bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Which patients benefit from hemodialysis therapy in hepatorenal syndrome?
Authors: WITZKE OLIVER , BAUMANN MARKUS , PATSCHAN DANIEL , PATSCHAN SUSANN , MITCHELL ANNA , TREICHEL ULRICH , GERKEN GUIDO , PHILIPP THOMAS , KRIBBEN ANDREAS 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) occurs in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis and has a poor outcome. The aim of the present study was to investigate which patients with HRS are likely to benefit from hemodialysis.Methods:  Data were collected prospectively from 30 patients with Child‐Pugh C liver cirrhosis and HRS. Patients were either treated with continuous veno‐venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) if they were mechanically ventilated, or with intermittent hemodialysis (HD) if they were not mechanically ventilated. Prognosis was assessed by the Child‐Pugh and by the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. The primary aim of the study was the analysis of overall and 30‐day patient survival during hemodialysis therapy. To identify predictive factors of survival, variables obtained before the initiation of dialysis therapy were evaluated.Results:  Patients’ 30‐day survival was 8/30 (median survival time 21 days). Among patients treated with mechanical ventilation, 30‐day survival time was 0/15 while 8/15 patients without mechanical ventilation survived more than 30 days (P < 0.001). Using a multivariate model, the relative hazards for serum albumin, international normalized ratio (INR) and catecholamine therapy were not different from one another (P > 0.05), indicating that these parameters were not independent predictors of survival. Mechanical ventilation was an independent risk factor for 30‐day (relative hazard 6.6 [1.6–27.7], P < 0.001) and overall survival (relative hazard 6.3 [1.5–26.5], P = 0.01). Child‐Pugh (P < 0.01) and the MELD (P < 0.01) score were predictive for overall survival independent of mechanical ventilation.Conclusions:  Patients with HRS without mechanical ventilation may benefit from hemodialysis, whereas hemodialysis seems to be futile in patients with mechanical ventilation.
Natural course of inoperable esophageal cancer treated with metallic expandable stents: Quality of life and cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: XINOPOULOS DIMITRIOS , DIMITROULOPOULOS DIMITRIOS , MOSCHANDREA IOANNA , SKORDILIS PANAGIOTIS , BAZINIS ATHANASSIOS , KONTIS MARIOS , PARASKEVAS IOANNIS , KOUROUMALIS ELIAS , PARASKEVAS EMMANUEL 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic therapy with self‐expanding metallic endoprostheses in the management of malignant esophageal obstruction or stenosis and the cost‐effectiveness of the method in patients suffering from primary esophageal carcinoma. All patients with inoperable esophageal cancers treated with either laser palliation or endoprosthesis insertion were studied retrospectively.Method:  Between May 1997 and December 2002 obstruction of the esophagus was diagnosed in 78 patients (52 male, 26 female, age range 53–102 years, mean 72.3 years). The etiology of obstruction was squamous cell carcinoma (n = 42) and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (n = 36). The site of obstruction was in the upper (n = 1), in the middle (n = 38) and in the lower esophagus (n = 39). In 16 cases the gastroesophageal junction was also involved. Four patients had broncho‐esophageal fistulas. In all cases the tumor was considered non‐resectable. A total of 89 Ultraflex metal stents were introduced endoscopically. In 46 patients dilation with Savary dilators prior to stent placement was required.Results:  Stents were placed successfully in all patients. After 48 h, all patients were able to tolerate solid or semisolid food. During the follow‐up period eight patients developed dysphagia due to food impaction (treated successfully endoscopically). Eleven patients presented with recurrent dysphagia 4–16 weeks after stenting due to tumor overgrowth and were treated with placement of a second stent. The median survival time was 18 weeks. There was no survival difference between squamous cell and esophageal adenocarcinoma. A cost‐effective analysis was performed, comparing esophageal stenting with laser therapy. The mean survival and the cost were similar. A small difference of 2156 was noted (23.103 and 22.947 for each group of patients, respectively). A significant improvement in quality of life was noted in patients that underwent stenting (96% and 75%vs 71% and 57% for the first 2 months).Conclusion:  Placement of self‐expanding metal stents is a safe and cost effective treatment modality that improve the quality of life, as compared with other palliative techniques, for patients with inoperable malignant esophageal obstructions. In cases of expansion of the mass a second stent can be used; however, the overall survival of these patients, is poor.
Infrequency of colonization with Oxalobacter formigenes in inflammatory bowel disease: Possible role in renal stone formation
Authors: KUMAR RITU , GHOSHAL UDAY C , SINGH GUNJANA , MITTAL RAMA D 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Calcium oxalate renal stones (RS) and hyperoxaluria are common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The absence of intestinal oxalate degrading bacteria, Oxalobacter formigenes, may cause hyperoxaluria in IBD. The aim of the present study was to examine: (i) the colonization of O. formigenes in patients with IBD and controls and to correlate its presence with urinary oxalate excretion; and (ii) urinary analytes contributing to RS in IBD.Methods:  Stool samples were studied for O. formigenes using polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting in patients with IBD (n = 48: ulcerative colitis, 37; Crohn's disease, 11), RS (n = 87) and healthy subjects that were used as controls (n = 48). Levels of urinary oxalate, citrate, calcium, magnesium, creatinine and uric acid were estimated spectrophotometrically in each patient and in 13 controls for 24 h.Results:  Five of the 48 (10.4%) patients with IBD had RS. Five of the 48 (10.4%) patients with IBD, 25 of the 87 (29%) with RS and 27 of the 48 (56%) controls were colonized with O. formigenes (P < 0.001 for RS vs controls and P = 0.01 for RS vs IBD). Patients without O. formigenes had higher urinary oxalate than those with it (IBD, median 0.48 [range 0.11–2.09]vs 0.43 [range 0.16–1.10] mmol/24 h, P = NS; RS, median 0.59 mmol/24 h, range 0.14–1.90 vs 0.44 mmol/24 h, range 0.23–0.97; P = 0.008, Mann–Whitney U‐test). Median excretion of oxalate was higher in IBD and RS than in controls (0.47 [0.11–2.09], 0.56 [0.14–1.9] and 0.41 [0.21–0.62] mmol/24 h; P < 0.01), respectively. Median calcium was also higher in IBD and RS than in controls (6.50 [1.38–21.00], 6.78 [1.55–20.30] and 4.99 [1.47–9.60] mmol/24 h; P < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis H‐test), respectively. Median urinary magnesium was higher in IBD than in RS and controls (4.57 [1.50–12.30], 3.60 [0.90–6.35] and 2.49 [0.74–4.80]; P < 0.001, Kruskal–Wallis H‐test), respectively. Urinary citrate excretion was comparable in IBD, RS and controls.Conclusions:  Patients with IBD and RS rarely have O. formigenes in their stools as compared with controls; this may contribute to hyperoxaluria in IBD. Hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria may contribute to RS in patients with IBD. Hypermagnesuria in patients with IBD may protect them from RS.
What is the direct cost of treatment of acute primary angle closure glaucoma? The Singapore model
Authors: Wang Jenn‐Chyuan , Chew Paul TK 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim: To estimate the cost of management of acute primary angle closure glaucoma in Singapore.Methods: In this cost analysis using retrospective data, the authors performed a MEDLINE search of published papers on acute primary angle closure glaucoma (APACG) in Singapore. Using information from published data, clinical management pathways were constructed and clinical outcomes identified. For each management path, costs of medical treatment, hospitalization, clinic charges, investigations, laser treatment and surgery were identified and accounted over a 5‐year treatment period, using year 2002 rates.Results: Given that, in Singapore, APACG affects 12.2 per 100 000 per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.5–13.9) in those aged 30 and older, each annual cohort would need to pay US$261 741.78 (95%CI: US$225 310.90–298 265.10) or US$287 560.26 (95%CI: US$247 274.04–330 624.84), if inclusive of cataract surgery, over 5 years after the episode of APACG. In this period, individuals would have to commit between US$879.45 and US$2576.39, depending on the complexity of disease and accompanying cataract surgery.Conclusion: Acute primary angle closure glaucoma produces a substantial financial burden on society as well as on the individuals.
Preventive effect of lacrimal occlusion on topical timolol‐induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics
Authors: Hepsen Ibrahim F , Yıldırım Zeki , Yılmaz Harun , Kotuk Mahir 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim: To evaluate the potential preventive role of lacrimal occlusion on the topical timolol‐induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics.Methods: This was a prospective and single‐masked study. Fourteen volunteer subjects with asthma were included. Collagen plugs were inserted into both canaliculi on one side to inhibit lacrimal drainage. The effect of lacrimal occlusion on lung function tests was measured before and 60 min after the instillation of a timolol drop in unplugged and plugged eyes. The spirometric measurements include forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, and mid expiratory flow‐rate (FEF25‐75).Results: The timolol (0.5%) drop administration into the eye caused a significant decrease in pulmonary functions in patients with asthma in whom the lacrimal punctae had not been occluded by collagen plug. P values were 0.008 for FVC and 0.001 for FEV1 and FEF25‐75. The occlusion of the lacrimal duct by intracanalicular plugs significantly reduced this decrease in pulmonary function. P values were 0.6 for FVC, 0.8 for FEV1, and 0.5 for FEF25‐75. The lacrimal occlusion did not affect heart rate and blood pressures. Three subjects complained of epiphora.Conclusions: Lacrimal occlusion with intracanalicular collagen plugs may almost completely prevent the bronchoconstriction caused by topical timolol in asthmatics by inhibiting or decreasing systemic absorption of the medication.
Optimal discrimination of an Abyssinian cat recessive retinal degeneration: a short electroretinogram protocol is more efficient than a long one
Authors: Vaegan  , Narfström Kristina 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim: To determine the diagnostic efficiency of scores in a long protocol electroretinogram (ERG) for Abyssinian cat slow recessive rod/cone dystrophy.Methods: Kittens (n = 22) were bred from homozygous, affected and heterozygous normals. Ophthalmoscopy was regularly performed and disease signs noted. Cats (age ≥ 8 months, 40 sessions, 1–3 repeats) were dark‐adapted overnight, anaesthetized and simultaneous binocular ERG recorded using a long protocol. Conventional a‐ and b‐amplitudes and peak implicit times were measured and b/a ratios calculated, initially only for ERG to the maximum photopic and scotopic stimulus. Principal components factor analysis was applied to various subsets of these scores plus age at testing.Results: Six cats with ophthalmoscopic change were classed as affected. Three cats, one tested three times, were suspect. The rest were considered normal. The first analysis, of 80 eyes and 37 parameters, showed that the first factor was the only effective one. Using it, the groups overlapped 5%, scotopic amplitudes and b/a ratios loaded higher than peak times, the eyes were very similar, and age and photopic b/a ratios loaded poorly. The groups were discriminable with all the data. A second analysis, with eyes averaged and the 20 measures loading over 0.5 on the first factor, showed better group separation on factor 1 alone. An iterative search with varying data sets found that factor 1 was optimal, with eight ERG measures to the three brightest scotopic and one brightest photopic response. It produced a large absolute separation and classified the suspects consistently. With b/a ratios on these four ERG also included, 12 parameters gave better separation.Conclusion: Twelve scores on four ERG separate affected from normal cats with a wide gap and consistently classify suspects. It may work for earlier ages. Additional data probably adds noise. This combination of optimal scores needs confirmation in new data.
‘Ancient’ schwannoma of the orbit
Authors: Moloney Gregory , Brewer Janice , O'Donnell Brett A 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA 65‐year‐old woman presented with a 3 month history of right eye discomfort and protrusion. Examination revealed right proptosis with hypoglobus and diplopia in extremes of upgaze. Computed tomographic scanning revealed a large extraconal mass in the superotemporal orbit. The mass was excised through an extended superior skin crease incision. Histopathology revealed a benign tumour of Schwann cell origin showing advanced cystic degeneration, the so‐called ‘ancient schwannoma’. The authors could find only two previously reported cases of such tumours arising in the orbit.
Clinical Case Notes
Authors: Kert Gilda , Clement Colin I , O'Donnell Brett A 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA rare case of an orbital lymphoid tumour within an extraocular muscle is presented. The tumour displayed features of a progressive indolent systemic lymphoma. There was no response to a trial of chemotherapy and so local radiotherapy was instituted. At follow up 2 months later there was no evidence of disease.
Analysis of New Zealand's research productivity in ophthalmology and vision science: 1993–2002
Authors: Pon Jo‐Anne MC , Carroll Stuart C , McGhee Charles NJ 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim: To assess New Zealand's research productivity in the area of ophthalmology and vision science over the decade 1993–2002.Methods: New Zealand‐based researchers involved in ophthalmology or vision science research, including ophthalmologists, optometrists and vision scientists were identified via professional colleges, universities and electronic databases. Peer‐reviewed publications by these authors were identified by both searching electronic databases (MEDLINE/Pubmed) and personal communication with individual researchers.Results: Eighty‐five New Zealand‐based researchers involved in ophthalmology or vision science research published 446 articles in 84 scientific journals during the 10‐year period. The cohort consisted of 59 ophthalmologists and 26 other researchers based in a diverse range of ophthalmology, optometry and university departments. Significant collaboration was observed between groups within New Zealand and with international institutions. Comparing ophthalmologists and ‘other’ researchers, ophthalmologists produced 69% of all ophthalmology and vision science research publications and those classified as ‘active ophthalmologist researchers’ published an average of 11 (range 5–55) papers each during this decade, compared to eight (range 5–25) for the group ‘other active researchers’. This was also reflected in the high productivity rate by ophthalmologists of 277 publications per 1000. Publications were identified in a wide range of journals with the majority in top 20‐ranked ophthalmology journals. The trend over the decade highlighted an increase in number of scientific publications, from 43 per annum in 1993, to 68 per annum in 2002.Conclusions: Despite a relatively small and geographically isolated population, New Zealand ophthalmology and vision science research is highly active and collaborative, with significantly increased research productivity during the period 1993–2002. The present study is the first to document these trends and provides strong evidence to justify continued support for ophthalmology and vision science research in New Zealand.
Origin of acetylcholinesterase in the neuromuscular junction formed in the in vitro innervated human muscle
Authors: Jevsek Marko , Mars Tomaz , Mis Katarina , Grubic Zoran 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSynaptic basal lamina is interposed between the pre‐ and postsynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). This position permits deposition of basal lamina‐bound NMJ components of both neuronal and muscle fibre origin. One such molecule is acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The origin of NMJ AChE has been investigated previously as the answer would elucidate the relative contributions of muscle fibers and motor neurons to NMJ formation. However, in the experimental models used in prior investigations either the neuronal or muscular components of the NMJs were removed, or the NMJs were poorly differentiated. Therefore, the question of AChE origin in the intact and functional NMJ remains open. Here, we have approached this question using an in vitro model in which motor neurons, growing from embryonic rat spinal cord explants, form well differentiated NMJs with cultured human myotubes. By immunocytochemical staining with species‐specific anti‐AChE antibodies, we are able to differentiate between human (muscular) and rat (neuronal) AChE at the NMJ. We observed strong signal at the NMJ after staining with human AChE antibodies, which suggests a significant muscular AChE contribution. However, a weaker, but still clearly recognizable signal is observed after staining with rat AChE antibodies, suggesting a smaller fraction of AChE was derived from motor neurons. This is the first report demonstrating that both motor neuron and myotube contribute synaptic AChE under conditions where they interact with each other in the formation of an intact and functional NMJ.
Autoinhibition of transmitter release from PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons through a P2Y12 receptor‐mediated inhibition of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels
Authors: Lechner Stefan G. , Dorostkar Mario M. , Mayer Martina , Edelbauer Hannah , Pankevych Halyna , Boehm Stefan 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAlthough feedback inhibition of noradrenaline release by coreleased nucleotides is a well known phenomenon, it remained unclear which P2 receptor subtypes and associated signalling cascades may be involved. In the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12, 2‐methylthio‐ADP reduced noradrenaline release triggered by K+ depolarization more potently than ADP and ATP, whereas UDP or UTP failed to do so. The inhibition by ADP was abolished by pertussis toxin and antagonized by reactive blue 2, 2‐methylthio‐AMP, and AR‐C69931MX, but not by suramin. AR‐C69931MX acted as a competitive antagonist with an apparent affinity of 2 nm, but did not alter noradrenaline release, when PC12 cells were continuously superfused. However, when the superfusion was halted during K+ depolarization, release was significantly reduced and this inhibition was attenuated by AR‐C69931MX, thus revealing ongoing autoinhibition. Rises in cellular cyclic AMP did not alter depolarization‐evoked release nor its reduction by ADP, even though the nucleotide did inhibit cyclic AMP accumulation. ADP and the direct Ca2+ channel blocker Cd2+ inhibited voltage‐activated Ca2+ currents, but not ATP‐induced currents, and both agents reduced K+‐evoked, but not ATP‐evoked, release. Hence, if voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels do not contribute to stimulation‐evoked release, ADP fails to exert its inhibitory action. In primary cultures of rat sympathetic neurons, ADP also reduced Ca2+ currents and K+‐evoked noradrenaline release, and AR‐C69931MX acted again as competitive antagonist with an apparent affinity of 3 nm. These results show that P2Y12 receptors mediate an autoinhibition of transmitter release from PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons through an inhibition of voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 glycoprotein gp120 reduces the levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in vivo: potential implication for neuronal cell death
Authors: Nosheny Rachel L. , Bachis Alessia , Acquas Elio , Mocchetti Italo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractNeuronal loss has been observed in post mortem brains of patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1). Experimental evidence has implicated HIV‐1‐derived envelope glycoprotein 120 (gp120) in the neuronal cell death observed in these patients. However, the intrinsic mechanisms by which gp120 causes neurotoxicity are still unknown. We have recently shown that the neurotoxic effect of gp120 in vitro is reduced by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We therefore tested the hypothesis that low levels of BDNF render neurons more sensitive to gp120. Gp120 was injected acutely into the striatum of BDNF heterozygous mice and wild‐type littermates. BDNF heterozygous mice exhibited more apoptotic neurons in the striatum than wild‐type mice, suggesting that BDNF is neuroprotective also in vivo. Because several neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by lack of trophic support, we tested the hypothesis that gp120 may cause apoptosis by reducing BDNF expression. Gp120 was injected acutely in the rat striatum and BDNF levels determined by a two‐site immunoassay at various times after the injection. Gp120 elicited a dramatic decrease in BDNF protein levels by 24 h. Reduced BDNF levels were still present at 4 days. Cellular localization of BDNF immunoreactivity revealed that gp120 decreases BDNF immunoreactivity mainly in neuronal processes. This effect of gp120 precedes the peak of caspase‐3 activation and neuronal cell death. We propose that one of the mechanisms whereby gp120 causes neurotoxicity is a reduction of the neurotrophic factor environment crucial for cell survival.
Is there a role of visual cortex in spatial hearing?
Authors: Zimmer Ulrike , Lewald Jörg , Erb Michael , Grodd Wolfgang , Karnath Hans‐Otto 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe integration of auditory and visual spatial information is an important prerequisite for accurate orientation in the environment. However, while visual spatial information is based on retinal coordinates, the auditory system receives information on sound location in relation to the head. Thus, any deviation of the eyes from a central position results in a divergence between the retinal visual and the head‐centred auditory coordinates. It has been suggested that this divergence is compensated for by a neural coordinate transformation, using a signal of eye‐in‐head position. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated which cortical areas of the human brain participate in such auditory–visual coordinate transformations. Sounds were produced with different interaural level differences, leading to left, right or central intracranial percepts, while subjects directed their gaze to visual targets presented to the left, to the right or straight ahead. When gaze was to the left or right, we found the primary visual cortex (V1/V2) activated in both hemispheres. The occipital activation did not occur with sound lateralization per se, but was found exclusively in combination with eccentric eye positions. This result suggests a relation of neural processing in the visual cortex and the transformation of auditory spatial coordinates responsible for maintaining the perceptual alignment of audition and vision with changes in gaze direction.