bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Migrant Workers and HIV Vulnerability in Korea
Authors: Lee Jungwhan 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDespite a rapid increase of both migrant workers and incidence of HIV infection in Korea, little is known about the relation between the two. This paper examines the vulnerability to HIV infection of migrant workers in Korea, highlighting socio‐cultural, political and economic contexts. Major information sources include articles, government reports, archives in migrant‐support and AIDS‐prevention organizations and in‐depth interviews with government officials, NGO representatives and migrant workers. The study reveals migrant workers in Korea face an environment of discrimination and isolation because of their status as foreigners from less developed countries and with jobs characterised by low pay and status. Encountering stress and loneliness and without family support, migrant workers – especially single males, those undocumented and females in the sex industry – engage in risky sexual behaviours such as commercial and casual sex, leaving them vulnerable to HIV infection. Little knowledge of STD/HIV, few STD/HIV prevention programs and easy access to commercial sex compound migrant workers’ vulnerability to HIV infection. The situation is worsening and current government policy, including lack of education, largely contributes to the problem.
Clinicopathlogical features and prognosis of drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms: a study of 30 cases in Taiwan
Authors: Chiou C‐C , Yang L‐C , Hung S‐I , Chang Y‐C , Kuo T‐T , Ho H‐C , Hu S , Hong H‐S , Chung W‐H 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), a group of non‐blistering severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCADRs), is characterized by skin rash and multiorgan involvement. Details of this reaction have not been reported in the literature so far.Aim  We investigate clinical and pathological features and prognosis of DRESS and hope this study will provide data concerning this disorder in Taiwan.Methods  From January 2001 to June 2006, a total of 30 patients, diagnosed with DRESS, were enrolled and evaluated for demographic characteristics, pathological findings, complications and outcome.Results  Patient ages ranged from 13 to 78, with an equal sex ratio. The most common offending drug was allopurinol followed by carbamazepine. Pathologic changes observed were lichenoid dermatitis, erythema multiforme, pseudolymphoma and vasculitis. Impairment of liver and renal functions and blood dyscrasia were frequent complications. Active infection or reactivation of HHV‐6 was observed in 7 of 11 patients studied serologically. Two patients developed type 1 diabetes mellitus. The mortality rate was 10% (3 of 30).Conclusions  DRESS is a heterogeneous group of life‐threatening conditions. The leading drug in DRESS in Taiwan is allopurinol. High eosinophil count and multiple underlying diseases are poor prognostic factors in patients with DRESS.
Association between smoking and cutaneous ageing in a Brazilian population
Authors: Raduan APP , Luiz RR , Manela‐Azulay M 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective  This study aims to determine the relationship between smoking and cutaneous ageing.Methods  A cross‐sectional study was carried out on 301 subjects (191 women and 110 men, aged between 25 and 86 years), of which 165 were non‐smokers and 136 were smokers and ex‐smokers. The association between tabagism and cutaneous ageing was controlled for other variables (solar exposure, age, skin phototype, sex, sunscreen use, alcohol consumption, coffee consumption, sports participation, body mass index, and history of relatives with precocious ageing).Results  Analysis revealed that age, chronic solar exposure, skin phototype and tobacco load significantly contributed to the formation of facial wrinkles. The larger the tobacco load, the larger was the amount of facial wrinkling, with an odds ratio of 3.92 in ‘heavy’ smokers (> 40 packs/year) in relation to non‐smokers.Conclusion  The results of this study point to smoking as one of the main factors involved in facial wrinkling. The relationship between smoking and cutaneous ageing is an important element in educational campaigns against tabagism.
Low prescription rate for systemic treatments in the management of severe psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis in dermatological practices in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany: results from a patient registry
Authors: Nast A , Reytan N , Rosumeck S , Erdmann R , Rzany B 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Many treatment options are available for the management of psoriasis vulgaris. However, detailed data on prescription behaviour in Germany, especially with regard to the use of new treatment options (e.g. biologics) in private practices, are lacking.Objective  To assess the treatment choices being made in the management of psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis in private dermatological practices.Methods  We established a patient registry that documented the treatment decisions taken during 4797 patient visits between January 2006 and September 2006 with regard to disease activity and concomitant psoriatic arthritis.Results  Corticosteroids were the most frequently prescribed topical treatment, and methotrexate and fumaric acid esters were the most frequently prescribed systemic treatments. Biologics were prescribed in only 2% of patient visits. Systemic treatments were prescribed in only 31% of visits made by patients suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis (which was diagnosed in 48% of all patient visits) and in only 58% of visits made by patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis (which was diagnosed in 12% of all patient visits).Conclusions  Anti‐psoriatic treatment was too often limited to topical agents. The rather small percentage of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis who received systemic therapy indicates that the use of systemic treatments in our sample was too restrictive. Novel therapeutic options such as biologics were rarely used in private practices. New strategies to improve the quality of care provided to patients suffering from severe psoriasis are needed.
Combination of short CAG and GGN repeats in the androgen receptor gene is associated with acne risk in North East China
Authors: Pang Y , He CD , Liu Y , Wang KB , Xiao T , Wang YK , Zhu H , Wei B , Zhao N , Jiang Y , Wei HC , Chen HD 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground  Acne vulgaris is one of the most common skin disorders, and androgen is known to play a key role in the development of acne. However, the exact genetic mechanism by which androgen receptor (AR) gene affects acne development is still unclear.Objective  Our study aimed to investigate whether CAG and GGN polymorphism of the AR gene are associated with acne risk.Patients and methods  Two hundred thirty‐eight patients and 207 controls were included in the study. The repeat lengths of the AR gene were determined by GeneScan analysis.Results  Men with CAG < 23 and women with CAG < 24 had significant risk compared to those men with CAG ≥ 23 [odds ratio (OR), 2.07; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.21–3.54] and women with CAG ≥ 24 (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.18–3.56). In males, GGN repeats, considered independently of the CAG repeat, have no significant effect on the acne risk; however, when combined with CAG repeats, the acne patients exhibited significantly higher frequency of the haplotypes CAG < 23/GGN ≤ 23 (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.10–10.07; P < 0.05) compared with the controls.Conclusion  Our results of this study strongly indicated that a shorter CAG repeat length and specific haplotypes of AR attributed to the risk of acne development and thus could serve as a susceptibility marker.
Epithelial stem cells and malignancy
Authors: Costea Daniela E. , Gammon Luke , Kitajima Kayoko , Harper Lisa , Mackenzie Ian C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe renewal of normal epithelia depends on a small sub‐population of cells, termed somatic stem cells, whose primary characteristic is an ability for indefinite self‐renewal. Evidence is accumulating that the growth of tumours similarly depends on a sub‐population of malignant stem cells, often termed tumour‐initiating cells. Tumour‐initiating sub‐populations within solid tumours have been identified by their cell surface expression of various phenotypic markers and by their ability to regenerate tumours in immune‐deficient mice. Cells with such clonogenic abilities differ consistently from the remainder of the cell population in cellular properties such as size, adhesiveness, dye exclusion, and patterns of gene expression. Sub‐populations of malignant cells freshly isolated from tumours also show differing patterns of expression of molecules related to stem cell maintenance and asymmetric division. As the cells ultimately responsible for tumour renewal, malignant stem cells appear to form the necessary target of therapy but some findings indicate greater resistance of these cells to the induction of apoptotic cell death and their potential failure to respond effectively to standard therapeutic procedures. Of particular interest, cells with clonogenic properties and expression patterns similar to those of tumour‐initiating cells in vivo persist in malignant cell lines and show similar apoptotic resistance. Cell lines may thus provide a model for analysis of malignant stem cell properties and may be useful for the development of appropriate methods for their elimination.
Small intestinal stem cell markers
Authors: Montgomery Robert K. , Breault David T. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractStem cells hold great promise for regenerative medicine but remain elusive in many tissues, including the small intestine, where it is well accepted that the epithelium is maintained by intestinal stem cells located in the crypts. The lack of established markers to prospectively identify intestinal stem cells has necessitated the use of indirect analysis, e.g. long‐term label retention, which is based on the hypothesis that intestinal stem cells are slow‐cycling. Several intestinal stem cell markers have been proposed, including Musashi‐1, BMPR1α, phospho‐PTEN, DCAMKL1, Eph receptors and integrins, but their validity, using functional and/or lineage tracing assays, has yet to be confirmed. Recently, Lgr5 has been identified by lineage tracing as an intestinal stem cell marker. In this review we summarize what is known about the currently reported intestinal stem cell markers and provide a rationale for developing model systems whereby intestinal stem cells can be functionally validated.
The unusual orbitosphenoid of the snakelike lizard Bachia bicolor
Authors: Tarazona Oscar A. , Ramírez‐Pinilla Martha Patricia 
Published: July 2008

AbstractWe studied the morphology of the chondrocranial orbitotemporal region in the snakelike gymnophthalmid lizard Bachia bicolor and its relation to other structures such as the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve and eye muscles, to show its particular morphology, and discuss the homology of some skeletal structures relative to other squamates. We used three‐dimensional computer reconstructions from serial histological sections; additionally we studied the embryonic and postembryonic development of the orbitosphenoid bone using cleared and double‐stained whole‐mount skeletal material. The chondrocranial orbitotemporal morphology in B. bicolor was found to be severely reduced as described for other miniaturized snakelike squamates, but it was accompanied by extensive orbitosphenoid ossifications. Within squamates, only amphisbaenians showed an expanded orbitosphenoid, which originates from fused endochondral and membranous ossifications. In B. bicolor the orbitosphenoid was also found to be formed by endochondral and membranous ossifications, but contrary to the amphisbaenian condition the membranous ossifications were found to arise as membrane bone outgrowths from the perichondral ossification of the chondral core. Despite its derived morphologies, we argue that the orbitosphenoids in amphisbaenians and B. bicolor are homologous to the orbitosphenoids of other squamates. Thus, the expanded orbitosphenoid morphology is found to be achieved by different ontogenetic processes in amphisbaenians and B. bicolor, representing a case of independent evolution by convergence.
Glycosaminoglycans in the pericellular matrix of chondrons and chondrocytes
Authors: Wang Qi Guang , El Haj Alicia J. , Kuiper Nicola J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis is the first study to quantitate and profile the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition of the pericellular matrix (PCM) of chondrons and chondrocytes using the highly sensitive technique; fluorophore‐assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). Bovine articular chondrocytes and chondrons were isolated enzymatically. High cell yield and viability were obtained for both preparations. Chondrons had strong immunofluorescent labeling for keratan sulphate and chondroitin‐6 sulphate but no labeling for hyaluronan. We compared the immunofluorescent data with FACE. The quantities of total keratan sulphate were determined to be 0.013 ± 0.002 pg cell−1 and 0.032 ± 0.003 pg cell−1 in the chondrocyte and chondron preparations, respectively. Four internal keratan sulphate sugars were detected (galβ1,4glcNAc6S, gal6Sβ1,4glcNAc6S, glcNAcβ1,3gal and glcNAc6Sβ1,3gal) for both preparations but they were present at significantly higher concentrations in chondron preparations (P < 0.01). Total chondroitin sulphate (CS) was determined to be 0.054 ± 0.004 pg cell−1 and 0.077 ± 0.005 pg cell−1 for chondrocyte and chondron preparations, respectively. Unsulphated CS disaccharide levels were similar but chondrons had significantly more chondroitin‐4 sulphated disaccharides and chondroitin‐6 sulphated disaccharides (P < 0.05). Hyaluronan acid was present at low concentrations (0.010 ± 0.001 pg cell−1) in both chondrocytes and chondrons. In this study, enzyme digestion coupled with FACE separation revealed new information about the differences in GAGs from isolated chondrocyte and chondron preparations. Further investigation of the differences in GAGs from chondrocytes and chondrons from different zones of articular cartilage may be useful for tissue engineering approaches.
Abdominal muscle size and symmetry at rest and during abdominal hollowing exercises in healthy control subjects
Authors: Mannion A. F. , Pulkovski N. , Toma V. , Sprott H. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe symmetry of, and physical characteristics influencing, the thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles at rest and during abdominal exercises were examined in 57 healthy subjects (20 men, 37 women; aged 22–62 years). M‐mode ultrasound images were recorded from the abdominal muscles at rest and during abdominal hollowing exercises in hook‐lying. The fascial lines bordering the transvs. abdominis, obliquus internus and obliquus externus were digitized and the absolute thickness, relative thickness (% of total lateral thickness) and contraction ratio (thickness during hollowing/thickness at rest), as well as the asymmetry (difference between sides expressed as a percent of the smallest value for the two sides) for each of these parameters were determined for each muscle. Both at rest and during hollowing, obliquus internus was the thickest and transvs. abdominis the thinnest muscle. There were no significant differences between left and right sides for group mean thicknesses of any muscle; however, individual asymmetries were evident, with mean values for the different muscles ranging from 11% to 26%; asymmetry was much less for the contraction ratios (mean % side differences, 5–14% depending on muscle). Body mass was the most significant positive predictor of absolute muscle thickness, for all muscles at rest and during hollowing, accounting for 30–44% variance. Body mass index explained 20–30% variance in transvs. abdominis contraction ratio (negative relationship). The influence of these confounders must be considered in comparative studies of healthy controls and back pain patients, unless groups are very carefully matched. Asymmetries observed in patients should be interpreted with caution, as they are also common in healthy subjects.
Pelvic anti‐predator armour reduction in Norwegian populations of the threespine stickleback: a rare phenomenon with adaptive implications?
Authors: Klepaker T. O. , Østbye K. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractIn order to search for armour reductions in the anti‐predator armour apparatus of the threespine sticklebackGasterosteus aculeatus, we studied populations from 200 coastal lakes and 32 marine and estuarine sites in Norway. We scored the presence of reductions in the pelvic apparatus in these populations, measured the length of the second dorsal fin and pelvic spine and counted lateral plates in a subset of 96 populations. Then we looked for the relation between pelvic reduction and number of lateral plates and lengths of the second dorsal spine and pelvic spine. We also observed whether pelvic reduced fish had asymmetric development on the right or the left side of the pelvis. Pelvic reduction was not found in marine and estuarine sticklebacks (with one single exception), but in freshwater it occurred in four out of 200 lakes. The amount of pelvic reduction differed from 5% to 68% in the four populations. There appears to be a correlation between pelvic reduction and spine lengths at the population level, but not plate number. Further, it appears to be difficult to explain the occurrence of pelvic reduction in Norway with the factors proposed to be responsible for pelvic reduction in other regions.
Functional regionalization of the pectoral fin of the benthic longhorn sculpin during station holding and swimming
Authors: Taft N. K. , Lauder G. V. , Madden P. G. A. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractStudies of the kinematics of the pectoral fins in fishes have focused on fins as devices for propulsion or maneuvering. Studying pectoral fin function in benthic fishes is an opportunity to understand how the fins are used in a broader range of fin‐based behaviors, especially those involving substrate contact. Morphological specializations of the pectoral fins, hypothesized adaptations for substrate contact, have been described for several benthic fish groups. These specializations include, but are not limited to, reduced webbing between ventral rays as well as thickening and shortening of these rays compared with the dorsal rays. Our focal species, the benthic longhorn sculpin, Myoxocephalus octodecimspinosus, possesses these morphological specializations, which divide the fin loosely into dorsal and ventral regions. Our goal was to investigate the functional consequences of these specializations, if any. First, we used high‐speed video to examine the motion of the pectoral fins during swimming and station holding on the bottom, the first such study for a benthic fish. We found that longhorn sculpin do not oscillate their pectoral fins during swimming. Rather, the pectoral fins are held in a steady laterally extended posture. Oscillations of the body, median fins and caudal fin are used for propulsion. The shape of the fin also changes dramatically as the fish moves from station holding to swimming. Second, we measured the curvature of the individual fin rays that support and control the shape and movement of the pectoral fins. We did this to examine whether morphological specialization of the fin rays influences fin ray curvature. Individual fin rays in different fin regions show consistently different patterns of bending regardless of behavior. We propose that the pectoral fin is divided into functional as well as morphological regions. The fin rays in each functional region have distinct roles during swimming and substrate contact.
Geographic variation in genital morphology of Ciulfina praying mantids
Authors: Holwell G. I. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractGeographic variation in morphological traits is widespread and important to our current understanding of evolutionary processes. Although male genitalia are perhaps the most divergent morphological traits in animals, geographic variation in genital traits has received little attention and the mechanism driving such variation is unclear. The species isolation hypothesis of genital evolution makes explicit predictions about geographic variation in genitalia predicting patterns of genital divergence that reflect the risk of mating with related but incompatible species. The sexual selection and pleiotropy hypotheses, however, predict general levels of geographic variation that reflect divergent sexual selection pressures or genetic drift. To test these predictions, we investigated geographic variation in genital morphology in the praying mantid genus Ciulfina (Mantodea: Liturgusidae) using elliptic Fourier analysis. We found significant levels of geographic variation in the genital morphology of four Ciulfina species irrespective of the relative proximity of different populations to contact zones with other species. These results reject the species isolation hypothesis, and instead support either the sexual selection or pleiotropy hypotheses to explain patterns of genital evolution in this genus.
Limb bone stresses during fast locomotion in the African lion and its bovid prey
Authors: Sorkin B. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPeak stresses during fast locomotion in the humerus and tibia of the African lion have been estimated from a filmed prey pursuit sequence and skeletal dimensions of museum specimens; safety factors of the two bones have been calculated. The results are compared with the peak stresses (and the corresponding safety factors) during fast locomotion in the humerus and tibia of large (buffalo) and small (antelope) African bovids, which the lion is known to prey upon, estimated by previous authors using similar methodology. The comparison suggests that both the humerus and the tibia of a running lion have higher safety factors than those of its bovid prey running at the same speed.
Maternal care in a neotropical jumping spider (Salticidae)
Authors: Vieira C. , Romero G. Q. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAlthough female jumping spiders (Salticidae) often stay with their egg sacs, little is known about whether this behaviour is effective in improving offspring survival. Females of the jumping spider Psecas chapoda (Salticidae) typically stay above their egg sacs and under a plain silk cover, spun from edge to edge of bromeliad leaves. The objective of this paper is to test the hypothesis that the presence of the females above the egg sac increases egg survival. We experimentally manipulated females and silk cover in P. chapoda using three treatments: female and silk cover present (control), female removed and silk cover present and female and silk cover removed. The number and area of holes in the egg sac walls, which are likely to be damage caused by egg predators, were higher in the absence of spiders and spiders+silk cover than in controls. Additionally, the number of spiderlings and exuvia was lower in the absence of females and female+silk cover than in the control treatment. The number of important specialized predators of spider eggs (i.e. mantipids) that develop inside P. chapoda egg sacs did not differ among the treatments. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental study that effectively demonstrates maternal care in spiders of the family Salticidae.