bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Colorectal neoplasia in Crohn's colitis: a retrospective comparative study with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Svrcek M , Cosnes J , Beaugerie L , Parc R , Bennis M , Tiret E , Fléjou J‐F 
Published: March 2007

Aims:  To determine the clinicopathological features of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Crohn's disease (CD).Methods and results:  All histological slides from surgical specimens with inflammatory bowel disease‐related colorectal neoplasia examined in our hospital between 1990 and 2005 were reviewed. We identified 18 CRCs in 16 patients with CD and compared them with 57 CRCs in 41 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We also studied 25 patients with dysplasia without cancer (CD 2, UC 23). When CD and UC were compared, the median age at diagnosis of cancer (CD 52 years, UC 51 years), the frequency of mucinous adenocarcinoma (CD 16.7%, UC 17.5%) and the frequency of dysplasia adjacent to and distal from cancer (CD 56.3 and 37.5%, UC 65.8 and 39%, respectively) were similar. All neoplastic lesions occurred in areas affected by inflammatory bowel disease.Conclusions:  CRC complicating CD and UC shares many clinicopathological features, in particular similar frequencies of dysplasia, both adjacent and distal, with cancer. Thus, surveillance for patients with Crohn's colitis should be similar to that for patients with UC. Consideration should be given to a more extensive UC‐like surgical approach instead of segmental resection of the involved area.
Comparative analysis of AFLPs and SSRs efficiency in resolving population genetic structure of Mediterranean Solea vulgaris
Authors: GAROIA FLAVIO , GUARNIERO ILARIA , GRIFONI DANIELA , MARZOLA SILLA , TINTI FAUSTO 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe performance of different molecular markers in the assessment of population structure was tested using samples of Solea vulgaris collected in the Mediterranean within and outside the hypothetical dispersal ability of the species. A total of 172 individuals belonging to four population samples were analysed using 15 microsatellites [simple sequence repeats (SSRs)] and 153 amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). Considering the global qualitative patterns, we found a correlation between SSRs and AFLPs in detecting genetic differentiation among samples. However, on a small geographical scale, AFLPs were able to discriminate individuals from neighbouring populations whereas SSRs were not, and the percentage of individuals correctly assigned to their population of origin was higher with AFLPs than with SSRs. The high number of loci analysed with the AFLP technique could increase the probability to include outlier loci in the analysis; however, the neutrality test performed on our data set did not show evidence of selection acting on the S. vulgaris samples. Even if the choice of the molecular marker depends mainly on the biological question to be addressed, the higher power of discrimination and the comparative technical ease of obtaining data from AFLPs with respect to SSRs suggest the use of AFLPs for many population genetics studies.
Application of artificial neural networks for classifying lake eutrophication status
Authors: Strobl R. O. , Forte F. , Pennetta L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractSeveral artificial neural network architectures were ‘trained’ on data from the Eastern Lake Survey – Phase I of the Environmental Protection Agency's National Surface Water Survey in order to investigate which physical–chemical parameters are possibly of greatest importance in determining the eutrophication status of lakes. From the 110 available lake parameters in the Survey, 60 were chosen as input to the neural networks. The traditional eutrophication classification scheme of Vollenweider was used for comparative purposes. The various artificial neural network simulations showed that, in addition to total phosphorus and inorganic nitrogen, turbidity, specific conductance, lake elevation and hydrogen ion concentration were identified as the most significant parameters affecting the classification of lakes in regard to their eutrophication status. These results suggest a conceivable association between these parameters and lake eutrophication, thereby indicating a need for further study on these relationships. A model simulation utilizing an unsupervised neural network did not provide much insight into the lake eutrophication status, but did show that the available physical–chemical lake data could be categorized according to physical region, thereby providing an indication that the lake data used in this study were region‐dependent.
Mycobacterial heat shock protein‐induced blood T lymphocytes subsets and cytokine pattern: Comparison of sarcoidosis with tuberculosis and healthy controls
Authors: DUBANIEWICZ Anna , TRZONKOWSKI Piotr , DUBANIEWICZ‐WYBIERALSKA Mirosława , DUBANIEWICZ Andrzej , SINGH Mahavir , MYŚLIWSKI Andrzej 
Published: March 2007

Background and objective:  Sarcoidosis (SA) is a disorder of unknown aetiology. Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock proteins (Mtb‐hsp) have been considered as causative agents of SA. The role of Mtb‐hsp in the immune response in SA has not been investigated.Methods:  Mtb‐hsp‐stimulated T‐cell subsets and Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns in the supernatant from peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from 22 SA patients, 20 tuberculosis (TB) patients and 20 healthy volunteers were compared using flow cytometry.Results:  In unstimulated cultures, a significantly higher percentage of CD8+αβ+T‐cells were present in SA versus controls. Similarly there was a significantly increased IL‐6 and decreased IL‐4 level in SA and significantly lower INF‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10 production in TB versus controls. After Mtb‐hsp stimulation, there was a significantly increased TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐10 and decreased INF‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐4 production in SA and significantly increased TNF‐α, IL‐6 concentrations in TB versus controls. CD8+γδ+IL‐4+T‐cells were detected significantly less often in Mtb‐hsp‐induced cultures in SA versus controls. Comparing SA versus TB, CD4+γδ+TCR‐cells were significantly increased in Mtb‐hsp‐induced cultures in TB versus controls and SA. Before stimulation, significantly increased IL‐6, IL‐10 and decreased IL‐4 level in SA versus TB was revealed, whereas Mtb‐hsp stimulation caused significantly increased IL‐10 and decreased IL‐4 concentrations in SA.Conclusions:  After Mtb‐hsp stimulation, increased levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, TNF‐α and IL‐6 were found in sera from SA and TB patients in comparison with healthy controls; SA patients demonstrated the lowest levels of IL‐4 and the highest levels of IL‐10.
Quality of life, nutritional status, physical activity, and their interrelationships of elderly living on an underpopulated island in Japan
Authors: Yamauchi Taro , Midorikawa Taishi , Hagihara Jun , Sasaki Kumiko 
Published: March 2007

Background:  The objectives of this study were to assess the quality of life (QOL), nutritional and health status, physical fitness and daily physical activity level (PAL) of elderly residents living on a remote island in Japan and to reveal factors associated with QOL scores and PAL.Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional study that targeted elderly residents dwelling on an island whose population is aging and rapidly decreasing. Fifty‐two subjects (20 men and 32 women; mean age, 74 years) were evaluated for anthropometry (nutritional status), blood pressure (health status) and handgrip strength (physical fitness). QOL was investigated using the World Health Organization‐QOL questionnaire. In addition, 24‐h acceleration monitoring was conducted in eight subjects on 3 consecutive days to determine PAL.Results:  Women tended to be obese compared with men (BMI, 25.6 vs 23.6 kg/m2, P < 0.05). Of the four QOL domains, the score for “social relationships” was significantly higher in women. Significant correlations were found between handgrip strength and QOL scores. A significant negative relationship was found between BMI and PAL (rs =−0.90, P < 0.005). In contrast, a positive association was observed between handgrip strength and PAL (rs = 0.77, P < 0.05).Conclusion:  The results suggest that social communication is an important factor for a high QOL of women in the remote island society. The results of the correlation analyses suggest that walking, maintaining an ideal body weight and promoting physical fitness have important roles in maintaining and increasing PAL in the elderly.
Long‐term cognitive benefits of donepezil in Alzheimer’s disease: A retrospective comparison between 1994–1999 and 2000–2004
Authors: Tomita Naoki , Ootsuki Mari , Maruyama Masahiro , Matsui Toshifumi , Higuchi Miyako , Tsutsui Miho , Seki Takashi , Iwasaki Koh , Tamamizu Masako , Sozu Takashi , Yoshimura Isao , Furukawa Katsutoshi , Arai Hiroyuki 
Published: March 2007

Objective:  In order to address an issue of how long Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients should receive donepezil, we estimated long‐term effect of donepezil on cognition as well as its influential factors. We also evaluated the additional effect of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐tau protein levels on diagnosis.Methods:  We compared cognitive changes between current (2000–2004) AD patients (donepezil users) and previous AD patients, seen by us 1994–1999, without receiving donepezil (non‐donepezil users) by a mixed effect model. Cognition was assessed by Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) at 6‐month intervals up to 24 months. Sensitivity analysis was performed exclusively on patients with high CSF‐tau protein levels (CSF‐tau >330 pg/mL) to minimize inaccuracies of the diagnosisResults:  From 495 AD patients reviewed, 192 patients (120 donepezil users and 72 controls) were eligible. Estimated annual decline of MMSE was 1.2 points (95% confidence interval (95%CI), 0.9–1.5) in the donepezil users, whereas it was 2.8 points (95%CI, 2.1–3.6) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The sensitivity analysis demonstrated that these declines were 1.2 (95%CI, 0.8–1.6) and 3.1 (95%CI, 2.3–3.9) points in the donepezil users and control groups, respectively.Conclusions:  Long‐term donepezil use for at least 2 years appeared to be beneficial in maintaining cognition in AD patients. As the cholinergic central nervous system consistently degenerates over time, long‐term use of donepezil may be an appropriate therapy. Discontinuation of donepezil may not be recommended as far as patients are in a stable condition.
High blood pressure worsens age‐related increases in arterial stiffness evaluated by pulse wave velocity in subjects with lifestyle‐related diseases
Authors: Ito Norihisa , Ohishi Mitsuru , Komai Norio , Kaibe Masaharu , Terai Minako , Takagi Takashi , Tatara Yuji , Rakugi Hiromi , Ogihara Toshio 
Published: March 2007

Objective:  Arterial stiffness is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and is altered by age and blood pressure. Lifestyle‐related diseases are also major risk factors for cardiovascular events and influence arterial stiffness. The goal of this study was to clarify the clinical influence of aging on pulse wave velocity in patients with hypertension, diabetes and/or dyslipidemia.Methods:  Eight hundred and forty‐seven outpatients (480 males, 367 females, mean age 61.5 years) at the Division of Geriatric Medicine and Hypertension in Osaka University Hospital who had lifestyle‐related diseases such as hypertension (n = 720), diabetes (n = 228) and dyslipidemia (n = 613) were enrolled. We evaluated arterial stiffness as measured by carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity.Results:  After age and systolic blood pressure adjustment, pulse wave velocity was higher in hypertensive patients (P = 0.0048), but not in patients with diabetes or dyslipidemia. By single linear regression analysis, pulse wave velocity and age were positively correlated in patients with (r = 0.359, P < 0.0001) and without (r = 0.377, P < 0.0001) hypertension, and the regression coefficients of these two groups were similar. Moreover, these variables were positively correlated with pulse wave velocity in hypertensive patients receiving medication (r = 0.324, P < 0.0001) and without medication (r = 0.425, P < 0.0001), and the regression coefficient with medication (0.033) was lower than that without medication (0.045).Conclusion  These data suggest that the presence of hypertension worsened the age‐related increase in arterial stiffness in patients with lifestyle‐related diseases.
Relationship between liver cirrhosis and arteriosclerosis: Evaluation by pulse wave velocity, carotid arterial echotomography and autonomic nervous activity
Authors: Noda Yoshiko , Nomura Masahiro , Nakaya Yutaka , Bando Shigenobu , Ito Susumu 
Published: March 2007

Background:  It has been reported that patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) rarely suffer complications from arteriosclerotic disorders such as coronary artery disease. However, recent studies have reported that the measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) facilitates objective evaluation of the severity of arteriosclerosis, suggesting a relationship between LC and arteriosclerosis.Objective:  In the present study, we evaluated the relationship among the PWV, augmentation index (AI), and stage of LC from the perspective of urine levels of NO metabolites (NO2 and NO3) and autonomic nervous function.Methods:  Forty elderly LC patients who were 65 years or older (LC group) were classified into the following three groups based on the Child’s classification of LC: LC‐A group (15 patients with Child A); LC‐B group (15 patients with Child B); and LC‐C group (10 patients with Child C). The results from these LC subgroups were compared to those of 25 healthy volunteers (N group). The PWV and AI were measured using a blood pressure and pulse wave monitoring device. Furthermore, we measured the urine levels of NO2 and NO3 and autonomic nervous activity and evaluated these by the measurements and by spectrum analysis of heart rate variability. In addition, the intima media thickness (IMT) in the carotid artery was measured by common carotid artery echotomography in each group.Results:  The IMT increased with the stage of LC. Both the HF powers significantly decreased and LF : HF ratio increased in the LC group as the Child stage of LC advanced. The AI and PWV were significantly higher in the LC‐A and LC‐B groups than in the N group. However, PWV and AI of the LC‐C group were measured to a low value because the urine levels of NO2 and NO3 were significantly increased as the Child stage of LC advanced, and arteriosclerotic diagnosis seems to tend to be reduced in LC‐C patients.Conclusions:  The increase in PWV and AI of LC‐A and LC‐B might suggest a relationship between advances of LC and arteriosclerosis. However, the hyperdynamic state in LC from the results of heart rate variability analysis, which is induced by NO production with the progression of the stage of LC, might have influenced the PWV and AI.
Empathy and Emotional Responsiveness in Delinquent and Non‐delinquent Adolescents
Authors: Robinson Ross , Roberts William L. , Strayer Janet , Koopman Ray 
Published: March 2007

AbstractTwo groups of male adolescents, incarcerated young offenders (N = 64, mean age = 16.3 years) and a comparison group of community youth (N = 60; mean age = 16.6 years), were administered the Empathy Continuum (measuring cognitive‐affective responses to persons in emotionally evocative videotaped vignettes) and questionnaire measures of empathy, emotional responsiveness, guilt, shame, and antisocial attitudes and behaviors. Although both groups endorsed general statements of empathy, young offenders responded with empathy less often to particular persons in particular situations, and reasoned regarding their empathic responses in more self‐referencing ways. They also described their emotional responses to stimulus persons as less intense. In addition to the expected group differences, responsive empathy was a stronger predictor of delinquency than self‐reported antisocial behavior, and correctly classified 69 percent of young offenders and comparison youths. Although guilt was consistently related to lower self‐reported antisocial attitudes and behaviors, guilt (and shame) only weakly differentiated the two groups, limiting the usefulness of the TOSCA‐A as a predictor of delinquency.
Local Hybridity among Absorbing Institutions
Authors: Sharaby Rachel 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the encounter between the hegemony (the national absorbing institutions) and the “other” (the Yemenite immigrants) in the cooperative agricultural village of Ravid in Palestine before the founding of the State of Israel. The research indicates the ambivalence of the cultural field in which the absorbing and the absorbed meet, and the influence of this encounter on the absorbing themselves, in a local territory. The study demonstrates that the absorbing tried to “enculturate” the Yemenites and to force their cooperative agricultural village principles on them. However, the Yemenites, who wanted to maintain their traditional customs, resisted, and the institutions gradually compromised in Ravid. Thus, they deviated from their ideology. The Ravid community can, therefore, be viewed as a hybrid territory, in which a process of negotiation occurred, and where fluid cultural borders existed between the absorbing and the absorbed.
Toxicity of the aphidAulacorthum magnoliaeto the predatorHarmonia axyridis(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and genetic variance in the assimilation of the toxic aphids inH. axyridislarvae
Authors: FUKUNAGA Yasuyoshi , AKIMOTO Shin‐ichi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractLarvae of the ladybirdHarmonia axyridisare reported to suffer high mortality when they are fed with the aphidAulacorthum magnoliaeassociated with the elderSambucus sieboldiana. In the present study we first examined whether aphid toxicity toH. axyridiswas altered when the aphids were reared on different host plants, and second whether some ladybird families could adapt specially to the toxic aphids. Ladybird larvae from each egg batch were divided into two groups; one group was fed withA. magnoliaereared on potato, and the other group was fed withA. magnoliaereared on elder. The ladybird larvae fed with elder aphids suffered significantly higher mortality and grew more slowly than did larvae fed with potato aphids. This result indicates thatA. magnoliaeaphids absorbed toxic substances or their precursors fromS. sieboldiana. We suggest that host association ofA. magnoliaewith the primary host plantS. sieboldianahas been maintained because of the advantage of deterring predation. Significant and positive correlation was detected acrossH. axyridissib families between the mean weight of larvae fed with elder aphids and the mean weight of larvae fed with potato aphids. The hypothesis that some ladybird families adapt specially to the toxic aphids was not supported. However, the available evidence showed that a large amount of genetic variance in performance is maintained in a wild population of the ladybirdH. axyridis.
Descriptions of larvae and pupae of the subfamily Apoderinae (Coleoptera: Attelabidae) in Korea
Authors: PARK Jinyoung , KWON Ohseok , LEE Jong Eun 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn the past, 25 species in the subfamily Apoderinae have been reported in Korea. However, in 1986 a study found that only approximately 18 species actually inhabited Korea at that time. This study provides descriptions and illustrations of the last stage larvae and pupae of 10 species in the subfamily Apoderinae. In addition, it provides pictorial keys of larvae for the first time (Fig. 1).Pictorial key to known species of Korean Apoderinae larvae.imageimage
Diagnostic Inaccuracy in Children Referred with “First Seizure”: Role for a First Seizure Clinic
Authors: Hamiwka L. D. , Singh N. , Niosi J. , Wirrell E. C. 
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Purpose: To determine (a) the range of diagnoses, and (b) the prevalence of previous seizures in children presenting to a first seizure clinic. Methods: One hundred twenty‐seven children were seen in a tertiary care First Seizure Clinic. Inclusion criteria were age 1 month–17 years with an unprovoked event suggestive of seizure. Data collected included referring physician specialty, child's age, gender, developmental status, and clinical diagnosis of epileptologist (nonepileptic vs. epileptic). For those with epileptic events, seizure type, syndrome (if identifiable), presumed etiology (idiopathic, cryptogenic, and symptomatic), presence of prior afebrile and febrile seizures, provoking factors, family history, pre/perinatal complications and EEG results were recorded. Results: The diagnosis was epileptic in 94 (74%), nonepileptic in 31 (24%) and unclassifiable in two (2%). Pediatricians were more likely to refer true epileptic events (92%) than ED physicians (76%) or family physicians (65%). Mean age at presentation was 8 years. Fifteen percent of children were developmentally delayed and neurological examination was abnormal in 11%. For those diagnosed with epileptic events, 32 presented with generalized while 62 presented with partial onset seizures. An epilepsy syndrome was identifiable in 15 cases. Thirty‐eight percent experienced a prior probable seizure which was recognized by the referring physician in only one case. An EEG was done in all children with seizures and was abnormal in 41%. Early EEG was performed in 20% of children and did not show statistical significance. Conclusions: Diagnostic inaccuracy is common in first seizure. One quarter of children were incorrectly diagnosed as having a seizure while the diagnosis of epilepsy was missed in over one‐third of children.
Efficacy and Tolerability of the Ketogenic Diet According to Lipid:Nonlipid Ratios—Comparison of 3:1 with 4:1 Diet
Authors: Hee Seo Joo , Mock Lee Young , Soo Lee Joon , Chul Kang Hoon , Dong Kim Heung 
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Purpose: The ketogenic diet (KD) has been considered a highly potent antiepileptic treatment for intractable childhood epilepsy. In this study, we compared the antiepileptic efficacy and diet tolerability of two different diets with lipid:nonlipid ratios of 3:1 and 4:1. Methods: Seventy‐six patients with refractory childhood epilepsy were randomly placed into two groups and were started on KD diets with nonlipid:lipid ratios of either 3:1 or 4:1. Antiepileptic efficacy and diet tolerability were evaluated 3 months after initiating the diet. Patients showing seizure‐free outcome with the 4:1 diet were changed to the 3:1 diet, and those without a seizure‐free outcome on the 3:1 diet were changed to the 4:1 diet, for three more months, after which time their progress was monitored. Results: (1) Antiepileptic efficacy was higher for the 4:1 than the 3:1 diet (p < 0.05). Twenty‐two (55.0%) of 40 patients on the 4:1 diet and 11 (30.5%) of 36 patients on the 3:1 diet became seizure free. Seizure reduction of over 90% was observed in 2 (5.0%) patients on the 4:1 diet, and 2 (5.6%) on the 3:1 diet.(2) Dietary tolerability was better for the 3:1 than the 4:1 diet. Gastrointestinal symptoms were observed in 5 (13.9%) patients with the 3:1 diet and 14 (35.0%) patients with the 4:1 diet (p < 0.05). (3) For seizure‐free patients who started on the 4:1 diet, antiepileptic efficacy was maintained after changing to the 3:1 diet, while 10 (83.3%) of 12 patients who were not seizure free with the 3:1 diet showed increased seizure reduction after changing to the 4:1 diet. (4) Complications from the KD and laboratory data were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions: The 4:1 KD showed greater antiepileptic efficacy than the 3:1 diet with higher seizure‐free outcome. In most cases, seizure free outcome was maintained even after changing the ratio to 3:1. Dietary tolerability was better in the 3:1 diet than the 4:1 with less frequent gastrointestinal symptoms.