bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Helicobacter pylori Infection Combined with CagA and Pepsinogen Status on Gastric Cancer Development among Japanese Men and Women: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Sasazuki Shizuka , Inoue Manami , Iwasaki Motoki , Otani Tetsuya , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Ikeda Shinobu , Hanaoka Tomoyuki , Tsugane Shoichiro ,   for the Japan Public Health Center Study Group
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Background: Although accumulating evidence suggests that Helicobacter pylori plays a role in gastric carcinogenesis, the magnitude of the risk remains uncertain.
Aim: We aimed to estimate the magnitude of the risk of gastric cancer associated with H. pylori infection by a large case-control study nested within a prospective cohort. Possible effect modification by CagA status, and serum pepsinogen status, as a marker of atrophic gastritis, was also considered to see its effect on developing gastric cancer.
Subjects and Methods: Subjects (n = 123,576) were followed up from 1990 to 2004; 511 gastric cancer cases matched to 511 controls were used in the analysis. Plasma immunoglobulin G antibody to H. pylori, CagA, and pepsinogen I and II were measured.
Results: The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of gastric cancer associated with H. pylori infection was 5.1 (3.2-8.0). Assuming all CagA-positive subjects are true H. pylori positives doubled this risk. Atrophic gastritis was also associated with an elevated risk of gastric cancer and the risk increased further with pepsinogen levels.
Conclusions: Subjects with pepsinogen levels indicative of severe atrophic gastritis may need careful examination regularly regardless of H. pylori infection. Those who have other pepsinogen levels but who are H. pylori seropositive are likely to benefit from H. pylori eradication therapy. Considering both the cost and the potential for misclassification that may occur using multiple serologic tests, caution is needed in interpreting or extrapolating these findings into a screening strategy. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1341–7)
Alpha CTX as a Biomarker of Skeletal Invasion of Breast Cancer: Immunolocalization and the Load Dependency of Urinary Excretion
Authors: Leeming Diana J. , Delling Günter , Koizumi Mitsuru , Henriksen Kim , Karsdal Morten A. , Li Bo , Qvist Per , Tankó László B. , Byrjalsen Inger 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
We recently showed that increased urinary excretion of the cross-linked, nonisomerized form of the C-telopeptide of collagen type I (ααCTX) could be a sensitive indicator of the presence of bone metastases in breast cancer patients. The present study was sought to investigate (a) the localization of αCTX epitopes in the proximity of a bone metastasis and (b) the relationship between number of metastases and the urinary excretion of ααCTX. Adjacent bone sections from breast cancer patients were stained for the presence of tumor cells (anti-cytokeratin antibody), osteoclasts (TRAcP activity), and αCTX (anti-αCTX antibody). The association between the extent of metastatic bone disease and urinary excretion of ααCTX measured with ELISA was assessed in 90 breast cancer patients (45 with bone metastasis and 45 without bone metastasis). Immunohistochemistry revealed accumulation of TRAcP-positive osteoclasts and intense staining for αCTX epitopes in the proximity of cytokeratin-positive bone metastasis. Areas of αCTX staining showed unstructured bone tissue under polarized light. In addition, there was a significant linear association between the number of bone metastases and the urinary levels of ααCTX in breast cancer patients with metastatic bone disease, independent of age and body mass index (r = 0.56, P &lt; 0.001). The estimated relative increases in ααCTX associated with the presence of one, two, or three metastases are 38%, 57%, and 81%, respectively. Taken into account the 17% intraindividual variation of the assay, ααCTX could be a sensitive biochemical marker for the close monitoring of cancer patients aiming the facilitation of early metastasis detection. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1392–5)
Familial Risks for Cervical Tumors in Full and Half Siblings: Etiologic Apportioning
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Chen Bowang 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Many studies have shown familial aggregation for cervical cancer, but they have been unable to distinguish between shared environmental and genetic effects. Full and half-siblings were identified from the nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database, including invasive and in situ cervical cancers in women up to age 70 years. Half-siblings were defined through a common father or mother. Standardized incidence ratios, adjusted for several variables, were calculated for proband-wise risks between full and half-siblings. The familial risk for full siblings was 1.84, compared with 1.40 for maternal and 1.27 for paternal half-siblings. These data were used to apportion familial risk for cervical tumors in full siblings into a heritable component, accounting for 64%, and an environmental component, accounting for 36% of the total risk. No evidence for gene-environment interactions was found. The intractable difficulty in separating cervical cancer causation will be an obstacle for a successful identification of susceptibility genes. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1413-4)
Loss of Heterozygosity at theBRCA1andBRCA2Loci Detected in Ductal Lavage Fluid fromBRCAGene Mutation Carriers and Controls
Authors: Locke Imogen , Kote-Jarai Zsofia , Bancroft Elizabeth , Bullock Sarah , Jugurnauth Sarah , Osin Peter , Nerurkar Ashutosh , Izatt Louise , Pichert Gabriella , Gui Gerald P. H. , Eeles Rosalind A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractFemale BRCA gene mutation carriers are at increased risk for developing breast cancer. Ductal lavage is a novel method for sampling breast ductal fluid, providing epithelial cells for cytologic assessment and a source of free DNA for molecular analyses. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the BRCA loci in ductal lavage fluid is a potential biomarker of breast cancer risk. The LOH rate was measured at the BRCA1/2 loci and compared with that at a control locus (APC) using free DNA from the ductal lavage fluid of BRCA carriers and predictive test negative controls. We evaluated the reproducibility of these analyses. Free DNA sufficient for PCR amplification was obtained from 33 ductal lavage samples of 17 healthy women of known BRCA status (14 BRCA carriers and 3 controls). LOH rates of 36.4% to 56.3% at the BRCA1 locus and 45% to 61.5% at the BRCA2 locus were found among BRCA carriers. The LOH rate at the APC locus was lower (18.5%). The interaliquot reproducibility for the D17S855 marker of the BRCA1 locus was 66.7%. Intraaliquot reproducibility was 90%. Although we successfully isolated sufficient free DNA from ductal lavage fluid for PCR amplification, the degree of reproducibility of these LOH studies raises questions about the robustness of this technique as a risk assessment tool in the evaluation of high-risk women. Further studies are required to evaluate the specificity and predictive value of LOH in ductal lavage fluid for breast cancer development. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1399–402)
Loss of Heterozygosity Analysis in Ductal Lavage Samples from BRCA1 and BRCA2 Carriers: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Antill Yoland C. , Mitchell Gillian , Johnson Sandra A. , Devereux Lisa , Milner Alvin , Phillips Kelly-Anne , Campbell Ian G. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Background: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in breast ductal lavage (DL) fluid has been reported to be a potential biomarker of malignant change. Interpretation of LOH is reliant on sufficient quality and quantity of DNA. We investigated LOH of the BRCA1/2 loci in DL samples from BRCA1/2 mutation carriers, while also assessing the effect of DNA quantity.
Methods: DNA yield was estimated using quantitative real-time PCR. Allelic status of DL DNA was determined using fluorescently tagged microsatellite markers with the subject's lymphocytic DNA serving as a control. Samples were scored as consistently heterozygous or as demonstrating LOH if the same result was observed in replicate experiments. Additionally, samples were scored as “discordant LOH” if they initially showed LOH, but in replicate experiments either showed heterozygosity or LOH of the opposite allele.
Results: In 11 BRCA1 carriers, 46 ducts were assessable, and 39 ducts from 14 BRCA2 carriers were assessable. LOH was observed in 17% and 18% of ducts from BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively. Discordant results were seen in 23 BRCA1 (50%) and 15 BRCA2 (38%) samples. DNA yield was significantly greater in samples that were consistently heterozygous than those that were either discordant or showed LOH in replicate experiments for both BRCA1 (P = 0.003) and BRCA2 (P = 0.003).
Conclusions: DNA quantity is highly variable between DL samples, with low yields likely to detrimentally affect the interpretation of LOH. In conclusion, LOH may not be an adequate method to detect the early stages of malignant change in samples obtained via DL. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1396–8)
Smoking and Bladder Cancer in Spain: Effects of Tobacco Type, Timing, Environmental Tobacco Smoke, and Gender
Authors: Samanic Claudine , Kogevinas Manolis , Dosemeci Mustafa , Malats Núria , Real Francisco X. , Garcia-Closas Montserrat , Serra Consol , Carrato Alfredo , García-Closas Reina , Sala Maria , Lloreta Josep , Tardón Adonina , Rothman Nathaniel , Silverman Debra T. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe examined the effects of dose, type of tobacco, cessation, inhalation, and environmental tobacco smoke exposure on bladder cancer risk among 1,219 patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer and 1,271 controls recruited from 18 hospitals in Spain. We used unconditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the association between bladder cancer risk and various characteristics of cigarette smoking. Current smokers (men: OR, 7.4; 95% CI, 5.3-10.4; women: OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.6-16.4) and former smokers (men: OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.8-5.3; women: OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.5-7.2) had significantly increased risks of bladder cancer compared with nonsmokers. We observed a significant positive trend in risk with increasing duration and amount smoked. After adjustment for duration, risk was only 40% higher in smokers of black tobacco than that in smokers of blond tobacco (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.98-2.0). Compared with risk in current smokers, a significant inverse trend in risk with increasing time since quitting smoking blond tobacco was observed (≥20 years cessation: OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9). No trend in risk with cessation of smoking black tobacco was apparent. Compared with men who inhaled into the mouth, risk increased for men who inhaled into the throat (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1-2.6) and chest (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1). Cumulative occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke seemed to confer increased risk among female nonsmokers but not among male nonsmokers. After eliminating the effect of cigarette smoking on bladder cancer risk in our study population, the male-to-female incidence ratio decreased from 8.2 to 1.7, suggesting that nearly the entire male excess of bladder cancer observed in Spain is explained by cigarette smoking rather than occupational/environmental exposures to other bladder carcinogens. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(7):1348–54)
Zur Neuübersetzung des Thomasevangeliums in der Alandschen Synopse
Authors: Schüngel Paul 
Published: July 2006

AbstractDie Überprüfung der neuen Übersetzung zeigt zunächst Folgen einer Fehlübersetzung von kopt. sōk gr. λκω auf (Log 3.1 34 114). Die teils kurze, teils ausführliche Diskussion problematischer Einzelstellen ergibt mehrmals neue Übersetzungsvorschläge, die den koptischen Textbestand festhalten oder besser erklären, bisherige Emendationen werden überflüssig.—Das EvThom wird vorgestellt als christliche Schrift, die eine jesuanisch inspirierte, die Außenwelt radikal distanzierende Ethik vertritt und ein selbständig-verantwortliches, tapferes und “männliches” Leben fördern will.
Das Weltgericht und die Matthäische Gemeinde
Authors: Suh Joong Suk 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe Matthean community consists of two groups which are symbolized by sheep and goats respectively. In Matt. 25:31-46 the least of these are not the poor in general, but those who are in the mission fields sent out by the Matthean community. Determining that the unsuccessful result of the missionary works was due to the insufficient support from the community, Matthew attempts to elicit a strong concern among them. Hence, the Matthean Jesus, who identifies with the missionary team at the brink of collapse, encourages the sheep group to maximize its ongoing support for the least, and warns the goats group not to be indifferent to them.
The Written Torah and the Oral Gospel: Romans 10:5-13 in the Dynamic Tension between Orality and Literacy
Authors: Ito Akio 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThis article attempts to locate Rom. 10:5-13 within the tension of orality and literacy. There has been a debate concerning the precise nature of the relationship between Lev. 18:5 cited in 10:5 and Deut. 30 cited in 10:6-8. Here it is argued that Paul emphasizes the antithesis between the orality of the Gospel and the literacy of the Torah because he understands himself as living and working in the tradition of the “herald” of Isaiah 52. Against the orality of the Gospel he stresses the literacy of the Torah when he introduces the Leviticus citation with “Moses writes” in 10:5.
CO2 Sensitivity of Extreme Climate Events in the Western United States
Authors: Bell Jason L. , Sloan Lisa C. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
Based upon trends in observed climate, extreme events are thought to be increasing in frequency and/or magnitude. This change in extreme events is attributed to enhancement of the hydrologic cycle caused by increased greenhouse gas concentrations. Results are presented of relatively long (50 yr) regional climate model simulations of the western United States examining the sensitivity of climate and extreme events to a doubling of preindustrial atmospheric CO2 concentrations. These results indicate a shift in the temperature distribution, resulting in fewer cold days and more hot days; the largest changes occur at high elevations. The rainfall distribution is also affected; total rain increases as a result of increases in rainfall during the spring season and at higher elevations. The risk of flooding is generally increased, as is the severity of droughts and heat waves. These results, combined with results of decreased snowpack and increased evaporation, could further stress the water supply of the western United States.
Ultrasound-Guided Sclerosis of Neovessels in Painful Chronic Patellar Tendinopathy
Authors: Hoksrud Aasne , Öhberg Lars , Alfredson Håkan , Bahr Roald 
Published: July 2006

Background Color Doppler ultrasound examination frequently reveals neovascularization in chronic painful Achilles and patellar tendinopathy. Sclerosing the area with vascular ingrowth using polidocanol has shown promising clinical results in patients with Achilles tendinopathy. Purpose To investigate sclerosing treatment using polidocanol on a group of elite athletes with patellar tendinopathy. tudy Design Randomized controlled trial/cross-over study; Level of evidence, 1. Methods The authors recruited 33 patients (42 tendons), mainly from the Norwegian elite divisions in basketball, team handball, and volleyball. Seventeen patients (23 knees) were randomized to the treatment group (polidocanol injections in the area of neovascularization) and 16 patients (20 knees) to the control group (similar injections with lidocaine/epinephrine). After 4 months of treatment, the control group was crossed over to active treatment. Pain and function were recorded using the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score before the start of treatment and 4, 8, and 12 months after the first injection. Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment scores between groups were compared using multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results The treatment group reported a significant improvement in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score from 51 to 62 after 4 months; there was no change for the control group (group by time interaction, P=. 052). After 8 months, when the control group had also received active treatment with polidocanol, they had a greater improvement in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score (58-79) than did the treatment group (54-70; group by time interaction, P=. 022; time effect, P<. 0001). There was no further time or group effect in Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score to the 12-month follow-up (treatment, 72; control, 85). Conclusion Sclerosing injections with polidocanol resulted in a significant improvement in knee function and reduced pain in patients with patellar tendinopathy.
The Modified Docking Procedure for Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Paletta George A. , Wright Rick W. 
Published: July 2006

Background Ulnar collateral ligament injury is most common in the overhead-throwing athlete. Jobe et al published the first report of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in throwing athletes with a 62.5% success rate. Recently, Altchek developed a new docking technique for reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament. The authors report the first series using a further modification of the docking technique using a 4-strand palmaris longus graft for reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament. Hypothesis The modified docking technique yields a high rate of successful return to preinjury level of competition in elite baseball players. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed 25 elite professional or scholarship collegiate baseball players who underwent elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction using the modified docking procedure with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Results Twenty-three of 25 (92%) were able to return to their preinjury levels of competition. The mean time to return was 11.5 months (range, 10-16 months). Complications included 1 transient postoperative ulnar nerve neurapraxia and 1 stress fracture of the ulnar bone bridge that occurred at 14 months postoperatively, after a full return to pitching. Conclusion The modified docking technique yields highly successful return to preinjury level of competition rates (92%) in a select group of elite baseball players.
Minority Influence is Facilitated When the Communication Employs Linguistic Abstractness
Authors: Sigall Harold , Mucchi-Faina Angelica , Mosso Cristina 
Published: July 2006

An experiment tested the hypothesis that minority influence is enhanced when the source of a persuasive communication employs abstract, as opposed to concrete, language. This hypothesis and the research testing it links ideas from two heretofore separate areas of inquiry: minority influence and linguistic abstraction. It is well known that minority influence increases when the minority is perceived to be consistent. Work on linguistic abstraction has established that when abstract language is used to describe an act, it implies that the act reflects stable, trans-situational characteristics of the actor, whereas concrete language implies that the act reflects isolated, situationally bounded events. We suggest that abstract language therefore conveys greater conviction and thereby increases perceived consistency and, in turn, minority influence. Source (majority, minority) and language abstractness (abstract, concrete) of a persuasive communication were manipulated. Results revealed that a minority (but not a majority) source was seen as more consistent when using abstract (vs. concrete) language. Although there were no differences among conditions on direct influence, a statistically significant interaction was observed for indirect influence: the abstract-minority source had significantly more indirect influence than did the concrete-minority source, whereas the indirect influence of the majority communicator was not affected by language abstractness.
Linking healthcare associated norovirus outbreaks: a molecular epidemiologic method for investigating transmission
Authors: Lopman Ben A , Gallimore Chris , Gray Jim J , Vipond Ian B , Andrews Nick , Sarangi Joyshri , Reacher Mark H , Brown David W 
Published: July 2006

Abstract

Background
Noroviruses are highly infectious pathogens that cause gastroenteritis in the community and in semi-closed institutions such as hospitals. During outbreaks, multiple units within a hospital are often affected, and a major question for control programs is: are the affected units part of the same outbreak or are they unrelated transmission events? In practice, investigators often assume a transmission link based on epidemiological observations, rather than a systematic approach to tracing transmission.
Here, we present a combined molecular and statistical method for assessing:
1) whether observed clusters provide evidence of local transmission and
2) the probability that anecdotally|linked outbreaks truly shared a transmission event.

Methods
76 healthcare associated outbreaks were observed in an active and prospective surveillance scheme of 15 hospitals in the county of Avon, England from April 2002 to March 2003. Viral RNA from 64 out of 76 specimens from distinct outbreaks was amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and was sequenced in the polymerase (ORF 1) and capsid (ORF 2) regions. The genetic diversity, at the nucleotide level, was analysed in relation to the epidemiological patterns.

Results
Two out of four genetic and epidemiological clusters of outbreaks were unlikely to have occurred by chance alone, thus suggesting local transmission. There was anecdotal epidemiological evidence of a transmission link among 5 outbreaks pairs. By combining this epidemiological observation with viral sequence data, the evidence of a link remained convincing in 3 of these pairs. These results are sensitive to prior beliefs of the strength of epidemiological evidence especially when the outbreak strains are common in the background population.

Conclusion
The evidence suggests that transmission between hospitals units does occur. Using the proposed criteria, certain hypothesized transmission links between outbreaks were supported while others were refuted. The combined molecular/epidemiologic approach presented here could be applied to other viral populations and potentially to other pathogens for a more thorough view of transmission.