julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonographic Findings Correspond to Clinical, Endoscopic, and Histologic Findings in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Other Enterocolitides
2002-04-01

Objectives To compare results obtained by abdominal ultrasonography with clinical findings, including endoscopic and histologic findings, to evaluate the location and activity of inflammatory bowel disease, including disease controls in children. Methods Ninety‐two ultrasonographic scans and 41 colonoscopic examinations with biopsies were performed in 78 patients (1 month to 17.8 years of age) with Crohn's disease (n = 26), ulcerative colitis (n = 21), inflammatory bowel disease of indeterminate type (n = 2), and disease controls (other intestinal disorders, including infectious and ischemic lesions; n = 29). Laboratory parameters for inflammatory bowel disease were determined, and disease activity was assessed by a combination of clinical and laboratory data. Bowel wall thickness and echo texture were recorded in a standardized way by ultrasonography and compared with endoscopic and histologic findings in a segment‐by‐segment comparison. Results Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detecting patients with severe macroscopic lesions depicted on endoscopy were 77% and 83%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detecting patients with severe histologic inflammation were 75% and 82%. There was a statistically significant correlation between maximal bowel wall thickness and disease activity score ( P &lt; .01). Conclusions Abdominal ultrasonography may be helpful in evaluating the location, severity, and inflammatory activity of inflammatory bowel disease in children and young adults.
LONG-TERM CHANGES IN THE CHROMOSOMAL INVERSION POLYMORPHISM OF DROSOPHILA SUBOBSCURA. I. MEDITERRANEAN POPULATIONS FROM SOUTHWESTERN EUROPE
2002-04-01

The chromosomal polymorphism of seven Mediterranean populations of Drosophila subobscura has been compared with that of the same populations collected 26 to 35 years ago. Significant latitudinal clines for the frequencies of A(ST), E(ST), O(ST). and U(ST) chromosomal arrangements have been detected in the old and new samples. Standard gene arrangements are frequent in the north and decrease in frequency towards the south. Significant negative regression coefficients between latitude and transformed frequency have also been observed for the more frequent nonstandard gene arrangements. The pattern of the clines is practically the same in the old and new collections. Furthermore, the frequencies of gene arrangements of all chromosomes have changed significantly during this period in a systematic way: an increase in the frequency of those arrangements typical of southern latitudes and a decrease for those more common in northern latitudes is observed in all populations. These changes could be due to climatic factors that are correlated with latitude, making the chromosomal composition of this species more "southern.''
Electrochemical separation and purification of yttrium-86
2002-04-01

Summary For quantitative determination of in vivo dosimetry of 90 Y-labeled radiotherapeuticals by means of PET, the positron emitting analogue yttrium-86 was produced at a low energy (“medical”) cyclotron via the known 86 Sr( p , n ) 86 Y reaction. Using 200 mg of 86 SrCO 3 (enrichment 95.6%) and protons of 15.1 MeV energy, average yields of 86 Y of 48 ± 8 MBq/μA h were produced. After dissolution of 86 SrCO 3 in 3 ml of 0.6 N HNO 3 , 86 Y was deposited in a simple and highly efficient electrochemical two-step procedure onto a platinum cathode at 450 mA (= 20 mA/cm 2 ). The isotope was finally removed from the electrode by 100–300 μl of 0.5–1.0 N HCl or 0.3–0.6 N HNO 3 resulting in an overall recovery of 88 ± 6% (corrected for decay). Up to 1 GBq of 86 Y with high radionuclidic and radiochemical purity were obtained after a 2.5 h irradiation and a radiochemical separation time of 2 h. An ICP/AES analysis of the separated fraction showed a very small amount of strontium (&lt; 0.1 ppm). The chemical purity of 86 Y, essential for efficient labeling, was successfully demonstrated by means of complex formation with DOTA and a DOTA-conjugated peptide, exhibiting labeling yields higher than 98%.
Melatonin in clinical oncology.
2002-04-01

The aim of this article is provide a survey of the current knowledge relating to the analysis of melatonin and its administration to cancer patients. On the basis of this compilation of data it can be discussed under which conditions melatonin may be used for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes in clinical oncology. Melatonin is depressed in patients with cancers of different origins during the phase of primary tumour growth whereas a normal or sometimes elevated pineal melatonin secretory activity is found during early stages of tumour development or when recidivations arise. The clinical studies of Lissoni show that melatonin, particularly if combined with interleukin-2, is able to favourably influence the course of advanced malignant disease leading to a prolonged survival as well as to an improved quality of life. These findings require to be verified by independent and controlled replication studies. If they can be confirmed it should be attempted to administer melatonin to patients with earlier stages of cancer parallel to standard oncological treatment regimens. In such trials it should be tested whether a substitutional therapy in patients with endogenously depressed melatonin may favourably affect the course of the disease both in quantitative (inhibitory effect on tumour growth and spread) and qualitative terms (improved performance status).
Neonatal Cerebral Infarction Diagnosed by Diffusion-Weighted MRI
2002-04-01

Background — Seizures in the neonatal period may be the single symptom of acute ischemic cerebral infarction. It may be difficult to establish the diagnosis in the acute phase by the use of ultrasound, CT, and conventional MRI because of the high water content of the immature brain. Diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI is a very sensitive and fast imaging modality to visualize acute ischemic stroke in infants even before conventional MR images become abnormal. Signal abnormality in DW MRI, however, seems to follow a different time course than in older patients. Case Description — DW MRI became falsely negative 1 week after stroke (pseudonormalization) in 2 newborn patients during persistence of signal abnormalities on turbo spin-echo images, whereas the so-called pseudonormalization in adults normally occurs within 10 to 14 days. Conclusions — T2-weighted sequences should supplement DW images to reliably detect subacute ischemic infarctions in the neonatal period.
A silica monolithic column prepared by the sol-gel process for enantiomeric separation by capillary electrochromatography
2002-04-01

A method for the preparation of a silica monolithic capillary electrochromatography (CEC) column for the separation of enantiomers has been developed. The porous silica monolith was fabricated inside a fused-silica capillary column by using the sol-gel process. After gelation for 24 h, hydrothermal treatment at 100 degrees C for 24 h was performed to prevent the sol-gel matrix from cracking. The prepared monolith was then coated with Chirasil-beta-Dex which represents a chiral polymer prepared by grafting permethyl-beta-cyclodextrin to polymethylsiloxane with an octamethylene spacer. Immobilization of Chirasil-beta-Dex was performed by heat treatment at 120 degrees C for 48 h to give a nonextractable coating. The column performance was evaluated by using racemic hexobarbital as a model compound. The efficiency of 9.2 x 10(4) theoretical plates/m for the first eluted enantiomer of hexobarbital was obtained at an optimal flow rate of the mobile phase. The effect of mobile phase composition on enantiomeric separation of hexobarbital was also investigated. The column proved to be stable for more than one hundreds of runs during a two-months period. The enantiomers of several neutral and negatively charged chiral compounds were baseline separated on this column.
Multiple Source Characteristics and Persuasion: Source Inconsistency as a Determinant of Message Scrutiny
2002-04-01

It is argued that previous persuasion research has been concerned predominantly with the role of single source characteristics (e.g., expertise) for attitude change and thus has failed to consider the role of multiple source characteristics. This was done in two experiments that tested the hypothesis that recipients would scrutinize a message more effortfully when the combination of two source characteristics is unexpected (source inconsistency) than when the combination is less surprising (source consistency). In Experiment 1, source likability, source expertise, and argument quality were manipulated. In Experiment 2, honesty instead of likability was manipulated. Results from both experiments provide evidence supporting the predicted effects of source (in)consistency on message scrutiny; that is, argument quality affected attitudes and favorability of message-related thoughts in the case of inconsistent source characteristics but not in the case of consistent source characteristics.
The need for routine adrenalectomy during surgical treatment for renal cell cancer: the Hannover experience
2002-04-01

Objectives To further clarify the need for routine adrenalectomy during the surgical treatment of renal cell cancer, as in the absence of clinically overt metastatic disease, tumorous lesions within the adrenal gland are found in only 2–10% of patients, with most being over‐treated by adrenalectomy. Patients and methods The medical records of 819 patients undergoing adrenalectomy combined with nephrectomy, irrespective of the local extension of the primary tumour or the clinical stage at first diagnosis, were reviewed to determine the reliability of currently available imaging methods in predicting adrenal gland metastases. Several patient and tumour characteristics were correlated with the presence of intra‐adrenal metastases, and their possible independent prognostic value was determined by a multivariate logistic regression model. Results There was metastatic spread into the adrenal gland in 27 of 819 (3.3%) patients. In only three of eight patients in whom the adrenal was identified as the only metastatic site were preoperative abdominal computed tomography scans interpreted as false‐negative. On multivariate statistical analysis only the presence of distant metastases, vascular invasion within the primary tumour and multifocal growth of renal cell cancer within the tumour‐bearing kidney were identified as independent predictors of the presence of intra‐adrenal metastases. Conclusions None of the patient or tumour characteristics evaluated reliably predicted the likelihood of adrenal metastases in patients with no evidence of disseminated metastatic spread. However, previously published data indicate that the frequency of metachronous metastases within the contralateral kidney (1.8–3.8%) is significantly higher than the risk of a preoperatively undetected isolated intra‐adrenal metastatic lesion when currently available imaging modalities are applied. Therefore, routine adrenalectomy should not be recommended if the preoperative radiological examinations are normal.
Carbon Isotope Fractionation during Aerobic Biodegradation of Trichloroethene by Burkholderia cepacia G4: a Tool To Map Degradation Mechanisms
2002-04-01

ABSTRACT The strain Burkholderia cepacia G4 aerobically mineralized trichloroethene (TCE) to CO 2 over a time period of ∼20 h. Three biodegradation experiments were conducted with different bacterial optical densities at 540 nm (OD 540 s) in order to test whether isotope fractionation was consistent. The resulting TCE degradation was 93, 83.8, and 57.2% (i.e., 7.0, 16.2, and 42.8% TCE remaining) at OD 540 s of 2.0, 1.1, and 0.6, respectively. ODs also correlated linearly with zero-order degradation rates (1.99, 1.11, and 0.64 μmol h −1 ). While initial nonequilibrium mass losses of TCE produced only minor carbon isotope shifts (expressed in per mille δ 13 C VPDB ), they were 57.2, 39.6, and 17.0‰ between the initial and final TCE levels for the three experiments, in decreasing order of their OD 540 s. Despite these strong isotope shifts, we found a largely uniform isotope fractionation. The latter is expressed with a Rayleigh enrichment factor, ε, and was −18.2 when all experiments were grouped to a common point of 42.8% TCE remaining. Although, decreases of ε to −20.7 were observed near complete degradation, our enrichment factors were significantly more negative than those reported for anaerobic dehalogenation of TCE. This indicates typical isotope fractionation for specific enzymatic mechanisms that can help to differentiate between degradation pathways.
Comparison of Staining Methods and a Nested PCR Assay to DetectHistoplasma capsulatumin Tissue Sections
2002-04-01

To optimize diagnosis of histoplasmosis in tissue sections, 30 spleen specimens from mice, experimentally infected with Histoplasma capsulatum, were examined by H&E, Grocott stain, anti-bacille Calmette-Guerin antibody immunostain, Fungiqual A fluorochrome stain (Drs Reinehr and Rembold, Kandern, Germany), and a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results were compared with the tissue burden determined by quantitative culture. By applying logistic regression, the nested PCR assay was the most sensitive method, but not significantly more sensitive than the Grocott stain. The 50% quantile to achieve a positive result was determined to be 3 colony-forming units per milligram of spleen tissue for the PCR assay, 11 for the Grocott stain, 27 for the fluorochrome stain, 190 for immunostaining, and 533 for the H&E stain. The Grocott and fluorochrome stains did not differ significantly in detecting fungal elements. The PCR assay unambiguously identified H. capsulatum in tissue sections.
Biological Motion Shown Backwards: The Apparent-Facing Effect
2002-04-01

We examined how showing a film backwards (reverse transformation) affects the visual perception of biological motion. Adults and 6-year-old children saw first a point-light quadruped moving normally as if on a treadmill, and then saw the same display in reverse transformation. For other groups the order of presentation was the opposite. Irrespective of the presentation mode (normal or reverse) and of the facing of the point-light figure (rightward or leftward), a pronounced apparent-facing effect was observed: the perceptual identification of a display was mainly determined by the apparent direction of locomotion. The findings suggest that in interpreting impoverished point-light biological-motion stimuli the visual system may neglect distortions caused by showing a film backwards. This property appears to be robust across perceptual development. Possible explanations of the apparent-facing effect are discussed.
Trigeminal reflex regulation of the glottis depends on central glycinergic inhibition in the rat
2002-04-01

In an unanesthetized decerebrate in situ arterially perfused brain stem preparation of mature rat, strychnine (0.05-0.2 μM) blockade of glycine receptors caused postinspiratory glottal constriction to occur earlier, shifting from early expiration to inspiration. This resulted in a paradoxical inspiratory-related narrowing of the upper airway. Stimulation of the trigeminal ethmoidal nerve (EN5; 20 Hz, 100 μs, 0.5–2 V) evoked a diving response, which included a reflex apnea, glottal constriction, and bradycardia. After strychnine administration, this pattern was converted to a maintained phrenic nerve discharge and a reduced glottal constriction that was interrupted intermittently by transient abductions. The onset of firing of postinspiratory neurons shifted from early expiration into neural inspiration in the presence of strychnine, but neurons maintained their tonic activation during EN5 stimulation, as observed during control. Inspiratory neurons that were hyperpolarized by EN5 stimulation in control conditions were powerfully excited after loss of glycinergic inhibition. Thus the integrity of glycinergic inhibition within the pontomedullary respiratory network is critical for the coordination of cranial and spinal motor outflows during eupnea but also for protective reflex regulation of the upper airway.
RESERVOIR ARCHITECTURE IN A TERMINAL ALLUVIAL PLAIN: AN OUTCROP ANALOGUE STUDY (UPPER TRIASSIC, SOUTHERN GERMANY) PART II: CYCLICITY, CONTROLS AND MODELS
2002-04-01

This outcrop analogue study investigates Triassic fluvial sandstones of the Stubensandstein Formation which were deposited on a terminal alluvial plain under semi‐arid to sub‐humid climatic conditions in the land‐locked South German Keuper Basin. The Stubensandstein may serve as an analogue for reservoir units in comparable continental basins. Data came from studies of 13 large sandpits, together with a subsurface database supported by three well‐log clusters (comprising up to 20 boreholes) and four single wells. Lithofacies types vary along a palaeogeographical gradient from proximal erosion and non‐deposition to fluvial bed‐load, to distal suspended‐load deposits and finally to playas with lacustrine carbonates. Within a three‐fold hierarchy of cyclicity, meso‐ and macro‐scale cycles could be correlated regionally using an approach based on stratigraphic base‐level changes. The observed sedimentary patterns, together with palaeosol types, their stable isotope signals and palynological data, indicate that palaeoclimatic fluctuations exerted the principal control on stratigraphic architecture and cyclicity. Progradation of sand wedges into the basin occurred while climate was arid but becoming more humid. As playa lake levels rose, the alluvial sands retrograded. Shorter and longer‐term palaeoclimatic fluctuations caused systematic changes in reservoir and seal geometries, and in the extent and interconnectedness of sandbodies. Thus, a knowledge of the overall palaeoclimatic trends in comparable continental basins may allow predictions to be made concerning the regional reservoir architecture. Outcrop data were used to generate static reservoir models of sandbody architecture in subsurface well log data sets. A stochastic facies and poro‐perm simulation was run and calibrated with outcrop data. Different stratigraphic levels could be reproduced, as could the scouring and interbedding of the different fluvial systems.
Selective decontamination of the digestive tract
2002-04-01

Ventilator-associated pneumonia usually originates from the patient's oropharyngeal microflora. In selective digestive decontamination, topical antibiotics are applied to the oropharynx and stomach for prevention of pneumonia and other infections, possibly reducing infection-related mortality. Selective digestive decontamination is also used for the prevention of gut-derived infections in acute necrotizing pancreatitis and liver transplantation. Despite numerous clinical trials, selective digestive decontamination remains controversial. Reduction of the incidence of pneumonia is accepted, but the extent of reduction is debated. Mortality was not reduced in most individual trials, but this finding was calculated in meta-analyses, especially for combined use of topical and systemic antibiotics in surgical ICU patients. Some investigators reported increased resistance and a shift to Gram-positive pathogens. Today, it appears that selective means not only selective suppression of pathogenic bacteria but also selection of appropriate groups of patients for underlying diseases and severity of illness, and selection of ICUs, where the endemic resistance patterns might allow the use of selective digestive decontamination at a relatively low risk for increased selection pressure.
TNFα−308A associated with shorter intervals of Plasmodium falciparum reinfections
2002-04-01

Abstract: A mutation at position −308 of the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF−308A) gene promoter has previously been associated with particular manifestations of infectious and non‐infectious diseases. In a longitudinal study on malariological parameters in Gabon, TNF promoter variants of 98 children initially presenting with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, followed by a total of 504 reinfection events within 52 months, and 100 children initially presenting with mild malaria followed by a total of 342 reinfections were analyzed. Symptomatic P. falciparum reinfections occurred more quickly (median 11 weeks) in carriers of the TNF −308A allele, with severe malaria at enrollment, compared to carriers of other TNF promoter variants (median 16 weeks). The results show that this particular TNF promoter allele increases the risk of reinfection with the malaria parasite P. falciparum .
Reduction of proteinuria; combined effects of receptor blockade and low dose angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition
2002-04-01

Candesartan promotes a complementary antiproteinuric and a small antihypertensive effect after a treatment period of 8 weeks in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis when given in conjunction with an ACEI. Renal hemodynamics did not vary significantly.
Molecular Modeling of Eluted Peptides from DQ6 Molecules (DQB1*0602 and DQB1*0604) Negatively and Positively Associated with Type 1 Diabetes
2002-04-01

A bstract : Insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is positively associated with HLA‐DQ8, DQ2, and DQ6 (B*0604) and negatively with DQ6 (B*0602). The mechanisms by which the DQ molecules control the development of IDDM is not known. DQ6 (B*0602) and DQ6 (B*0604) molecules share the same DQα chain but differ in the β chain by six residues at positions 9, 30, 57, 70, 86, and 87. The aim of the study was to sequence the peptides eluted from both DQ6 molecules and to determine the binding motifs and construct peptides for docking them into the DQ6 peptide binding groove by molecular modeling. EBV transformed B cell line homozygous for DQ6 and hybridoma cell line secreting DQ6 specific antibody were grown in large‐scale culture. The DQ6 molecules were precipitated with solid‐phase bound antibodies specific for DQ6. The dissociation of peptides from MHC was done with ultrafiltration and separation of peptides by reversed‐phase HPLC, using Edman degradation. A special application of Edman degradation is pool sequencing. This approach allowed us to determine common characteristics of all peptides associated with a given MHC molecule. The precipitation of DQ6 molecules and the peptide elution were done successfully. The sequencing of the peptides from DQ6 (B*0602) identified three fractions: (1) IINEPTAAAIAYGLD (Bovine HSP70), (2) IINEPTAAAIAGLDR (Human HSP70), and (3) NPRDAKACVVHGSDLK (Na + /K + ATPase). Peptide eluted from DQ6 (B*0604) had a sequence ADLFRGTLDPVEK with sequence homology to HSP70 (residues 307‐319). We were able to predict the motifs for DQ6 from the ligands eluted. We used molecular modeling as a tool to identify plausible binding motifs for peptides. Our studies show that peptide ADLFRGTLDPVEK and NPRDAKACVVHGSDLK fit well in the respective DQ6 binding grooves. These predicted motifs should then be useful for screening of autoantigens associated with diabetes and identifying the epitopes that are likely to interact with T cells.
[Maturation, separation and social integration. Some developmental psychology aspects of childhood sports].
2002-04-01

The unfolding of motorical and social experiences with one's own body is a core element of ego-development and identity in childhood and adolescence. This paper describes essential elements of this process in different age stages. Especially in adolescence, the maturational and separational development are determined by the complex interaction between integration into the peer group and separation from adults, between search for appreciation and oppositional tendencies. On the one hand sport plays an important role for many adolescents during this process. On the other hand adolescent conflicts have a great impact on practising sport. These considerations are illustrated by two case vignettes.