bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dentinal anomalies in teeth of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters: are they linked to sexual maturation and environmental events?
Authors: Luque P.L. , Pierce G.J. , Learmonth J.A. , Santos M.B. , Ieno E. , López A. , Reid R.J. , Rogan E. , González A.F. , Boon J. , Law R.J. , Lockyer C.H. 
Published: May 2009

We examined the tooth ultra-structure of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Scottish waters to determine whether the incidence of mineralization anomalies could be related to certain life history events (e.g. the achievement of sexual maturation) as well as other factors that affect the general health of the individual (e.g. persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in blubber). Five distinct types of mineralization anomalies were recorded: accessory lines, marker lines, dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and pulp stones and the occurrence of these anomalies was scored by sex, age and maturity state. Overall, the incidence of mineralization anomalies was high and tended to increase with age. Marker lines and accessory lines were the most commonly recorded anomalies while pulp stones were least frequent. Duplicate teeth (i.e. from the same individual) always showed the same pattern of anomaly occurrence.Fitted binary generalized linear and additive models indicated that the presence of dentinal resorption, cemental disturbance and marker lines in harbour porpoise teeth increased with age, body length and maturity. Males displayed marker lines more frequently than females. Age was the best predictor of the incidence of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance while age and sex were the best predictors of the incidence of marker lines. The time course of appearance of dentinal resorption and cemental disturbance suggests that their occurrence could be related to physiological stress linked to sexual maturation. Marker lines were found within growth layer groups which coincided with the beginning of weaning and sexual maturation, suggesting an association with these two major life history events. Accessory lines were found in most teeth and may be a normal characteristic of porpoise teeth or reflect regular events. Pulp stones appeared only in mature animals. We found no evidence that the presence of anomalies in teeth was significantly related to POP concentrations in the blubber.
A measles outbreak in the Irish traveller ethnic group after attending a funeral in England, March–June 2007
Authors: COHUET S. , BUKASA A. , HEATHCOCK R. , WHITE J. , BROWN K. , RAMSAY M. , FRASER G. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYBetween 3 April and 18 May 2007, 21 confirmed cases of measles were reported in members of the Irish traveller ethnic group who attended a funeral in London, England. The Health Protection Agency conducted an investigation to determine the extent of this outbreak in order to inform prevention of future outbreaks. From 23 March to 30 June, 173 outbreak-associated cases from seven regions throughout England were identified; 156 cases were in Irish travellers and 17 were epidemiologically linked to cases in that community. In total, 124 cases were laboratory confirmed (IgM or RNA); none were vaccinated against measles. MMR vaccination was offered on traveller sites. Low vaccination coverage and the movement of traveller communities present particular challenges for measles elimination in Europe. We recommend parallel approaches to improve integration of Irish travellers within routine health services whilst offering targeted interventions to increase vaccine uptake in this marginalized community.
Multiple risk factors associated with a large statewide increase in cryptosporidiosis
Authors: VALDERRAMA A. L. , HLAVSA M. C. , CRONQUIST A. , COSGROVE S. , JOHNSTON S. P. , ROBERTS J. M. , STOCK M. L. , XIAO L. , XAVIER K. , BEACH M. J. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYCryptosporidiumspecies have emerged as a major cause of outbreaks of diarrhoea and have been associated with consumption of contaminated recreational and drinking water and food as well as contact with infected attendees of child-care programmes. In August 2007, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment detected an increase in cryptosporidiosis cases over baseline values. We conducted a case-control study to assess risk factors for infection and collected stool specimens from ill persons for microscopy and molecular analysis. Laboratory-confirmed cases (n=47) were more likely to have swallowed untreated water from a lake, river, or stream [adjusted matched odds ratio (aOR) 8·0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·3–48·1], have had exposure to recreational water (aOR 4·6, 95% CI 1·4–14·6), or have had contact with a child in a child-care programme or in diapers (aOR 3·8, 95% CI 1·5–9·6). Although exposure to recreational water is commonly implicated in summertime cryptosporidiosis outbreaks, this study demonstrates that investigations of increased incidence of cases in summer should also examine other potential risk factors. This study emphasizes the need for public health education efforts that address the multiple transmission routes forCryptosporidiumand appropriate prevention measures to avoid future transmission.
Structural Analysis of Polarizing Indels Argues the Root of the Tree of Life is Near the Chloroflexi
Authors: Valas Ruben , Bourne Philip 
Published: May 2009

AbstractDetermining which branches of the tree of life have derived features narrows down the possible location of the root. Currently the polarization of indels done by Lake et al.^1-5^ and the polarizing transitions of Cavalier-Smith^6^ arrive at contradictory positions for the root of the tree. We have analyzed the sequence based indel arguments using protein structure wherever possible. Structure strongly supports some of the polarizations, but in other indels it argues for a different conclusion. We conclude that there is no contradiction between Lake et al. and Cavalier-Smith; the root of the tree of life must be near the Chloroflexi.
Expression of KAI1/CD82 in distant metastases from estrogen receptor‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Christgen Matthias , Christgen Henriette , Heil Charlotte , Krech Till , Länger Florian , Kreipe Hans , Lehmann Ulrich 
Published: May 2009

The tetraspanin protein superfamily member KAI1 suppresses tumor growth and metastasis in animal models and is downregulated in various human malignancies. In breast cancer, KAI1 is preferentially lost in estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive tumors. Interestingly, most ER‐negative primary breast cancers retain KAI1 expression. This study aimed to evaluate whether or not KAI1 is downregulated during progression to metastasis of these carcinomas. Expression of KAI1, ER, progesterone receptor, c‐ErbB2, and Ki67 was analyzed in tissue microarrays comprising a large collection of distant organ metastases from human breast cancers (n = 92) by immunohistochemistry. Results were compared with a previously characterized set of primary breast tumors (n = 209). Immunoreactivity for KAI1 was observed in one‐third of the metastases and was associated with lack of ER expression (P = 0.005). The high frequency of KAI1‐positive cases in ER‐negative primary tumors was maintained in ER‐negative metastases. Expression of KAI1 was also observed in MDA‐MB‐468 and SK‐BR‐3, two ER‐negative breast cancer cell lines of metastatic origin. Moreover, a reanalysis of independent microarray gene expression data indicated maintenance of KAI1 mRNA expression in metastases from ER‐negative breast cancers. Furthermore, in a series of matched pairs of mammary carcinomas and metachronous distant metastases, all metastases from KAI1‐positive/ER‐negative primary tumors were KAI1‐positive as well. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the expression of KAI1 is maintained during progression to metastasis in a large proportion of ER‐negative mammary carcinomas. This has significant implications for the use of KAI1 as a clinical marker and the understanding of the metastatic process in human breast cancer. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1767–1771)
Acne prevalence and beyond: acne disability and its predictive factors among Chinese late adolescents in Hong Kong
Authors: Law M. P. M. , Chuh A. A. T. , Lee A. , Molinari N. 
Published: May 2009

Summary
Background. Data are lacking on the prevalence of acne, its effects on quality of life (QOL) and the treatment usage among Chinese patients in late adolescence.
Aim. To derive data about the prevalence and predictive factors of acne, the disability caused by acne and choice of treatment used by Chinese late adolescents in Hong Kong.
Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of a random sample of 389 entrants in a university in Hong Kong, using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) to measure the clinical severity of acne and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) to measure QOL.
Results. The response rate was 99.3%. The prevalence of acne was of 81.5% (95% CI 77.6–85.4%) and coexisted with a high frequency of acne disability at a rate of 81.8% (95% CI 78.1–85.6%). Assessment of the clinical severity of acne did not correlate strongly with the effect on QOL (γs = 0.445, P &lt; 0.001). Over the previous 6 months, 30.3% of subjects had used topical treatments, 3.9% had taken systemic conventional western drugs and 3.2% of the subjects had used traditional Chinese medicine. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore the predictive factors for acne disability. Female gender (P = 0.002), higher GAGS score (P &lt; 0.001), higher perceived stress (P = 0.01) and willingness to pay Hong Kong$15 000 (£970) for a hypothetical permanent cure (P = 0.03) were positive predictors.
Conclusions. Acne is prevalent in Hong Kong and has considerable psychological effects. The association between clinical severity and impaired QOL is not strong.
Does sulphate enrichment promote the expansion of Typha domingensis (cattail) in the Florida Everglades?1
Authors: LI SHUWEN , MENDELSSOHN IRVING A. , CHEN HONGJUN , OREM WILLIAM H. 
Published: May 2009

Summary1. The expansion of Typha domingensis into areas once dominated by Cladium jamaicense in the Florida Everglades has been attributed to altered hydrology and phosphorus enrichment, although increased concentrations of sulphate and phosphorus often coincide. The potential importance of hydrogen sulphide produced from sulphate in the expansion of Typha has received little attention. The present study aimed to quantify the comparative growth and photosynthetic responses of Cladium and Typha to sulphate/sulphide.2. Laboratory experiments showed that Cladium is less tolerant of sulphide than Typha. Cladium was adversely affected at sulphide concentrations of approximately 0.22 mm, while Typha continued to grow well and appeared healthy up to 0.69 mm sulphide.3. Experiments in field mesocosms provided strong support for species‐specific differences in physiology and growth. Regardless of interstitial sulphide concentrations attained, Typha grew faster and had a higher photosynthetic capacity than Cladium. However, sulphide concentrations in the mesocosms reached only 0.18 mm which, based on the hydroponic study, was insufficient to affect the growth or photosynthetic responses of either species. Nevertheless, the upper range of sulphide (0.25–0.375 mm) in Everglades’ soil is high enough, based on our results, to impact Cladium but not Typha.4. This research supports the hypothesis that sulphide accumulation could affect plant species differentially and modify species composition. Consequently, the role of sulphate loading should be considered, in conjunction with hydroperiod, phosphorus availability and disturbances, in developing future management plans for the Everglades.
Fine root responses of mature deciduous forest trees to free air carbon dioxide enrichment (FACE)
Authors: Bader Martin , Hiltbrunner Erika , Körner Christian 
Published: May 2009

Summary 1. Elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations have often been reported to increase carbon allocation below‐ground, particularly to fine root production. However, for trees these responses have primarily been studied in young expanding systems while the evidence for late successional systems that have reached steady state above‐ and below‐ground is very limited. 2. At the Swiss Canopy Crane (SCC) experimental site, we assessed whether elevated CO2 affects fine root biomass, fine root expansion and fine root C and N concentration under mature deciduous trees (c. 100 years) exposed to 7 years of free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) in a typical near‐natural central European forest. 3. After 5 and 6 years of CO2 enrichment, both, the soil core and ingrowth core method yielded similar reductions in biomass of c. –30% under elevated CO2 for live fine roots < 1 mm diameter. In year 7 of the experiment, when fine root biomass was re‐assessed at peak season, there was no significant CO2‐effect detectable. C and N concentrations in newly produced fine roots remained unaffected by elevated CO2. Soil moisture under CO2‐exposed trees was significantly increased during rainless periods. 4. The isotopic label introduced into the system by canopy enrichment with 13C‐depleted CO2 allowed us to trace the newly assimilated carbon. After 6 years of growth at 550 ppm CO2, recent fine roots (< 1 mm, ingrowth cores) of CO2‐enriched trees consisted of 51% new carbon, suggesting a rather slow root turnover and/or slow mixing of old and new carbon in these trees. 5. Reduced tree water consumption under elevated CO2 and resultant soil water savings might cause these trees to reduce their fine root investments in a future CO2‐enriched atmosphere. 6. Our findings and those from other multi‐year experiments indicate that fine root mass in late successional systems may also be unaffected or even suppressed instead of being stimulated by elevated CO2.
From malaria control to eradication: The WHO perspective
Authors: Mendis Kamini , Rietveld Aafje , Warsame Marian , Bosman Andrea , Greenwood Brian , Wernsdorfer Walther H. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryEfforts to control malaria have been boosted in the past few years with increased international funding and greater political commitment. Consequently, the reported malaria burden is being reduced in a number of countries throughout the world, including in some countries in tropical Africa where the burden of malaria is greatest. These achievements have raised new hopes of eradicating malaria. This paper summarizes the outcomes of a World Health Organization’s expert meeting on the feasibility of such a goal. Given the hindsight and experience of the Global Malaria Eradication Programme of the 1950s and 1960s, and current knowledge of the effectiveness of antimalarial tools and interventions, it would be feasible to effectively control malaria in all parts of the world and greatly reduce the enormous morbidity and mortality of malaria. It would also be entirely feasible to eliminate malaria from countries and regions where the intensity of transmission is low to moderate, and where health systems are strong. Elimination of malaria requires a re‐orientation of control activity, moving away from a population‐based coverage of interventions, to one based on a programme of effective surveillance and response. Sustained efforts will be required to prevent the resurgence of malaria from where it is eliminated. Eliminating malaria from countries where the intensity of transmission is high and stable such as in tropical Africa will require more potent tools and stronger health systems than are available today. When such countries have effectively reduced the burden of malaria, the achievements will need to be consolidated before a programme re‐orientation towards malaria elimination is contemplated. Malaria control and elimination are under the constant threat of the parasite and vector mosquito developing resistance to medicines and insecticides, which are the cornerstones of current antimalarial interventions. The prospects of malaria eradication, therefore, rest heavily on the outcomes of research and development for new and improved tools. Malaria control and elimination are complementary objectives in the global fight against malaria.
Targeted monitoring of patients at high risk of post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease by quantitative Epstein–Barr virus polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Omar H. , Hägglund H. , Gustafsson‐Jernberg Å. , LeBlanc K. , Mattsson J. , Remberger M. , Ringdén O. , Sparrelid E. , Sundin M. , Winiarski J. , Yun Z. , Ljungman P. 
Published: May 2009

Background. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) is a serious complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). The likelihood of PTLD is increased in the presence of specific risk factors. Monitoring of EBV DNA load and early administration of rituximab in patients with high EBV loads is recommended for high‐risk patients.Methods. Patients at high risk of EBV‐associated PTLD were defined as those showing an EBV serological mismatch between donor and recipient, those with lymphoma, those given cord blood grafts, and those with primary EBV disease before SCT. High‐risk patients were prospectively monitored by weekly measurement of EBV DNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, and rituximab was given when the EBV load reached 10,000 copies/mL or symptoms were suggestive of EBV disease. During the study period (July 2005 to the end of June 2007) 131 patients underwent SCT, of whom 53 had high risk factors. A historical control group transplanted between January 2003 to the end of June 2005 was retrospectively used to evaluate the effect of the prospective monitoring strategy.Results. Of the patients, 30% were positive for EBV DNA at least once; 10% of patients with EBV DNAemia developed PTLD. Risk factors of EBV DNAemia were younger age (P=0.04), receiving transplants from mismatched family or unrelated donors (P=0.01), and acute graft‐versus‐host disease grades II–IV (P=0.001). The overall frequency of PTLD was 3%; 5.7% in the high‐risk group and 1.3% in the standard‐risk group. Previous splenectomy (P=0.046) was the only significant risk factor associated with PTLD. In the control group, 6 of 150 patients (4%) developed PTLD; 5/53 (9.4%) in the high‐risk group and 1/97 (1%) in the standard‐risk group. Human leukocyte antigen‐mismatched donors (P<0.01) and EBV‐positive donors/EBV‐negative recipients (P=0.01) had a significant impact on the risk of PTLD.Conclusion. A targeted monitoring strategy among patients at a high risk of EBV‐associated PTLD might be helpful to decrease the risk of development of PTLD. However, larger prospective studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.
Lamprey GnRH‐III Releases Luteinizing Hormone but not Follicle Stimulating Hormone in Pigs
Authors: Barretero‐Hernandez R , Vizcarra JA , Bowen A , Galyean M 
Published: May 2009

ContentsThe effect of exogenous administration of lamprey GnRH‐III (IGnRH‐III) on gonadotropin secretion was evaluated in pigs. Six crossbred barrows (82.4 ± 3.5 kg body weight) were assigned randomly to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to evaluate the effect of 0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 μg/kg body weight of exogenous IGnRH‐III on LH and FSH secretion. To facilitate blood collection and infusion of IGnRH‐III, barrows were catheterized in the jugular vein 1 day before initiation of experiments. Blood samples were taken at 10‐min intervals for 6 h, starting 2 h before treatments were applied. Relative concentrations of LH and FSH were calculated by obtaining the ratio of the average concentration of each hormone 2 h after infusion divided by the average concentration during the 2 h before infusion. Relative concentrations of FSH after IGnRH‐III infusion did not influence mean concentration of FSH at any of the doses; yet 10.0 μg/kg body weight had a significant effect on LH secretion (p < 0.01). Relative concentrations of LH averaged 1.2, 1.0 and 3.0 ng/ml (for doses of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 μg/kg body weight of IGnRH‐III respectively). Only a dose of 10 μg/kg body weight elicited a significant LH increase that was associated with exogenous IGnRH‐III infusion. We conclude that IGnRH‐III is a weak GnRH agonist and at high doses, IGnRH‐III has the ability to release LH but not FSH in barrows.
Anti‐hepatitis B virus treatment guided by long‐term virus kinetics stepwise tracing
Authors: Yang Jin , Cai Ting , Lou Guo‐Qiang 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Biphasic modeling of viral kinetics provided valuable information to rapidly assess potential antiviral regimens during the beginning of therapy, but has not been performed over the long term.Methods:  In 11 chronic hepatitis B patients with lamivudine treated per day, the model with delay time was applied to examine phase transition and analyze viral kinetics parameters.Results:  Viral decay conformed to a biphasic mode during the first 4 weeks, with the complex profile appeared in the later period. Lamivudine treatment resulted in a mean log hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐DNA decline of 1.77 ± 0.55 after 4 weeks and 3.79 ± 1.70 log after 24 weeks. The median effectiveness of blocking viral replication was 96% (range, 89–99%). The median rate of free virus clearance and infected cell loss was 1.1/day and 0.03/day, respectively. Through phase transition determination and stepwise modeling process, viral kinetics were evaluated for complex decay profile during long‐term therapy. Moreover, with the abnormal kinetics tracked, an occasion of add‐on combined therapy was developed to treat patients with emerging virus mutants.Conclusion:  The present study using mathematical modeling of viral decay may be a useful approach to evaluate optimal individualized therapy for HBV infection in a continuous long‐term manner.
IL‐18 serum level and IL‐18 promoter gene polymorphism in Iranian patients with gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Haghshenas Mohammad Reza , Hosseini Seyed Vahid , Mahmoudi Mahmoud , Saberi‐Firozi Mehdi , Farjadian Shirin , Ghaderi Abbas 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Interleukin (IL)‐18 level and association of its two promoter gene polymorphisms at −607C/A and −137G/C positions were investigated in Iranian patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.Methods:  232 cases of GI cancers and 312 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum level of IL‐18 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and genotyping of IL‐18 gene polymorphisms were assessed by allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results:  There was a significant difference in the frequency of −137 G/C genotype between patients with stomach or colorectal cancers and control group. In patients with colorectal cancer, the frequency of the −607AA/−137GC genotype combination in unwell‐differentiated cases was more than those with well‐differentiated cancer. Haplotype analysis showed that in patients with stomach cancer −607C/−137C and −607A/−137G and in patients with colorectal cancer −607C/−137C were decreased compared with control group, and this difference reached statistical significance. Serum analysis revealed that the mean IL‐18 serum level in stomach and colorectal cancer before and after surgical operation was significantly higher than healthy volunteers. Postoperative IL‐18 level for all patients with colorectal cancer was significantly decreased compared with the levels before surgery.Conclusion:  Results of this investigation suggests that Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) at position −137 G/C and haplotype frequency may play a role in predisposition of Iranian patients to stomach and colorectal cancers. In addition, increasing serum IL‐18 level may have clinical importance as a diagnostic marker in patients with stomach and colorectal cancer.