bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Grade of Oocyte–Cumulus Complex and the Interactions Between Grades on the Production of Blastocysts in the Cow, Ewe and Lamb
Authors: Kelly JM , Kleemann DO , Rudiger SR , Walker SK 
Published: June 2007

ContentsThere is an association between the size of the cumulus investment and the in vitro developmental ability of the oocyte–cumulus complex (OCC) that provides a basis for the selection of OCCs. However, the value of selection is confounded by humoral interactions between OCCs that influence the development of OCCs of other grade(s). This study examined the effect of size of the cumulus investment (OCC grade) and the interactions between grades on the developmental ability of oocytes collected from the cow, ewe and lamb. OCCs were classified into A, B and C grades on visual assessment of the number of cumulus cell layers or left unselected (Unselected). In the cow, there were 669 ± 228 to 4763 ± 228 cells per OCC whereas comparable figures in the ewe and lamb were 593 ± 252 to 3716 ± 252 and 366 ± 228 to 3263 ± 228 respectively (A > Unselected > B > C; Experiment 1). In Experiment 2, OCCs were made to mature within grade and the efficiency of blastocyst production and blastocyst quality was compared with that obtained in the Unselected group. Grade was associated with significant (p < 0.05) differences in cleavage rate, blastocyst production rate and the mean number of nuclei per embryo (generally A > B > C across animal types). However, the performance of A grade OCCs in the cow and lamb did not differ significantly from that obtained in the Unselected group whereas in the ewe, A grade OCCs were significantly (p < 0.05) better. Furthermore, the performance of the Unselected group was significantly (p < 0.05) better than that of the combined grades (A + B + C) in the cow but there were no differences in either the ewe or lamb. It is concluded that (i) interactions between OCCs of different grade influence the developmental ability of OCCs in the cow and, to a lesser extent, the lamb, (ii) selection of OCCs in the cow and lamb would lead to the exclusion of many OCCs that have the ability to develop into blastocysts and (iii) selection in the ewe would improve the efficiency of blastocyst production although its value is limited by the low percentage of A grade OCCs.
Prevalence of thyroid disease in an older Australian population
Authors: Empson M. , Flood V. , Ma G. , Eastman C. J. , Mitchell P. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAim: To determine the prevalence of thyroid disease in an older Australian population in a population‐based cross‐sectional study.Background: Community‐living subjects, aged 49 years or older, in two Blue Mountains postcodes were invited to participate in an eye, nutrition and health study between 1997 and 2000.Methods: Three thousand five hundred and nine of the 4489 identified persons participated. Fifty‐seven per cent of 3504 who completed questionnaires were women; their mean age was 66.8 years. Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured in 2665 subjects (76% of those completing the questionnaire). The main outcome measures were serum TSH and free thyroxine levels, serum lipids, urate and sugar levels and questionnaire responses.Results: The prevalence of recognized thyroid disease (either self‐reported history of thyroid disease or current thyroxine treatment) was 10% (95% confidence interval (CI) 8.9–11.1%). An additional 3.6% (95%CI 2.9–4.3%) of participants had unrecognized thyroid disease (abnormal TSH). The TSH was abnormal in 7.1% (95%CI 5.8–8.4%) of women and 3.7% (95%CI 2.6–4.8%) of men. Sixty‐five per cent of those with an abnormal TSH did not report a history of thyroid disease, whereas 25% of those taking thyroxine replacement therapy had an abnormal TSH level. The prevalence of hypothyroidism increased with increasing age in women. The mean fasting cholesterol was 0.36 mmol/L (95%CI 0.15–0.57) higher in hypothyroid subjects than in euthyroid subjects.Conclusion: Thyroid disease in older Australian women is relatively common and may be undiagnosed. Ongoing monitoring of patients on thyroxine replacement therapy is important, given that 25% of treated patients had an abnormal TSH.
Diagnostic and prognostic utility of the serum free light chain assay in patients with AL amyloidosis
Authors: Morris K. L. , Tate J. R. , Gill D. , Kennedy G. , Wellwood J. , Marlton P. , Bird R. , Mills A. K. , Mollee P. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground: Organ dysfunction in AL amyloidosis is related to the production and deposition of amyloidogenic monoclonal light chains. These pathological light chains can now be quantified using the recently developed serum free light chain assay.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients with AL amyloidosis to determine the frequency of abnormal free light chain assay results at diagnosis and whether changes in the serum free light chain assay predict outcome after therapy.Results: An abnormal free light chain assay was found in 30 of 31 patients (97%) at the time of diagnosis. In the subset of our patients who received treatment for AL amyloidosis, a >50% reduction of the pathological free light chain following treatment was shown to predict improved overall survival. In our series of analyses, achievement of greater magnitudes of reduction of the free light chain result did not appear to provide additional prognostic information, nor did the baseline free light chain result predict outcome.Conclusion: Our findings support the use of the free light chain assay in the diagnostic work‐up of patients with suspected AL amyloidosis, and also as a sensitive biomarker of response to therapy.
Clinical perspectives in lymphoma
Authors: Young G. A. R. , Iland H. J. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe classification of both Hodgkin’s and non‐Hodgkin’s lymphomas continues to evolve. The current World Health Organization classification incorporates data derived from advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders together with their distinguishing immunophenotypic, genotypic, clinical and histopathological characteristics. As outcomes have improved, the main emphasis of treatment has been to incorporate a risk‐adapted approach to reduce long‐term toxicity without sacrificing efficacy through the use of varying combinations of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
Novel and diverse integron integrase genes and integron‐like gene cassettes are prevalent in deep‐sea hydrothermal vents
Authors: Elsaied Hosam , Stokes H. W. , Nakamura Takamichi , Kitamura Keiko , Fuse Hiroyuki , Maruyama Akihiko 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe lack of information about mobile DNA in deep‐sea hydrothermal vents limits our understanding of the phylogenetic diversity of the mobile genome of bacteria in these environments. We used culture‐independent techniques to explore the diversity of the integron/mobile gene cassette system in a variety of hydrothermal vent communities. Three samples, which included two different hydrothermal vent fluids and a mussel species that contained essentially monophyletic sulfur‐oxidizing bacterial endosymbionts, were collected from Suiyo Seamount, Izu‐Bonin, Japan, and Pika site, Mariana arc. First, using degenerate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, we amplified integron integrase genes from metagenomic DNA from each sample. From vent fluids, we discovered 74 new integrase genes that were classified into 11 previously undescribed integron classes. One integrase gene was recorded in the mussel symbiont and was phylogenetically distant from those recovered from vent fluids. Second, using PCR primers targeting the gene cassette recombination site (59‐be), we amplified and subsequently identified 60 diverse gene cassettes. In multicassette amplicons, a total of 13 59‐be sites were identified. Most of these sites displayed features that were atypical of the features previously well conserved in this family. The Suiyo vent fluid was characterized by gene cassette open reading frames (ORFs) that had significant homologies with transferases, DNA‐binding proteins and metal transporter proteins, while the majority of Pika vent fluid gene cassettes contained novel ORFs with no identifiable homologues in databases. The symbiont gene cassette ORFs were found to be matched with DNA repair proteins, methionine aminopeptidase, aminopeptidase N, O‐sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase and glutamate synthase, which are proteins expected to play a role in animal/symbiont metabolism. The success of this study indicates that the integron/gene cassette system is common in deep‐sea hydrothermal vents, an environment type well removed from anthropogenic disturbance.
Inhibition of the resuscitation from the viable but non‐culturable state in Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Del Mar Lleò Maria , Benedetti Dennis , Tafi Maria Carla , Signoretto Caterina , Canepari Pietro 
Published: June 2007

SummaryThe viable but non‐culturable (VBNC) state is a survival strategy adopted by bacteria when exposed to environmental stresses capable of inducing cell growth inhibition and cell death. This state can be summarized as a quiescent form of life waiting for suitable conditions. This strategy has been shown to be activated by medically important bacteria either when present in natural environments or in the human body during the infection process. In this study we have evaluated the effects of antibiotics acting on peptidoglycan or protein synthesis of Enterococcus faecalis in the VBNC state. The activity of the antibiotics was determined by their ability both to inhibit resuscitation (i.e. recovery of cell division) and to bind the molecular target of action. Benzylpenicillin, piperacillin and gentamicin block cell resuscitation at the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of growing cells, while vancomycin acts only at doses 500 times higher than the MIC. This different behaviour is discussed taking into consideration the mode of action of the antibiotics.
Analysis of the role of LinA and LinB in biodegradation of δ‐hexachlorocyclohexane
Authors: Wu Jun , Hong Qing , Sun Yan , Hong Yuanfan , Yan Qiuxiang , Li Shunpeng 
Published: June 2007

SummaryCommercial formulations of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) consist of a mixture of four isomers, α, β, γ and δ. All these four isomers are toxic and recalcitrant pollutants. Sphingobium (formerly Sphingomonas) sp. strain BHC‐A is able to degrade all four HCH isomers. Eight lin genes responsible for the degradation of γ‐HCH in BHC‐A were cloned and analysed for their role in the degradation of δ‐HCH, and the initial conversion steps in δ‐HCH catabolism by LinA and LinB in BHC‐A were found. LinA dehydrochlorinated δ‐HCH to produce 1,3,4,6‐tetrachloro‐1,4‐cyclohexadiene (1,4‐TCDN) via δ‐pentachlorocyclohexene (δ‐PCCH). Subsequently, both 1,4‐TCDN and δ‐PCCH are catalysed by LinB via two successive rounds of hydrolytic dechlorinations to form 2,5‐dichloro‐2,5‐cyclohexadiene‐1,4‐diol (2,5‐DDOL) and 2,3,5‐trichloro‐5‐cyclohexene‐1,4‐diol (2,3,5‐TCDL) respectively. LinB could also catalyse the hydrolytic dechlorination of δ‐HCH to 2,3,5,6‐tetrachloro‐1,4‐cyclohexanediol (TDOL) via 2,3,4,5,6‐pentachlorocyclohexanol (PCHL).
Heterogeneity impairs numerical matching but not numerical ordering in preschool children
Authors: Cantlon Jessica , Fink Rebecca , Safford Kelley , Brannon Elizabeth M. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Do preschool children appreciate numerical value as an abstract property of a set of objects? We tested the influence of stimulus features such as size, shape, and color on preschool children's developing nonverbal numerical abilities. Children between 3 and 5 years of age were tested on their ability to estimate number when the sizes, shapes, and colors of the elements in an array were varied (heterogeneous condition) versus when they did not vary (homogeneous condition). One group of children was tested on an ordinal task in which the goal was to select the smaller of two arrays while another group of children was tested on a match‐to‐sample task in which the goal was to choose one of two visual arrays that matched the sample in number. Children performed above chance on both homogeneous and heterogeneous stimuli in both tasks. However, while children showed no impairment on heterogeneous relative to homogeneous arrays in the ordering task, performance was impaired by heterogeneity in the matching task. We suggest that nonverbal numerical abstraction occurs early in development, but specific task objectives may prevent children from engaging in numerical abstraction.
Neural correlates of mapping from phonology to orthography in children performing an auditory spelling task
Authors: Booth James R. , Cho Soojin , Burman Douglas D. , Bitan Tali 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Age‐related differences (9‐ to 15‐year‐olds) in the neural correlates of mapping from phonology to orthography were examined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants were asked to determine if two spoken words had the same spelling for the rime (corresponding letters after the first consonant or consonant cluster). Some of the word pairs had conflicting orthography and phonology (e.g. jazz‐has, pint‐mint) whereas other pairs had non‐conflicting information (e.g. press‐list, gate‐hate) (see Table 1). There were age‐related increases in activation for lexical processing (across conflicting and non‐conflicting conditions) in left inferior parietal lobule, suggesting that older children have a more elaborated system for mapping between phonology and orthography that includes connections at different grain sizes (e.g. phonemes, onset‐rimes, syllables). In addition, we found that the conflicting conditions had lower accuracy, slower reaction time and greater activation in left inferior frontal gyrus as compared to non‐conflicting conditions. Higher accuracy was also correlated with greater activation in left inferior frontal gyrus for the most difficult conflicting condition (e.g. jazz‐has). The finding of both a conflict effect and a correlation with accuracy in left inferior frontal gyrus suggests that this region may be involved in resolving the conflict between orthographic and phonological representations.

Lexical rhyme conditions varying in their degree of phonological–orthographic consistency

Similar orthography
Dissimilar orthography

Similar
O+P+
O‐P+

Phonology
gate‐hate
*
jazz‐has

Dissimilar
O+P‐
O‐P‐

Phonology
*
pint‐mint
press‐list

Note: * Phonological–orthographic conflicting conditions, in which phonological information (whether the two words rhyme) conflicts with orthographic information (whether the two words are spelled the same beginning with the first vowel).
BOONIN ON THE FUTURE‐LIKE‐OURS ARGUMENT AGAINST ABORTION
Authors: GALVÃO PEDRO 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTI argue that David Boonin has failed in his attempt to undermine Donald Marquis's future‐like‐ours argument against abortion. I show that the ethical principle advanced by Boonin in his critique to that argument is unable, contrary to what he claims, to account for the wrongness of infanticide. Then I argue that Boonin's critique misrepresents Marquis's argument. Although there is a way to restate his critique in order to avoid the misrepresentation, the success of such restatement is precluded by the wrongness of infanticide.
GENETIC ENHANCEMENT – A THREAT TO HUMAN RIGHTS?
Authors: FENTON ELIZABETH 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTGenetic enhancement is the modification of the human genome for the purpose of improving capacities or ‘adding in’ desired characteristics. Although this technology is still largely futuristic, debate over the moral issues it raises has been significant. George Annas has recently leveled a new attack against genetic enhancement, drawing on human rights as his primary weapon. I argue that Annas’ appeal to human rights ultimately falls flat, and so provides no good reason to object to genetic technology. Moreover, this argument is an example of the broader problem of appealing to human rights as a panacea for ethical problems. Human rights, it is often claimed, are ‘trumps’: if it can be shown that a proposed technology violates human rights, then it must be cast aside. But human rights are neither a panacea for ethical problems nor a trump card. If they are drafted into the service of an argument, it must be shown that an actual human rights violation will occur. Annas’ argument against genetic technology fails to do just this. I shall conclude that his appeal to human rights adds little to the debate over the ethical questions raised by genetic technology.
SHOULD WE PREVENT NON‐THERAPEUTIC MUTILATION AND EXTREME BODY MODIFICATION?
Authors: SCHRAMME THOMAS 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn this paper, I discuss several arguments against non‐therapeutic mutilation. Interventions into bodily integrity, which do not serve a therapeutic purpose and are not regarded as aesthetically acceptable by the majority, e.g. tongue splitting, branding and flesh stapling, are now practised, but, however, are still seen as a kind of ‘aberration’ that ought not to be allowed. I reject several arguments for a possible ban on these body modifications. I find the common pathologisation of body modifications, Kant's argument of duties to oneself and the objection from irrationality all wanting. In conclusion, I see no convincing support for prohibition of voluntary mutilations.
THE DEVELOPMENT AND NATURE OF THE ORDINARY/EXTRAORDINARY MEANS DISTINCTION IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC TRADITION
Authors: SULLIVAN SCOTT M. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTIn the Roman Catholic tradition the nature of the ordinary/extraordinary means distinction is best understood in light of its historical development. The moralist tradition that reared and nurtured this distinction implicitly developed a set of general criteria to distinguish the extraordinary from the ordinary. These criteria, conjoined with the context within which they were understood, can play an important role in refereeing the contemporary debate over the agressiveness of medical treatment and the extent of one's moral obligation.
Philosophy, Death and Immortality
Authors: Haldane John 
Published: June 2007

AbstractDewi Phillips was an insightful practitioner of a philosophical method of cultural phenomenology focused upon word and deed. His interests and outlook also brought him close to the concerns of some post‐Kantian theologians, such as Schleiermacher. The present essay observes a link between their treatments of the nature and significance of the idea of immortality. It then explores something of Phillips' positions as developed in Death and Immortality, acknowledging the importance, which he emphasises, of the spiritual meaning of these ideas. On the other hand, it argues that his rejection of metaphysical aspects and underpinnings to these ideas is misplaced, in part because it leads not only to overlooking certain possibilities, but also because it fails to capture the complexity of actual religious claims concerning these matters advanced in Judaeo‐Christian scripture and related literature. The essay ends by setting out an argument from Anselm's Monologion concerning the immortality of the soul in relation to loving and being loved by God. It is pointed out that since loving is an intentional attitude, one might love God while not knowing that God was the object of one's affection.
Generalized and symptom‐specific sensitization of chronic itch and pain
Authors: Van Laarhoven AIM , Kraaimaat FW , Wilder‐Smith OH , Van De Kerkhof PCM , Cats H , Van Riel PLCM , Evers AWM 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground  Physicians are frequently confronted with patients reporting severe itch and pain. Particularly in patients suffering from persistent itch and pain, central and peripheral sensitization processes are assumed to be involved in the long‐term maintenance and aggravation of the symptoms. The present study explores generalized and symptom‐specific sensitization processes in patients suffering from persistent itch and pain. Specifically, it examines whether patients with chronic itch and pain are more sensitive to somatosensory stimuli (generalized sensitization) and simultaneously perceive somatosensory stimuli as a symptom of their main physical complaint, e.g. pain in chronic pain patients (symptom‐specific sensitization).Methods  Thresholds for different mechanical and electrical sensory stimuli of Quantitative Sensory Testing were determined in 15 female patients suffering from chronic itch associated with atopic dermatitis, 15 female chronic pain patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and 19 female healthy controls. Intensities of itch and pain sensations were rated on a visual analogue scale.Results  As expected, the patient groups had significantly lower tolerance thresholds for the somatosensory stimuli applied than the healthy controls, supporting generalized sensitization. Moreover, patients with chronic itch consistently reported more itch, while patients with chronic pain partly reported more pain in response to analogous somatosensory stimuli than the healthy controls and the other patient group, indicating symptom‐specific sensitization.Conclusion  The present study provides preliminary support that both generalized and symptom‐specific sensitization processes play a role in the regulation and processing of somatosensory stimulation of patients with chronic itch and pain.
Syphilis depicted by the Greek moulages: a picture of skin manifestations in former times
Authors: Worm A‐M , Hadjivassiliou M , Katsambas A 
Published: June 2007

AbstractA great part of the medical wax moulages produced in the beginning of the last century depicts the various clinical signs of syphilis. Based on the study of a large Greek moulage collection, the different stages of syphilis are described. Moulages may still have the original scope as teaching objects, presenting clinical manifestations seldom seen to day and thus more likely of being overseen by the clinicians.
ADHD‐ and medication‐related brain activation effects in concordantly affected parent–child dyads with ADHD
Authors: Epstein Jeffery N. , Casey B.J. , Tonev Simon T. , Davidson Matthew C. , Reiss Allan L. , Garrett Amy , Hinshaw Stephen P. , Greenhill Laurence L. , Glover Gary , Shafritz Keith M. , Vitolo Alan , Kotler Lisa A. , Jarrett Matthew A. , Spicer Julie 
Published: June 2007

Background:  Several studies have documented fronto‐striatal dysfunction in children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using response inhibition tasks. Our objective was to examine functional brain abnormalities among youths and adults with ADHD and to examine the relations between these neurobiological abnormalities and response to stimulant medication.Method:  A group of concordantly diagnosed ADHD parent–child dyads was compared to a matched sample of normal parent–child dyads. In addition, ADHD dyads were administered double‐blind methylphenidate and placebo in a counterbalanced fashion over two consecutive days of testing. Frontostriatal function was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during performance of a go/no‐go task.Results:  Youths and adults with ADHD showed attenuated activity in fronto‐striatal regions. In addition, adults with ADHD appeared to activate non‐fronto‐striatal regions more than normals. A stimulant medication trial showed that among youths, stimulant medication increased activation in fronto‐striatal and cerebellar regions. In adults with ADHD, increases in activation were observed in the striatum and cerebellum, but not in prefrontal regions.Conclusions:  This study extends findings of fronto‐striatal dysfunction to adults with ADHD and highlights the importance of frontostriatal and frontocerebellar circuitry in this disorder, providing evidence of an endophenotype for examining the genetics of ADHD.