bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body weight, sexual maturity, and spinal deformity in strains and families of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) at two years of age at different locations along the Norwegian coast
Authors: Kolstad K. , Thorland I. , Refstie T. , Gjerde B. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
Body weight, occurrence of spinal deformity, and sexual maturity were recorded in 51 full-sib families of the strains coastal and Arctic cod at two years of age. The family groups were located at three sites along the Norwegian coast including Hordaland, Møre and Romsdal (M&R), and Nordland County to detect genetic variation in important production traits and to investigate interactions between genetic composition and production environment. Body weight varied among locations partly owing to different production conditions. There were also large differences among the locations with respect to spinal deformity. M&R had the highest occurrence of spinal deformity (p < 0.001). Comparison of sexual maturity among the locations was made difficult owing to the different ways the trait was recorded. Only small differences were found between coastal and Arctic cod in spinal deformity (p < 0.05 in Hordaland) and sexual maturity (p = 0.06 in M&R), while no differences were found for body weight. Heritability estimates for body weight (0.51), spinal deformity (0.27), and sexual maturity (0.21) indicate the potential for improvement of all three traits by selective breeding using a family-based selection programme. Final recordings at the end of the growing period will provide further information. Genetic correlations estimated between weight and occurrence of spinal deformity (rg = 0.50) suggest that caution be used when selecting for growth, and that a need exists for including spinal deformity in the selection index. No significant correlations were found between these two traits and the incidence of sexual maturity.
Bone resorption activity of osteolytic metastatic lung and breast cancers
Authors: Shih Lih‐Yuann , Shih Hsin‐Nung , Chen Tien‐Hsiung 
Published: February 2006

AbstractProduction of bone resorption mediators and bone resorption activity were compared among osteolytic metastatic cancers, normal bone tissues, and soft tissue metastatic cancers to search for the possible factors leading to cancer‐induced bone resorption. Twenty‐five patients with untreated osteolytic metastatic breast or non‐small cell lung cancers consisted of the study group. Normal bone tissues obtained from the same patient were used as internal controls; and tumor tissues from patients with soft tissue metastasis were used as external controls. Serum and urinary bone turnover markers were measured. Tissues harvested during surgery were subjected to tissue culture. The levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in the supernatant after 72 h of culture were measured. Bone resorption activity was measured by calcium release from cultured calvarias, and bone volume as well as osteoclast number in bone sections. Patients with osteolytic metastatic cancers showed significantly decreased serum osteocalcin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels. Osteolytic metastatic cancers produced significantly more PGE2 than both controls. Conditioned medium from osteolytic metastatic tumors showed significantly enhanced bone resorption activity, and indomethacin significantly reduced this activity. Levels of PGE2, and bone resorption activity increased in osteolytic tumor tissues than soft tissue metastatic tissues in the same patient indicated that the same tumor cells might respond differently to different microenvironments. Our observation showed that PGE2 was produced by osteolytic metastatic cancers and stimulated bone resorption in mice calvarias. PGE2 inhibitor may be applicable in reducing bone resorption by osteolytic metastatic cancers. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Early cementing does not increase debond energy of grit blasted interfaces
Authors: Mann Kenneth A. , Damron Leatha A. , Race Amos , Ayers David C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA fracture mechanics based approach was used to determine the debond energy or fracture toughness of the stem–cement interface for a variety of conditions. The goals of the study were to determine if early cementing of stems increased the debond energy of grit blasted stem–cement interfaces and if debond energy was dependent on mold type. Early (2 min) and late (6 min) times of cementation were considered for two different grit blasted surface finishes (16 and 60 grit, Ra = 5.7 or 2.3 μm). Specimen fabrication was performed using a relatively simple, unconstrained rectangular mold and a mold that more closely simulated in vivo conditions. The rectangular mold was used with all components at room temperature whereas the in vivo simulated mold had a body that resembled the femoral canal in shape and was warmed to body temperature. Early cementing did not increase the debond energy using the in vivo simulated mold. Extensive porosity was found at the interface, and porosity had a strong negative effect on debond energy. When the simpler, rectangular mold was used, early cementing did result in higher debond energies, but few voids were found at the interface. It appears that porosity at the interface was the major factor affecting the debond energy. The results from this study do not support the concept that improved stem–cement interface strength can be obtained by application of the cement while it is in a low viscosity state. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Variation of biomechanical, structural, and compositional properties along the tendon to bone insertion site
Authors: Thomopoulos Stavros , Williams Gerald R. , Gimbel Jonathan A. , Favata Michele , Soslowsky Louis J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe tendon to bone insertion site is a complex transitional region that links two very different materials. The insertion site must transfer a complex loading environment effectively to prevent injury and provide proper joint function. In order to accomplish this load transfer effectively, the properties of the insertion site were hypothesized to vary along its length. The quasilinear viscoelastic (QLV) Model was used to determine biomechanical properties, polarized light analysis was used to quantitate collagen orientation (structure), and in situ hybridization was used to determine the expression of extracellular matrix genes (composition). All assays were performed at two insertion site locations: the tendon end of the insertion and the bony end of the insertion. Biomechanically, the apparent properties of peak strain, the coefficients (A and B) that describe the elastic component of the QLV model, and one of the coefficients (τ1) of the viscous component of the model were significantly higher, while another of the coefficients (C) of the viscous component was significantly lower at the tendon insertion compared to the bony insertion. The collagen was significantly more oriented at the tendon insertion compared to the bony insertion. Finally, collagen types II, IX, and X, and aggrecan were localized only to the bony insertion, while decorin and biglycan were localized only to the tendon insertion. Thus, the tendon to bony insertion site varies dramatically along its length in terms of its viscoelastic properties, collagen structure, and extracellular matrix composition.© 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
The HPA and immune axes in stress: the involvement of the serotonergic system
Authors: Leonard B.E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe impact of acute and chronic stress on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is reviewed and evidence presented that corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) is the stress neurotransmitter which plays an important role in the activation of the central sympathetic and serotonergic systems. The activity of CRF is expressed through specific receptors (CRF 1 and 2) that are antagonistic in their actions and widely distributed in the limbic regions of the brain, as well as in the hypothalamus, and on immune cells.The mechanism whereby chronic stress, via the CRF induced activation of the dorsal raphe nucleus, can induce a change in the serotonergic system, involves an increase in the 5HT2A and a decrease in the 5HT1A receptor mediated function. Such changes contribute to the onset of anxiety and depression. In addition, the hypersecretion of glucocorticoids that is associated with chronic stress and depression desensitises the central glucocorticoid receptors to the negative feedback inhibition of the HPA axis. This indirectly results in the further activation of the HPA axis.The rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines that usually accompanies the chronic stress response results in a further stimulation of the HPA axis thereby adding to the stress response. While CRF would appear to play a pivotal role, evidence is provided that simultaneous changes in the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems, combined with the activation of peripheral and central macrophages that increase the pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in the brain and blood, also play a critical role in predisposing to anxiety and depression. Neurodegenerative changes in the brain that frequently occur in the elderly patient with major depression, could result from the activation of indoleaminedioxygenase (IDO), a widely distributed enzyme that converts tryptophan via the kynenine pathway to for the neurotoxic end product quinolinic acid.
Quality of life measures in schizophrenia
Authors: Bobes J. , García-Portilla P. , Sáiz P.A. , Bascarán T. , Bousoño M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe recognition of the importance of evaluating the quality of life of patients with schizophrenia highlighted the importance ofdeveloping appropriate instruments. In this paper we review the available quality of life instruments focusing on their conceptual framework, structure, administration and psychometric properties. First, we address the generic instruments that have been validated for schizophrenic populations, namely the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL), the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Then, we focus on instruments that have been specifically developed for patients with schizophrenia and other or severe mentally illness such as the Quality of Life Scale (QLS), the Quality of Life Interview (QoLI), the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile (LQoLP), the Sevilla Quality of Life Questionnaire (SQLQ), the Personal Evaluation of Transitions in Treatment (PETIT), and the Quality of Life Questionnaire in Schizophrenia (S-QoL).
Schizophrenia and diabetes: Epidemiological data
Authors: Rouillon F. , Sorbara F. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe association of diabetes mellitus and mental illness, in particular, schizophrenia, has been remarked upon for over a century. Recentepidemiological studies have shown the age- and sex-matched prevalence of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia to be 1.5–2 times those in the general population. This difference is particularly noticeable in younger patients. The explanation for this finding probably resides in both environmental and biological factors. Patients with schizophrenia tend to be sedentary and have a poor diet, which are both known risk factors for diabetes. However, familial studies have indicated a heritable component to the risk of diabetes in patients with schizophrenia. A number of biological mechanisms have been proposed to explain this, including neuroendocrine changes and neurodevelopmental anomalies, but none are entirely satisfactory. In addition, it has been suggested that treatment with antipsychotic medication may potentially increase the risk of diabetes and account for some of the increased prevalence seen in patients with schizophrenia. It has been suggested that different antipsychotic drugs may differ in their ability to facilitate the emergence of poor glycaemic control in patients with schizophrenia. However, the situation is far from clear and more work is required to accurately assess the potential risk associated with different antipsychotic drugs.
Impacts of breeding on international collaborative wheat improvement
Authors: REYNOLDS M. P. , BORLAUG N. E. 
Published: February 2006

For over 40 years a collaborative network of publicly funded international wheat scientists has made a significant contribution to food security in the developing world. Thousands of modern wheat varieties (MVs) have been released for use in both favourable and marginal environments on well over 50 million hectares. The yield increases associated with genetic improvement in yield potential and adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses are well documented. Millions of small-scale farmers in the developing world have benefited. While this so-called ‘Green Revolution’ displaced landraces in favour of more productive MVs, these and other genetic resources, held in trust by international organizations, have been utilized to improve the inherent genetic diversity of modern varieties. Furthermore, the result of increased yields reduced the need to bring natural ecosystems under cultivation, by as much as a billion hectares.Although international wheat breeding has its origins in the 1940s, recognition of a common scientific basis of agricultural problems worldwide was highlighted by the creation of International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) which included the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) established in 1965. This grew into a larger network called the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) now comprising 15 IARCs, including the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) established in Syria in 1977, another key player in the international wheat and barley breeding network. Two of the major coordination responsibilities of CIMMYT are maintaining the world collection of wheat genetic resources – a public good protected by international treaty – and the facilitation of the International Wheat Nurseries.After the initial impact of the Green Revolution in high production zones through exploitation of Rht-B1 and Rht-D1 dwarfing genes in conjunction with disease resistance, international breeding encompassed more challenging environments through, for example, international shuttle breeding between Brazil and Mexico to overcome problems associated with acid soils that restricted adoption of MVs. Another example is drought, which affects at least 30 million ha of wheat in the developing world. The approach focused initially on exploiting the inherent yield potential and disease resistance of MVs and later combined this with new stress-adaptive traits from wild wheat ancestors through wide crossing techniques. Adoption of modern varieties has increased substantially in drier areas between 1990 and 1997. In all environments, possibly the greatest threat to productivity is disease, especially those caused by fungal pathogens. International wheat breeding has placed great emphasis on genetic control of disease since resource-poor farmers generally lack the means to control diseases chemically.
Molecular Epidemiology of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: A 2-Year Perspective
Authors: Stosor Valentina , Kruszynski Julie , Suriano Terra , Noskin Gary A. , Peterson Lance R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjective:To determine the molecular epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) at our medical center in order to identify the extent of strain clonality and possible transmission patterns of this pathogen.Design:An important facet of our infection control program includes molecular typing of all clinical and surveillance isolates of VRE to determine transmission patterns in the hospital. Molecular strain typing is performed by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) of genomic DNA. REA patterns are visually compared to categorize VRE strains into type and subtype designations.Setting:A 588-bed, university-affiliated, tertiary-care hospital and a neighboring 155-bed rehabilitation facility.Results:From January 1995 through December 1996, 379 VRE isolates were collected from 197 patients. Thirty-three genotypes were determined by REA typing; 15 genotypes were implicated in 29 instances of potential nosocomial transmission. Three major clusters of VRE involving patients on multiple nursing units and two adjacent hospitals were identified. The remaining instances of nosocomial transmission occurred in small patient clusters.Conclusions:In conclusion, the VRE epidemic at this medical center is polyclonal. VRE transmission patterns are complex, and, while large clusters do occur, the usual pattern of nosocomial acquisition of this pathogen occurs in the setting of “mini-clusters”.
Requirements for Infrastructure and Essential Activities of Infection Control and Epidemiology in Out-of-Hospital Settings: A Consensus Panel Report
Authors: Friedman Candace , Barnette Marcie , Buck Alfred S. , Ham Rosemary , Harris Jo-Ann , Hoffman Peggy , Johnson Debra , Manian Farrin , Nicolle Lindsay , Pearson Michele L. , Perl Trish M. , Solomon Steven L. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn 1997 the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America established a consensus panel to develop recommendations for optimal infrastructure and essential activities of infection control and epidemiology programs in out-of-hospital settings. The following report represents the Consensus Panel's best assessment of requirements for a healthy and effective out-of-hospital-based infection control and epidemiology program. The recommendations fall into 5 categories: managing critical data and information; developing and recommending policies and procedures; intervening directly to prevent infections; educating and training of health care workers, patients, and nonmedical caregivers; and resources. The Consensus Panel used an evidence-based approach and categorized recommendations according to modifications of the scheme developed by the Clinical Affairs Committee of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.
The Impact of Surgical-Site Infections in the 1990s: Attributable Mortality, Excess Length of Hospitalization, And Extra Costs
Authors: Kirkland Kathryn B. , Briggs Jane P , Trivette Sharon L. , Wilkinson William E. , Sexton Daniel J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjective:To determine mortality, morbidity, and costs attributable to surgical-site infections (SSIs) in the 1990s.Design:A matched follow-up study of a cohort of patients with SSI, matched one-to-one with patients without SSI.Setting:A 415-bed community hospital.Study Population:255 pairs of patients with and without SSI were matched on age, procedure, National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System risk index, date of surgery, and surgeon.Outcome Measures:Mortality, excess length of hospitalization, and extra direct costs attributable to SSI; relative risk for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and for readmission to the hospital.Results:Of the 255 pairs, 20 infected patients (7.8%) and 9 uninfected patients (3.5%) died during the postoperative hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 1.14.5). Seventy-four infected patients (29%) and 46 uninfected patients (18%) required ICU admission (RR, 1.6; CI95,1.3-2.0). The median length of hospitalization was 11 days for infected patients and 6 days for uninfected patients. The extra hospital stay attributable to SSI was 6.5 days (CI95, 5-8 days). The median direct costs of hospitalization were $7,531 for infected patients and $3,844 for uninfected patients. The excess direct costs attributable to SSI were $3,089 (CI95, $2,139-$4,163). Among the 229 pairs who survived the initial hospitalization, 94 infected patients (41%) and 17 uninfected patients (7%) required readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge (RR, 5.5; CI95, 4.0-7.7). When the second hospitalization was included, the total excess hospitalization and direct costs attributable to SSI were 12 days and $5,038, respectively.Conclusions:In the 1990s, patients who develop SSI have longer and costlier hospitalizations than patients who do not develop such infections. They are twice as likely to die, 60% more likely to spend time in an ICU, and more than five times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Programs that reduce the incidence of SSI can substantially decrease morbidity and mortality and reduce the economic burden for patients and hospitals.
Outbreak ofStenotrophomonas maltophiliaBacteremia Among Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation: Association With Faulty Replacement of Handwashing Soap
Authors: Klausner Jeffrey D. , Zukerman Carol , Limaye Ajit P. , Corey Lawrence 
Published: February 2006

AbstractUsing molecular typing methods, we confirmed an outbreak ofStenotrophomonas maltophiliaamong bone marrow transplant patients. The likely source was a healthcare worker who may have washed with moisturizer instead of soap between patients. Hospital epidemiologists need to go beyond antibiograms when evaluating outbreaks and be vigilant about all aspects of hand washing.
Mortality Following Isolation of Various Respiratory Viruses in Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Drinka Paul J. , Gravenstein Stefan , Langer Elizabeth , Krause Peggy , Shult Peter 
Published: February 2006

AbstractObjective:To compare mortality following isolation of influenza A to mortality following isolation of other respiratory viruses in a nursing home.Setting:The Wisconsin Veterans Home, a 688-bed skilled nursing facility for veterans and their spouses.Participants:All residents with respiratory viral isolates obtained between 1988 and 1999.Design:Thirty-day mortality was determined following each culture-proven illness.Results:Thirty-day mortality following isolation of viral respiratory pathogens was 4.7% (15/322) for influenza A 5.4% (7/129) for influenza B; 6.1% (3/49) for parainfluenza type 1; 0% (0/26) for parainfluenza types 2,3, and 4; 0% (0/26) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); and 1.6% (1/61) for rhinovirus.Conclusions:Mortality following isolation of certain other respiratory viruses may be comparable to that following influenza A (although influenza A mortality might be higher without vaccination and antiviral agents). The use of uniform secretion precautions for all viral respiratory illness deserves consideration in nursing homes.