bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liver metastases in prostate carcinoma: clinical characteristics and outcome
Authors: Pouessel Damien , Gallet Blandine , Bibeau Frédéric , Avancès Christophe , Iborra François , Sénesse Pierre , Culine Stéphane 
Published: November 2006

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with liver metastases in prostate carcinoma.PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom January 1995 to December 2005, 345 patients with metastatic prostate cancer were prospectively recorded in the database of the Montpellier Cancer Centre, France. The clinical characteristics and outcome of 28 patients who developed liver metastases during the course of the disease were analysed.RESULTSSix patients had liver metastases as the first site of metastatic disease, and for one of them, liver was the only metastatic site. All but one patient had hormone‐refractory disease. Serum measurement of neuroendocrine markers showed increased levels of chromogranin A and neurone‐specific enolase in 84% and 44% of patients, respectively. Six patients had a pathological analysis; there were two different histological patterns in liver biopsies, i.e. four were adenocarcinomas with a moderate (one patient) or poor (three) differentiation and two were neuroendocrine carcinomas. Three patients had no treatment because of a poor performance status. One patient had hormone therapy for synchronous liver metastases at diagnosis as the first‐line treatment; other patients were treated with chemotherapy. The median (range) overall survival was 6 (1–27) months; the median survival of patients for whom liver was part of the initial metastatic pattern was 14 months.CONCLUSIONLiver metastases are not very rare but appear to be a rather late event in the course of the disease. They are frequently associated with neuroendocrine characteristics.
Generation and characterization of soybean and marker‐free tobacco plastid transformants over‐expressing a bacterial 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase which provides strong herbicide tolerance
Authors: Dufourmantel Nathalie , Dubald Manuel , Matringe Michel , Canard Hélène , Garcon Frédéric , Job Claudette , Kay Elisabeth , Wisniewski Jean‐Pierre , Ferullo Jean‐Marc , Pelissier Bernard , Sailland Alain , Tissot Ghislaine 
Published: November 2006

SummaryPlant 4‐hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is part of the biosynthetic pathway leading to plastoquinone and vitamin E. This enzyme is also the molecular target of various new bleaching herbicides for which genetically engineered tolerant crops are being developed. We have expressed a sensitive bacterialhppdgene fromPseudomonas fluorescensin plastid transformants of tobacco and soybean and characterized in detail the recombinant lines. HPPD accumulates to approximately 5% of total soluble protein in transgenic chloroplasts of both species. As a result, the soybean and tobacco plastid transformants acquire a strong herbicide tolerance, performing better than nuclear transformants. In contrast, the over‐expression of HPPD has no significant impact on the vitamin E content of leaves or seeds, quantitatively or qualitatively. A new strategy is presented and exemplified in tobacco which allows the rapid generation of antibiotic marker‐free plastid transformants containing the herbicide tolerance gene only. This work reports, for the first time, the plastome engineering for herbicide tolerance in a major agronomic crop, and a technology leading to marker‐free lines for this trait.
Transcriptome analysis of senescence in the flag leaf of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Gregersen Per L. , Holm Preben Bach 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe senescence process in wheat flag leaves was investigated over a time course from ear emergence until 50% yellowing of harvested leaf samples using an in‐house fabricated cDNA microarray based on a 9K wheat unigene set. The top 1000 ranked differentially expressed probes were subjected to a cluster analysis and, from these, we selected 140 up‐regulated genes with informative annotations. There was a considerable overlap between this list of genes and genes previously observed to be associated with senescence in other species, covering several functional categories involved in the degradation of macromolecules and nutrient remobilization, notably of nitrogen via the metabolism of carboxylic and amino acids. The up‐regulation of a number of genes in this metabolism was confirmed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction experiments. The data suggest a role for cytosolic/peroxisomal routes in the integration of the degradation of carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins, leading to the remobilization of nitrogen. Illustrative examples of up‐regulated genes comprise cytoplasmic aconitate hydratase and peroxisomal citrate synthase. The data support a protective role of the mitochondria towards oxidative cell damage via the up‐regulation of the alternative oxidase, and possibly also involving the up‐regulated succinate dehydrogenase. A number of up‐regulated regulatory genes were also identified, notably NAC‐domain and WRKY transcription factors. These factors have previously been identified as being associated with senescence in other species. The data support the notion that a generic senescence programme exists across monocot and dicot plant species. However, notable differences can also be recognized. We thus found transcriptional up‐regulation of the biosynthetic pathway for benzoxazinoids, a group of graminaceous‐specific secondary metabolites.
Risk‐taking and the adolescent brain: who is at risk?
Authors: Galvan Adriana , Hare Todd , Voss Henning , Glover Gary , Casey B.J. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract Relative to other ages, adolescence is described as a period of increased impulsive and risk‐taking behavior that can lead to fatal outcomes (suicide, substance abuse, HIV, accidents, etc.). This study was designed to examine neural correlates of risk‐taking behavior in adolescents, relative to children and adults, in order to predict who may be at greatest risk. Activity in reward‐related neural circuitry in anticipation of a large monetary reward was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging, and anonymous self‐report ratings of risky behavior, anticipation of risk and impulsivity were acquired in individuals between the ages of 7 and 29 years. There was a positive association between accumbens activity and the likelihood of engaging in risky behavior across development. This activity also varied as a function of individuals’ ratings of anticipated positive or negative consequences of such behavior. Impulsivity ratings were not associated with accumbens activity, but rather with age. These findings suggest that during adolescence, some individuals may be especially prone to engage in risky behaviors due to developmental changes in concert with variability in a given individual's predisposition to engage in risky behavior, rather than to simple changes in impulsivity.
Periocular involvement in cutaneous leishmaniasis
Authors: Durdu M , Gökçe S , Bagirova M , Yalaz M , Allahverdiyev AM , Uzun S 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective  Although cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) occurs mostly in the facial area, periocular involvement accounts for 2–5% of the facial lesions. CL lesions localized in the periocular region can easily be confused with various other diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of periocular involvement in CL in the Çukurova region of Turkey, as well as the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and methods of treatment of this disease.Methods  Between December 1998 and December 2004, patients who were diagnosed with CL were evaluated prospectively with respect to periocular involvement.Results  From the 2066 patients evaluated with CL, 2622 lesions were identified. In 59 (2.9%) of these patients, a total of 66 (2.5%) lesions were located in the periocular area. Thirty‐two (48.5%) of these lesions were of the papular type, 15 (22.7%) the nodulo‐ulcerative type, 10 (15.2%) the plaque type, and nine (13.6%) the nodular type. Dacryocystitis was identified in four patients with periocular involvement. Over the follow‐up period, no ocular or periocular deformities or complications developed in these patients.Conclusion  Patients suspected of CL should be evaluated and treated early in the course of their disease to prevent any permanent ocular or periocular deformities.
Quality of life in mild to moderate acne: relationship to clinical severity and factors influencing change with treatment
Authors: Jones‐Caballero M , Chren MM , Soler B , Pedrosa E , Peñas PF 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground  Because of its effects on quality of life, acne vulgaris is more than a merely physiological or cosmetic entity.Objectives  To describe the influence of mild to moderate acne on patients’ quality of life, measured using Skindex‐29, and to correlate changes in Skindex‐29 scores with changes in objective and subjective indices in clinical severity after treatment with topical 4% erythromycin 0.2% zinc. Also, to evaluate efficacy and side‐effects of the treatment.Methods  Observational, prospective study of 1878 patients cared for by 252 clinicians in Spain. Data included epidemiological information and responses to Skindex‐29, a subjective change and objective severity index.Results  Baseline Skindex scale scores were worse in women, older patients, and those with more severe clinical disease. Skindex was sensitive to changes in objective severity but changes in Skindex scale scores were also related to other factors. Patients who reported their skin condition to be ‘the same’ or ‘worse’ at the end of the study had significantly worse baseline scores on the ‘symptoms’ and ‘emotions’ scales but ‘functioning’ scores were not worse than for those who reported their condition had improved.Conclusion  The effects of acne vulgaris on quality of life and changes in quality of life after treatment are not only explainable by objective severity of acne. Patients’ and clinicians’ judgements about acne severity are different.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the Pacific pleasure oyster, Crassostrea corteziensis, and their cross‐species amplification in four other oyster species
Authors: CRUZ P. , YÁÑEZ‐JACOME B. , IBARRA A. M. , RANGEL‐BECERRIL J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractMicrosatellite loci were isolated in Crassostrea corteziensis using (GT)n, (CT)n and (CTGT)n‐enriched genomic libraries. Within each of 45 sequenced clones, an average of three microsatellite regions (156 total) were observed. Thirty‐three primers were designed, from which 11 microsatellite loci amplified. Ten of those were polymorphic, with a range of two to 30 alleles. Three loci were not in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and linkage disequilibrium was found for six pairs of loci. These microsatellite loci will be further tested for segregation distortions and null alleles to establish a set for population genetic studies of the species in the Northwest coasts of Mexico, and for optimization of aquaculture development. Seven of the microsatellite loci cross‐amplified in Crassostrea palmula, a sympatric species, and will be useful in further genetic studies.
Development and characterization of microsatellites in Vanda varieties
Authors: LIM A. , YUE G. H. , LIM‐HO C. L. , HONG Y. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe orchid genus Vanda includes more than 70 monopodial species and numerous hybrids. The aim of this study was to develop microsatellite markers for this horticultural valuable genus. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from the variety Vanda Miss Joaquim and were characterized in four Vanda species, 11 Vanda hybrids, and one Aranda intergenus hybrid. Populations from three species were also analysed. Number of alleles ranged from two to 19. For the V. sumatrana population, the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 0.76 (mean 0.31) and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0 to 1 (mean 0.36). All the varieties tested were distinct from one another (similarity index < 0.8). These microsatellites could be used for studying genetic diversity and population structure of wild populations within the orchid genus Vanda, as well as for distinguishing cultured Vanda varieties.
High‐throughput species identification: from DNA isolation to bioinformatics
Authors: RICHARDSON DAVID E. , VANWYE JEFFREY D. , EXUM AMY M. , COWEN ROBERT K. , CRAWFORD DOUGLAS L. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIchthyoplankton collections provide a valuable means to study fish life histories. However, these collections are greatly underutilized, as larval fishes are frequently not identified to species due to their small size and limited morphological development. Currently, there is an effort underway to make species identification more readily available across a broad range of taxa through the sequencing of a standard gene. This effort requires the development of new methodologies to both rapidly produce and analyse large numbers of sequences. The methodology presented in this paper addresses these issues with a focus on the larvae of large pelagic fish species. All steps of the methodology are targeted towards high‐throughput identification using small amounts of tissue. To accomplish this, DNA isolation was automated on a liquid‐handling robot using magnetic bead technologies. Polymerase chain reaction and a unidirectional sequencing reaction followed standard protocols with all template cleanup and transferring also automated. Manual pipetting was thus reduced to a minimum. A character‐based bioinformatics program was developed to handle the large sequence output. This program incorporates base‐call quality scores in two types of sample to voucher sequence comparisons and provides suggested identifications and sequence information in an easily interpreted spreadsheet format. This technique when applied to tuna and billfish larvae collected in the Straits of Florida had an 89% success rate. A single species (Thunnus atlanticus) was found to dominate the catch of tuna larvae, while billfish larvae were more evenly divided between two species (Makaira nigricans and Istiophorus platypterus).
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for population studies of the Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis
Authors: ZHAO YING‐YING , ZHU XIAO‐CHEN , SUN XIAO‐WEN , LIANG LI‐QUN 
Published: November 2006

AbstractFifteen microsatellite loci were developed to examine the population structure of Japanese scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis. These markers were tested in samples from two geographically distant populations: the Sakhalin Island (Russia) and Dalian City (China). The mean numbers of alleles, observed and expected heterozygosities between the two populations were summarized by locus, but none of them show significant divergence between the two populations. Most loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg expectation with the exception of loci HLJX‐06, HLJX‐12, HLJX‐13 and HLJX‐28, which had heterozygote deficits.
Photosensitive Benign Myoclonic Epilepsy in Infancy
Authors: Capovilla Giuseppe , Beccaria Francesca , Gambardella Antonio , Montagnini Alessandra , Avantaggiato Paolo , Seri Stefano 
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To describe the electroclinical features of subjects who presented with a photosensitive benign myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (PBMEI). Methods: The patients were selected from a group of epileptic subjects with seizure onset in infancy or early childhood. Inclusion criteria were the presence of photic‐induced myoclonic seizures and a favorable outcome. Cases with less than 24 month follow up were excluded from the analysis. Results: Eight patients were identified (4 males, 4 females). Personal history was uneventful. All of them had familial antecedents of epilepsy. Psychomotor development was normal in 6 cases, both before and after seizure onset. One patient showed a mild mental retardation and a further patient showed some behavioral disturbances. Neuroradiological investigations, when performed (5 cases), gave normal results. The clinical manifestations were typical and could vary from upward movements of the eyes to myoclonic jerks of the head and shoulders, isolated or briefly repetitive, never causing a fall. Age of onset was between 11 months and 3 years and 2 months. Characteristically, the seizures were always triggered by photic stimulation. Non photo‐induced spontaneous myoclonic attacks were reported in 2 cases during the follow‐up. Other types of seizures were present at follow‐up in 2 cases. The outcome was favorable, even if, usually, seizure control required high AED plasma levels. Since the clinical symptoms were not recognized early, some patients were treated only many years after the onset of symptoms. Conclusion: Among BMEI patients, our cases constitute a subgroup in which myoclonic jerks were always triggered by photostimulation, in particular at onset of their epilepsy.
Status Epilepticus after Stroke Is Associated with Increased Long‐term Case Fatality
Authors: Knake Susanne , Rochon Justine , Fleischer Sarah , Katsarou Niki , Back Tobias , Vescovi Mathias , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Reis Janine , Hamer Hajo M. , Rosenow Felix 
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the long‐term case fatality of patients with a first episode of status epilepticus (SE group) of cerebrovascular etiology, as compared with that in acute stroke patients without SE (AS group). Methods: Patients with SE who had been prospectively admitted to an epidemiologic study were retrospectively compared with a cohort of patients from the local stroke registry. The main outcome end point was overall survival. Survival curves were generated according to the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by using the log‐rank test. An extended Cox model was used to examine the impact of patient group on the risk of death. Covariates considered potential confounders included age at diagnosis, sex, type of stroke, affected hemisphere, and localization of lesions. Results: Of 166 patients who entered the study, 93 patients were in the SE group, and 73 patients were in the AS group; 53 SE patients and 35 AS patients died during the study. Patient group (SE vs. AS) showed no significant impact on survival (p = 0.0832) in univariate analysis. In contrast, the results from a multivariable analysis suggest that after 6 months, patients with SE were at about twice the risk of death as were patients with AS [hazard ratio of 2.12 with 95% confidence interval, 1.04–4.32, p = 0.0392]. Conclusions: The occurrence of SE in patients with cerebrovascular disease indicates a high risk of death within 3 years. In contrast, the case fatality risk attributable to recurrent status or seizures is lower.
Long‐term Prognosis and Psychosocial Outcomes after Surgery for MTLE
Authors: Dupont Sophie , Tanguy Marie‐Laure , Clemenceau Stephane , Adam Claude , Hazemann Paule , Baulac Michel 
Published: November 2006

Summary:  Purpose: To assess the seizure‐freedom rates and self‐perceived psychosocial changes associated with the long‐term outcome of epilepsy surgery in patients with refractory medial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Methods: A standard questionnaire was given to 183 patients who underwent surgery between 1988 and 2004, and 110 were completed. Results: The mean duration of follow‐up after surgery was 7 years, with a maximum of 17 years. The probability that patients were seizure‐free after surgery was dependent on the definition of the seizure freedom. For the patients who were seizure‐free since surgery (Engel's class Ia), the probability was 97.6% at 1 year after surgery, 85.2% at 2 years after surgery, 59.5% at 5 years after surgery, and 42.6% at 10 years after surgery. For the patients who still experienced rare disabling seizures after surgery but were seizure‐free at least 1 year before the time of assessment, the probability was of 97.6% at 1 year after surgery, 95% at 2 years after surgery, 82.8% at 5 years after surgery, and 71.1% at 10 years after surgery.The psychosocial long‐term outcome, as measured by indices of driving, employment, familial and social relationships, and marital status, was similar to the psychosocial short‐term outcome. It did not depend on seizure freedom or on follow‐up time interval and was not influenced statistically by seizure frequency in cases of persisting seizures. Most but not all patients noticed a substantial overall improvement in their psychosocial condition; 48% drove (increased by 7%), 47% improved (14% worsened) in their employment status, and 68% improved (5% worsened) in their familial and social relationships. Overall, 91% of patients were satisfied with the surgery, and 92% did not regret their decision. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that temporal lobe surgery has real long‐term benefits. Two specific conclusions emerge: (a) the long‐term rates of freedom from seizure depend on how seizure freedom is defined, and (b) the psychosocial long‐term outcome does not change dramatically over years and does not depend on seizure freedom.
Development of Performance Indicators for the Primary Care Management of Pediatric Epilepsy: Expert Consensus Recommendations Based on the Available Evidence
Authors: Caplin Deirdre A. , Rao Jaya K. , Filloux Francis , Bale James F. , Van Orman Colin 
Published: November 2006

Summary: Purpose:To use available evidence and expert consensus to develop performance indicators for the evaluation and management of pediatric epilepsy.Methods:We used a three‐step process to develop the performance indicators. First, research findings were compiled into evidence tables focusing on different clinical issues. Second, an advisory panel of clinicians, educational and public health experts, and families of children with epilepsy reviewed the evidence. The advisory group used the evidence to draft a preliminary set of performance indicators for pediatric epilepsy management. Third, 13 internationally recognized experts in pediatric neurology or epilepsy rated the value of these indicators on a 5‐point scale [1 (essential) to 5 (not necessary)] in a two‐round Delphi process. Positive consensus was reached if ≥80% of experts gave an indicator a “1” rating and negative consensus if >80% gave an indicator a “5” rating. Indicators that achieved positive consensus during either round of the Delphi process constituted the final set of indicators.Results:Of the 68 draft performance indicators, the expert panel members achieved positive consensus on 30 performance indicators: eight indicators related to diagnostic strategies and seizure classification, nine related to antiepileptic drug use, six related to cognitive and behavioral issues, six related to quality of life, and three related to specialty referrals.Conclusions:We identified 30 potential indicators for evaluating the care provided to pediatric patients with epilepsy. The next step is to examine the relation of these performance indicators to clinical outcomes and health care utilization among pediatric patients with epilepsy.