bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecthyma contagiosum (orf) – report of a human case from the United Arab Emirates and review of the literature
Authors: Al‐Salam Suhail , Nowotny Norbert , Sohail Mohammed Rizwan , Kolodziejek Jolanta , Berger Thomas G. 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Ecthyma contagiosum (orf) is caused by an epitheliotropic parapox virus. It is a zoonosis usually transmitted to humans from affected sheep or goat through direct contact or contaminated fomites.Methods:  We report a 36‐year‐old patient with multiple skin lesions on his left hand, first observed 5 days before admission followed by red streaks on the forearm and an erythema on the upper arm 1 day prior to admission. The patient reported that he was working on a sheep farm.Results:  Histopathologic examination showed evidence of a viral infection. Subsequent transmission electron microscopy showed typical parapox virus particles, predominantly in the scaled‐off layers of degenerated keratinocytes and monocytes. The results were verified and specified by two newly established polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and subsequent sequencing of the amplicons: one broadly reacting ‘general parapox virus PCR’, and one assay which allows – following sequencing – discrimination between individual orf virus strains.Conclusion:  Despite the multiplicity of the lesions, there was a significant improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. Sequencing showed the uniqueness of this virus compared with previously published strains from other countries.
An algorithm for applying flagged Sysmex XE‐2100 absolute neutrophil counts in clinical practice
Authors: Friis‐Hansen Lennart , Sælsen Lone , Abildstrøm Steen Z. , Gøtze Jens Peter , Hilsted Linda 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground:  Even though most differential leukocyte counts are performed by automated hematology platforms, turn‐around time is often prolonged as flagging of test results trigger additional confirmatory manual procedures. However, frequently only the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is needed. We therefore examined if an algorithm could be developed to identify samples in which the automated ANC is valid despite flagged test results.Methods:  During a 3‐wk period, a training set consisting of 1448 consecutive flagged test‐results from the Sysmex XE‐2100 system and associated manual differential counts was collected. The training set was used to determine which alarms were associated with valid ANCs. The algorithm was then tested on a new set of 1371 test results collected during a later 3‐wk period.Results:  Analysis of the training set data revealed that the ANC from test results flagged with the ‘WBC abnormal scattergram’ alarm was often invalid. After removal of these test results, the correlation between automated flagged and manual results was excellent (r = 0.95–0.99, P < 0.0001). The validity of this algorithm was confirmed in a subsequent analysis using an independent test data set.Conclusion:  We have developed a simple algorithm that identifies samples from which a valid ANC can be extracted from Sysmex XE‐2100 flagged differential counts. In patients where only ANC is required for treatment purposes, this procedure can greatly shorten turn around time and facilitate rapid decision making.
NK‐cell intravascular lymphomatosis – a mini‐review
Authors: Nakamichi Naoto , Fukuhara Shirou , Aozasa Katsuyuki , Morii Eiichi 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe majority of cases of intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL) is derived from B cells. However, IVL may also arise from T cells, or more rarely NK cells. The clinicopathological findings in six cases of NK‐cell IVL (NK‐IVL), including one new case, were summarised and compared with B‐cell IVL (B‐IVL) and T‐cell IVL (T‐IVL). Earlier onset of disease and female predominance were found in NK‐IVL. NK‐IVL was typically Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive, whereas EBV was rarely detected in B‐IVL. Cutaneous manifestations were common in NK‐IVL with constant EBV infection. B‐IVL showed a more favourable prognosis than T‐ or NK‐IVL. Irrespective of immunophenotype, however, IVL showed a less favourable prognosis than ordinary lymphomas within the same immunophenotype. In summary, IVL of the B‐, T‐ and NK‐cell phenotypes is clinicopathologically distinct and shows similarities to their more common counterparts, i.e. diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, unspecified and extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type.
Prevalence, whole genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis B virus in captive orangutan and gibbon
Authors: Sa‐nguanmoo Pattaratida , Thongmee Chittima , Ratanakorn Parntep , Pattanarangsan Rattapan , Boonyarittichaikij Roschong , Chodapisitkul Somchai , Theamboonlers Apiradee , Tangkijvanich Pisit , Poovorawan Yong 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a public health problem worldwide and apart from infecting humans, HBV has been found in non‐human primates.Methods  We subjected 93 non‐human primates comprising 12 species to ELISA screening for the serological markers HBsAg, antiHBs and antiHBc. Subsequently, we detected HBV DNA, sequenced the whole HBV genome and performed phylogenetic analysis.Results  HBV infection was detected in gibbon (4/15) and orangutan (7/53). HBV DNA isolates from two gibbons and seven orangutans were chosen for complete genome amplification. We aligned the Pre‐S/S, Pre‐C/C and entire genomes with HBV sequences and performed phylogenetic analysis. The gibbon and orangutan viruses clustered within their respective groups.Conclusions  Both geographic location and host species influence which HBV variants are found in gibbons and orangutans. Hence, HBV transmission between humans and non‐human primates might be a distinct possibility and additional studies will be required to further investigate this potential risk.
Are grunting respirations a sign of serious bacterial infection in children?
Authors: Bilavsky Efraim , Shouval Dror S , Yarden‐Bilavsky Havatzelet , Ashkenazi Shai , Amir Jacob 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAim: To assess the significance of grunting respirations in children and their potential association with serious bacterial infections, and to identify characteristics unique to this patient group.Patients and Methods: A prospective case‐control design was used. Data were collected on all children who were hospitalized with grunting respirations in our department of paediatrics over a 13‐month period. The enrolled patients were divided into three groups: previously healthy children aged 3 months or less, previously healthy children aged more than 3 months and children with chronic illness at any age. The findings were compared to matched controls hospitalized for similar symptoms but without grunting respirations.Results: Grunting respirations were documented in 149 of the 3334 admissions (4.5%) during the period of study. The incidence was higher in children aged 3 months or less (7.5%) and lower in children older than 3 months (3.9%). Fever and respiratory symptoms were common (83.9% and 65.1%, respectively). Heart rate was the only vital sign that was significantly different between the study and control groups. Serious bacterial infection occurred more frequently in the study group (31.5% vs. 14.8%, p < 0.001, OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.36–3.36). Comparisons between the groups showed that grunting respirations were a sign of serious bacterial infection in previously healthy children older than 3 months (p = 0.007, OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.21–3.13) and in children with a chronic disease of any age (p = 0.033, OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.0–49.7 respectively), but not in previously healthy children younger than 3 months (p = 1).Conclusion: The incidence and importance of grunting respirations in hospitalized children depend on patient's age and previous medical status. A finding of grunting respirations in a previously healthy child aged over 3 months or in a chronically ill child should alert the physician to seek further evidence of bacterial infection, especially pneumonia.
Immigrant girls perceive less stress
Authors: Lindblad F , Backman L , Åkerstedt T 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAim: To develop a new stress scale and use it for investigating impact of ethnicity on perception of stress.Subjects and Methods: One thousand one hundred and twenty‐four students (grades 6–9) from 14 schools filled in a questionnaire at school with questions about age, sex, use of language at home (proxy for cultural background), stress and stressors. Factor analysis and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.Results: Two‐stress dimensions were identified, ‘pressure’(7 items, Cronbach's alpha 0.862) and ‘activation’(4 items, Cronbach's alpha 0.767). Scores on the two scales and a separate ‘stress’ item were higher in girls and increased with grade. Use of another language than Swedish at home showed a significant effect only for activation, with lower scores in girls. The interaction effect between sex and language was significant for all variables and was due mainly to lower stress in girls using another language than Swedish at home.Conclusion: This new stress scale has some promising qualities like a condensed format, basis in a specific stress concept and formulated to be as age and culture independent as possible. Immigrant girls seem to perceive less stress than Swedish born girls, which opens up for questions about protective mechanisms.
Mechano‐biology of resident myogenic stem cells: Molecular mechanism of stretch‐induced activation of satellite cells
Authors: TATSUMI Ryuichi , ALLEN Ronald E. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTSatellite cells, resident myogenic stem cells found between the basement membrane and the sarcolemma in postnatal skeletal muscle, are normally quiescent in adult muscles. But when muscle is injured, exercised, overused or mechanically stretched, these cells are activated to enter the cell cycle, divide, differentiate, and fuse with the adjacent muscle fiber. In this way, satellite cells are responsible for regeneration and work‐induced hypertrophy of muscle fibers. Therefore, a mechanism must exist to translate mechanical changes in muscle tissue into chemical signals that can activate satellite cells. This mechanism has not been clearly delineated. Recent in vivo studies and studies of satellite cells and single muscle fibers in culture demonstrated the essential role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and nitric oxide (NO) radical in the activation pathway. These experiments also showed that mechanically stretching cultured satellite cells or living skeletal muscles stimulates satellite cell activation. This is achieved by rapid release of HGF from its tethering in the extracellular matrix and its presentation to the c‐met receptor. HGF release has been shown to depend on NO radical production by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in satellite cells and/or muscle fibers, and relies on the subsequent upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity (possibly achieved by its nitrosylation). These results suggest that the activation mechanism is a cascade of molecular events including calcium‐calmodulin formation, NOS activation, NO radical production, MMP activation, HGF release and HGF binding to c‐met. An understanding the ‘mechano‐biology’ of satellite cell activation is essential when planning procedures that could enhance muscle growth and repair. This is particularly important for meat‐animal agriculture and in human health, disease and aging.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the KIT and KITLG genes in pigs
Authors: OKUMURA Naohiko , MATSUMOTO Toshimi , HAMASIMA Noriyuki , AWATA Takashi 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTHere, we report the variability in the KIT tyrosine kinase receptor and its ligand KITLG genes by determining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 384 individuals including 11 pig breeds, two synthetic‐line cross pigs, two cross breeds, and one Japanese wild boar. SNPs and indels within the coding sequence regions of KITLG and KIT and their 5′‐flanking regions were detected by aligning sequences from eight pigs, and subsequently the SNPs were genotyped using matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF‐MS). Principal component analysis using allele frequencies in the SNP locus showed a distant relationship between Asian and Euro‐American pig groups, except for Berkshire and Tokyo X breeds. These breeds were located within the mid‐portion of the distribution in the first principal component. The Hampshire breed was distant from the other pig groups on the axis of the second principal component. Haplotype frequencies that were deduced using non‐synonymous substitutions of the KIT gene revealed the uniqueness of Landrace, Large White, Middle White, and three‐way cross pigs (LWD) and of the Hampshire breed. On the other hand, the haplotypes of KITLG and KIT detected in the Berkshire breed were prevalent in Asian pig groups. This tendency is different from that observed in other Euro‐American pig breeds.
Compliance rate of livestock vehicles with welfare standards, and behavior of feeder cattle at loading ramp
Authors: UETAKE Katsuji , ISHIWATA Toshie , EGUCHI Yusuke , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to assess cattle welfare during transportation. Vehicle inspection and observation of cattle behavior during loading operations were conducted at two major livestock markets (T and M) in Japan. Market T provided young feeder cattle (Wagyu and cross‐bred aged 6.8–9.0 months) mainly for regions farther than 1500 km. Market M provided young cattle (Wagyu aged 6.6–11.2 month) and calves (crossbred and Holstein aged 0.7–1.5 month) for nearby regions within 500 km. Market T had loading platforms 1.0 m high, whereas market M had partial allocation of platforms and forced most transporters to load cattle from the ground. Vehicles were inspected according to the welfare standards for beef cattle of the RSPCA. Number of vehicles inspected was 36 and 31 in markets T and M, respectively. Cattle hesitations (kneeling down, slipping, balking, backing down, turning around, jumping and eliminating) were observed at the loading ramp. Vehicles inspected at the markets complied with most requirements of the welfare standards, but non‐compliance was found in two requirements: in market M, 71.0% of vehicles had the loading ramp at a >20% incline, whereas 17.1% of vehicles did in market T (P < 0.001). Slope of the loading ramp was steeper in market M than in market T (33.9 ± 17.3% vs. 14.9 ± 8.9%, P < 0.001). Market M had higher proportion of vehicles that did not comply with the requirement ‘Both loading ramps and tail boards must be appropriately designed and covered with litter, to prevent animals from falling off or slipping’ compared with market T (83.9% vs. 17.1%, P < 0.001). Higher frequencies were observed in two kinds of hesitating behavior in market M than in market T (both P < 0.01): mean frequencies (times/head) of slipping and balking were 1.3 ± 1.2 and 2.0 ± 1.8 in market M, and 0.2 ± 0.2 and 0.7 ± 0.5 in market T, respectively. Steeper loading ramp was correlated with higher frequencies of kneeling down (r = 0.53), slipping (r = 0.59), balking (r = 0.45) and backing down (r = 0.42) (all P < 0.05).
Complications of Self-circumcision: A Case Report and Proposal
Authors: Natali Alessandro , Rossetti Mario Alberto 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Male circumcision is a common surgical technique that has been performed worldwide for thousands of years for medical, social, cultural, and religious reasons. It is usually conducted in childhood in a clinical setting, but the practice of adult self-circumcision has led to a market for nonmedically approved self-circumcision devices that can be purchased via the Internet.

Aims
The aims of this report are to report the case of a 30-year-old white man who suffered complications after trying to perform a self-circumcision with a nonmedically approved device purchased via the Internet, and to propose that urologists should take the lead in investigating the problem of male self-circumcision.

Methods
This case report documents the presentation and treatment of an attempted self-circumcision.

Results
The attempted self-circumcision was carried out without local anaesthetic and resulted in an incision in the foreskin. The patient presented with uncontrollable local bleeding 2 days after carrying out the procedure. Although questioned as to why he had attempted self-circumcision, the patient was reluctant and/or unable to explain his reasons. Daily local wound care and topical antibiotics resulted in complete wound healing after 2 months, and a clinical clamp circumcision was conducted to treat the remaining severe phimosis.

Conclusion
Data on the prevalence and outcomes associated with the use of self-circumcision devices are few. The clinicians who treat the complications are best placed to collect data on self-circumcision and should publish case studies. Eventually there may be sufficient understanding of the sector of the population at risk from this practice to educate those likely to attempt self-circumcision, and enough evidence of harm for controls to be placed on the sale of these nonmedically approved devices via the Internet.
An Evidence-Based Definition of Lifelong Premature Ejaculation: Report of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation
Authors: McMahon Chris G. , Althof Stanley E. , Waldinger Marcel D. , Porst Hartmut , Dean John , Sharlip Ira D. , Adaikan P.G. , Becher Edgardo , Broderick Gregory A. , Buvat Jacques , Dabees Khalid , Giraldi Annamaria , Giuliano François , Hellstrom Wayne J.G. , Incrocci Luca , Laan Ellen , Meuleman Eric , Perelman Michael A. , Rosen Raymond C. , Rowland David L. , Segraves Robert 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe medical literature contains several definitions of premature ejaculation (PE). The most commonly quoted definition, the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition-Text Revision, and other definitions of PE are all authority based rather than evidence based, and have no support from controlled clinical and/or epidemiological studies.AimThe aim of this article is to develop a contemporary, evidence-based definition of PE.MethodsIn August 2007, the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) appointed several international experts in PE to an Ad Hoc Committee for the Definition of Premature Ejaculation. The committee met in Amsterdam in October 2007 to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of current definitions of PE, to critique the evidence in support of the constructs of ejaculatory latency, ejaculatory control, sexual satisfaction, and personal/interpersonal distress, and to propose a new evidence-based definition of PE.ResultsThe committee unanimously agreed that the constructs that are necessary to define PE are rapidity of ejaculation, perceived self-efficacy and control, and negative personal consequences from PE. The committee proposed that lifelong PE be defined as “. . . a male sexual dysfunction characterized by ejaculation which always or nearly always occurs prior to or within about one minute of vaginal penetration, and the inability to delay ejaculation on all or nearly all vaginal penetrations, and negative personal consequences, such as distress, bother, frustration and/or the avoidance of sexual intimacy.” This definition is limited to men with lifelong PE who engage in vaginal intercourse. The panel concluded that there are insufficient published objective data to propose an evidence-based definition of acquired PE.ConclusionThe ISSM definition of lifelong PE represents the first evidence-based definition of PE. This definition will hopefully lead to the development of new tools and Patient Reported Outcome measures for diagnosing and assessing the efficacy of treatment interventions and encourage ongoing research into the true prevalence of this disorder and the efficacy of new pharmacological and psychological treatments.
COGNITIVE BRIDGES: LAW COURSES STRUCTURED FOR APPLICATION AND KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
Authors: Oppenheim Nancy 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTFaculty structuring courses in the Legal Environment of Business and Business Law seek to maximize students' comprehension, and application of legal frameworks to business contexts. This paper examines how law courses organized around students' knowledge organization harnessed learners' cognitive processes to bolster achievement (n=285). Next, the most effective activities reported by 160 students in student‐centered Legal Environment of Business and Business Law are analyzed from a cognitive perspective.
Oviposition‐Site Selection in an Endangered Madagascan Frog: Experimental Evaluation of a Habitat Model and its Implications for Conservation
Authors: Glos Julian , Wegner Frank , Dausmann Kathrin H. , Linsenmair K. Eduard 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe selection of suitable oviposition sites is crucial for successful reproduction of many organisms, including the endangered Madagascan frog Aglyptodactylus laticeps. In a preceding study, a conservation‐oriented model of habitat use for this species extracted key habitat factors that reliably predict whether given ponds are used as oviposition sites. However, habitat‐use models are descriptive and thus their explanatory power for true causal relationships between habitat variables and species distributions is presumably limited. Furthermore, these models are mostly insufficient with regard to incorporating dynamic components of habitat choice, such as the colonization history. Therefore, the explanatory power of habitat‐use models within the context of dynamic components was experimentally investigated by creating artificial breeding ponds in the natural habitat of this frog species and manipulating two environmental factors within these breeding ponds. The absence of tadpoles proved to be the most decisive factor determining colonization. Leaf litter on the pond bottom, that had been suggested to be of importance by the habitat‐use model, did not influence oviposition‐site selection. Although pond characteristics may be important, the overriding factor affecting pond use in the experimental study was avoidance of pools that already contained tadpoles by ovipositing adults.
Differential Responses to Hunting in Two Sympatric Species of Brocket Deer (Mazama americana and M. nana)
Authors: Di Bitetti Mario S. , Paviolo Agustín , Ferrari Carolina A. , De Angelo Carlos , Di Blanco Yamil 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTHunting by humans may affect the abundance and activity patterns of game species. We examined the effect of hunting on the abundance and activity patterns of sympatric red brocket deer Mazama americana and dwarf brocket deer M. nana. We conducted four camera‐trap surveys (158 sampling stations, 10,244 trap‐days, total area sampled 1200 km2) in three areas within the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina, that differ in protection and hunting pressure. We used logistic regression and tests of independence to evaluate if protection, hunting pressure, and other independent variables affect the probability of recording each species and their recording rate. We used the Mardia–Watson–Wheeler test to examine if the daily activity pattern differs between species and changes with hunting pressure. Red brocket deer were more frequently recorded (397 records, 58% of stations) than dwarf brocket deer (100 records, 37% of stations). The probability of recording red brockets was higher in areas with better protection and increased with the distance to the main accesses used by poachers. The probability of recording dwarf brockets was higher in areas with low protection. Red brockets were more nocturnal than dwarf brockets, a difference that may reduce interspecific competition. However, red brockets were more diurnal in the best‐protected areas, suggesting that they can adjust their activity to local hunting pressure. Hunting has opposite effects on the abundance of these deer and may facilitate their coexistence. Hunting should be carefully controlled or managed to ensure the conservation of these little known species.