bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the phospholipid classes in human milk in Japanese mothers of term and preterm infants
Authors: Shoji Hiromichi , Shimizu Toshiaki , Kaneko Noritsugu , Shinohara Koichi , Shiga Seigo , Saito Masami , Oshida Kyoichi , Shimizu Takashi , Takase Mitsunori , Yamashiro Yuichiro 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackground: Phospholipids (PLs) play an essential role in the growth and brain development of infants. Aim: To investigate PL composition in human milk (HM), including lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SM), from healthy Japanese mothers. Analyses were performed on colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk from mothers of preterm and term infants. Methods: HM samples were collected from mothers of 15 term infants (term group) and of 19 preterm infants (preterm group). PL composition was determined by two‐dimensional thin‐layer chromatography in conjunction with phosphorus analysis. Results: In both groups, the PL content (% of total lipid) of mature milk was significantly lower than in colostrum. SM and PC were the main PLs in HM, but in the preterm group, the percentage of SM in mature milk was significantly higher and PC in mature milk was significantly lower than in the term group.Conclusion: The transition from colostrum to mature milk leads to an increase in SM and a decrease in PC in the HM of preterm infants, along with a decrease in PL content. This is the first report to demonstrate the differences in PL composition in HM between mothers of preterm and term infants.
Measuring developmental deficit in children born at gestational age less than 26 weeks using a parent‐completed developmental questionnaire
Authors: Plomgaard Anne Mette , Hansen Bo Moelholm , Greisen Gorm 
Published: May 2006

Abstract Aim: To assess developmental deficit in children born at gestational age (GA) < 26 wk using a parental questionnaire and to use regression analysis to study a cohort born in 1999–2003. Patients and Methods: Three groups were studied: group 1, GA < 26 wk; group 2, GA 26–27 wk; group 3, children born at term. The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used. The parents of each child were mailed an age‐specific questionnaire between November 2004 and April 2005. The term children were used as a reference to calculate a standard deviation score (ASQ‐SDS) for each child in the two preterm groups. Results: Seventy‐five per cent of the questionnaires were returned (group 1: n=61; group 2: n=57; group 3: n=72). The age at scoring ranged from 12 to 60 mo (mean 32.8 mo). After correction for parental education, 22% of the children born at GA < 26 wk and 13% of those at GA 26–27 wk had an ASQ‐SDS below −2. Chronic lung disease of prematurity was associated with developmental deficit (mean difference −1.1 ASQ‐SDS, p=0.004). Conclusion: The ASQ identified a significant developmental deficit in the children born extremely preterm. The rate of 22%, however, in children born at GA < 26 wk is reassuring.
Dynamics of hepatic enzyme activity following birth asphyxia
Authors: Karlsson Mathias , Blennow Mats , Nemeth Antal , Winbladh Birger 
Published: May 2006

Abstract Aim: To investigate: 1) the occurrence of hypoxic hepatitis in full‐term infants after birth asphyxia, 2) the temporal enzyme pattern in asphyxiated newborn infants, and 3) whether the degree of hypoxic hepatitis, as reflected by the rise in aminotransferase, correlates with the severity of the asphyxia and CNS symptomatology. Methods: Serum aminotransferases, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma‐glutamyl transferase, total and conjugated bilirubin, cholinesterase activity, albumin, international normalized ratio (INR), and nucleated red blood cell count were prospectively measured in full‐term asphyxiated newborn infants (n=26). Samples were collected three times during the first 72 h and once between days 6 and 12 after birth. Samples from healthy newborns (n=56), collected 24–172 h after birth, served as controls. Results: In 12 of the 26 asphyxiated infants, a serum alanine aminotransferase (S‐ALAT) pattern compatible with hypoxic hepatitis was found. Five infants showed increased S‐ALAT activity but with a different pattern. Similar patterns were seen in serum aspartate aminotransferase (S‐ASAT). S‐ALAT and ‐ASAT concentrations 0–72 h after birth correlated significantly with severity of hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy. Conclusion: Birth asphyxia can induce an enzyme pattern in serum compatible to hypoxic hepatitis. There seems to be a correlation between aminotransferases in serum and the extent of CNS injury.
Rapid development of polyclonal antisera against infectious salmon anaemia virus and its optimization and application as a diagnostic tool
Authors: McBeath S J , Ellis L M , Cook P F , Wilson L , Urquhart K L , Bricknell I R 
Published: May 2006

AbstractInfectious salmon anaemia is an important disease of Atlantic salmon. One of the current methods of diagnosis is the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using a monoclonal antibody specific to the haemagglutinin of the virus. The conformationally dependent nature of this antibody could be a drawback in its usefulness in other tests. This study describes the development and optimization of a polyclonal antiserum against infectious salmon anaemia virus, including a method of separating virus from cell culture components within culture supernatant. The antiserum was subsequently optimized for use in a variety of immunological diagnostic tests, including IFAT and an alkaline phosphatase‐based immunoassay, and Western blot.
The proteasome‐dependent degradation of CKB4 is regulated by the Arabidopsis biological clock
Authors: Perales Mariano , Portolés Sergi , Más Paloma 
Published: May 2006

SummaryMost organisms have evolved an internal timing mechanism, the circadian clock, that is able to generate and maintain 24 h rhythmic oscillation in molecular, biochemical and metabolic activities. In Arabidopsis, the clock‐dependent synchronization of physiology with the environment is essential for successful growth and development. The mechanisms of the Arabidopsis clockwork have been described as transcriptional feedback loops at the core of the oscillator. However, an increasing body of evidence points towards a key role of post‐translational regulation of clock components as an essential mechanism of circadian function. Here, we identify CKB4, a CK2 regulatory subunit, as a component of the Arabidopsis circadian system. We demonstrate that the nuclear‐localized CKB4 protein exists in vivo as different isoforms, resulting from phosphorylation on serine residues. Our findings show that the phosphorylated isoforms are the preferred substrate for ubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome pathway. We provide evidence of the involvement of the biological clock in the circadian regulation of CKB4 protein abundance, which itself is important for an accurate control of circadian period by the clock. Overexpression of CKB4 results in elevated CK2 overall activity and period‐shortening of clock‐controlled genes peaking at different phase angles. Restriction of CKB4 protein phosphorylation and/or degradation to specific phases within the circadian cycle might provide the cell with a fine‐tuning mechanism to selectively regulate the CK2 phosphorylation activity on specific substrates.
The Arabidopsis metal tolerance protein AtMTP3 maintains metal homeostasis by mediating Zn exclusion from the shoot under Fe deficiency and Zn oversupply
Authors: Arrivault Stéphanie , Senger Toralf , Krämer Ute 
Published: May 2006

SummaryZinc ions are required to maintain the biological activity of numerous proteins. However, when mislocalized or accumulated in excess, Zn2+ ions are toxic because of adventitious binding to proteins and displacement of other metal ions, among them Fe2+, from their binding sites. Heterologous expression of a previously uncharacterized Arabidopsis thaliana metal tolerance protein, MTP3, in the zrc1 cot1 mutant of budding yeast restores tolerance to, and cellular accumulation of, zinc and cobalt. An MTP3–GFP fusion protein localizes to the vacuolar membrane when expressed in Arabidopsis. Ectopic over‐expression of MTP3 increases Zn accumulation in both roots and rosette leaves of A. thaliana, and enhances Zn tolerance. Exposure of wild‐type plants to high but non‐toxic concentrations of Zn or Co, or Fe deficiency, strongly induce MTP3 expression specifically in epidermal and cortex cells of the root hair zone. Silencing of MTP3 by RNA interference causes Zn hypersensitivity and enhances Zn accumulation in above‐ground organs of soil‐grown plants and of seedlings exposed to excess Zn or to Fe deficiency. Our data indicate that, in wild‐type A. thaliana, the AtMTP3 protein contributes to basic cellular Zn tolerance and controls Zn partitioning, particularly under conditions of high rates of Zn influx into the root symplasm.
The diagnosis of asthma using a self‐questionnaire in those suffering from allergic rhinitis: a pharmaco‐epidemiological survey in everyday practice in France
Authors: Demoly P. , Bozonnat M.‐C. , Dacosta P. , Daures J.‐P. 
Published: May 2006

Background:  All recent guidelines recommend a search for asthma utilizing both specific interrogation and pulmonary function tests in patients suffering from allergic rhinitis. Although the mandatory place of spirometry has not been confirmed, a self‐questionnaire containing nine specific questions on asthma symptoms in different daily life situations was found to be capable of discriminating asthmatics from nonasthmatics in a rhinitic population.Objective:  We addressed the questions of prevalence of asthma using a validated self‐questionnaire and what might be the risk factors of being asthmatic according to that specific self‐questionnaire.Methods:  Between April 2003 and September 2004, nearly 12 000 rhinitis patients were enrolled by more than 2300 physicians (78% general practitioners, 22% ear nose and throat specialists). Patients were consulting for an exacerbation of chronic rhinitis and did not have a previous diagnosis of asthma. Both doctors and patients filled out a specific questionnaire on rhinitis and asthma.Results:  Almost 30% of the patients had at least three positive answers to the self‐questionnaire and could possibly be considered as asthmatics. We found five independent clinical risk factors for having ≥3 positive answers to the self‐questionnaire. Severity of rhinitis (moderate‐severe vs mild, OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.68–2.00), diagnosis of allergy (yes vs no) (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.68–2.00), body mass index (≤18.5 vs >30) (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.39–0.66), type of rhinitis (persistent vs intermittent) (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.15–1.37), and patient age (≤25 vs >47) (OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.65–0.80).Conclusion:  Asthma symptoms are frequent in rhinitics without a prior history of asthma. Several variables were shown to be predictive of asthma in these patients.
Rhinitis symptoms and IgE sensitization as risk factors for development of later allergic rhinitis in adults
Authors: Bodtger U. , Poulsen L. K. , Linneberg A. 
Published: May 2006

Background:  Rhinitis symptoms and IgE‐sensitization often mismatch. Asymptomatic sensitization is an established risk factor for later rhinitis, whereas it is not clear whether rhinitis is a risk factor for later development of IgE‐sensitization.Objective:  To investigate whether nonallergic rhinitis is a risk factor for later development of IgE‐sensitization in adults during an 8‐year follow‐up period, and whether asymptomatic sensitization is a risk factor for later development of rhinitis.Methods:  In a population‐based study of 15–69 years olds in 1990, 734 subjects were re‐examined in 1998. On both occasions questionnaires on rhinitis symptoms were completed and serum IgE (against birch, grass, mugwort, cat, dog, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) were determined (positive if ≥0.35 kUA/l). Asymptomatic sensitization: positive IgE levels without any rhinitis symptoms. Nonallergic rhinitis: rhinitis symptoms and no sensitization.Results:  Asymptomatic sensitization to pollens, pets, or house dust mite was significantly associated with onset of rhinitis symptoms, also when changing baseline cut‐off for sensitization to ≥0.1 or ≥0.7 kUA/l. The 8‐year incidence of pollen‐related rhinitis was 15.1% and 2.6% in subjects sensitized and nonsensitized to pollens, respectively (odds ratio 6.1, 95% CI 2.3–16.0). Persistent or intermittent nonallergic rhinitis was not significantly associated with later sensitization, yet a positive trend for development was observed in nonallergic pollen‐related rhinitis.Conclusion:  Asymptomatic sensitization but not nonallergic rhinitis was a significant risk factor for later development of allergic rhinitis.
Genetic modification of cassava for enhanced starch production
Authors: Ihemere Uzoma , Arias‐Garzon Diana , Lawrence Susan , Sayre Richard 
Published: May 2006

SummaryTo date, transgenic approaches to biofortify subsistence crops have been rather limited. This is particularly true for the starchy root crop cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Cassava has one of the highest rates of CO2 fixation and sucrose synthesis for any C3 plant, but rarely reaches its yield potentials in the field. It was our hypothesis that starch production in cassava tuberous roots could be increased substantially by increasing the sink strength for carbohydrate. To test this hypothesis, we generated transgenic plants with enhanced tuberous root ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) activity. This was achieved by expressing a modified form of the bacterial glgC gene under the control of a Class I patatin promoter. AGPase catalyses the rate‐limiting step in starch biosynthesis, and therefore the expression of a more active bacterial form of the enzyme was expected to lead to increased starch production. To facilitate maximal AGPase activity, we modified the Escherichia coli glgC gene (encoding AGPase) by site‐directed mutagenesis (G336D) to reduce allosteric feedback regulation by fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate. Transgenic plants (three) expressing the glgC gene had up to 70% higher AGPase activity than control plants when assayed under conditions optimal for plant and not bacterial AGPase activity. Plants having the highest AGPase activities had up to a 2.6‐fold increase in total tuberous root biomass when grown under glasshouse conditions. In addition, plants with the highest tuberous root AGPase activity had significant increases in above‐ground biomass, consistent with a possible reduction in feedback inhibition on photosynthetic carbon fixation. These results demonstrate that targeted modification of enzymes regulating source–sink relationships in crop plants having high carbohydrate source strengths is an effective strategy for increasing carbohydrate yields in sink tissues.
Myiasis as a risk factor for prion diseases in humans
Authors: Lupi O 
Published: May 2006

AbstractPrion diseases are transmissible spongiform encephalopathies of humans and animals. The oral route is clearly associated with some prion diseases, according to the dissemination of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) in cattle and kuru in humans. However, other prion diseases such as scrapie (in sheep) and chronic wasting disease (CWD) (in cervids) cannot be explained in this way and are probably more associated with a pattern of horizontal transmission in both domestic and wild animals. The skin and mucous membranes are a potential target for prion infections because keratinocytes and lymphocytes are susceptible to the abnormal infective isoform of the prion protein. Iatrogenic transmission of Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) was also recognized after corneal transplants in humans and scrapie was successfully transmitted to mice after ocular instillation of infected brain tissue, confirming that these new routes could also be important in prion infections. Some ectoparasites have been proven to harbour prion rods in laboratory experiments. Prion rods were identified in both fly larvae and pupae; adult flies are also able to express prion proteins. The most common causes of myiasis in cattle and sheep, closely related animals with previous prion infections, are Hypoderma bovis and Oestrus ovis, respectively. Both species of flies present a life cycle very different from human myiasis, as they have a long contact with neurological structures, such as spinal canal and epidural fat, which are potentially rich in prion rods. Ophthalmomyiases in humans is commonly caused by both species of fly larvae worldwide, providing almost direct contact with the central nervous system (CNS). The high expression of the prion protein on the skin and mucosa and the severity of the inflammatory response to the larvae could readily increase the efficiency of transmission of prions in both animals and humans.
Obtaining Data on Patient Race, Ethnicity, and Primary Language in Health Care Organizations: Current Challenges and Proposed Solutions
Authors: Hasnain‐Wynia Romana , Baker David W. 
Published: May 2006

Objectives. To provide an overview of why health care organizations (HCOs) should collect race, ethnicity, and language data, review current practices, discuss the rationale for collecting this information directly from patients, and describe barriers and solutions.Principal Findings. Hospitals and HCOs with data from their own institutions may be more likely to look at disparities in care, design targeted programs to improve quality of care, and provide patient‐centered care. Yet data collection is fragmented and incomplete within and across organizations. A major factor affecting the quality of data is the lack of understanding about how best to collect this information from patients.Conclusions. If HCOs make a commitment to systematically collect race/ethnicity and language data from patients, it would be a major step in enhancing the ability of HCOs to monitor health care processes and outcomes for different population groups, target quality initiatives more efficiently and effectively, and provide patient‐centered care.
High Success Rate with Cryomapping and Cryoablation of Atrioventricular Nodal Reentrytachycardia
Authors: JENSEN‐URSTAD MATS , TABRIZI FARIBORZ , KENNEBÄCK GÖRAN , WREDLERT CHRISTER , KLANG CAROLINE , INSULANDER PER 
Published: May 2006

Introduction: Cryoablation is a new alternative to radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treatment of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardias (AVNRT). Mapping with reversible effect on the arrhythmia substrate or the AV node can be done before irreversible ablation is performed. This study evaluates an approach with systematic cryomapping, ablating only in areas with prompt effect on the arrhythmia substrate and evaluates whether the success rates and procedure times are similar to RF ablation.
Methods and Results: Seventy‐five consecutive patients with typical slow‐fast AVNRT were studied. Cryomapping at−30°C was performed before ablation with a goal temperature of−70°C for 240 seconds. The ablation procedure was successful in 74 of the 75 patients, giving an acute success rate of 99%. During a mean follow‐up of 338 days, 70 of the 74 primarily successfully ablated patients were free from the treated arrhythmia, giving a recurrence rate of 5% and a total success rate of 93%. Total procedure time including a 30‐minute test after successful ablation was 126 ± 55 minutes. Fluoroscopy time was 18.5 ± 14.9 minutes.
Conclusion: Cryoablation of AVNRT appears to be as effective as RF ablation both acute and in long term with minimal risks for unwanted injuries on the conduction system. The procedure can be done with reasonable procedure and fluoroscopy times.
Endocardial Visualization of Esophageal‐Left Atrial Anatomic Relationship by Three‐Dimensional Multidetector Computed Tomography “Navigator Imaging”
Authors: WANG SI‐LUN , OOI CLARA G.C. , SIU CHUNG‐WAH , YIU MICHAEL W.C. , PANG CBY , LAU CHU‐PAK , TSE HUNG‐FAT 
Published: May 2006

Background: The close proximity of left atrium (LA) and esophagus during radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) predisposes to thermal injury resulting in atrio‐esophageal fistula. This work proposes to study the anatomic relationship between the esophagus and the LA wall using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) three‐dimensional (3D) “Navigator” reconstruction technique.
Methods: Forty‐five consecutive patients (37 men, mean age 52.7 ± 14.1 years) with preradiofrequency ablation MDCT scans of the thorax for AF were recruited. Length and type (continuous or interrupted) of fat pad between esophagus and LA were evaluated. The position, width, and length of the esophagus in contact (without fat pad) with the LA were determined by using “Navigator” software on the endocardial view of LA.
Results: The fat pad was continuous in 4% (2 of 45) and interrupted in 96% (43 of 45) patients. The mean width and length of esophageal‐LA contact in 43 cases with interrupted fat pad was 24.0 ± 5.8 mm (range 10.5–35.3 mm) and 41.9 ± 11.6 mm (5.4–64 mm), respectively. There was an inverse relationship between the lengths of the esophageal‐LA contact and the upper fat pad (r = ‐0.50, P = 0.001). The esophagus was located to the left, right, and midline of the LA in 40, 2, and 1 patients, respectively, and the esophagus was in contact with and overrode the PV orifice in 22 and 4 patients, respectively.
Conclusion: Direct esophageal‐LA contact without the intervening fat pad was present in 96% of the cases, with 93% of esophagi lying to the left of the LA and 51% in contact with a PV orifice. Three‐dimensional Navigator imaging technique has enhanced the visualization of the anatomical information of the esophagus, LA wall, and PV orifices that may be used to avoid thermal injury to the esophagus during LA ablation procedure.
Indices of Electrical and Contractile Remodeling During Atrial Fibrillation in Man
Authors: HOLMQVIST FREDRIK , STRIDH MARTIN , WAKTARE JOHAN E.P. , SÖRNMO LEIF , ROIJER ANDERS , MEURLING CARL J. 
Published: May 2006

Background: Atrial electrical and contractile remodeling have been demonstrated to coincide during atrial fibrillation (AF) in experimental studies. We explored whether electrical and contractile remodeling correlate in man and explored its clinical implications.
Methods: Forty‐nine patients with persistent AF were studied. Electrical remodeling was assessed noninvasively using spectral analysis to estimate the average fibrillatory rate (AFR). Atrial contractility was assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) measurement of left atrial appendage outflow velocity (LAAOV).
Results: The AFR was 403 ± 43 fibrillations per minute (fpm) and the LAAOV was 0.27 ± 0.14 m/s. A significant correlation was found between AFR and LAAOV (r =−0.47, P = 0.001). In patients with a LAAOV ≥0.25 m/s, the AFR was 387 ± 48 fpm compared to 419 ± 31 fpm among patients with LAAOV <0.25 m/s (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that indices of electrical and contractile remodeling are strongly correlated in persistent AF in man. The interindividual overlap, however, is too large to allow predictions of LAAOV based on fibrillatory frequency alone.
Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Reaching the Mainstream
Authors: FISHER JOHN D. , SPINELLI MICHAEL A. , MOOKHERJEE DISHA , KRUMERMAN ANDREW K. , PALMA EUGEN C. 
Published: May 2006

Introduction and Aims: Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has evolved rapidly in the decade since its inception. We aimed to review the results of this evolution as reflected in the published literature.
Methods: Publications through 2005 were reviewed, and data included if there was information on the technique used, and follow‐up of at least 6 months.
Results: More than 23,000 patients met criteria for inclusion. There has been a steady improvement in reported outcomes (P < 0.001). Variations on radiofrequency catheter ablation for pulmonary vein isolation result in apparent elimination (“cure”) or improvement of AF in 75%, and surgical techniques are even better.
Conclusions: Catheter ablation of AF is now a mainstream procedure. Continuing technical advances are needed to achieve better results with more uniformity and reduced procedure times.