detected from the 7‐day‐old embryonic stage, when the glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic potentials were first expressed in the NTS. The results suggest that the synaptic pathway from the NTS to the contralateral nucleus is already generated when the primary vagal afferents make functional synapses on NTS neurons.
Effects of variability in anatomical reconstruction techniques on models of synaptic integration by dendrites: a comparison of three internet archives
Authors: Szilágyi Tibor , De Schutter Erik 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe first step in building a realistic computational neuron model is to produce a passive electrical skeleton on to which active conductances can be grafted. For this, anatomically accurate morphological reconstructions of the desired cell type are required. In this study compartmental models were used to compare from a functional perspective three on‐line archives of rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell morphologies. The topological organization of cells was found to be similar for all archives, but several morphometric differences were observed. The three‐dimensional size of the cells, the diameter and tortuosity of dendrites, and the electrotonic length of the main apical dendrite and of the branches in stratum lacunosum moleculare were dissimilar. The experimentally measured kinetics of somatically recorded inhibitory postsynaptic currents evoked in the stratum lacunosum moleculare (data from the literature) could be reproduced only using the archives that contained cells with an electrotonically short main apical dendrite. In the amplitude attenuation of the simulated postsynaptic currents and the voltage escape from the command potential under voltage clamp conditions, a two‐ to three‐fold difference was observed among archives. Upon activation of a single model synapse on distal branches, cells with low dendritic diameter showed a voltage escape larger than 15 mV. The diameter of the dendrites influenced greatly the results, emphasizing the importance of methods that allow an accurate measurement of this parameter. Our results indicate that there are functionally significant differences in the morphometric data available in different archives even if the cell type, brain region and species are the same.
Cortical mechanisms of smooth pursuit eye movements with target blanking. An fMRI study
Authors: Lencer Rebekka , Nagel Matthias , Sprenger Andreas , Zapf Silke , Erdmann Christian , Heide Wolfgang , Binkofski Ferdinand 
Published: March 2004

AbstractSmooth pursuit eye movements are evoked by retinal image motion of visible moving objects and can also be driven by the internal representation of a target due to extraretinal mechanisms (e.g. efference copy). To delineate the corresponding neuronal correlates, functional magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T was applied during smooth pursuit at 10 °/s with continuous target presentation and target blanking for 1 s to 16 right‐handed healthy males. Eye movements were assessed during scanning sessions by infra‐red reflection oculography. Smooth pursuit performance was optimal when the target was visible but decreased to a residual velocity of about 30% of the velocity observed during continuous target presentation. Random effects analysis of the imaging data yielded an activation pattern for smooth pursuit in the absence of a visual target (in contrast to continuous target presentation) which included a number of cortical areas in which extraretinal information is available such as the frontal eye field, the superior parietal lobe, the anterior and the posterior intraparietal sulcus and the premotor cortex, and also the supplementary and the presupplementary eye field, the supramarginal gyrus, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, cerebellar areas and the basal ganglia. We suggest that cortical mechanisms such as prediction, visuo‐spatial attention and transformation, multimodal visuomotor control and working memory are of special importance for maintaining smooth pursuit eye movements in the absence of a visible target.
Behavioural parameters in aged rats are related to LTP and gene expression of ChAT and NMDA‐NR2 subunits in the striatum
Authors: Schulz D. , Sergeeva O. A. , Ianovskii E. , Luhmann H. J. , Haas H. L. , Huston J. P. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractStriatal parameters were assessed for their relevance to age‐related behavioural decline. Forty aged rats (28–30 months) were tested in the water maze and open field. Of these, seven superior and seven inferior learners were compared with each other in terms of levels of in vitro short‐ and long‐term potentiation (STP and LTP), and gene expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) as well as of the NMDA‐NR2A‐C subunits assessed by quantitative RT‐PCR. Results revealed that the superior as compared with the inferior learners had higher levels of ChAT mRNA in the striatum. For the superior group, ChAT mRNA was correlated with escape on to the cued platform in the water maze, whereas level of LTP was predictive of place learning in the water maze and rearing activity in the open field. For the inferior group, expression of NR2A and NR2B was positively correlated with place learning and probe trial performance in the water maze. The results show that individual differences in various behaviours of aged rats were accounted for by variability in striatal parameters, i.e. LTP, ChAT and NMDA‐NR2 subunit mRNA. Notably, the correlations found were heterogeneous amid the groups, e.g. variability in place learning was explained by variability in levels of LTP in the superior learners, but in levels of NR2A‐B mRNA in the inferior group.