bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lack of Duffy antigen expression is associated with organ damage in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Afenyi‐Annan Araba , Kail Melanie , Combs Martha R. , Orringer Eugene P. , Ashley‐Koch Allison , Telen Marilyn J. 
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: The Duffy glycoprotein (Fy) on red blood cells (RBCs) has been hypothesized to promote clearance of inflammatory cytokines, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of vasoocclusion in sickle cell disease (SCD). Persons with the African‐type Fy(a–b–) phenotype—whose RBCs lack expression of Duffy—may less efficiently clear inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, the Duffy‐negative genotype may be associated with more severe disease among patients with SCD.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Genotyping was performed on blood samples from 249 adult patients with HbSS at the Duffy gene (FY) locus GATA site (rs2814778) that determines RBC expression of Duffy antigens. Patients with discordant genotype and phenotype data were excluded (n = 12). Differences in demographic, clinical and laboratory findings, end‐organ damage, and overall disease severity were compared between FY+ and FY– patients.RESULTS: Of the 237 patients studied, 174 (73%) were FY–. FY+ patients had a higher mean white blood cell (WBC) count (13.2 × 109 ± 4.1 × 109/L vs. 11.8 × 109 ± 3.3 × 109/L; p = 0.03) and higher rates of treatment with hydroxyurea (72% vs. 49%; p = 0.002). In contrast, FY– status was strongly associated with chronic organ damage (85% of FY– patients vs. 65% of FY+ patients; p = 0.018) and proteinuria (32% vs. 12%; p = 0.02). These associations remained, even after controlling for the effects of age and sex.CONCLUSIONS: Duffy genotype may be a potential biomarker for the development of end‐organ damage in SCD, particularly kidney dysfunction. The association of both WBC counts and hydroxyurea use with Duffy expression provides another avenue for investigation of the biologic role of this protein.
Blood clearance of the prion protein introduced by intravenous route in sheep is influenced by host genetic and physiopathologic factors
Authors: Gayrard Véronique , Picard‐Hagen Nicole , Viguié Catherine , Jeunesse Elisabeth , Tabouret Guillaume , Rezaei Human , Toutain Pierre‐Louis 
Published: February 2008

BACKGROUND: The risk of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) transmission by blood transfusion is dependent on the blood concentrations of the pathologic isoform of prion protein (PrPsc) but may also be influenced by blood concentrations of cellular PrP (PrPc). These concentrations are controlled by the blood clearance of PrP, which has never been evaluated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The blood (actually plasma) clearance of ovine purified prokaryote recombinant PrP (rPrP) was measured in genotyped and in nephrectomized sheep. The exposure to proteinase K‐resistant fragments of PrP (PrPres) after intravenous (IV) administration of scrapie‐associated fibrils (SAFs) was also investigated in a sheep.RESULTS: The ARR variant of rPrP was eliminated more rapidly than its VRQ counterpart. The PrPc plasma concentrations in homozygous highly susceptible VRQ sheep were greater than in homozygous ARR‐resistant sheep, suggesting that clearance of the ARR variant of PrPc was higher than that of the VRQ variant. The plasma clearance of rPrP was decreased by 52 percent after a bilateral nephrectomy indicating the significant contribution of the kidneys in eliminating rPrP. PrPres was shown to be slowly eliminated after IV administration of scrapie‐associated fibrils.CONCLUSION: PrP host genotype and physiopathologic factors could influence the risk of TSE transmission by modulating blood PrP clearance. This risk was increased by the sustained exposure to PrPres after IV administration. It should be noted that although the materials that have been administered (rPrP and SAFs) were not the actual species of interest, they can be of value as probes for investigating PrP clearance mechanisms.
Development and implementation of communication skills in dentistry: an example from South Africa
Authors: White J. G. , Krüger C. , Snyman W. D. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractDental students should realise early in their careers – in dental school – the importance of developing and mastering sound communication skills with patients. As a result, the aim of this study was to develop and implement a course in communication skills for third year dental students. The methodology employed in the study comprised the following three phases: Phase I: identification of specific outcomes essential for the dentist to be competitive in the emerging South African dental environment. Phase II: development of an outcome‐based course according to the South African Qualifications Authority format (Purpose, Embedded knowledge, Assessment criteria). Phase III: implementation of the course. Implementation of the course involved a pre‐ and post‐training cycle. The subjects were 67 third year dental students. The following instruments were employed: a study guide; a case study; an assessment rubric; two questionnaires, namely “Patient’s” feedback and “Dentist’s” feedback; a standardised patient. The results were as follows: the class as a whole scored significantly higher during training cycle 2 compared with training cycle 1 (P < 0.0001). The important roles of trust, empathy and active listening in establishing a meaningful relationship with a patient, which was conveyed by means of the course, were emphasised by the majority of students.
Development of a rational antibiotic usage course for dentists
Authors: Öcek Z. , Sahin H. , Baksi G. , Apaydin S. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim:  The aims of this report are to describe the development process of this rational antibiotic usage course and to evaluate the short‐term efficiency of the course in terms of the level of improvement in knowledge and feedbacks of the participants.Materials and Methods:  A needs assessment survey was carried out on the curriculum development process in order to determine the patterns of drug usage and level of knowledge on antibiotics of potential participants. A total of 162 dentists from two dental hospitals in Izmir were interviewed using standard questionnaires. The course content and educational strategies were determined according to the needs assessment results. Fifty‐eight dentists applied to the first three courses conducted between 2002 and 2004. Pre/post‐test design was performed for level of improvement in knowledge and a questionnaire form, scored by Likert Scale with 5 point, was used for participants’ feedback.Results:  The mean score, which was 9.74 ± 2.71 in pre‐test, increased to 18.16 ± 1.58 in post‐test and the difference was significant (t = −28.805; P = 0.000). The knowledge and approach of the trainers was appreciated most of all. Participants enjoyed the course very much, and reported a high level of satisfaction regarding the content, trainers, educational techniques and teaching material. The suggestions for future courses included increasing the course length (21.2%). Results from the needs assessment survey revealed that the study population over‐used antibiotics, relied on incorrect sources of information, was unaware of the results of irrational antibiotic usage and did not check sufficiently with patients before prescribing.Conclusions:  These findings supported the need for regular courses in the application of antibiotics in dental practice and continuous refreshment of knowledge.
The Problem with Fundamentalism
Authors: Danaher James P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe believe that the God who spoke the universe into existence actually became a human being and dwelt among us. Furthermore, he left us a rich text full of his teachings. Sadly, however, the Jesuit revelation is easily negated by a fundamentalist theory about how to read the biblical text. This paper argues that the whole of Scripture must be read from the perspective of the Gospel lest we make the Jesus revelation into merely one prophetic revelation among many.
Poetry, Attentiveness and Prayer: One Poet's Lesson
Authors: Block Ed 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn The Grain of Wheat, Hans Urs von Balthasar quotes St. Basil on the intent contemplation of God's works. In Letters to Malcolm, C. S. Lewis speaks of making “every pleasure into a channel of adoration”, by praising “these pure and spontaneous pleasures” as “‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.” According to Iris Murdoch, such attentiveness requires a degree of “selflessness” that resembles aesthetic contemplation and— it may be inferred — prayerful reflection. Using these passages and others by Kathleen Norris and Simone Weil, this essay offers related perspectives on the process and the effects of attentiveness, in poetry and prayer. Poets practise, and thereby teach an attentiveness that is analogous to that achieved in certain forms of prayer. Prayer, like poetry, gives thanks for the mysteries — even as it seeks to understand and respond to the injustices and sufferings — of life. Denise Levertov illustrates in her poetry an awareness of how such attentiveness can be productive, in her late religious poems especially.
Anselm and the Apophatic: “Something Greater than Can Be Thought”
Authors: Fulmer J. Burton 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAnselm's ontological proof, which sets out to show that God must exist and which depends upon the premise that human beings can conceptualize God, seems antithetical to the apophatic tradition, but Anselm's work in general and his proof in particular are, nonetheless, exemplars of apophasis. The proof shows the atheist's position to be untenable, while also revealing the ambiguities of the believer's claim. In proving the necessary existence of God, Anselm destroys all idols and with them, all human conceptions of divinity, for whatever conception can be achieved always stands vulnerable to being overcome. Thus, Anselm is left to conclude that God is in fact “something greater than can be thought.” Anselm shows that language can never offer a final and complete formulation for God, and he does so through his own name for God (“something-than-which-nothing-greater-can-be-thought”), a name that remains brilliantly open and which is ingenious, not for what it affirms about God, but rather for what it denies.
Between Charybdis and Scylla: Catholic Theology and Interreligious Dialogue
Authors: Lévy Antoine 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWhy should Catholics enter into dialogue with representatives of non-Christian religious traditions? Although the last decades have witnessed an impressive involvement of Catholic theologians in these contacts, a positive dogmatic framework of interreligious dialogue is still waiting in the wings. On one hand, one can no longer be satisfied with trying to make non-Christians realize that Christianity is their beliefs ultimate truth (what about a dialogue with non-Christians then?). On the other hand, one cannot admit of expecting to get some additional knowledge about God that would not already be contained in Tradition and Scriptures, believed to convey the fullness of Gods Revelation to mankind. Putting forward the Traditions legitimate development, the present paper argues that new insights into the fullness of Gods Revelation can be gained from types of religious thinking born beyond the historical limits of Gods Revelation. According to its essence, this Revelation appeals to the contribution of those who have never heard of it.
Performing the Same Score: Repentance, Truth and Doctrine in Ecumenical Theology
Authors: McCurry Jeffrey 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis article develops the fruitful metaphor of musical performance to think about church-dividing conflicts over doctrine. In particular, I show that just as there is more than one way for a score of music to be faithfully performed, so there can be more than one way for shared fundamental dogma to be faithfully articulated in different confessional or doctrinal traditions. When the disagreements between the Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian churches over christological doctrine are reframed as contrasting but not contradictory “performances” of one shared scriptural and Nicene dogma, possibilities for ecumenical reconciliation are strenghthened. Indeed, while not articulating its practice by means of the metaphor of a musical performance, the Roman Catholic magisterium is already approaching doctrinal reconciliation in just this way.
De Lubac, Christ and the Buddha
Authors: Grumett David 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCardinal Henri de Lubac (1896–1991) considered Buddhism to be, after Christianity, the greatest spiritual fact of history. His groundbreaking studies of it have nevertheless received little previous scholarly attention. De Lubac focuses on Amidism, also known as Pure Land Buddhism, because he regards this as the form of Buddhism possessing greatest affinity with Christian faith, particularly in its conceptions of charity and divine personality. Religion cannot be considered in isolation from culture, however. De Lubac argues that Christian-Buddhist encounter is, wherever it occurs, necessarily also an encounter between Western culture and Buddhism, in the course of which boundaries between religions and cultures are continually defined, dissolved and redefined, especially in the understanding of human personhood. He nevertheless defends the universality of faith in Christ, the Word made flesh, in whom the desire of nature for God characteristic of the whole of humanity is fully expressed and realized.
Polymorphisms of DNA repair genes, XRCC1 and XRCC3, and susceptibility to familial prostate cancer in a Japanese population
Authors: HAMANO Tatsuya , MATSUI Hiroshi , OHTAKE Nobuaki , NAKATA Seiji , SUZUKI Kazuhiro 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim:  DNA repair systems play an important role in protecting the genome damaged by endogeneous and exogeneous mutagens. Deficiency in these systems has been reported to increase the risk of various types of cancer. We investigated two DNA repair genes, X‐ray repair cross‐complementing group 1 (XRCC1) and X‐ray repair cross‐complementing group 3 (XRCC3), to assess the association between DNA repair genes and familial prostate cancer susceptibility in the Japanese population.Methods:  We performed a case‐control study consisting of 142 familial prostate cancer cases and 119 normal control subjects. The genetic polymorphism was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Results:  Of the three polymorphisms investigated, the frequency of the XRCC1 codon 194 Arg/Trp genotype, was significantly observed in cases (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28–3.73, P = 0.0058) and the Arg/Trp and Trp/Trp genotypes were also significantly observed in cases (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.23–3.36, P = 0.0080). For the Arg399Gln genotype in XRCC1 and the Thr241Met genotype in XRCC3, no significant differences were observed between cases and controls. Stratification of cases according to clinical stages and pathological grades showed no significant difference among clinical parameters and genotypes.Conclusion:  The Trp allele in the XRCC1 codon 194 was significantly associated with individuals in the Japanese population with a family history of prostate cancer.
Rural–Urban Differences in Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Overweight Prevalence of Children
Authors: Joens‐Matre Roxane R. , Welk Gregory J. , Calabro Miguel A. , Russell Daniel W. , Nicklay Elizabeth , Hensley Larry D. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT:
Context:

The increasing prevalence of overweight in youth has been well chronicled, but less is known about the unique patterns and risks that may exist in rural and urban environments. A better understanding of possible rural–urban differences in physical activity profiles may facilitate the development of more targeted physical activity interventions. Methods: Participants (1,687 boys; 1,729 girls) were recruited from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classes in schools from urban areas, small cities, and rural areas. Multilevel modeling analysis was used to examine rural–urban differences in physical activity and prevalence of overweight. Physical activity was assessed by self‐report and body mass index was calculated from measured height and weight. Findings: Prevalence of overweight was higher among rural children (25%; P < .001) than children from urban areas (19%) and small cities (17%). Urban children were the least active overall (Cohens' d =−0.4), particularly around lunchtime while at school (d =−0.9 to −1.1). Children from small cities reported the highest levels of physical activity. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest there are rural–urban differences in children's prevalence of overweight and physical activity even within a fairly homogenous Midwestern state.
Tobacco Use Among the Amish in Holmes County, Ohio
Authors: Ferketich Amy K. , Katz Mira L. , Kauffman Ross M. , Paskett Electra D. , Lemeshow Stanley , Westman Judith A. , Clinton Steven K. , Bloomfield Clara D. , Wewers Mary Ellen 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT:
Purpose:

The objective of this study was to estimate tobacco use prevalence among the Amish in Holmes County, Ohio, using both self‐report and a biochemical marker of nicotine exposure. Methods: Amish adults (n = 134) were interviewed as part of a lifestyle study. Self‐reported tobacco use was measured using standardized questions, and cotinine was measured from a saliva sample. The prevalence of smoking, total tobacco use, and misclassification were estimated separately by gender, and then compared to 2 non‐Amish groups. One group was selected from 2 counties contained within the Holmes County Amish settlement (n = 154) and the other was representative of non‐Hispanic whites in the United States (n = 4,099). Findings: No Amish women reported current tobacco use and only 2 reported former use. This was significantly different (P < .0001) from the patterns observed among non‐Amish in the settlement counties (15.7%) and US white (23.3%) women. The prevalence of tobacco use among Amish men was 17.6% and this was significantly lower than estimates from non‐Amish in the settlement counties (38.8%, P= .04) and US white (32.2%, P= .005) men. No Amish women and only 2 Amish men underreported tobacco use and misclassification was similar in the comparison groups. Conclusions: Tobacco use is significantly lower among adults in the largest Amish settlement in the world compared to their non‐Amish neighbors in Appalachia Ohio and US whites. A strength of this study is that self report was verified with a marker of nicotine, a critical measure to include in any study conducted in a group that stigmatizes tobacco use.
Pedometer Readings and Self‐Reported Walking Distances in a Rural Hutterite Population
Authors: Samra Haifa Abou , Beare Tianna , Specker Bonny 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT:
Purpose:

This study assessed the accuracy with which a rural population reported daily walking distances using a 7‐day activity recall questionnaire obtained quarterly compared to pedometer readings.

Methods:

Study participants were 48 Hutterite men and women aged 11‐66 years.

Findings:

Pedometer‐miles quartiles were associated with self‐reported daily miles (P= .008) and self‐reported previous‐year average miles (P= .03) quartiles. Among males, the relationship between pedometer‐miles and self‐reported daily miles differed depending upon walking pace, with a stronger correlation at a faster pace (interaction, P= .006). Among females, pedometer‐miles correlated with age and remained associated with self‐reported daily and previous‐year average miles when age was in the statistical model (P= .006 and .008). The difference between pedometer‐miles and self‐reported previous‐year average miles tended to increase with age (P= .06).

Conclusions:

SDPAR may be a useful instrument in measuring miles walked/day among rural populations.
Induction of natural competence in Bacillus cereus ATCC14579
Authors: Mirończuk Aleksandra M. , Kovács Ákos T. , Kuipers Oscar P. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryNatural competence is the ability of certain microbes to take up exogenous DNA from the environment and integrate it in their genome. Competence development has been described for a variety of bacteria, but has so far not been shown to occur in Bacillus cereus. However, orthologues of most proteins involved in natural DNA uptake in Bacillus subtilis could be identified in B. cereus. Here, we report that B. cereus ATCC14579 can become naturally competent. When expressing the B. subtilis ComK protein using an IPTG‐inducible system in B. cereus ATCC14579, cells grown in minimal medium displayed natural competence, as either genomic DNA or plasmid DNA was shown to be taken up by the cells and integrated into the genome or stably maintained respectively. This work proves that a sufficient structural system for DNA uptake exists in B. cereus. Bacillus cereus can be employed as a model system to investigate the mechanism of DNA uptake in related bacteria such as Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus thuringiensis. Moreover, natural competence provides an important tool for biotechnology, as it will allow more efficient transformation of B. cereus and related organisms, e.g. to knockout genes in a high‐throughput way.
Adaptive Evolution of a Lactose-Consuming
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Recombinant
Authors: Guimarães Pedro M. R. , François Jean , Parrou Jean Luc , Teixeira José A. , Domingues Lucília 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

The construction of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
strains that ferment lactose has biotechnological interest, particularly for cheese whey fermentation. A flocculent lactose-consuming
S. cerevisiae
recombinant expressing the
LAC12
(lactose permease) and
LAC4
(β-galactosidase) genes of
Kluyveromyces lactis
was constructed previously but showed poor efficiency in lactose fermentation. This strain was therefore subjected to an evolutionary engineering process (serial transfer and dilution in lactose medium), which yielded an evolved recombinant strain that consumed lactose twofold faster, producing 30% more ethanol than the original recombinant. We identified two molecular events that targeted the
LAC
construct in the evolved strain: a 1,593-bp deletion in the intergenic region (promoter) between
LAC4
and
LAC12
and a decrease of the plasmid copy number by about 10-fold compared to that in the original recombinant. The results suggest that the intact promoter was unable to mediate the induction of the transcription of
LAC4
and
LAC12
by lactose in the original recombinant and that the deletion established the transcriptional induction of both genes in the evolved strain. We propose that the tuning of the expression of the heterologous
LAC
genes in the evolved recombinant was accomplished by the interplay between the decreased copy number of both genes and the different levels of transcriptional induction for
LAC4
and
LAC12
resulting from the changed promoter structure. Nevertheless, our results do not exclude other possible mutations that may have contributed to the improved lactose fermentation phenotype. This study illustrates the usefulness of simple evolutionary engineering approaches in strain improvement. The evolved strain efficiently fermented threefold-concentrated cheese whey, providing an attractive alternative for the fermentation of lactose-based media.