bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and comparative analysis of quantitative trait loci associated with parthenocarpy in processing cucumber
Authors: Sun Z. , Staub J. E. , Chung S. M. , Lower R. L. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractParthenocarpy (seedless fruit) is an economically important yield‐related trait in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.; 2n = 2x = 14). However, the genomic locations of factors controlling parthenocarpic fruit development in this species are not known. Therefore, an F2 : 3 mating design was utilized to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for parthenocarpy using a narrow cross employing two gynoecious, indeterminate and normal leaf lines [2A (parthenocarpic) and Gy8 (non‐parthenocarpic)]. QTL detection was performed employing 2A‐ and Gy8‐coupling phase data using the parthenocarpic yield of 126 F3 families grown at two locations at Hancock, WI in 2000. The QTLs detected in this study were compared with the map locations of QTLs conditioning first‐harvest yield of seeded cucumber characterized in a previous study. There were 10 QTLs for parthenocarpy detected defining four genomic regions, in which three QTLs also mapped to the same genomic regions as QTLs detected for fruit yield at first‐harvest as reported in a previous study. The eight fluorescence amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers linked to parthenocarpy through QTL mapping defined herein (four each in linkage groups 1 and 4) are candidates for use in marker‐assisted selection programmes where breeding for increased levels of parthenocarpy is an objective in the elite‐processing cucumber populations.
Reciprocal substitutions analysis of freezing resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Yazdi‐Samadi B. , Dashti H. , Nabipour A. , Sarrafi A. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractTo investigate the effects of individual chromosomes on freezing resistance, as well as their interactions with the genetic background, reciprocal sets of chromosome substitution lines between two hard red winter wheat cultivars, ‘Cheyenne’ and ‘Wichita’, were used in this study. Duplicate lines for each chromosome were included to check background homogeneity. Two experiments were carried out in complete block designs with two replications for each duplicate. Crown and leaf water content and leaf wet weight were measured in the field experiments. Crown survival, electrolyte leakage and 50% lethality temperature (LT50) were measured in the laboratory. The results showed that ‘Cheyenne’ was more resistant than ‘Wichita’. Crown survival was significantly correlated with crown water content, crown wet weight and electrolyte leakage. Chromosomes 6A, 3B and 5D substituted from ‘Wichita’ into ‘Cheyenne’ (‘CNN‐WI’), decreased the crown survival, and increased membrane stability, crown water content and crown wet weight of ‘Cheyenne’. Thus, these chromosomes from ‘Wichita’ decreased freezing resistance in ‘Cheyenne’. Reciprocally, chromosomes 5A, 5D, 3B and 4D from ‘Cheyenne’ into ‘Wichita’ increased crown survival and decreased crown water content and crown wet weight of ‘Wichita’. It was concluded that these chromosomes from ‘Cheyenne’ cause freezing resistance in ‘Wichita’ and carry freezing‐resistance genes.
Discharge decision‐making with older people: The influence of the institutional environment
Authors: Moats Gillian 
Published: May 2006

Background/Aim:  Occupational therapists often participate in decision‐making about postdischarge accommodations. This paper presents the findings of a study that identified and explored institutional factors influencing discharge accommodation decision‐making with older people, from the perspective of occupational therapists. Methods:  Qualitative, semistructured, face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with 10 occupational therapists. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed for the presence and emergence of themes. Results:  Decision‐making processes were influenced by the institutional environment. The medical model and pressure for fast decisions seemed to impede client‐centred processes in acute settings. Conclusions:  When possible, decision‐making about long‐term care needs to occur in community or longer‐stay rehabilitation settings that allow time for negotiated client‐centred processes.
Evaluation of gall bladder carcinoma with dynamic magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Kaza RK , Gulati M , Wig JD , Chawla YK 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of dynamic MRI with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the preoperative assessment of gall bladder carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging and MRCP were carried out in 15 patients with gall bladder carcinoma before surgery and the imaging findings correlated with surgical and pathological findings. Gall bladder carcinoma manifested as focal or diffuse wall thickening in 73% (11/15) and as a mass replacing the gall bladder in 27% (4/15). All tumours showed enhancement in the early phase, which persisted into the delayed phase. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI with MRCP in detecting hepatic invasion, lymph node metastasis and bile duct invasion was 87.5 and 86%, 60 and 90%, and 80 and 100%, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging correctly diagnosed duodenal invasion in only 50% and in none of the two patients with peritoneal metastasis. In conclusion, dynamic MRI with MRCP is an accurate and a reliable method of showing gall bladder carcinoma and in assessing its local and regional extent as part of preoperative assessment.
Rectosigmoid cancer after radiotherapy for prostate cancer can be detected early and successfully treated
Authors: Cho K‐J , Christie D 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe clinical features and outcomes of rectosigmoid cancers (RSCs) occurring after radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer were reviewed to determine whether they are significantly different to RSC occurring without those precedents, whether the subsequent RSC could be either predicted or detected early, and whether they can be effectively treated. Eight patients who had been treated by RT for prostate cancer subsequently developed lower gastrointestinal tract symptoms consistent with proctopathy, however, investigation by endoscopy indicated RSC. These cases were reviewed in detail. The most common presenting symptom was mild bleeding. All eight RSCs were detected before the development of metastatic disease and successfully treated. Only one required an anteroposterior resection. Otherwise, there were no unusual features about any of the cases that would have predicted the occurrence of RSC or enabled earlier detection. No complications occurred that could be attributed to prior RT. Six recommendations for clinicians are offered on the basis of these cases and the relevant published work. In particular, when symptoms of proctopathy occur after RT for prostate cancer the conclusion that radiation proctopathy is the cause should not be drawn until confirmed by endoscopy. Prior RT did not increase the risks involved in colorectal surgery in this setting.
Foreign body giant cell reaction to polytetrafluoroethylene used as interposition material in scaphoid–trapezium arthroplasty
Authors: Udeshi M , Bangash H , Gagliardi J 
Published: May 2006

SummaryWe present the case of a 54‐year‐old woman who presented with a one and a half‐year history of persistent pain at the base of her right thumb. A scaphoid–trapezium interposition arthroplasty with polytetrafluoroethylene was carried out in an effort to improve function and decrease the patient’s persistent pain. Approximately 7 years after surgery, she began to complain of increasing pain and radiographs showed extensive osteolytic changes, consistent with a foreign body giant cell reaction.
Unusual presentation of perirenal lung metastases
Authors: D’Souza DL , Heinze SB , Dowling RJ 
Published: May 2006

SummaryLung cancer is not commonly known to metastasise to the perirenal space, with only five such cases previously published. We present an unusual case of perirenal lung metastases manifesting as diffuse perinephric stranding which to our knowledge has not been described before.
Currarino triad: Characteristic appearances on magnetic resonance imaging and plain radiography
Authors: Low G , Irwin GJ , Haddock G , Maroo SV 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe Currarino triad is a complex anomaly consisting of an anorectal malformation, a sacral bone defect and a presacral mass. It was first described in 1981 and since then, approximately 250 cases have been reported. Radiology has an important part to play in the diagnosis of this entity, as the imaging features are characteristic. We report a case of Currarino triad in an infant who presented with intractable constipation and discuss relevant MRI and plain radiography findings.
Elongated eccentric soft coronary plaque: Major diagnostic pitfall on quantitative coronary angiography overpowered by computed tomography coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound
Authors: Ghersin E , Litmanovich D , Kerner A , Engel A , Hayek T 
Published: May 2006

SummaryWe describe a significant left anterior descending coronary lesion in a patient with unstable angina pectoris. This lesion was erroneously underestimated using quantitative coronary angiography; however, CT coronary angiography correctly showed a significant, elongated, eccentric, soft plaque that was later confirmed by repeated quantitative coronary angiography with intravascular ultrasound. As showed, CT coronary angiography may offer a reliable non‐invasive alternative to quantitative coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound by enabling a true 3‐D coronary lumenogram combined with plaque detection and characterization.
Pseudoaneurysm and deep vein thrombosis complicating femoral osteochondroma: Multimodality imaging
Authors: Leggett DAC , Sinnott SJ , Kienzle HN 
Published: May 2006

SummaryA case of a femoral osteochondroma complicated by pseudoaneurysm and deep venous thrombosis is presented. Multimodality imaging contributed crucial information to allow successful diagnosis and preoperative planning.
Enhancing the survival of tunneled haemodialysis catheters using an antibiotic lock in the elderly: A randomised, double‐blind clinical trial
Authors: SAXENA ANIL K , PANHOTRA BODH R , SUNDARAM DASAPPAN S , MORSY MOHAMMED NAGUIB FAHMY , AL‐GHAMDI ALI M AL‐ARABI 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARY:Background:  Tunneled‐cuffed catheters (TCC) are often used among the elderly to commence and carry out haemodialysis (HD). Complications like infection and thrombosis frequently reduce the lifespan of TCC. The role of an antibiotic heparin ‘lock’ in the prevention of thrombotic and infectious complications and enhancement of TCC survival in the elderly has not been investigated previously.Methods:  In this prospective, double‐blind clinical trial, TCC (n = 119, placed among 113 elderly patients requiring HD during March 2002 – February 2003) were randomised to either group I having TCC (n = 59, placed in 58 elderly patients) locked with cefotaxime (10 mg/mL) and heparin (5000 U/mL), or group II with TCC (n = 60, placed in 55 elderly patients) having catheter‐restricted filling of heparin (5000 U/mL) alone. Symptomatic catheter‐related blood stream infections (CRBSI) and catheter thrombosis were the primary end points in this study. Thrombosis was defined as an inability to use the catheter at a blood flow of 200 mL/min that did not respond to catheter repositioning and/or intraluminal thrombolysis. The incidence of catheter thrombosis, CRBSI and percentage of catheter survival were estimated and statistically compared between the two groups.Results:  Kaplan–Meier survival analysis using log rank test showed higher thrombosis‐free TCC survival (84.7%vs 63.3%, P = 0.021), infection‐free survival (68.7%vs 31.3%, P < 0.001) and infection and thrombosis‐free survival (65.0%vs 35.0%, P = 0.006) at 365 days in group I compared with group II.Conclusion:  Cefotaxime and heparin locks safely and effectively enhance the lifespan of TCC by lowering the incidence of thrombotic and infectious complications among elderly end‐stage renal failure (ESRD) patients.
Statewide Cancer Genomics Integration in Michigan
Authors: Zenger‐Hain Julie , DeDecker Laurie , Duquette Debra , Haviland Sue , Annis Ann , Petrucelli Nancie 
Published: May 2006

The Michigan Cancer Genetics Alliance (MCGA) was created in 2003, and facilitated by the MDCH Genomics Program. In parallel, the State Genetics Plan and the Michigan Cancer Strategic Plan identified the need to create MCGA to serve as an organization of cancer genetics professionals with the purposes to promote communication, serve as a source of expert information, and participate in the Michigan Cancer Consortium (MCC). MCGA and cancer genetics received further support by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement to develop state capacity for integration of genomics into chronic disease prevention programs (♯U58/CCU522826).Highlights of MCGA’s accomplishments include a six‐session course entitled, ‘Cancer Genomics for Public Health’, which was created and piloted for the MDCH Cancer Section. Additionally, MCGA has been working to enhance the state’s cancer surveillance system by addition of cancer genetics elements to the state cancer registry. MCGA members have representation on MCC subcommittees that are working to create risk assessment guidelines for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. MCGA is also addressing access to care, health disparities and health literacy issues.Michigan’s experience is one model of integrating cancer genomics knowledge into practice through partnerships and the development of projects and collaborations.
Expression and distribution of OCTN2 in mouse epididymis and its association with obstructive azoospermia in juvenile visceral steatosis mice
Authors: YAKUSHIJI KAZUMICHI , KAI SAORI , YAMAUCHI MASAMICHI , KUWAJIMA MASAMICHI , OSADA YUKIO , TOSHIMORI KIYOTAKA 
Published: May 2006

Aim:  l‐Carnitine, an essential cofactor for mitochondrial, β‐oxidation of long‐chain fatty acids, is known to play important roles in sperm maturation and metabolism when spermatozoa pass and acquire motility in the epididymis. We reported that obstructive azoospermia occurred in the epididymis in the juvenile visceral steatosis (JVS) mice, which are OCTN2 dysfunction mice caused by mutations in the gene encoding OCTN2, have been used for animal models of primary systemic carnitine deficiency. The aim of present study is to investigate the expression of OCTN2 protein in the mouse epididymis and its relation between the localization of OCTN2 and obstructive azoospermia in JVS mice as animal models for human male infertility.Methods:  Animals used in this study were wild‐type (C57BL/6 J) mice (n = 4) and JVS mice (n = 4). We made a specific polyclonal antibody against OCTN2 and examined immunohistochemically the localization of OCTN2 in the mouse epididymis.Results:  OCTN2 was localized on the apical membrane of the principal cells of distal corpus and cauda epididymides. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that OCTN2 was localized on the surface of microvillus upon the principal cells. In JVS mice, immunoreactivity started in a region immediately distal to where the sperm obstruction occurred.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that OCTN2 functions as a carnitine transporter between the epithelium and the lumen in distal corpus and cauda epididymides and provides a clue as to why obstructive azoospermia is induced in distal parts of epididymis.
Do differences in age specific androgenic steroid hormone levels account for differing prostate cancer rates between Arabs and Caucasians?
Authors: KEHINDE ELIJAH O , AKANJI ABAYOMI O , AL‐HUNAYAN ADEL , MEMON ANJUM , LUQMANI YUNUS , AL‐AWADI KHALEEL A , VARGHESE RAMANI , BASHIR ABDUL AZIZ , DAAR ABDALLAH S 
Published: May 2006

Objective:  Factors responsible for the low incidence of clinical prostate cancer in the Arab population remain unclear, but may be related to differences in androgenic steroid hormone metabolism between Arabs and other populations, especially as prostate cancer is believed to be androgen dependent. We therefore measured the levels of serum androgenic steroids and their binding proteins in Arab men and compared results obtained with values reported for Caucasian populations to determine if any differences could at least partially account for differences in incidence of prostate cancer rates between the two populations.Methods:  Venous blood samples were obtained from 327 unselected apparently healthy indigenous Arab men (Kuwaitis and Omanis) aged 15–79 years. Samples were also obtained from 30 Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Serum levels of total testosterone (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), derived free androgen index (FAI); adrenal C19‐steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADT) were determined by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Age specific reference intervals, mean and median for each analyte were determined. Frequency distribution pattern for each hormone was plotted. The reference range for hormones with normal distribution was mean ± 2SD and 2.5–97.5% for those with non‐normal distribution. The mean serum levels of the hormones in Arab men with prostate cancer were compared with values in healthy age‐matched Arab men.Results:  There was a significant decrease between the 21–29 years age group and the 70–79 years age group for TT (−38.77%), DHEAS (−70%), ADT (−36%) and FAI (−63.25%), and an increase for SHBG (+64%). The calculated reference ranges are TT (2.73–30.45 nmol/L), SHBG (6.45–65.67 nmol/L), FAI (14.51–180.34), DHEAS (0.9–11.0 µmol/L) and ADT (0.54–4.26 ng/mL). The mean TT, SHBG, DHEAS and ADT in Arab men were significantly lower than those reported for Caucasians especially in the 21–29 years age group. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer had higher serum TT (P < 0.7), ADT (P < 0.2), SHBG (P < 0.2) and lower DHEAS (P < 0.008) compared to aged matched controls.Conclusions:  Serum TT, SHBG, DHEAS and ADT levels are significantly lower in Arab men compared to those reported for Caucasian men, especially in early adulthood. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer have higher circulating androgens compared to healthy controls. We suggest that low circulating androgens and their adrenal precursors in Arab men when compared to Caucasians may partially account for the relatively lower risk for prostate cancer among Arab men.
Analysis of differences in clinicopathological features between prostate cancers located in the transition and peripheral zones
Authors: SAKAI IORI , HARADA KEN‐ICHI , KURAHASHI TOSHIFUMI , YAMANAKA KAZUKI , HARA ISAO , MIYAKE HIDEAKI 
Published: May 2006

Background:  The objective of this study was to retrospectively characterize differences in the clinicopathological features of prostate cancer according to the zonal origin.Methods:  Among 185 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy without any neoadjuvant hormonal therapies, this study included 134 patients who were diagnosed as having either transition zone (TZ) or peripheral zone (PZ) cancer according to the following criteria: TZ or PZ cancers were considered when more than 70% of the cancer area was located in the TZ or PZ, respectively. The various clinicopathological features were then compared according to this classification.Results:  In this series, 27 patients were diagnosed as having TZ cancer, while the remaining 107 were diagnosed as having PZ cancer. The percent of positive biopsy cores in TZ cancers was significantly lower than that in PZ cancers; however, there were no significant differences in the anatomical location of positive cores between these two groups except for the middle of prostate where TZ cancer showed a significantly lower rate of positive biopsies than PZ cancer. The preoperative serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) value in patients with TZ cancer was significantly higher than that in those with PZ cancer. Furthermore, tumor volume in TZ cancers was significantly greater than that in PZ cancers. However, there was no significant difference in biochemical recurrence‐free survival between patients with TZ and PZ cancers.Conclusions:  Despite the significantly high PSA value as well as great tumor volume compared with those of PZ cancers, TZ cancers had similar biochemical cure rates following radical prostatectomy, suggesting a less aggressive phenotype of TZ cancers than that of PZ cancers.
Prognostic factors of recurrence after vesicovaginal fistula repair
Authors: AYED MOHSEN , ATAT RABII EL , HASSINE LOTFI BEN , SFAXI MOHAMED , CHEBIL MOHAMED , ZMERLI SAADOUN 
Published: May 2006

Purpose:  We evaluate the prognostic factors of recurrence in patients after the surgical repair of vesicovaginal fistula.Materials and methods:  From 1985 to 2002, 73 women with vesicovaginal fistula underwent late (>3 months) surgical repair. A multivariate analysis of the data was performed with the EPI‐INFO software. All P‐values were two‐sided, with odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals.Results:  A total number of 73 patients underwent 97 procedures with a mean rate of 1.38 procedures/patient. The overall surgical success rate was 86.7%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that recurrence was statistically significant for multiple fistulas (single vs two or more), fistula size (>10 mm), fistula type (Type I vs Type II), fistula etiology (obstetrical vs non‐obstetrical) and the presence of urinary tract infection before the repair. Recurrence risk was fivefold higher for both the size and the type of the fistula, threefold higher for obstetrical etiology and 4.5‐fold higher for multiple fistula. The interposition of flaps was a protective factor for recurrent cases. The surgical approach was not a significant prognostic factor of recurrence.Conclusion:  Successful closure of a vesicovaginal fistula requires an accurate and a timely repair using procedures that exploit basic surgical principles. Multiple fistula, size and type of the fistula, and obstetrical etiology were the recurrence risk factors. We recommend in all patients with multiple risk factors for recurrence, the interposition of flaps.
Antitumor effect of ascorbic acid, lysine, proline, arginine, and green tea extract on bladder cancer cell line T‐24
Authors: ROOMI M WAHEED , IVANOV VADIM , KALINOVSKY TATIANA , NIEDZWIECKI ALEKSANDRA , RATH MATTHIAS 
Published: May 2006

Aims:  Bladder cancer, the fourth highest incident cancer in men and tenth in women, is associated with a high rate of recurrence, even when treated in situ, and prognosis is poor once the cancer metastasizes to distant sites. Based on anticancer properties, we investigated the effect of a mixture of lysine, proline, arginine, ascorbic acid, and green tea extract on human bladder cancer cells T‐24 by measuring: proliferation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, and cancer cell invasive potential.Methods:  Human bladder cancer cells T‐24 (ATCC) were grown in McCoy medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin (100 U/mL) and streptomycin (100 mg/mL) in 24‐well tissue culture plates. At near confluence, the cells were treated with the nutrient mixture dissolved in media and tested at 0, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 µg/mL in triplicate at each dose. Cells were also treated with PMA 200 ng/mL to study enhanced MMP‐9 activity. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, MMP activity by gelatinase zymography, and invasion through Matrigel.Results:  Nutrient mixture inhibited the T‐24 cell secretion of MMP‐2 and ‐9, with virtual total inhibition of MMP‐2 at 500 µg/mL and MMP‐9 at 100 µg/mL. The nutrient mixture significantly reduced the invasion of human bladder cancer cells T‐24 through Matrigel in a dose‐dependent fashion, with 95% inhibition at 500 µg/mL and 100% at 1000 µg/mL nutrient mixture (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Our results suggest that our nutrient mixture is an excellent candidate for therapeutic use in the treatment of bladder cancer, by inhibiting critical steps in cancer development and spread, such as MMP secretion and invasion.