bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Manipulation of the Toll-Like Receptor 7 Signaling Pathway by Epstein-Barr Virus
Authors: Martin Heather J. , Lee Jae Myun , Walls Dermot , Hayward S. Diane 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of primary B cells causes B-cell activation and proliferation. Activation of B cells requires binding of antigen to the B-cell receptor and a survival signal from ligand-bound CD40, signals that are provided by the EBV LMP1 and LMP2A latency proteins. Recently, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling has been reported to provide a third B-cell activation stimulus. The interaction between the EBV and TLR pathways was therefore investigated. Both UV-inactivated and untreated EBV upregulated the expression of TLR7 and downregulated the expression of TLR9 in naive B cells. UV-inactivated virus transiently stimulated naive B-cell proliferation in the presence of the TLR7 ligand R837, while addition of the TLR7 antagonist IRS 661 impaired cell growth induced by untreated EBV. Interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5) is a downstream mediator of TLR7 signaling. IRF-5 was induced following EBV infection, and IRF-5 was expressed in B-cell lines with type III latency. Expression of IRF-5 in this setting is surprising since IRF-5 has tumor suppressor and antiviral properties. B-cell proliferation assays provided evidence that EBV modulates TLR7 signaling responses. Examination of IRF-5 transcripts identified a novel splice variant, V12, that was induced by EBV infection, was constitutively nuclear, and acted as a dominant negative form in IRF-5 reporter assays. IRF-4 negatively regulates IRF-5 activation, and IRF-4 was also present in type III latently infected cells. EBV therefore initially uses TLR7 signaling to enhance B-cell proliferation and subsequently modifies the pathway to regulate IRF-5 activity.
Preparticipation medical evaluation in professional sport in the UK: theory or practice?
Authors: Fuller C W , Ojelade E O , Taylor A 
Published: July 2007

Objective:To determine the level of pre-employment, pre-season, and post-injury medical evaluation of players undertaken within UK professional team sports.Design:A postal, whole population survey.Setting:Elite professional sports teams in England.Population:Six groups comprising the following clubs: professional football (Premiership, 15 of 20; Championship, 22 of 24), rugby union (Premiership, 9 of 12; Division 1, 11 of 14), rugby league (Super League, 6 of 11) and cricket (County, 12 of 18).Main outcome measures:Number (percentage) of clubs recording players’ medical history and undertaking medical examinations of players’ cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems at pre-employment, pre-season and post-injury.Results:The overall response to the survey was 74%, with a range from 55% to 92% among groups. Almost 90% of football (Premiership and Championship) and rugby union (Premiership) clubs took a pre-employment history of players’ general health, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems, but fewer than 50% of cricket and rugby union (Division 1) clubs recorded a history. The majority of football (Premiership and Championship) and rugby union (Premiership) clubs implemented both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal examinations of players before employment. Fewer than 25% of clubs in any of the groups implemented neurological examinations of players at pre-employment, although 100% of rugby union (Premiership) and rugby league clubs implemented neurological testing during pre-season.Conclusions:None of the sports implemented best practice guidelines for the preparticipation evaluation of players at all stages of their employment. Departures from best practice guidelines and differences in practices between clubs within the same sport leave club physicians vulnerable if their players sustain injuries or ill health conditions that could have been identified and avoided through the implementation of a preparticipation examination.
CLINICAL ANATOMICAL STUDY OF PEDICLED VASCULARISED SCAPULAR BONE GRAFT USING THE ANGULAR BRANCH
Authors: Satomi Yoshiaki , Shimizu Hiroyuki , Beppu Moroe , Hirata Kazuaki , Takahashi Tsuneo 
Published: July 2007

This study is an anatomical investigation of the angular branch of thoracodorsal artery, and examines the possible range of clinical targets for pedicled vascularised scapular bone graft. Forty-six cadavers were studied. The blood vessel length was calculated, and the distance required to reach the distal humerus from the lower end of the articular surface of the humeral head as reference point was compared with bone length. The length from reference point was an average of 121.7 mm. It was thought that the maximum distance to arrive in reference point to the distal humerus was a total of blood vessel length and transplantation bone length, which was an average of 246.3 mm. This was longer than the average of 240.8 mm of bone length from reference point to humeral medial condyle. This study had confirmed that a pedicled vascularised scapular bone graft using the angular branch could be transplanted to the distal humerus.
Errors in Survival Rates Caused by Routinely Used Deterministic Record Linkage Methods
Authors: Oberaigner W. 
Published: July 2007

Summary

Objective:
It was the objective of this study to assess the impact of applying various record linkage methods to one of the most important outcome measures in oncological epidemiology, namely survival rates.

Methods:
To assess the life status of patients, incidence data published by the Cancer Registry of Tyrol were analyzed with three routinely used methods of record linkage for incidence and mortality data. Of these methods, two were deterministic and the third a probabilistic method developed by the Cancer Registry of Tyrol. We studied the impact of record linkage methods on a simple measure (mortality rate) and a more complex measure (relative survival rate). The analysis was based on the published incidence data for Tyrol for the years 1992 to 1996. Results of deterministic record linkage methodswere simulated.

Results:
The error rates for simple mortality rate and relative survival rate are considerable. For the first deterministic record linkage method, relative differences in mortality rate range from 11.9% to 14.8% (men) and 24.5% to 28.2% (women) and relative differences in relative five-year survival from 11.4% to 16.3% (men) and from 19.3% to 26.4% (women). For the second deterministic record linkage method, relative differences in mortality rate range from 4.8% to 5.9% (men) and from 4.9% to 7.4% (women), while relative differences in relative five-year survival range from 5.1% to 7.0% (men) and from 4.4% to 6.1% (women).

Conclusions:
Our study shows that in order to calculate valid mortality and survival rates a probabilistic method of record linkage must be applied.
Discovery of Factors Influencing the Growth of Geographic Atrophy in Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Dolar-Szczasny J. , Bindewald A. , Holz F. G. , Mansmann U. , Dreyhaupt J. 
Published: July 2007

Summary

Objectives:
Identifying factors influencing the growth of geographic atrophy (GA) in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods:
Data on the natural course and suspected modifying factors were collected as part of the multicenter, longitudinal, observational FAM-study in 178 eyes of 114 patients with atrophic AMD. The endpoint of interest – the size of GA – was measured in fundus autofluorescence images. The influence of different putative riskfactors on progression of GA is investigated with a forward selection procedure based on the likelihood ratio test. In orderto interpret non-significant results of the forward selection procedure, the power of the tests usedwas quantified bya parametric post-hoc bootstrap approach.

Results:
A mean increase in GA of 175 mm2 per year was estimated for the given population (95% CI: [1.46; 2.02]). Patient and eye-specific random effects could be assessed. Neither patient-specific riskfactors nor ocular-specific risk factors show any significant influence on GA growth. The post-hoc bootstrap procedure shows that only very strong effects can be detected on the basis of the given data. For example, the hypercholesteremia which would result in an additional increase of GA by near 4mm2 per year can be detected with a power of 80%.

Conclusions:
The use of linear mixed effects regression models offers a convenient way to explore sources of variation in the natural course of GA. Data from further follow-up examinations and data about other putative riskfactors than those investigated will be needed to further investigate of the GA growth process. The procedure described in this article is easily applicable to other putative risk factors as well as to other fields of application.
The Effect of Interactive Multimedia on Preoperative Knowledge and Postoperative Recovery of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Birbas K. , Katostaras T. , Mantas J. , Stergiopoulou A. 
Published: July 2007

Summary

Objectives:
Aim of this study is the evaluation of the impact of a multimedia CD (MCD) on preoperative anxiety and postoperative recovery of patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods:
Sixty consecutive candidates for elective LC were randomly assigned to four groups. Group A included 15 patients preoperatively informed regarding LC through the MCD presented by Registered Nurse (RN). Patients in group B(n = 15) were informed through a leaflet. Patients in group C(n = 15) were informed verbally from a RN. Finally, the control Group D included 15 patients informed conventionally bythe attending surgeon and anesthesiologist, as every other patient included in groups A, B, and C. Preoperative assessment of knowledge about LC was performed after each informative session through a questionnaire. Evaluation of preoperative anxiety was conducted using APAIS scale. Postoperative pain and nausea scores were measured using an NRS scale, 16 hours after the patient had returned to the ward.

Results:
Statistical processing of the results (single linear regression) showed that patients in groups A, B, and C achieved a higher knowledge score, less preoperative anxiety score and less postoperative pain and nausea, compared to Group D. In multiple regression analysis, group A had a higher knowledge score compared to the four groups (p < 0.001 r2 = 0.41).

Conclusion:
Informative sessions using MCD is an effective means of improving patient’s preoperative knowledge, especially in day-surgery cases, like LC.
Survey on the Status of the Hospital Information Systems in Portugal
Authors: Lapão L. Velez 
Published: July 2007

Summary

Objectives:
To diagnose the hospital information systems’ situation in Portugal.

Methods:
Developing a survey on HIS department heads.

Results:
Several weaknesses were identified in most HIS departments, such as substantial lackof people and of qualifications to deal with HIS challenges. The Nolan and McFarlan Matrix helped assess the SNS IS maturity at stage 3, characterized by the generalized lackof IS integration.

Conclusions:
The results are very relevant to explain the many delays (and conflicts) in implementing HIS and therefore the actual status of HIS in Portugal. The most successful cases of HIS implementation were recognized as related to the existence of an active CIO. Complexity theory can further define guidelines for the development of HIS that help keep the navigation towards “smart healthcare”.
Stigma and Explanatory Models Among People With Schizophrenia and Their Relatives in Vellore, South India
Authors: Charles Helen , Manoranjitham S.D. , Jacob K.S. 
Published: July 2007

Background: Stigma associated with mental illness affects patients and their families. Diverse beliefs about the cause and treatment of schizophrenia are common among patients and their relatives. Aim: To study the association between stigma and beliefs about illness in patients and their relatives. Method: Standard instruments were used to assess beliefs about illness and about stigma among patients with schizophrenia and relatives in Vellore, south India. Results: The majority of the patients and their relatives simultaneously held multiple and contradictory models of illness and its treatment. Stigma among patients with schizophrenia and their relatives is associated with specific beliefs about causes of mental illness. Conclusions: Beliefs may play a role in mitigating or may aggravate the effects of stigma. The cross-sectional study design precludes definitive conclusions on direction of the causal association.
Social Network Among People With Persistent Mental Illness: Associations With Sociodemographic, Clinical and Health-Related Factors
Authors: Eklund Mona , Hansson Lars 
Published: July 2007

Background: Social interaction is crucial for whether a person will successfully accomplish important life tasks. Aim and method: This study investigated the importance of sociodemographic, clinical and self-perceived health-related factors for social interaction among 103 individuals with persistent mental illness, mainly psychoses, visiting an outpatient unit. Results: Bivariate analyses pointed to several relationships, especially between the health-related variables and both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the social network. In multivariate analyses, higher levels of quality of life, self-esteem, being a cohabitant, and living in a house were related to higher ratings on different aspects of the social network. Older age was associated with fewer close relationships but more adequate social integration. Conclusions: The social network appeared to be a function of both self-perceptions and sociodemographic influences. The influence is probably dynamic and, for example, just as a better quality of life may lead to more social interaction, a more developed social network probably promotes better quality of life. Therefore, interventions in mental health care that target social interaction constitute a powerful resource and should be part of the support for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
Complete responses of relapsed lymphoma following genetic modification of tumor-antigen presenting cells and T-lymphocyte transfer
Authors: Bollard Catherine M. , Gottschalk Stephen , Leen Ann M. , Weiss Heidi , Straathof Karin C. , Carrum George , Khalil Mariam , Wu Meng-fen , Huls M. Helen , Chang Chung-Che , Gresik M. Victoria , Gee Adrian P. , Brenner Malcolm K. , Rooney Cliona M. , Heslop Helen E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEpstein-Barr virus (EBV)–associated tumors developing in immunocompetent individuals present a challenge to immunotherapy, since they lack expression of immunodominant viral antigens. However, the tumors consistently express viral proteins including LMP2, which are immunologically “weak” but may nonetheless be targets for immune T cells. We previously showed that a majority of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) reactivated using EBV-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cells lines (LCLs) contained minor populations of LMP2-specific T cells and homed to tumor sites. However, they did not produce remissions in patients with bulky disease. We have now used gene transfer into antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to augment the expression and immunogenicity of LMP2. These modified APCs increased the frequency of LMP2-specific CTLs by up to 100-fold compared with unmodified LCL-APCs. The LMP2-specific population expanded and persisted in vivo without adverse effects. Nine of 10 patients treated in remission of high-risk disease remain in remission, and 5 of 6 patients with active relapsed disease had a tumor response, which was complete in 4 and sustained for more than 9 months. It is therefore possible to generate immune responses to weak tumor antigens by ex vivo genetic modification of APCs and the CTLs so produced can have substantial antitumor activity. This study is registered at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials (protocol IDs: BCM-H-9936, NCT00062868, NCT00070226).
Toward accurate high-throughput SNP genotyping in the presence of inherited copy number variation
Authors: MacConaill Laura E , Aldred Micheala A , Lu Xincheng , LaFramboise Thomas 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
The recent discovery of widespread copy number variation in humans has forced a shift away from the assumption of two copies per locus per cell throughout the autosomal genome. In particular, a SNP site can no longer always be accurately assigned one of three genotypes in an individual. In the presence of copy number variability, the individual may theoretically harbor any number of copies of each of the two SNP alleles.

Results
To address this issue, we have developed a method to infer a "generalized genotype" from raw SNP microarray data. Here we apply our approach to data from 48 individuals and uncover thousands of aberrant SNPs, most in regions that were previously unreported as copy number variants. We show that our allele-specific copy numbers follow Mendelian inheritance patterns that would be obscured in the absence of SNP allele information. The interplay between duplication and point mutation in our data shed light on the relative frequencies of these events in human history, showing that at least some of the duplication events were recurrent.

Conclusion
This new multi-allelic view of SNPs has a complicated role in disease association studies, and further work will be necessary in order to accurately assess its importance. Software to perform generalized genotyping from SNP array data is freely available online [1].
Population kinetics during simultaneous infection of insect cells with two different recombinant baculoviruses for the production of rotavirus-like particles
Authors: Mena Jimmy A , Ramírez Octavio T , Palomares Laura A 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
The simultaneous production of various recombinant proteins in every cell of a culture is often needed for the production of virus-like particles (VLP) or vectors for gene therapy. A common approach for such a purpose is the coinfection of insect cell cultures with different recombinant baculoviruses, each containing one or more recombinant genes. However, scarce information exists regarding kinetics during multiple infections, and to our knowledge, no studies are available on the behavior of the different populations that arise during coinfections. Such information is useful for designing infection strategies that maximize VLP or vector yield. In this work, kinetics of cell populations expressing rotavirus GFPVP2 (infected with bacGFPVP2), VP6 (infected with bacVP6), or both proteins simultaneously (coinfected with both baculoviruses) were followed by flow cytometry.

Results
In single infections, the population infected with any of the recombinant baculoviruses followed the Poisson distribution, as the population expressing a recombinant protein exhibited a hyperbolic-type function with respect to the multiplicity of infection (MOI) up to 5 pfu/cell. In coinfections, the population fraction expressing each recombinant protein could not be anticipated from results of single infections, as in some cases interference and synergistic effects were found. Only cultures with a total MOI below 5 pfu/cell followed the Poisson distribution. For cultures with a MOI of bacGFPVP2 above that of bacVP6 (overall MOI above 5 pfu/cell), the total population expressing one or both recombinant proteins was as low as 50% below that predicted by Poisson. In contrast, the population fraction expressing VP6 increased in coinfections, compared to that in single infections. The largest population fraction simultaneously expressing both recombinant proteins was 58%, and corresponded to cultures infected at a MOI of 5 and 1 pfu/cell of bacGFPVP2 and bacVP6, respectively.

Conclusion
The infection conditions that maximize the cell population simultaneously expressing two recombinant proteins were determined. Such conditions could not have been anticipated from population kinetics in individual infections. This information should be taken into account for improved simultaneous production of various recombinant proteins in any work dealing with coinfections.
Deep venous thrombosis in the antenatal period in a large cohort of pregnancies from western India
Authors: Vora Sonal , Ghosh Kanjaksha , Shetty Shrimati , Salvi Vinita , Satoskar Purnima 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is an important complication in the peripartal and postpartal period.

Methods
We followed up prospectively the prevalence of DVT in 34720 prenatal mothers between June 2002 and July 2006 attending the antenatal clinics of two major hospitals in Mumbai, India. Thirty two women (0.1%) presented for the first time with symptomatic DVT i.e. 17 in the first trimester, 6 in the second and 9 in the third trimester of pregnancy. Nine had history of fetal loss while in the remaining twenty three there was no history of fetal loss.

Results
The evaluation of both acquired and heritable thrombophilia showed a conglomeration of thrombophilia in this group when compared to 100 normal pregnant women who have given birth to at least one healthy baby with no history of fetal death, DVT or other obstetrical complications. The relative risks for all the antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) studied i.e lupus anticoagulant (LA), IgG/IgM antibodies for cardiolipin (ACA), β2 glycoprotein 1 (β2 GP 1) and annexin V were significantly higher in women with pregnancy associated DVT (RR 7.4 95% CI 4.3–11.3 P < 0.05). Among the genetic thrombophilia markers studied, Protein S (PS) deficiency was the strongest risk factor (RR 5.00 95% CI 3.02–5.00 P < 0.05) followed by factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation (RR 4.57 95% CI 2.23–4.57 P < 0.05) and PAI 4G/4G homozygosity (RR 3.24 95% CI 1.85–5.12 P < 0.05). Protein C (PC) and endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) 23 bp insertion polymorphism was also increased in the patient group as compared to controls but the difference was not statistically significant. The MTHFR C677T, fibrinogen gene β448 Arg/Lys polymorphisms were not significantly different from the normal controls, while antithrombin III (AT III) deficiency and PT G20210A polymorphism were absent in both controls and patients. Two or more risk factors were present in 22 out of 32 cases (68.75%).

Conclusion
We conclude that the prevalence of DVT in India is more or less similar to other reports published and both acquired and heritable thrombophilia show strong association with DVT associated with pregnancy.