bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microsatellite markers associated with genes expressed in developing wings of Bicyclus anynana butterflies
Authors: BELDADE PATRÍCIA , VAN’T HOF ARJÈN E. , JERÓNIMO MARIA ADELINA , LONG ANTHONY D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractDeriving useful microsatellite markers in lepidopterans has been challenging when relying on scans of genomic DNA libraries, presumably due to repetitiveness in their genomes. We assayed 96 of 320 microsatellites identified in silico from a collection of Bicyclus anynana ESTs, in 11 independent individuals from a laboratory population. From the 68 successful assays, we identified 40 polymorphic markers including 22 with BLAST‐based annotation. Nine of 12 selected polymorphic markers tested in a panel of 24 wild‐caught individuals converted to successful assays and were all polymorphic. We discuss how microsatellite discovery in ESTs is an efficient strategy with important attendant advantages.
Development of a cultivation‐independent approach for the study of genetic diversity of Sinorhizobium meliloti populations
Authors: TRABELSI DARINE , PINI FRANCESCO , BAZZICALUPO MARCO , BIONDI EMANUELE G. , AOUANI MOHAMMED E. , MENGONI ALESSIO 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe development of a species‐specific marker for the analysis of the genetic polymorphism of the nitrogen‐fixing symbiotic bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti directly from environmental DNA is reported. The marker is based on terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) methodology targeting specifically the 16S‐23S Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer of S. meliloti. Species‐specificity and polymorphism of the marker were tested on DNA extracted from soil samples and from a collection of 130 S. meliloti bacterial isolates. These primers and the T‐RFLP approach proved useful for the detection and analysis of polymorphism of S. meliloti populations.
Chronic hepatitis C in patients co‐infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Japan: a retrospective multicenter analysis
Authors: Yotsuyanagi Hiroshi , Kikuchi Yoshimi , Tsukada Kunihisa , Nishida Kyouji , Kato Michio , Sakai Hironori , Takamatsu Junki , Hige Shuhei , Chayama Kazuaki , Moriya Kyoji , Koike Kazuhiko 
Published: April 2009

Aim:  A nationwide survey in Japan revealed that nearly one‐fifth of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive patients are co‐infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a study to further analyze the features of liver disease in HIV–HCV co‐infected patients.Methods:  We analyzed 297 patients from eight hospitals belonging to the HIV/AIDS Network of Japan.Results:  HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4 and mixed genotypes were detected in 55.2, 13.7, 18.9, 0.9 and 11.3% of patients, respectively, in contrast to the fact that only genotypes 1 and 2 are detected in HCV mono‐infected patients in Japan. This is compatible with the transmission of HCV through imported blood products contaminated by HCV. Sixteen of 297 HIV–HCV co‐infected patients had advanced liver disease accompanied by ascites, hepatic encephalopathy or hepatocellular carcinoma. The average age of such patients was 41.1 ± 14.0 years, which was much younger than that of HCV mono‐infected patients with the same complications. The progression speed of liver disease estimated from the changes in the levels of serum albumin, bilirubin, or platelet was slower in patients who achieved sustained virological response with interferon treatment than in those who did not receive it. The overall sustained virological response rate to interferon treatment was 43.3%.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that liver disease is more advanced in HIV–HCV co‐infected patients than in HCV mono‐infected patients, and interferon treatment may retard the progression of liver disease in such patients.
Fibromyalgia: A Review of Current Knowledge
Authors: Baldry Peter 
Published: April 2009

Muscular pain in the presence of a normal ESR has laboured under a variety of names and supposed causes, often being dismissed as psychogenic in origin. It is now clear that there are two specific disorders of body musculature, each with its own defined pattern of symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a disease of unknown aetiology, predominantly affecting women, that gives generalised muscular pain, a disturbed sleep pattern, morning stiffness and fatigue. Tender spots are found at certain charecteristic sites. The Myofascial Pain Syndromes, on the other hand, can usually be related to some form of trauma and are normally localised to particular muscles with readily palpable myofascial trigger points at specific spots according to the pattern of pain referral. Acupuncture may be a rapid and effective treatment for both disorders, often giving long lasting relief in Myofascial Pain Syndromes, but offering only repeated short term responses to Fibromyalgia sufferers.
The Clinical and Physiological Foundation of Auricular Acupuncture Therapy in Patients with Hypertensive Disease
Authors: Gaponjuk P Ja , Sherkovina T Ju 
Published: April 2009

The haemodynamic influence of each of 16 pairs of auricular acupuncture points was studied in 104 hypertensive patients who were classed according to circulation type. Changes in heart rate, stroke output and peripheral vascular resistance were measured, so that the degree of change could be charted for each acupuncture point. It became clear that certain groups of ear points induced a fall in blood pressure by influencing change in one or more of these cardiac parameters. The ear has a particularly rich nerve supply derived from several cranial and upper cervical nerves and it is possible to explain the hypotensive action of specific groups of acupuncture points by reference to their innervation. The most effective auricular acupuncture points for hypertensive patients of each circulation type can thus be accurately predicted.
Acupuncture Audit in Rheumatology
Authors: Camp A V 
Published: April 2009

Clinically, audit is the systematic, critical analysis of the quality of medical care. In order to indulge in audit it is necessary initially to identify an area of concern and define standards in that area. If there are none generally accepted in the field to be audited then they must be derived from a statement of the ideal situation, tempered with the expectation of current practice. The advantages of audit are that it encourages education by discussion, can identify the means of improving clinical efficiency and, most importantly, it aims to improve the quality of medical care. Audit is a pointless exercise unless it results in beneficial change. The circle should be completed by monitoring the audit after a suitable interval to assess the extent of any change in practice and to see if there has indeed been an acceptable improvement in quality. An audit of acupuncture practice in the rheumatology department of the Wycombe Health District resulted in better standardisation of acupuncture usage within the clinics and, by highlighting the degree of patient benefit from this treatment, a more enthusiastic acceptance of the technique by new members of the department. Improved care for patients was seen in the introduction of a check list of contraindications to acupuncture, better provision of information leaflets and explanation of side effects, and more detailed assessment of outcome with better communication with GPs. Following this positive experience of audit, it is seen as an essential tool in the delivery of modern medical care, despite the time, commitment and hard work that successful audit demands.
For Discussion: The Non-Existent Acupuncture Point?
Authors: Campbell Anthony 
Published: April 2009

The concept of traditional points located on meridians as the basis of acupuncture treatment has been challenged. As an alternative, medical acupuncturists have embraced the use of trigger points with enthusiasm. However, trigger point therapy is not always applicable; needling of non-tender areas is necessary and effective for many problems, particularly non-painful ones. A neutral terminology to describe needling of therapeutic zones is suggested. These “acupuncture treatment areas” will vary in size, and their effectiveness may depend on the accuracy with which they are defined and treated. The intention is to provide a purely descriptive, theory-neutral concept that will aid students to use forms of acupuncture based on many theories, without bewilderment.
Acupuncture after Alcohol Consumption: A Sham Controlled Assessment
Authors: Thorer Heidi , Volf Nadia 
Published: April 2009

The effects of two different traditional acupuncture point combinations and a sham point were compared in 35 healthy volunteers 20 minutes and 2 hours after a single draught of 40% alcohol (1ml/kg body weight). Clinical measurement, using tests of equilibrium and orientation, and specific tests of the metabolism and elimination of alcohol, formed the basis of this comparison. The results are statistically significant (P<0.05). A needle in the sham point produced no measurable effect compared to the non acupuncture control. After both traditional acupuncture point combinations, observing all the measured parameters, the clinical effects of alcohol intoxication were minimised, while the alcohol level in the expired air was increased and the blood alcohol decreased.
High Frequency Ozone Therapy Based on Acupuncture Systematics
Authors: Umlauf Richard 
Published: April 2009

After witnessing a dramatic demonstration of pain relief following High Frequency Ozone Therapy (HFOT) at a medical conference in Germany the author reports on his use of the treatment in 500 cases. Pain relief was the reason for 76.4% of treatments. The condition of no patient in the 500 worsened following therapy, and 18 patients suffering from malignant disease all obtained beneficial symptomatic relief. The High Frequency Ozone Therapy apparatus uses a variety of electrodes ranging from simple probes to elaborate brush or comb devices for application directly on the skin surface or aerially above it. Treatment is most effective if given through a layer of natural textile (wool or cotton). Stimulation through synthetic material, however, may provoke pain.
Aetiology and Treatment of Some Common Cephalalgias
Authors: Baldry Peter 
Published: April 2009

Reasons are advanced for believing that migraine and tension-type headaches are a continuum and that whether migraine or tension-type headache develops at any particular time is dependent on the relative vascular nociceptive, myofascial nociceptive and supraspinal (emotional) inputs that converge on and are integrated by the subnucleus caudalis (medullary dorsal horn). The prophylaxis of both these two types of headache involves reducing each of these various inputs and therefore a polytherapeutic approach is essential. The measures required include pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and acupuncture. The aetiology and treatment of primary myofascial trigger point cephalaigia is also discussed.
The Substrate and Properties of Meridians: A Review of Modern Research
Authors: Wei Haifeng , Huang Lawrence Chung-Long , Kong Jian 
Published: April 2009

Meridians are regarded as the base upon which traditional acupuncture theory is built but, although much research time has been spent on their investigation, no coherent scientific theory has emerged to explain their structure or mode of action. There have been several hypotheses that offer sufficient evidence for a partial explanation for certain meridians. This paper suggests that there is indeed no single answer, but that the various hypotheses should be combined, accepting that different explanations are likely for different meridians or parts of the body. The most useful tool for investigation seems to be the phenomenon of propagated sensation along meridians. Experiments indicate that physical transmission occurs most generally through the interstitial space, specifically along the neurovascular bundles, rather than through vascular channels. The mechanism of meridian activity is likely to be via neuro-transmitters, found particularly along meridian lines, and by ionic movement. This review of research literature, much of which has emanated from China, concludes that there is a real structural basis for the meridians, but that this structure is the orderly arrangement of normal tissues along the line of meridians rather than any special histological feature.
Tender Point Injection of Corticosteroid in the Treatment of Backache
Authors: Bourne IHJ 
Published: April 2009

The cost of back pain in terms of morbidity and fall in income to patients, and loss of manpower to industry is remarkably high: it has been estimated that half the population has or has had backache. Thus a simple and efficacious treatment has been much sought after. A series of 115 patients with chronic backache seen in general practice over a period of 10 years was reviewed. They had all been treated with injection of corticosteroid in lignocaine to tender spots on the back. The men showed a progressive incidence of backache to their fifties, with reducing incidence in retirement, while the women had an even spread through all ages from puberty. The proportion responding to treatment was similar for all age groups and was unrelated to length of history. A good response to injection was reported by 54% of patients overall, but this was reduced to 41% if prolapsed disc had been diagnosed on x-ray. A second series of 57 patients with backache was investigated on a single-blind, randomised, controlled basis. Three groups were compared: lignocaine injection only, lignocaine with triamcinolone acetonide, and lignocaine with methylprednisolone acetate. There was no statistical difference between the two forms of corticosteroid, but there was a significantly greater benefit (p=0.001) from corticosteroid injection to tender spots in the back than from lignocaine injection alone.
Unilateral versus Bilateral Acupuncture on Knee Function in Advanced Osteoarthritis of the Knee – a Prospective Randomised Trial
Authors: Tillu Abhay , Roberts Chris , Tillu Sumedha 
Published: April 2009

We report a prospective randomised trial of acupuncture given to 44 patients with advanced osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee awaiting total knee joint replacement. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups, group A receiving acupuncture to the most affected knee only and group B receiving acupuncture to both knees. Acupuncture was given to four local points around the knee and one distal point. The local points were Spleen 9 (Yinlinquan, SP9), Spleen 10 (Xuehai, SP10), Stomach 34 (Liangqui, ST34), and Stomach 36 (Zusanli, ST36). The distal point was Large Intestine 4 (Hegu, LI4) on the first web space of the ipsilateral hand. A blinded observer assessed knee function before starting treatment, and at the end of two and six months. Analysis of the results showed a significant reduction in symptoms in both groups, and this improvement was sustained for six months. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, unilateral acupuncture is as effective as bilateral acupuncture in increasing function and reducing the pain associated with OA of the knee. This trial is not able to distinguish the specific from the non-specific effects of the treatment.
Rare but Serious Complications of Acupuncture: Traumatic Lesions
Authors: Peuker Elmar , Grönemeyer Dietrich 
Published: April 2009

Acupuncture has a reputation among the public of being safe. Although recently performed prospective studies on the frequency of adverse effects of acupuncture found no severe complication, since 1965 many case reports of serious or even life-threatening incidents caused by acupuncture have appeared in the scientific literature. The most frequently reported complications are pneumothorax and lesions of the spinal cord. Severe injuries of peripheral nerves and blood vessels due to acupuncture seem to be very rare. Although case reports do not produce reliable data on the frequency of adverse events, information on sources of application errors can be extracted to increase the quality of acupuncture in education and therapy. All traumatic injuries described in this article could be avoided if practitioners had better anatomical knowledge, applied existing anatomical knowledge better, or both.
Can Acupuncture Reduce the Induction Time of a Local Anaesthetic? - a Pilot Study
Authors: Rosted Palle , Bundgaard Mads 
Published: April 2009

We report on a pilot study we undertook to investigate if segmental acupuncture treatment, given two minutes prior to a regional inferior dental block (ID) with Prilocaine Hydrochloride, would reduce the onset time of a local anaesthetic. Thirty healthy people, who needed a regional inferior dental block (ID) as part of dental treatment in the lower jaw, were randomly allocated to three groups. They received segmental acupuncture, heterosegmental superficial acupuncture, or standard treatment (regional inferior dental block) without acupuncture. In the segmental acupuncture group, acupuncture was given within the innervation of the trigeminal nerve. The needles were left in for two minutes, followed by a regional inferior dental block (ID). In the second group, acupuncture needles were inserted superficially in extra-segmental points and left in for two minutes without stimulation, followed by the regional inferior dental block. A control group received standard treatment only, of a regional inferior dental block. The concept ‘pain free for dental work’ was defined as ‘patients reporting pins and needles in the lower lip’ and measured by a drilling test. Patients who reported no pain during the drilling test were included in the study. The time from administration of the injection to the patients’ reporting pins and needles was recorded by an independent dental nurse. All tested patients reported sufficient anaesthesia during the drilling test. In the segmental acupuncture group, anaesthesia was achieved after 62 seconds, compared to the heterosegmental superficial acupuncture group, who took 115 seconds and the control group, who received standard treatment only, and took 119 seconds. The difference between the segmental acupuncture group and the heterosegmental superficial acupuncture group was statistically significant (p<0.015); the difference between the segmental acupuncture group and the control, who received a regional inferior dental block only, was also significant (p<0.032). No significant difference was found between the heterosegmental superficial acupuncture group and the control group who received a regional inferior dental block only (p<0.84). It appears from this pilot study that the onset time of local anaesthesia is reduced if segmentally administered acupuncture is given prior to the regional inferior dental block. However, it needs to be reproduced including objective measurements.
Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Amongst Medical Students in Singapore – a Survey
Authors: Yeo Angela SH , Yeo Jonathan CH , Yeo Colin , Lee Chau Hung , Lim Lan Fern , Lee Tat Leang 
Published: April 2009

Background In view of the current upsurge of interest in, practice of, and research into, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) worldwide and locally, a survey was conducted to gauge the understanding, interest and knowledge of CAM amongst medical students in a local university. Methods A total of 555 first to fifth year medical students completed a questionnaire (54% response rate) designed to assess their knowledge, beliefs and attitudes to CAM in general and 16 common CAM therapies. Results Acupuncture was the best known therapy, with 57% claiming to know at least something about it. No students claimed they knew a lot about chiropractic, osteopathy, Ayuverdic medicine, homeopathy and naturopathy, and many had not ever heard of these therapies. Knowledge of commonly held beliefs about the 16 CAM modalities was generally poor, even for modalities which students claimed to know most about. A significant number of students had knowledge about CAM that was erroneous. Lack of scientific support was considered to be the main barrier to implementation of CAM. Attitudes to CAM were positive, with 92% believing that CAM includes ideas and methods from which conventional medicine can benefit, 86% wishing to know more about CAM and 91% stating that CAM would play an important role in their future medical practice. Conclusion As the public's use of various healing practices outside conventional medicine accelerates, ignorance about these practices by the country's future medical practitioners risks broadening the communication gap between the public and the profession that serves them. The majority of medical students recognise this risk and are keen to bridge this gap.
Acupuncture for Insomnia in Pregnancy – a Prospective, Quasi-Randomised, Controlled Study
Authors: Guerreiro da Silva João Bosco , Nakamura Mary Uchiyama , Cordeiro José Antonio , Kulay Luiz 
Published: April 2009

Objective This study was undertaken to test the effects of acupuncture on insomnia in a group of pregnant women under real life conditions, and to compare the results with a group of patients undergoing conventional treatment alone (sleep hygiene). Methods A total of 30 conventionally treated pregnant women were allocated at random into groups with or without acupuncture. Seventeen patients formed the study group and 13 the control group. The pregnant women scored the severity of insomnia using a Numerical Rating Scale from 0 to 10. Women were followed up for eight weeks and interviewed five times, at two-week intervals. Results Eight women dropped out, five in the study group and three in the control group. The study group reported a larger reduction on insomnia rating (5.1) than the control group (0.0), a difference which was statistically significant (P=0.0028). Average insomnia scores decreased by at least 50% over time in nine (75%) patients in the study group and in three (30%) of the control group. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that acupuncture alleviates insomnia during pregnancy and further research is justified.
Use of Acupuncture in Female Infertility and a Summary of Recent Acupuncture Studies Related to Embryo Transfer
Authors: Stener-Victorin Elisabet , Humaidan Peter 
Published: April 2009

During the last five years the use of acupuncture in female infertility as an adjuvant to conventional treatment in assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased in popularity. The present paper briefly discusses clinical and experimental data on the effect of acupuncture on uterine and ovarian blood flow, as an analgesic method during ART, and on endocrine and metabolic disturbances such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Further it gives a summary of recent studies evaluating the effect of acupuncture before and after embryo transfer on pregnancy outcome. Of the four published RCTs, three reveal significantly higher pregnancy rates in the acupuncture groups compared with the control groups. But the use of different study protocols makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. It seems, however, that acupuncture has a positive effect and no adverse effects on pregnancy outcome.