bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Proven Startle‐provoked Epileptic Seizures in Childhood: Semiologic and Electrophysiologic Variability
Authors: Tibussek Daniel , Wohlrab Gabriele , Boltshauser Eugen , Schmitt Bernhard 
Published: June 2006

Summary: Purpose:To delineate further the clinical and electrophysiologic features of proven startle‐provoked epileptic seizures (SPESs) in children.Methods:Clinical, neuroradiologic, and neurophysiologic data of 22 consecutive patients with SPESs were analyzed. Eighty‐nine SPESs were documented by video‐EEG and evaluated with respect to semiology and ictal and interictal EEG findings.Results:Mean age was 68 months (10–178 months). Most children had severe mental retardation (86%). Neuroimaging demonstrated diffuse cerebral abnormalities in 15 of 19. Somatosensory evoked potentials revealed cortical abnormalities in 10 of 13 children. The underlying causes were heterogeneous. Only two patients were normally developed. Seizure frequency was usually high (>10/day). Two children had less frequent SPESs (two per month; two per week). Seizures were easily precipitated by sudden sound (n = 15), unexpected touch (n = 3), or both (n = 4). The most common semiologic findings (50%) were generalized tonic seizures or those characterized by a predominant tonic phase, followed in frequency by myoclonic seizures (36%), which were generalized in seven, and unilateral in one. Generalized clonic seizures were observed in one. A complex seizure spread was documented in two children. The most common ictal EEG finding (60%) was a diffuse electrodecremental pattern (DEP). Generalized spike/polyspike waves were found in five and focal discharges in four.Conclusions:Our results imply that startle epilepsy is not a uniform epileptic entity. We were able to demonstrate a number of distinct patterns of SPESs, characterized by clinical, semiologic, and electrophysiologic features. Considering the high diversity of SPES patients, a common underlying pathophysiologic mechanism seems unlikely.
Reductions in Costly Healthcare Service Utilization: Findings from the Care Advocate Program
Authors: Shannon George R. , Wilber Kathleen H. , Allen Douglas 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a telephone care‐management intervention for high‐risk Medicare health maintenance organization (HMO) health plan enrollees can reduce costly medical service utilization.DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial measuring healthcare services utilization over three 12‐month periods (pre‐, during, and postintervention).SETTING: Two social service organizations partnered with a Medicare HMO and four contracted medical groups in southern California.PARTICIPANTS: Eight hundred twenty‐three patients aged 65 and older; eligibility was determined using an algorithm to target older adults with high use of insured healthcare services.INTERVENTION: After assessment, members in the intervention group were offered mutually agreed upon referrals to home‐ and community‐based services (HCBS), medical groups, or Medicare HMO health plan and followed monthly for 1 year.MEASUREMENTS: Insured medical service utilization was measured across three 12‐month periods. Acceptance and utilization of Care Advocate (CA) referrals were measured during the 12‐month intervention period.RESULTS: CA intervention members were significantly more likely than controls to use primary care physician services (odds ratio (OR)=2.05, P<.001), and number of hospital admissions (OR=0.43, P<.01) and hospital days (OR=0.39, P<.05) were significantly more stable for CA group members than for controls.CONCLUSION: Results suggest that a modest intervention linking older adults to HCBS may have important cost‐saving implications for HMOs serving community‐dwelling older adults with high healthcare service utilization. Future studies, using a national sample, should verify the role of telephone care management in reducing the use of costly medical services.
Sialolipoma of the hard palate
Authors: Sakai Takayoshi , Iida Seiji , Kishino Mitsunobu , Okura Masaya , Kogo Mikihiko 
Published: June 2006

Sialolipoma is a new variant of salivary gland lipoma, which was first proposed by Nagao et al. (Histopathology 2001; 38: 30) in 2001. We report this rare case of sialolipoma in the hard palate. A 60‐year‐old Japanese woman was referred to our department complaining of a painless swelling on the right side of the hard palate. Intra‐oral examination revealed a soft, elastic, dome‐shaped mass with 1 cm in diameter located in the posterior part of the hard palate. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed high intensity on T1‐weighted image and isointensity on T2‐weighted image. Incisional biopsy revealed that the tumor was encapsulated by fibrous tissue, consisted of adipose tissue, and also contained normal salivary gland tissue peripherally. First diagnosed as an ordinary lipoma of the hard palate, the tumor was excised. According to the recent criteria of histologic findings of sialolipoma, we rediagnosed the tumor as sialolipoma of the hard palate.
Cloning of a Potato Proteinase Inhibitor Gene PINII‐2x from Diploid Potato (Solanum phurejia L.) and Transgenic Investigation of Its Potential to Confer Insect Resistance in Rice
Authors: Bu Qing‐Yun , Wu Liang , Yang Shi‐Hu , Wan Jian‐Min 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBoth cDNA and a genomic DNA fragment encoding a new potato proteinase inhibitor II were isolated from a diploid potato IVP101 (Solanum phurejia L.) and named PINII‐2x. Nucleotide sequencing confirmed that the DNA fragment of PINII‐2xwas 580 bp, including a 115‐bp intron and two exons. The deduced PINII‐2x protein contained an intact signal peptide and two active sites. The PINII‐2x gene and its deduced PINII‐2x protein had 88% and 93% homology with another tetraploid potato proteinase inhibitor II, respectively. Northern blotting analysis indicated that the mRNA of PINII‐2x gene was wound induced in potato leaves. Binary vector pNAR301 and pNAR302 were constructed for rice transformation, in which the PINII‐2x cDNA was driven, respectively, by rice actin I promoter (ActI) and maize ubiquitin promoter (UbiI). Via an Agrobacterium‐mediated method, these two constructs were transferred into japonica rice cv. Xiushui 63. PCR and Southern blotting analysis for transgenic rice revealed the integration of the PINII‐2x gene. Northern blotting analysis also confirmed transcripts of the PINII‐2x gene in transgenic rice plants. Insect bioassays using stripe stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker) demonstrated that the average weight and body length of larvae in transgenic plants were only nearly 50% and 61% of those of larvae in control plants, respectively. These results indicate that the PINII‐2x gene should be an effective insect‐resistance gene and could be valuable for application in crop breeding for insect resistance.(Managing editor: Li‐Hui Zhao)
Effects of Different Levels of Water Stress on Leaf Water Potential, Stomatal Resistance, Protein and Chlorophyll Content and Certain Anti‐oxidative Enzymes in Tomato Plants
Authors: Zgallaï Hatem , Steppe Kathy , Lemeur Raoul 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA greenhouse experiment was performed in order to investigate the effects of different levels of water stress on leaf water potential (Ψw), stomatal resistance (rs), protein content and chlorophyll (Chl) content of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Nikita). Water stress was induced by adding polyethylene glycol (PEG 6 000) to the nutrient solution to reduce the osmotic potential (Ψs). We investigated the behavior of anti‐oxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), during the development of water stress. Moderate and severe water stress (i.e. Ψs= ‐0.51 and ‐1.22 MPa, respectively) caused a decrease in Ψw for all treated (water‐stressed) plants compared with control plants, with the reduction being more pronounced for severely stressed plants. In addition, rs was significantly affected by the induced water stress and a decrease in leaf soluble proteins and Chl content was observed. Whereas CAT activity remained constant, SOD activity was increased in water‐stressed plants compared with unstressed plants. These results indicate the possible role of SOD as an anti‐oxidant protector system for plants under water stress conditions. Moreover, it suggests the possibility of using this enzyme as an additional screening criterion for detecting water stress in plants.(Managing editor: Ping He)
Screening for High‐Temperature Tolerant Cotton Cultivars by Testing In Vitro Pollen Germination, Pollen Tube Growth and Boll Retention
Authors: Liu Zhi , Yuan You‐Lu , Liu Shao‐Qing , Yu Xiao‐Nan , Rao Li‐Qun 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWith radical global climate change and global warming, high temperature stress has become one of major factors exerting a major influence on crop production. In the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)‐growing areas of China, especially in the Yangtze River valley, unexpected periodic episodes of extreme heat stress usually occur in July and August, the peak time of cotton flowering and boll loading, resulting in lower boll set and lint yield. Breeding programs for screening high temperature‐tolerant cotton germplasm and cultivars are urgent in order to stabilize yield in the current and future warmer weather conditions. In the present study, 14 cotton cultivars were quantified for in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube growth in response to temperatures ranging from 10 to 50 °C at 5 °C intervals. Different cotton genotypes varied in their in vitro pollen germination and pollen tube length responses to the different temperatures. Maximum pollen germination and pollen tube length ranged from 25.2% to 56.2% and from 414 to 682 μm, respectively. The average cardinal temperatures (Tmin, Topt, and Tmax) also varied among the 14 cultivars and were 11.8, 27.3, and 42.7 °C for pollen germination and 11.8, 27.8, and 44.1 °C for maximum pollen tube length. Variations in boll retention and boll numbers per plant in field experiments were found for the 14 cotton cultivars and the boll retention and boll retained per plant on 20 August varied considerably in different years according to weather conditions. Boll retention on 20 August was highly correlated with maximum pollen germination (R2= 0.84) and pollen tube length (R2=0.64). A screening method based on principle component analysis of the combination of pollen characteristics in an in vitro experiment and boll retention testing in the field environment was used in the present study and, as a result, the 14 cotton cultivars could be classified as tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately susceptible and susceptible to high temperature.(Managing editor: Li‐Hui Zhao)
Research Progresses on Auxin Response Factors
Authors: Wei Hai‐Bin , Cui Bai‐Ming , Ren Yan‐Li , Li Juan‐Hua , Liao Wei‐Bin , Xu Nan‐Fei , Peng Ming 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAuxin response factors (ARFs), a family of transcription factors, have been discovered recently. The ARFs bind specifically to the auxin response elements (AuxREs) within promoters of primary auxin responsive genes and function as activators or repressors. The ARFs contain three domains, namely a conserved N‐terminal DNA‐binding domain, a non‐conserved middle region, and a conserved C‐terminal dimerization domain. The ARFs can form a protein complex with auxin/indoleacetic acid through homodimerization or heterodimerization. The particular protein‐protein interaction may play a key role in modulating the expression of early auxin responsive genes. The identification of ARF mutations in Arabidopsis helps to demonstrate/dissect the function of ARFs in the normal growth and development of plants. Phylogenetic analysis also reveals some interesting protein evolution points in the ARF family.(Managing editor: Ping He)
Effect of endurance training on muscle microvascular filtration capacity and vascular bed morphometry in the elderly
Authors: Charles M. , Charifi N. , Verney J. , Pichot V. , Feasson L. , Costes F. , Denis C. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAim:  Exercise training is a strong stimulus for vascular remodelling and could restore age‐induced vascular alterations. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that an increase in vascular bed filtration capacity would corroborate microvascular adaptation with training.Methods:  We quantified (1) microvascularization from vastus lateralis muscle biopsy to measure the capillary to fibre interface (LC/PF) and (2) the microvascular filtration capacity (Kf) in lower limbs through a venous congestion plethysmography procedure. Twelve healthy older subjects (74 ± 4 years) were submitted to a 14‐week training programme during which lower‐limbs were trained for endurance exercise.Results:  The training programme induced a significant increase in the aerobic exercise capacity of lower limbs (+11%Vo2peak; P < 0.05; +28% Citrate Synthase Activity; P < 0.01). Kf was largely increased (4.3 ± 0.9 10−3 mL min−1 mmHg−1 100 mL−1 post‐training vs. 2.4 ± 0.8 pre‐training, mean ± SD; P < 0.05) and microvascularization developed as shown by the rise in LC/PF (0.29 ± 0.06 post‐ vs. 0.23 ± 0.06 pre‐training; P < 0.05). Furthermore, Kf and LC/PF were correlated (r = 0.65, P < 0.05).Conclusion:  These results demonstrated the microvascular adaptation to endurance training in the elderly. The increase in Kf with endurance training was probably related to a greater surface of exchange with an increased microvessel/fibre interface area. We conclude that measurement of the microvascular filtration rate reflects the change in the muscle exchange area and is influenced by exercise training.
Antidiphtheria Antibody Responses in Patients and Carriers ofCorynebacterium diphtheriaein the Arkhangelsk Region of Russia
Authors: Danilova Elena , Jenum Pål A. , Skogen Vegard , Pilnikov Valentin F. , Sjursen Haakon 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTDiphtheria is under control in industrialized countries. However, single cases and outbreaks still occur and the disease is not completely understood. Forty-three individuals suspected of having diphtheria who were referred to the Infectious Disease Hospital of Arkhangelsk from December 1994 to March 1995 were included in this study. Fifteen patients were diagnosed as having diphtheria and received equine hyperimmune antidiphtheria toxin antiserum, and 28 were diagnosed as carriers, 12 with nondiphtherial tonsillitis or pharyngitis and 16 without symptoms. Serum samples were obtained on admission and during the course of the disease or during follow-up of carrier status. Samples were analyzed for antibodies against diphtheria toxin with both an in vitro neutralization test (NT) and a human-specific enzyme immunoassay. All of the cases but one were confirmed by a positive culture. Twelve patients had pharyngeal diphtheria, and three had combined laryngeal and pharyngeal disease. Half of the patients had life-threatening disease, and one died. On admission, the median antibody titers measured with the NT were 0.085 IU/ml for the patients, 5.12 IU/ml for the symptomatic carriers, and 10.24 IU/ml for the healthy carriers. All of the diphtheria patients but one and nine of the carriers (six symptomatic and three healthy) had increased antibody levels during the first 7 to 10 days after admission. No obvious correlation was revealed between the antibody level or its kinetics and the course of the disease. Antibody levels on admission of >1 IU/ml were associated with a low risk of diphtheria.
Analysis of Serum Antibodies in Patients Suspected of Having Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Jaskowski Troy D. , Litwin Christine M. , Hill Harry R. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the general term used for a heterogeneous group of intestinal disorders, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Serological markers such as anti-
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
antibodies (ASCA) and atypical perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (atypical pANCA) have proven useful in the diagnosis and differentiation of CD and UC. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody directed against the outer membrane protein C (OmpC) of
Escherichia coli
is said by one group to have clinical utility in diagnosing IBD, specifically in ASCA-negative CD patients. Our objective in this study was to compare the results obtained from two separate laboratories offering similar IBD tests using sera from suspected IBD patients. One hundred ninety-seven sera received for IBD testing were included in the study. The agreement between the two laboratories was 93.4% for ASCA IgA, 90.9% for ASCA IgG, and 87.8% for atypical pANCA IgG. There were 25 sera with ASCA-negative/OmpC-positive results reported by one laboratory. Thirteen of these 25 (52.0%) ASCA-negative/OmpC-positive sera were also atypical pANCA positive (9 as determined by both laboratories, 3 by one, and 1 by the other). Atypical pANCA antibody is found primarily in IBD patients with UC and colon-limited CD (Crohn's colitis). We conclude that the ASCA and atypical pANCA assays showed good agreement between the two laboratories, but the data for ASCA-negative/OmpC-positive sera suggest that many (52.0%) of these patients were more likely to have had UC or Crohn's colitis based on the presence of an atypical pANCA.
Fatal Myocardial Necrosis Caused by
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
and Cytomegalovirus in a Patient with Scleroderma
Authors: Pirilä Laura , Söderström Karl-Ove , Hietarinta Marja , Jalava Jari , Kytö Ville , Toivanen Auli 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

A 42-year-old woman developed a rapidly progressing fatal heart failure. At the autopsy extensive necrosis of the myocardium was seen, with an almost complete absence of inflammatory cells and the presence of bacterial structures identified as
Staphylococcus lugdunensis
by PCR. In addition, the cytomegalovirus genome was found to be located inside the cardiomyocytes.
Identification of Extended-Spectrum, AmpC, and Carbapenem- Hydrolyzing β-Lactamases in
Escherichia coli
and
Klebsiella pneumoniae
by Disk Tests
Authors: Jacoby George A. , Walsh Kelley E. , Walker Victoria J. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic disks with and without clavulanic acid, 3-aminophenylboronic acid, or EDTA were tested with a set of 55
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and
Escherichia coli
strains producing well-characterized extended-spectrum, AmpC, or carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamases. A relatively simple scheme was devised for distinguishing β-lactamase types in clinical isolates with or without intact outer membrane porins.
Isolation of
Bartonella henselae
DNA from the Peripheral Blood of a Patient with Cat Scratch Disease up to 4 Months after the Cat Scratch Injury
Authors: Arvand Mardjan , Schäd Susanne G. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

We report the case of a girl with cervical lymphadenitis and a persistent primary lesion of cat scratch disease (CSD).
Bartonella henselae
DNA was isolated from plasma samples collected 3 and 4 months after the cat scratch, indicating that recurrent and long-term shedding of
Bartonella
DNA into peripheral blood may occur in typical CSD.
Evaluation of the Epidemiological Relevance of Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Genotyping ofMycobacterium bovisand Comparison of the Method with IS6110Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis and Spoligotyping
Authors: Allix Caroline , Walravens Karl , Saegerman Claude , Godfroid Jacques , Supply Philip , Fauville-Dufaux Maryse 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTSources ofMycobacterium boviscontamination remain unclear for many cases of animal and human disease. A major limitation is the lack of sufficiently informative or epidemiologically well evaluated molecular methods for typing. Here, we report an evaluation of a high-throughput method based on 29 mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) loci to genotype 127M. bovisisolates from cattle from 77 different Belgian farms, representative of a nationwide collection obtained from 1995 to 2003. MIRU-VNTR stability was demonstrated by analyzing a series of 74 isolates in total, obtained from different animals from a single farm or from different farms with an identified epidemiological link. The genotyping results and the genotypic diversity (h) were compared with those obtained by IS6110restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and spoligotyping. Among 68 isolates with no known epidemiological link, MIRU-VNTR typing discriminated better than either RFLP analysis or spoligotyping, with isolates taken individually (32 versus 16 and 17 genotypes;h= 0.91 versus 0.73 and 0.85, respectively) or in combination (32 versus 28 genotypes;h= 0.91 versus 0.92). Maximal resolution was already achieved with a subset of 9 loci. The observed congruence of the genetic relationships based on IS6110RFLP analysis, spoligotyping, and MIRU-VNTR markers is consistent with a clonal population structure ofM. bovis.These results support MIRU-VNTR typing as a convenient and discriminatory technique for analysis of the population structure ofM. bovisin much greater detail and for addressing some still unresolved issues in the epidemiology of the pathogen.
Novel Recombinant Norovirus Causing Outbreaks of Gastroenteritis in Santiago, Chile
Authors: Vidal Roberto , Roessler Patricia , Solari Verónica , Vollaire Jimena , Jiang Xi , Matson David O. , Mamani Nora , Prado Valeria , O'Ryan Miguel L. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT
Capsid and polymerase (RdRp) genes of 13 norovirus outbreak strains from Chile were compared. The genes sequences were discordant for five strains, and recombination was confirmed for two of them by amplification of a 1,360-bp gene segment containing a fragment of both genes. These strains belonged to a novel genogroup by RdRp sequence and to genogroup GII/3 by capsid sequence. Determining the clinical and epidemiological impact of human calicivirus recombination will require future studies.
Nongastric
Helicobacter
Species Detected in the Intestinal Tract of Children
Authors: Zhang Li , Day Andrew , McKenzie Gavin , Mitchell Hazel 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

The presence of members of the family
Helicobacteraceae
in the colon of children was investigated using PCR, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and fluorescent in situ hybridization. The rate of detection of species belonging to the
Helicobacteraceae
family in children with inflammatory bowel disease (92%) and irritable bowel syndrome (100%) was found to be significantly higher than that in healthy children (25%) (
P
< 0.05).
Use of the GenoType Mycobacterium CM and AS Assays To Analyze 76 Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Isolates from Greece
Authors: Gitti Zoe , Neonakis Ioannis , Fanti Garyfallia , Kontos Fanourios , Maraki Sofia , Tselentis Yiannis 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT
Seventy-six nontuberculous mycobacterial isolates obtained from patients living in Greece were analyzed with the GenoType Mycobacterium CM (for common mycobacteria) and AS (for additional species) assays. GenoType correctly identified all but one of the mycobacterial species. For this species, additional probes should be designed and added to the strip.
First Report of Septicemia Caused by an Obligately Anaerobic
Staphylococcus aureus
Infection in a Human
Authors: Peake Sandra L. , Peter John Victor , Chan Louisa , Wise Rolf P. , Butcher Andrew R. , Grove David I. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT

In this case report, we describe the first instance of septicemia caused by an obligately anaerobic
Staphylococcus aureus
in a human. A 45-year-old man presented with septicemia, septic arthritis, and multiple pulmonary abscesses, which were caused by an obligately anaerobic
S. aureus
. The clinical and microbiological features that led to the diagnosis are discussed. Genotyping cannot at present reliably separate
S. aureus
subsp.
aureus
from
S. aureus
subsp.
anaerobius
, but phenotypic characteristics suggest that the present isolate is a previously undescribed strain of anaerobic
Staphylococcus aureus
.