bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic advances will herald new insights into the Brassica: Leptosphaeria maculans pathosystem
Authors: Hayward A. , McLanders J. , Campbell E. , Edwards D. , Batley J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe study of the relationship between plants and phytopathogenic fungi is one of the most rapidly moving fields in the plant sciences, the findings of which have contributed to the development of new strategies and technologies to protect crops. Plants employ sophisticated mechanisms to perceive and appropriately defend themselves against pathogens. A good example of plant and pathogen evolution is the gene‐for‐gene interaction between the fungal pathogen Leptosphaeria maculans, the causal agent of blackleg disease, and Brassica crops. This interaction has been studied at the genetic and physiological level due to its agro‐economic importance. The newly available genome sequence for Brassica spp. and L. maculans will provide the resources to study the co‐evolution of this plant and pathogen. Particularly, an understanding of the co‐evolution of genes responsible for virulence and resistance will lead to improved plant protection strategies for Brassica canola and provide a model to understand plant–pathogen interactions in other major crops. This review summarises the research‐to‐date in the study of the Brassica–L. maculans gene‐for‐gene interaction, with a focus on the genetics of resistance in Brassica and the wealth of information to be gained from genome sequencing efforts.
Synergistic effects of geographical strain, temperature and larval food on insecticide tolerance in Callosobruchus maculatus (F.)
Authors: Gbaye O. A. , Millard J. C. , Holloway G. J. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis study investigated the multifactorial interaction of various environmental factors including geographical strain (Brazil, Cameroon and Yemen strains), temperature, dose and larval food (cowpea and mungbean) on the response of Callosobruchus maculatus adult to insecticide. All the main factors, their two‐way interactions and the four‐way interaction had significant effects on C. maculatus response to malathion (an organophosphate insecticide). However, the three‐way interactions were not statistically significant (except strain × food × dose, P = 0.002). The Brazil strain was the most responsive to temperature irrespective of the larval food type. The impact of food type differs from one strain to the other; for instance, the food that imparts higher tolerance in a strain might reduce the tolerance in another. Likewise, the hierarchy of tolerance among the cowpea‐reared strains (Brazil > Cameroon > Yemen) was totally different from that of the mungbean‐reared strains (Cameroon > Yemen > Brazil). The reasons for these differences were discussed in the light of their impact on C. maculatus management. Both the management of C. maculatus and development of resistance could be complex; hence, the states of a variety of environmental factors need to be considered. This is necessary to maximize management success of this bruchid, especially in tropical/subtropical developing countries.
The Comparison of Treating Holstein Dairy Cows with Progesterone, CIDR and GnRH After Insemination on Serum Progesterone and Pregnancy Rates
Authors: Mehni SB , Shabankareh HK , Kazemi‐Bonchenari M , Eghbali M 
Published: May 2011

ContentsThis experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different exogenous progesterone sources administrated after artificial insemination (AI) on serum progesterone (P4) concentration and pregnancy rates in Holstein lactating cows. Sixty‐four lactating Holstein dairy cows were allocated to four different treatments (n = 16 per treatment): the cows 1) were injected with physiological saline on days 5 and 13 after AI (control group); 2) were injected with progesterone on days 5 and 13 after AI (P group); 3) received controlled internal drug releasing device (CIDR) for a period from day 5 to 19 after AI (CIDR group); and 4) were injected with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on days 5 and 13 after AI (GnRH group). Blood samples were collected on days 0 (AI day), 5, 13, 16 and 19 after AI to determine serum P4 concentration. The results revealed a significant difference among treatment groups for serum P4 concentration on days 13, 16 and 19 with the lowest concentration of serum P4 for the control group. The pregnancy rate was also positively affected by all the treatments with CIDR having the greatest effect on pregnancy rate. Overall, the results indicated that CIDR has the greatest effect on serum P4 concentration and pregnancy rate, although the administration of P and GnRH during days after AI increased serum P4 concentration in lactating dairy cows as well.
Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in a cohort infected with hepatitis B or C
Authors: Walter Scott R , Thein Hla‐Hla , Gidding Heather F , Amin Janaki , Law Matthew G , George Jacob , Dore Gregory J 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has increased in Australia in recent decades, a large and growing proportion of which occurs among a population chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, risk factors for HCC among these high‐risk groups require further characterization.Methods:  We conducted a population‐based cohort study using HBV and HCV cases notified to the New South Wales Health Department between 2000 and 2007. These were linked to cause of death data, HIV/AIDS notifications, and hospital records. Proportional hazards regression was used to identify significant risk factors for developing HCC.Results:  A total of 242 and 339 HCC cases were linked to HBV (n = 43 892) and HCV (n = 83 817) notifications, respectively. For both HBV and HCV groups, being male and increasing age were significantly associated with risk of HCC. Increasing comorbidity score indicated high risk, while living outside urban areas was associated with lower risk. Hazard ratios for males were two to three times those of females. For both HBV and HCV groups, cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, and the interaction between the two were associated with significantly and considerably elevated risk.Conclusion:  This large population‐based study confirms known risk factors for HCC. The association with older age highlights the potential impact of HBV and HCV screening of at‐risk groups and early clinical assessment. Additional research is required to evaluate the impact of improving antiviral therapy on HCC risk.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration of lesions near the aortoiliac bifurcation via an upper gastrointestinal approach
Authors: Doi Shinpei , Yasuda Ichiro , Nakashima Masanori , Kawaguchi Junji , Yamauchi Takahiro , Iwashita Takuji , Toda Katsuhisa , Adachi Seiji , Shimizu Masahito , Tsurumi Hisashi , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is widely used to investigate posterior mediastinal and upper abdominal lesions. Previously, we noticed that the aortoiliac bifurcation can be visualized by transduodenal EUS scanning, and the surrounding area might be a potential target for EUS‐guided FNA. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using EUS‐guided FNA to study lesions near the aortoiliac bifurcation via the upper gastrointestinal approach.Methods:  This study was a prospective pilot study of consecutive patients with a lesion of unknown origin near the aortoiliac bifurcation.Results:  EUS‐guided FNA was used in six patients. The aortoiliac bifurcation was visible from the inferior duodenal angle in all patients; however, the lesions could be visualized in only five patients (3 via the transduodenal approach, and 2 via the transgastric approach). In one patient with a lesion on the left side, the lesion could not be visualized by either the transgastric or transduodenal approach. In the other five patients, EUS‐guided FNA was successful, and FNA specimens were adequate for histopathological assessment. The diagnoses were lymphoma (n = 3), plasmacytoma (n = 1), and neurinoma (n = 1). All lymphoma cases were subclassified as diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (n = 2) or grade 2 follicular lymphoma (n = 1). No complications were observed.Conclusions:  The aortoiliac bifurcation was visible in all patients by transduodenal EUS scanning. FNA of the legions near the aortoiliac bifurcation was possible in five of six patients by using either the transgastric or transduodenal approach.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography using Sonazoid to evaluate changes in hepatic hemodynamics in acute liver injury
Authors: Miyazaki Masayuki , Kato Masaki , Tanaka Masatake , Tanaka Kosuke , Takao Shinichiro , Kohjima Motoyuki , Ito Tetsuhide , Enjoji Munechika , Nakamuta Makoto , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Takayanagi Ryoichi 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Disturbances in hepatic microcirculation are believed to be involved in the mechanisms regulating the progression of acute liver injury (ALI). Evaluation of hepatic hemodynamics in patients with acute liver injury might be helpful in understanding the extent of the intrahepatic microcirculatory disturbances. Therefore, we investigated whether contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is useful to evaluate the changes in hepatic hemodynamics in patients with ALI.Methods:  CEUS was performed in 21 patients with ALI and coagulopathy. Participants were injected with 0.0075 mL Sonazoid/kg body weight, and time‐intensity curves were simultaneously recorded for the hepatic and portal veins. The data were compared with those of 10 healthy volunteers.Results:  The arrival time of Sonazoid in the hepatic vein was similar to that in the portal vein in the patients, whereas the arrival time in the hepatic vein was delayed relative to that in the portal vain in the controls (interval between the hepatic and portal vein arrival times, control vs patients 6.74 ± 3.07 s vs 1.13 ± 1.07 s, P < 0.001). Repeated examination revealed that the interval between the hepatic and portal vein arrival times was extended by improvements in hepatic function. The early arrival of Sonazoid in the hepatic vein in the patients is likely to reflect the formation of intrahepatic shunts as a result of hepatic microcirculatory disturbances.Conclusion:  CEUS using Sonazoid is a useful method to estimate the changes in hepatic hemodynamics in patients with ALI.
Use and disclosure of genetic information without consent: a decision‐making tool for health practitioners – who, when, why and how?
Authors:   National Health and Medical Research Council
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground:  As a result of legislative changes to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Australian health practitioners in the private sector are now permitted to use or disclose patients' genetic information, without their consent, in circumstances where the health practitioner reasonably believes that doing so is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of a genetic relative.Aim:  This article aims to increase the reader's awareness of Guidelines developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council which are intended to assist health practitioners in making decisions about the use or disclosure of genetic information in certain circumstances.Discussion:  The Guidelines establish when, by whom and in what manner, use or disclosure of genetic information may take place. The Guidelines outline the factors that health practitioners should consider when determining whether use or disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to an individual's life, health or safety.
Distal urethroplasty for isolated fossa navicularis and meatal strictures
Authors: Meeks Joshua J. , Barbagli Guido , Mehdiratta Nitin , Granieri Michael A. , Gonzalez Chris M. 
Published: May 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?Strictures of the distal urethra/fossa navicularis are often difficult to manage and objective and patient reported outcomes have not been described.”Meatotomy is highly successful in terms of both stricture recurrence and patient satisfaction. Meatoplasty, while often reserved for more complicated and long strictures, has a high rate of success. Men with lichen sclerosus have a higher rate of stricture recurrence with meatal repairs.OBJECTIVE• Urethral strictures located in the fossa navicularis are common and are often managed with meatotomy or meatoplasty.• Few data have described the outcomes for men after urethroplasty or patient satisfaction following these procedures.METHODS• In all, 93 men at two different institutions underwent surgical repair of distal urethral stricture disease using meatotomy (73) or meatoplasty (20), with 13/20 (65%) of the latter group undergoing substitution urethroplasty.• In patients with lichen sclerosus (LS), all involved tissue was excised prior to reconstruction.• In a subset of men undergoing meatotomy, patient satisfaction was evaluated by questionnaire.RESULTS• Average clinical follow‐up for men undergoing distal urethroplasty was 61 months.• Successful reconstruction requiring no further intervention occurred in 84% of men overall. Subgroup analysis revealed success in 87% of men with meatotomy, 75% with meatoplasty and 66% with substitution urethroplasty.• Men with LS had a significantly greater rate of stricture recurrence (20.5% vs 7.5%, P= 0.04).• Of the subset of men who completed a patient‐based questionnaire 84% reported they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the results of their meatotomy.CONCLUSIONS• We report the success of distal urethral stricture management.• Meatal strictures may be approached successfully in a stepwise manner progressing from meatotomy to meatoplasty for longer recurrent strictures, with a high overall success rate for meatotomy.• Although substitution grafts may be useful for men with longer distal strictures and those with LS, the risk of recurrence was significantly higher in this cohort.
Trends in adverse events of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the USA, 1998 to 2008
Authors: Stroup Sean P. , Palazzi‐Churas Kerrin , Kopp Ryan P. , Parsons J. Kellogg 
Published: May 2011

Study Type – Harm (Cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?In clinical trials, oral medications for BPH have been effective at managing LUTS and preventing progression to urinary retention, urinary infections, and renal insufficiency. Population‐level trends of these adverse outcomes are poorly characterized. We identified a 400% increase in hospitalizations for BPH with acute renal failure, indicating that severe adverse events of BPH persist despite widespread use of oral therapies in the USA.OBJECTIVE• To determine if the adverse events (AEs) of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have declined in tandem with increased use of oral therapy.MATERIALS AND METHODS• We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% sample of USA community hospitals, weighted to estimate national numbers to characterize the prevalence of AEs of BPH from 1998 to 2008.• We calculated the age‐adjusted prevalence of BPH and associated conditions and analyzed prevalence trends with regression modelling.RESULTS• Of 134 million estimated eligible discharges during the study period, 7 464 730 (5.6%) had either a primary or secondary diagnosis of BPH.• The age‐adjusted prevalence of BPH among all hospitalizations, irrespective of primary diagnosis, increased from 4.3% to 8% (P < 0.001) during the study period.• The age‐adjusted prevalence of BPH as a primary diagnosis decreased from 0.88% to 0.48% (P < 0.001).• Discharges for BPH surgery decreased 51% (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45–0.54, P‐trend <0.001) over time. Discharges for primary BPH with acute renal failure increased >400% (OR 4.28, 95% CI 3.22–5.71, P‐trend <0.001).• There were no significant changes in discharges for primary BPH with urinary retention (P‐trend = 0.636), bladder stones (P‐trend = 0.117), or urinary infection (P‐trend = 0.101) over time.CONCLUSIONS• Increased hospitalizations for BPH with acute renal failure and stable hospitalizations for other AEs of BPH indicate that severe AEs of BPH persist despite widespread use of oral therapies in the USA.• Further studies are needed to explain these trends.
Bayesian Gene Set Analysis for Identifying Significant Biological Pathways
Authors: Shahbaba Babak , Tibshirani Robert , Shachaf Catherine M. , Plevritis Sylvia K. 
Published: May 2011

SummaryWe propose a hierarchical Bayesian model for analysing gene expression data to identify pathways differentiating between two biological states (e.g. cancer versus non-cancer). Finding significant pathways can improve our understanding of normal and pathological processes and can lead to more effective treatments. Our method, Bayesian gene set analysis, evaluates the statistical significance of a specific pathway by using the posterior distribution of its corresponding hyperparameter. We apply Bayesian gene set analysis to a gene expression microarray data set on 50 cancer cell lines, of which 33 have a known p53 mutation and the remaining are p53 wild type, to identify pathways that are associated with the mutational status in the gene p53. We identify several significant pathways with strong biological connections. We show that our approach provides a natural framework for incorporating prior biological information, and it produces the best overall performance in terms of correctly identifying significant pathways compared with several alternative methods.
Psychometric properties of the Bermond‐Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire in Japanese
Authors: KASHIMURA MASAMI , OGAWA TOSHIKI , VORST HARRIE C. M. , BERMOND BOB 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe aim of this research is to investigate the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Bermond‐Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire (BVAQ‐J), by testing a sample of 514 undergraduates. Explanatory factor analysis of 40 items of the BVAQ‐J had a similar result to the original BVAQ (Vorst & Bermond, 2001), but 10 items displayed low factor loadings (items 14, 15, 19, 25, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 39); these results were slightly different from the original BVAQ. The validity and reliability of the BVAQ‐30J was suggested by a significant correlation with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale‐20 and estimates of test‐retest and internal consistency. These results suggest that this 30‐item version may be reasonably suitable for Japanese populations.
Corneal biomechanical properties measured with the Ocular Response Analyser in a myopic population
Authors: Plakitsi Athina , O’Donnell Clare , A Miranda Marco , Charman W Neil , Radhakrishnan Hema 
Published: May 2011

Citation information: Plakitsi A, O’Donnell C, Miranda MA, Charman WN & Radhakrishnan H. Corneal biomechanical properties measured with the Ocular Response Analyser in a myopic population. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 404–412. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00852.xAbstractPurpose:  To explore the possible association between myopia and corneal biomechanical properties in a Caucasian population, and the correlations between the properties of right and left eyes.Methods:  Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured using the Ocular Response Analyser (ORA) in both eyes of 95 normal adult subjects aged between 19 and 48 years. The spherical equivalent refractive errors of the participants ranged from 0.25 to −14.00 D. The mean CH and CRF values for the right and left eyes were recorded for each subject. CH and CRF data were compared between different refractive groups.Results:  CH was found to be slightly lower in high myopes (>−6.00 D, mean CH 10.0 ± 1.2 mmHg) in comparison to moderate myopes (>−3.00 to −6.00 D, 10.1 ± 1.4 mmHg) and emmetropes and low myopes (+0.25 to −2.75 D, 10.9 ± 1.5 mmHg). The decrease in CH with the degree of myopia was about 0.13 mmHg per D or roughly 1% per D (r2 = 0.084, p < 0.001). Inter‐subject variations were much greater than any systematic changes. CRF was not correlated with refractive error (r2 = 0.001, p = 0.66). Although the refractive error was highly correlated between the two eyes (r2 = 0.89, p < 0.001), CH and CRF showed a lower inter‐ocular correlation (r2 = 0.68, p < 0.001 and r2 = 0.77, p < 0.001 respectively).Conclusions:  These findings may indicate that the viscoelastic properties of the cornea are altered to a minor extent in myopia. However, in this normal population, any overall systematic changes in CH and CRF with refractive error were small in comparison with the considerable inter‐subject scatter at any level of refraction.
Comparison of the effectiveness of two enhanced glaucoma referral schemes
Authors: Parkins David J , Edgar David F 
Published: May 2011

Citation information: Parkins DJ & Edgar DF. Comparison of the effectiveness of two enhanced glaucoma referral schemes. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 343–352. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00853.xAbstractPurpose:  To compare the clinical and financial effectiveness of two optometric‐led enhanced glaucoma referral schemes in the Bexley Care Trust area.Methods:  Over a 12‐month period all suspect glaucoma/Ocular Hypertension (OHT) referrals from optometrists relating to patients registered with Bexley GPs were analysed. All these patients were examined under one of two schemes. One was an enhanced glaucoma repeat measurement (EGRM) scheme in which the referring optometrist conducted the repeated tests him/herself prior to referral or non‐referral. The alternative was a refinement pathway (RCAS) using a small team of accredited community optometrists.Results:  During the full year commencing April 2007, repeat measures using the EGRM scheme resulted in 76% of patients not being referred. In 44.5% of all EGRM patients, where raised intraocular pressure (IOP) was found by non‐contact tonometry (NCT), repeated measurement by Goldmann/Perkins applanation tonometry resulted in readings that were <22 mmHg, or that had less than a 5 mmHg difference between the two eyes. Financial review demonstrated that the EGRM achieved 62% savings when compared with HES tariff while RCAS resulted in a saving of 3.5%.Conclusions:  Using a primary care repeat measurement scheme to support referral decision‐making demonstrated substantial cost benefit while onward referral for refinement by accredited optometrists was essentially cost‐neutral compared with HES tariff. Local schemes foster fragmentation and consideration should be given to a service which covers a large population area.