bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A mitochondrial genome phylogeny of the Neuropterida (lace‐wings, alderflies and snakeflies) and their relationship to the other holometabolous insect orders
Authors: Cameron Stephen L. , Sullivan Jaron , Song Hojun , Miller Kelly B. , Whiting Michael F. 
Published: April 2009

We present a mitochondrial (mt) genome phylogeny inferring relationships within Neuropterida (lacewings, alderflies and camel flies) and between Neuropterida and other holometabolous insect orders. Whole mt genomes were sequenced for Sialis hamata (Megaloptera: Sialidae), Ditaxis latistyla (Neuroptera: Mantispidae), Mongoloraphidia harmandi (Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae), Macrogyrus oblongus (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae), Rhopaea magnicornis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), and Mordella atrata (Coleoptera: Mordellidae) and compared against representatives of other holometabolous orders in phylogenetic analyses. Additionally, we test the sensitivity of phylogenetic inferences to four analytical approaches: inclusion vs. exclusion of RNA genes, manual vs. algorithmic alignments, arbitrary vs. algorithmic approaches to excluding variable gene regions and how each approach interacts with phylogenetic inference methods (parsimony vs. Bayesian inference). Of these factors, phylogenetic inference method had the most influence on interordinal relationships. Bayesian analyses inferred topologies largely congruent with morphologically‐based hypotheses of neuropterid relationships, a monophyletic Neuropterida whose sister group is Coleoptera. In contrast, parsimony analyses failed to support a monophyletic Neuropterida as Raphidioptera was the sister group of the entire Holometabola excluding Hymenoptera, and Neuroptera + Megaloptera is the sister group of Diptera, a relationship which has not previously been proposed based on either molecular or morphological data sets. These differences between analytical methods are due to the high among site rate heterogeneity found in insect mt genomes which is properly modelled by Bayesian methods but results in artifactual relationships under parsimony. Properly analysed, the mt genomic data set presented here is among the first molecular data to support traditional, morphology‐based interpretations of relationships between the three neuropterid orders and their grouping with Coleoptera.
TNF‐α and IL‐10 gene polymorphisms show a weak association with pemphigus vulgaris in the Slovak population
Authors: Javor J , Chmurova N , Parnicka Z , Ferencik S , Grosse‐Wilde H , Buc M , Svecova D 
Published: April 2009

AbstractBackround  Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare chronic autoimmune disease of skin and mucous membranes, with several cytokines participating in its development. The role of their gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to the disease is, however, not fully understood.Objective  The aim of our case‐control study was to investigate whether some of 22 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 13 cytokine genes (IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐1RI, IL‐1Ra, IL‐4Rα, IL‐12, IFN‐γ, TGF‐β1, TNF‐α, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6 and IL‐10) are associated with pemphigus vulgaris in the Slovak population.Methods  DNA samples were obtained from 34 pemphigus vulgaris patients and 140 healthy controls of Slovak origin. Cytokine gene SNPs were determined using the polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) method.Results  We found a weak association between pemphigus vulgaris and polymorphic variants in TNF‐α and IL‐10 genes only, with haplotypes TNF‐α–308G/–238G and IL‐10 –1082A/–819C/–592C being significantly overrepresented in pemphigus vulgaris patients (TNF‐α GG: 94.12% vs. 82.86%, P = 0.0216; IL‐10 ACC: 44.12% vs. 30.00%, P = 0.0309).Conclusions  Our preliminary results suggest that certain TNF‐α and IL‐10 gene polymorphisms might contribute to genetic susceptibility to pemphigus vulgaris; however, their overall impact on disease development will be rather limited.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Specialist Liaison Worker Model for Young People with Intellectual Disabilities with Challenging Behaviour and Mental Health Needs
Authors: Raghavan R. , Newell R. , Waseem F. , Small N. 
Published: April 2009

Background  Twenty six young people with intellectual disabilities and mental health needs from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities were recruited as part of a bigger study to examine the effectiveness of a liaison worker in helping young people and their families access appropriate intellectual disabilities and mental health services.Method  Twelve young people were randomly allocated to the treatment group, which had the help of the liaison worker, and 14 young people were allocated to the control group without the help of a liaison worker. Baseline measures were undertaken with all the young people and their carers. This was followed by a 9‐month trial, consisting of the liaison worker helping the treatment group to get in touch with and take up appropriate services, mainly in the areas of psychiatric appointments, benefits advice, house adaptations, leisure facilities and support and care for the young person. The control group participants did not have the access to the liaison worker and were accessing services using the normal routine. Assessments were carried out post‐treatment to assess whether the use of a liaison worker had had any effect on outcomes for the two groups.Results  Twelve young people completed the study in the treatment group and 14 in the control group. Participants allocated to the specialist liaison worker had statistically significantly more frequent contact with services and with more outcomes, than the control group, and significantly lower scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).Conclusion  The use of specialist liaison services in ensuring adequate access to services for young people with learning disabilities and mental health needs from the South Asian community proved to be significant and effective compared with young people and their families accessing services on their own.
The Utility of the Personal Wellbeing Index Intellectual Disability Scale in an Australian Sample
Authors: McGillivray J. A. , Lau A. L. D. , Cummins R. A. , Davey G. 
Published: April 2009

Background  Subjective wellbeing (SWB) in people with intellectual disabilities has been the focus of increased interest in the identification of support needs and as an outcome measure for interventions and service delivery evaluations. It is therefore important to conduct further research in this area, and to develop appropriate scales to measure SWB.Methods  A new scale, the Personal Wellbeing Index‐Intellectual Disability (PWI‐ID) was administered to 114 adults with mild (n = 82) or moderate (n = 32) level ID in Victoria, Australia.Results  The PWI‐ID demonstrated good reliability and validity. A comparison of the findings with previous research indicates that participants’ SWB levels are within the normative range, and are similar to those reported by the general population.Conclusions  The results support the notion that individuals with ID do not experience life quality lower than normal, which can be explained theoretically by the Theory of Subjective Wellbeing Homeostasis. The use of the PWI‐ID may ultimately assist in ensuring that the needs of people with ID are being met and inform the planning and delivery of congruent resources and services.
Altered histamine H3receptor radioligand binding in post‐mortem brain samples from subjects with psychiatric diseases
Authors: Jin CY , Anichtchik O , Panula P 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: Histamine is a modulatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Auto‐ and hetero‐histamine H3receptors are present in human brain and are potential targets of antipsychotics. These receptors may also display disease‐related abnormalities in psychiatric disorders. Here we have assessed how histamine H3receptors in human brain may be affected in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression.Experimental approach: Histamine H3receptor radioligand binding assays were applied to frozen post‐mortem prefrontal and temporal cortical sections and anterior hippocampal sections from subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and matched controls.Key results: Compared with the controls, increased H3receptor radioligand binding was found in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic subjects (especially the ones who were treated with atypical antipsychotics), and bipolar subjects with psychotic symptoms. No differences in H3receptor radioligand binding were found in the temporal cortex. In hippocampal formation of control subjects, H3receptor radioligand binding was prominent in dentate gyrus, subiculum, entorhinal cortex and parasubiculum. Decreased H3binding was found in the CA4 area of bipolar subjects. Decreased H3binding in CA2 and presubiculum of medication‐free bipolar subjects was also seen.Conclusions and implications: The results suggest that histamine H3receptors in the prefrontal cortex take part in the modulation of cognition, which is impaired in schizophrenic subjects and bipolar subjects with psychotic symptoms. Histamine H3receptors probably regulate connections between hippocampus and various cortical and subcortical regions and could also be involved in the neuropathology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
In vitroandin vivocharacterization of A‐940894: a potent histamine H4receptor antagonist with anti‐inflammatory properties
Authors: Strakhova MI , Cuff CA , Manelli AM , Carr TL , Witte DG , Baranowski JL , Vortherms TA , Miller TR , Rundell L , McPherson MJ , Adair RM , Brito AA , Bettencourt BM , Yao BB , Wetter JM , Marsh KC , Liu H , Cowart MD , Brioni JD , Esbenshade TA 
Published: April 2009

Background and purpose: The histamine H4receptor is widely expressed in cells of immune origin and has been shown to play a role in a variety of inflammatory processes mediated by histamine. In this report, we describe thein vitroandin vivoanti‐inflammatory properties of a potent histamine H4receptor antagonist, A‐940894 (4‐piperazin‐1‐yl‐6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2‐d]pyrimidin‐2‐ylamine).Experimental approach: We have analysed the pharmacological profile of A‐940894 at mouse native, rat recombinant and human recombinant and native, histamine H4receptors by radioligand binding, calcium mobilization, mast cell shape change, eosinophil chemotaxis assays and in the mouse model of zymosan‐induced peritonitis.Key results: A‐940894 potently binds to both human and rat histamine H4receptors and exhibits considerably lower affinity for the human histamine H1, H2or H3receptors. It potently blocked histamine‐evoked calcium mobilization in the fluorometric imaging plate reader assays and inhibited histamine‐induced shape change of mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells and chemotaxis of human eosinophilsin vitro. In a mouse mast cell‐dependent model of zymosan‐induced peritonitis, A‐940894 significantly blocked neutrophil influx and reduced intraperitoneal prostaglandin D2levels. Finally, A‐940894 has good pharmacokinetic properties, including half‐life and oral bioavailability in rats and mice.Conclusions and Implications: These data suggest that A‐940894 is a potent and selective histamine H4receptor antagonist with pharmacokinetic properties suitable for long‐termin vivotesting and could serve as a useful tool for the further characterization of histamine H4receptor pharmacology.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Suspected Elder Abuse Subtypes in People Aged 75 and Older
Authors: Garre‐Olmo Josep , Planas‐Pujol Xènia , López‐Pousa Secundino , Juvinyà Dolors , Vilà Antoni , Vilalta‐Franch Joan ,   on behalf of the Frailty and Dependence in Girona Study Group
Published: April 2009

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of suspected elder abuse subtypes and to identify related factors.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional, population‐based, descriptive study.SETTING: Eight rural villages in Girona, Spain.PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred seventy‐six inhabitants aged 75 and older.MEASUREMENTS: All participants were interviewed in their homes using the study protocol, which includes an abuse screen used in previous elder abuse studies and questions about demographic, social, physical, psychiatric, cognitive, and social services variables.RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 81.7 ± 4.8; 58.2% were female. Prevalence of suspected neglect abuse was 16.0% (95% confidence interval (CI)=13.2–18.9), prevalence of psychosocial abuse was 15.2% (95% CI=12.8–18.2), prevalence of financial abuse was 4.7% (95% CI=3.0–6.4) and prevalence of physical abuse was 0.1% (95% CI=0.004–0.8). Psychosocial abuse was positively associated with depressive symptoms (odds ratio (OR)=1.65, 95% CI=1.01–2.72), social isolation (OR=0.35, 95% CI=0.18–0.69), and frequent bladder incontinence (OR=2.44, 95% CI=1.23–4.86). Neglect abuse was positively associated with social isolation (OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.27–0.99), use of social services (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.05–3.20), and living arrangements (OR=5.29, 95% CI=2.65–10.56). Financial abuse was associated with marital status (OR=0.15, 95% CI=0.04–0.59), age 85 and older, (OR=3.84, 95% CI=1.70–8.68), and Mini‐Mental State Examination score (OR=0.85, 95% CI=0.78–0.94).CONCLUSION: After adjustment for confounding factors, each subtype of suspected elder abuse was associated with different variables. The results of this study suggest that elder abuse cannot be analyzed as a unitary concept and that risk factors must be assessed for each abuse subtype.
A retrospective study on the microbiology in patients with oral complaints and oral mucosal lesions
Authors: Dahlén G , Blomquist S , Carlén A 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  The aim of this study was to microbiologically analyze oral mucosal samples collected during 2 years from patients with oral mucosal complaints.Materials and methods:  Mucosal scraping samples were taken from 297 patients and semiquantified by culture for detection of opportunistic microorganisms e.g. Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, aerobic Gram‐negative bacilli (AGNB) and yeasts. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed.Results:  Altogether 297 patients were sampled (mean age 56.8 ± 20.7). Among the 110 patients with known medical condition, 48 were systemically immunocompromised, 35 had systemic diseases, and 27 had only local oral complaints. Opportunists in moderate growth or more were present commonly in all three groups and most frequent in the immunocompromised patients (66.7%). Candida species were the most frequent opportunist (68.8%), however, their level was low and combinations with bacterial opportunists were common (39.6%). All bacterial opportunists tested were antibiotic multiresistant. Follow‐up samples were collected in 23 cases out of which seven showed still presence of opportunists in heavy growth despite repeated treatment with ciprofloxacin.Conclusions:  This study showed a frequent presence of bacterial and fungal opportunists in patients with oral mucosal complaints, which were most common in immunocompromised individuals, however, also frequent in patients with local oral complaints only. Systematic evaluation of different treatment strategies is needed.
Identification of Urinary Biomarkers Useful for Distinguishing a Difference in Mechanism of Toxicity in Rat Model of Cholestasis
Authors: Ishihara Kenji , Katsutani Naruo , Asai Naoki , Inomata Akira , Uemura Yuji , Suganuma Akiyoshi , Sawada Kohei , Yokoi Tsuyoshi , Aoki Toyohiko 
Published: April 2009

Abstract: This1H nuclear magnetic resonance metabonomics study was aimed to determine urinary biomarkers of cholestasis resulting from inhibition of biliary secretion of bile or obstruction of bile flow. To inhibit biliary secretion of bile, cyclosporine A was administered to male Sprague–Dawley rats. Obstruction of bile flow was induced by administration of 4,4′‐methylene dianiline, α‐naphthylisothiocyanate or bile duct ligation. Clinical pathological and histopathological examinations were performed to confirm cholestatic injury and1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data for urine samples were analysed to determine similarities and differences in profiles of metabolites using the Spotfire®. In cyclosporine A‐treated groups, serum total bilirubin and bile acid were significantly increased but no remarkable hepatic histopathological‐changes were observed. In 4,4′‐methylene dianiline‐, α‐naphthylisothiocyanate‐ and bile duct ligation‐treated groups, serum alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase and total bilirubin levels increased significantly, and hepatic histopathological‐changes were observed. On urinary1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectral analysis, area intensities derived from 0.66 to 1.90 ppm were decreased by cyclosporine A, whereas they were increased by other treatments. These metabolites were identified using the NMR suite®as bile acids, branched‐chain amino acids, n‐butyrate, propionate, methyl malonate and valerate. These metabolites were further investigated by K‐means clustering analysis. The cluster of these metabolites is considered to be altered by cholestasis. We conclude that bile acids, valine and methyl malonate have a possibility to be urinary cholestatic biomarkers, which distinguish a difference in mechanism of toxicity.1H nuclear magnetic resonance metabonomics thus appears to be useful for determining the mechanisms of toxicity and can be front‐loaded in drug safety evaluation and biomarker discovery.
Relationship between a family history of malignancy and the incidence of laryngeal carcinoma in the Liaoning province of China
Authors: Li X.‐Y. , Guo X. , Feng S. , Li X.‐T. , Wei H.‐Q. , Yang H.‐A. , Ren Z. , Jiang X.‐J. 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of family history of malignancy to the incidence of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.Design:  We performed a retrospective review of classified statistics from the detailed information of cases and matched controls.Setting:  First Hospital of China Medical University in the Liaoning province of China, between October 2005 and November 2007.Participants:  A total of 288 previously untreated patients with laryngeal cancer and 296 control subjects with non‐malignant diseases were analysed by use of a hospital‐based case–control study.Main outcome measures:  Incidence rates and family history of malignancy.Results:  Single‐factor logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds ratio value of a family history of malignancy was 2.0 (95% confidence interval: 1.3–3.2). Multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed this result, with an odds ratio value of 2.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.2–4.5). There was significant association between a family history of malignancy and the development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusions:  A family history of malignancy plays an important role in and is an independent risk factor for the incidence of laryngeal carcinoma.
An evidence‐based approach to the management of the adult with nasal obstruction
Authors: Fraser L. , Kelly G. 
Published: April 2009

Background:  Nasal obstruction is a common presenting symptom to the otolaryngology clinic. A variety of structural and mucosal abnormalities can interrupt the subjective sensation of nasal airflow.Methods:  This review was based on a literature search last performed on 1 October 2008. Current texts and the MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE databases were searched using the subject heading nasal obstruction in combination with classification, diagnosis, therapy, drug therapy and surgery. Results were limited to include clinical trials, randomised controlled trials, meta‐analyses, systematic reviews and review articles. Relevant references from selected articles were also reviewed.Conclusion:  We present an evidence‐based approach to history‐taking and clinical examination of an adult patient with nasal obstruction and provide an overview of management of the most common causative conditions.
Causes of deafness in British Bangladeshi children: a prevalence twice that of the UK population cannot be accounted for by consanguinity alone
Authors: Bajaj Y. , Sirimanna T. , Albert D.M. , Qadir P. , Jenkins L. , Cortina‐Borja M. , Bitner‐Glindzicz M. 
Published: April 2009

Objective:  To study the causes and prevalence of sensorineural deafness in Bangladeshi children resident in East London.Methods:  This was a cross sectional survey of children of Bangladeshi origin living in East London with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss of 40 db HL or more. In this study, 134 patients were included. The study looked primarily at the causes of sensorineural hearing loss in this population.Results:  The prevalence of deafness in Bangladeshi children in East London is approximately 3.86 per 1000 [95% confidence intervals (CI) 3.20, 4.65] which is significantly greater than the average UK prevalence of 1.65 per 1000. The prevalence of deafness in these Bangladeshi children belonging to non‐consanguineous families only, the prevalence falls to 2.73 per 1000 (95% CI 2.19, 3.41). In 60% cases the cause of deafness was genetic. The single most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss in this population was mutations in the GJB2 gene (Connexin 26) in 20 of these patients (17%). Parents were consanguineous in 33% of the families.Conclusion:  This study concludes that prevalence of sensorineural deafness in Bangladeshi children is at least 2.3 times the national average. This study also concludes that genetic causes are the common cause of deafness in this ethnic group, with nearly 30% of children with non‐syndromic deafness having mutations in GJB2. Although parental consanguinity was very high in this population it did not account for the whole increase in prevalence.
Complications following gastrostomy tube insertion in patients with head and neck cancer: a prospective multi‐institution study, systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Grant D.G. , Bradley P.T. , Pothier D.D. , Bailey D. , Caldera S. , Baldwin D.L. , Birchall M.A. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives:  To measure morbidity and mortality rates following insertion of gastrostomy tubes in head and neck cancer patients. To determine evidence for any relationship between gastrostomy insertion technique and complication rates.Design:  A prospective cohort study and qualitative systematic review.Setting:  Multi‐cancer networks in the South West of England, Hampshire and the Isle of White.Participants:  One hundred and seventy‐two patients with head and neck cancer undergoing gastrostomy tube insertion between 2004 and 2005. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was performed in 121 patients. Fifty‐one patients had radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG). Twenty‐seven studies reporting outcomes following 2353 gastrostomy procedures for head and neck cancer.Main outcome measures:  Post‐procedure mortality, major and minor complications.Results:  In the present series, mortality rates were 1.0% (1/121) for PEG and 3.9% (2/51) for RIG. Overall major complication rates following PEG and RIG were 3.3% (4/121) and 15.6% (9/51) respectively. In our systematic review and meta‐analysis of 2379 head and neck cancer patients, we observed fatality rates of 2.2% (95% CI 0.014–0.034) following PEG and 1.8% (95% CI 0.010–0.032) following RIG. Furthermore, major complication rates following PEG were 7.4% (95% CI 5.9–9.3%) and 8.9% (95% CI 7.0–11.2%) after RIG.Conclusions:  Procedure related mortality rates following gastrostomy in head and neck cancer patients are higher than those in mixed patient populations. Major complication rates following RIG in head and neck cancer patients are greater than those following PEG. Major complications following PEG in patients with head and neck cancer appear no worse than in mixed pathology groups. We have identified that RIG is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients who are ineligible for PEG. The serious nature of the complications associated with gastrostomy particularly in patients with head and neck cancer requires careful consideration by the referring physician.