bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic characterisation of circulating fetal cells allows non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Saker Ali , Benachi Alexandra , Bonnefont Jean Paul , Munnich Arnold , Dumez Yves , Lacour Bernard , Paterlini‐Brechot Patrizia 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjectivesCystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease due to mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The purpose of this study was to develop a molecular method to characterise both paternal and maternal CFTR alleles in DNA from circulating fetal cells (CFCs) isolated by ISET (isolation by size of epithelial tumour/trophoblastic cells).MethodsThe molecular protocol was defined by developing the F508del mutation analysis and addressing it both to single trophoblastic cells, isolated by ISET and identified by short tandem repeats (STR) genotyping, and to pooled trophoblastic genomes, thus avoiding the risk of allele drop out (ADO). This protocol was validated in 100 leucocytes from F508del carriers and subsequently blindly applied to the blood (5 mL) of 12 pregnant women, at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation, whose offspring had a 1/4 risk of CF. Ten couples were carriers of F508del mutation, while two were carriers of unknown CFTR mutations.ResultsResults showed that one fetus was affected, seven were heterozygous carriers of a CFTR mutation, and four were healthy homozygotes. These findings were consistent with those obtained by chorionic villus sampling (CVS).ConclusionOur data show that the ISET‐CF approach affords reliable prenatal diagnosis (PND) of cystic fibrosis and is potentially applicable to pregnant women at risk of having an affected child, thus avoiding the risk of iatrogenic miscarriage. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Epidemiological evaluation of intraoperative antibiosis as a protective agent against endophthalmitis after cataract surgery
Authors: Krummenauer Frank , Kurz Sabine , Dick H. Burkhard 
Published: July 2006

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate risk factors for endophthalmitis after cataract surgery and to retest recent findings on the protective effect of intraoperative antibiosis and the promoting effect of the clear corneal as compared to sclerocorneal incision.DesignSurvey study.ParticipantsFive hundred thirty‐eight ophthalmosurgical centers in Germany.Main Outcome MeasureResponder specific endophthalmitis incidence.ResultsA total of 310 (58%) questionnaires were computed resulting in an overall count of 404 356 cataract surgeries and 291 self‐reported endophthalmitis cases (crude rate 0.072%). The risk of postoperative endophthalmitis for sclerocorneal versus clear corneal incisions was not significantly reduced (relative risk 0.97, 99% confidence interval 0.69–1.38). The hypothesis of a protective effect of intraocular antibiosis could be confirmed by a significantly decreased risk ratio of 0.69 (99% confidence interval 0.48–0.99) indicating a significant benefit from intraoperative intraocular antibiosis. A similar tendency was observed for an intraoperative periocular antibiosis with a significantly reduced risk ratio of 0.68 (99% confidence interval 0.49–0.96). These risk estimates had been adjusted for the size of the surgical center: a significantly reduced risk ratio of 0.70 (99% confidence interval 0.49–0.98) for postoperative endophthalmitis was observed for local centers.ConclusionsWhereas this 2001 appraisal of a survey in 1996 could not reproduce the benefit of sclerocorneal incision, the protective effect of intraoperative intraocular antibiotic prophylaxis could be confirmed. However, the results of this survey have to be interpreted with care, since it is not based on individual case information, but rather on aggregate questionnaire data. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feeding and attraction of non‐target flies to spinosad‐based fruit fly bait
Authors: Wang Xin‐Geng , Messing Russell H 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA spinosad‐based fruit fly bait, GF‐120, has recently become a primary tool for area‐wide suppression or eradication of pest tephritid fruit flies. The present study assessed the attraction and feeding of five non‐target fly species to GF‐120 in Hawaii. These non‐target flies include three beneficial tephritid species [Eutreta xanthochaeta (Aldrich), Tetreuaresta obscuriventris (Loew), Ensina sonchi (L.)] introduced for weed biological control, an endemic Hawaiian tephritid [Trupanea dubautiae (Bryan)] (all Diptera: Tephritidae) and the cosmopolitan Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae). All five non‐target fly species were susceptible to GF‐120, as was the target pest Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). Feeding on, or even brief tasting of, GF‐120 killed all fly species within 2 h. When individual flies were provided with a choice of GF‐120 or honey solution, there was no difference in the frequency of first food encounter by E. xanthochaeta, D. melanogaster or C. capitata. The other three non‐target species approached honey more often than GF‐120 in their first food encounter. Feeding times on GF‐120 and honey were not significantly different for D. melanogaster and C. capitata, while the other four non‐target species fed longer on honey than on GF‐120. There was no significant difference in feeding time on honey versus GF‐120 between males and females of each species. These results suggest that area‐wide treatment using GF‐120 for the purpose of eradication of pest fruit flies has potential negative impacts on these and other non‐target fly species in Hawaii. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
I‐conotoxin superfamily revisited
Authors: Mondal Sukanta , Babu Rajasekaran Mohan , Bhavna Rajasekaran , Ramakumar Suryanarayanarao 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe I‐conotoxin superfamily (I‐Ctx) is known to have four disulfide bonds with the cysteine arrangement C‐C‐CC‐CC‐C‐C, and the members inhibit or modify ion channels of nerve cells. Recently, Olivera and co‐workers (FEBS J. 2005; 272: 4178–4188) have suggested that the previously described I‐Ctx should now be divided into two different gene superfamilies, namely, I1 and I2, in view of their having two different types of signal peptides and exhibiting distinct functions. We have revisited the 28 entries presently grouped as I‐Ctx in UniProt Swiss‐Prot knowledgebase, and on the basis of in silico analysis have divided them into I1 and I2 superfamilies. The sequence analysis has provided a framework for in silico annotation enabling us to carry out computer‐based functional characterization of the UniProtKB/TrEMBL entry Q59AA4 from Conus miles and to predict it as a member of the I2 superfamily. Furthermore, we have predicted the mature toxin of this entry and have proposed that it may be an inhibitor of voltage‐gated potassium channels. Copyright © 2006 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of Anethum graveolens L. on female reproductive system
Authors: Monsefi M. , Ghasemi M. , Bahaoddini A. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) extracts on the female reproductive system were studied in 54 Wistar female rats with regular estrous cycle in six groups. The experimental groups were fed with 0.045 g/kg and 0.45 g/kg of aqueous extract, 0.5 g/kg and 5 g/kg of ethanol extract for 10 days. The sham group was fed with solvent and the controls received no treatment. The estrous cycle changes were determined by daily vaginal smear changes. At the beginning and at the end of the experiment blood samples were provided to determine the blood estradiol and progesterone concentration. The ovaries were prepared histologically and the volume of different follicles was estimated. A significant increase was observed in the duration of the estrous cycle and in the diestrus phase and the progesterone concentration in high dose extract treatment. The stereological study did not reveal any significant changes in the volumes of ovaries, primary, secondary and graafian follicles. Dill can be used either as a regulatory agent of the menstrual cycle for women with irregular cycles or as an antifertility agent. More studies are needed to clarify the properties of this herb. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Effects of thymoquinone (volatile oil of black cumin) on rheumatoid arthritis in rat models
Authors: Tekeoglu Ibrahim , Dogan Ali , Demiralp Levent 
Published: July 2006

AbstractMany studies have been carried out in recent years on the pharmacological effects of nigella sativa seeds that have uncovered their antiinflammatory and immunological effects. The objective of this study was to explore the antiinflammatory effects of thymoquinone on arthritis in rat models. Rats with arthritis induced by Freund's incomplete adjuvant were assigned into five groups: group 1: controls 0.9% NaCl (n = 7); group 2: 2.5 mg/kg thymoquinone (n = 7); group 3: 5 mg/kg thymoquinone (n = 7); group 4: Bacilli Chalmette Guerin (BCG) 6 × 105 CFU (n = 7); group 5: methotrexate 0.3 mg/kg (n = 7). Signs of inflammation on the claw and radiological signs were searched for and TNF‐alpha and IL‐1beta were measured. The results of control and other groups were compared. As a result, thymoquinone, confirmed clinically and radiologically, suppressed adjuvant‐induced arthritis in rats. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorous 2,4‐Dichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine (F‐DCT) as an Amide Coupling Agent
Authors: Zhang Wei , Lu Yimin 
Published: July 2006

Abstract1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H‐perfluoroundecanol displaced 2,4‐dichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine 5 is synthesized and used as a condensation agent for amide synthesis. Two active sites on the triazine ring lead to formation of two equivalents of amidation products. The purification of reaction mixtures is accomplished by plate‐to‐plate fluorous solid‐phase extraction.
Rapid Oligosaccharide and Peptide Syntheses on a Recyclable Fluorous Support
Authors: Mizuno Mamoru , Goto Kohtaro , Miura Tsuyoshi , Inazu Toshiyuki 
Published: July 2006

AbstractA hexakisfluorous chain‐type alcohol 7 was used in the synthesis of oligosaccharide and peptides through connection with a linker suitable for the particular type of target compound. After the preparation of the desired compound, the fluorous alcohol was easily recovered in good yields under basic conditions. It appears that the fluorous alcohol can be recovered, recycled, and reused.
Latent‐variable models for longitudinal data with bivariate ordinal outcomes
Authors: Todem David , Kim KyungMann , Lesaffre Emmanuel 
Published: July 2006

AbstractWe use the concept of latent variables to derive the joint distribution of bivariate ordinal outcomes, and then extend the model to allow for longitudinal data. Specifically, we relate the observed ordinal outcomes using threshold values to a bivariate latent variable, which is then modelled as a linear mixed model. Random effects terms are used to tie all together repeated observations from the same subject. The cross‐sectional association between the two outcomes is modelled through the correlation coefficient of the bivariate latent variable, conditional on random effects. Assuming conditional independence given random effects, the marginal likelihood, under the missing data at random assumption, is approximated using an adaptive Gaussian quadrature for numerical integration. The model provides fixed effects parameters that are subject‐specific, but retain the population‐averaged interpretation when properly scaled. This is particularly well suited for the situation in which population comparisons and individual level contrasts are of equal importance. Data from a psychiatric trial, the Fluvoxamine (an antidepressant drug) study, are used to illustrate the methodology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shifts in foci and priorities. Different relevance of requirements to changing goals yields conflicting prioritizations and is viewpoint‐dependent
Authors: Hoorn Johan F. , Breuker Mark E. , Kok Evelien 
Published: July 2006

AbstractStakeholders judge goal relevance and software–development project requirements differently, considering them from a business versus a personal viewpoint. Three empirical studies provided evidence that stakeholders' personal goals for a system are valued higher than business goals and that, moreover, changes in personal goals lead to significantly more prioritization activity than changes in business goals. In Study 1, police officers expressed their agreement to a list of requirements on a Capacity Management System from a business and a personal viewpoint. We found a ‘requirements‐analysis rift,’ indicating that stakeholders regard requirements as business‐related, agreeing with them even if these requirements do not match their personal goals. In Study 2, science students rank‐ordered the same list of requirements on an e‐learning environment from a university and a personal perspective. In Study 3, we conducted a similar study with a sample of financial consultants. The latter two studies revealed that, when personal goals changed, prioritization shifts were stronger than when business goals changed. In addition, we suggest a method using the Spearman rho statistic to calculate changes in requirements prioritization under different conditions of goal change. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acceptance and relationship context: a model of substance use disorder treatment outcome
Authors: Gifford Elizabeth V. , Ritsher Jennifer B. , McKellar John D. , Moos Rudolf H. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTAims  This study presented and tested a model of behavior change in long‐term substance use disorder recovery, the acceptance and relationship context (ARC) model. The model specifies that acceptance‐based behavior and constructive social relationships lead to recovery, and that treatment programs with supportive, involved relationships facilitate the development of these factors.Design  This study used a prospective longitudinal naturalistic design and controlled for baseline levels of study variables.Setting and participants  The model was tested on a sample of 2549 patients in 15 residential substance use disorder treatment programs.Measurements  Acceptance‐based responding (ABR), social relationship quality (SRQ), treatment program alliance (TPA) and substance use‐related impairment were assessed using interviews and self‐report questionnaires.Findings  TPA predicted ABR and SRQ and, in turn, ABR predicted better 2‐year and 5‐year treatment outcomes. The baseline‐controlled model accounted for 41% of the variance in outcome at 2‐year follow‐up and 28% of the variance in outcome at 5‐year follow‐up.Conclusions  Patients from treatment programs with an affiliative relationship network are more likely to respond adaptively to internal states associated previously with substance use, develop constructive social relationships and achieve long‐term treatment benefits.
The activity budgets and activity patterns of sympatric grey rhebok and mountain reedbuck in a highveld grassland area of South Africa
Authors: Taylor W. A. , Skinner J. D. , Krecek R. C. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBehavioural observations were carried out on grey rhebok and mountain reedbuck at Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, South Africa, for a period of 1 year between May 2001 and April 2002. Four harem herds of grey rhebok, five territorial male mountain reedbuck and female mountain reedbuck (herds grouped as one individual) were monitored to determine activity budgets and activity patterns. Both species spent more time feeding in the late afternoon during relatively cool temperatures, and more time resting in the middle of the day during relatively high temperatures. Statistical comparisons between the two species of the percentage time feeding and resting found no differences between them, although mountain reedbuck spent more time resting overall than grey rhebok. Both species were active at night.
Early indicators of immunodeficiency in adults and children: protocols for screening for primary immunological defects
Authors: Sewell W A C , Khan S , Doré P C 
Published: July 2006

Summary
Early recognition of primary immunodeficiency is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality, and yet failure to recognize these conditions is still a major problem for clinicians around the world. The problem is that general practitioners, physicians and paediatricians lack familiarity with these rare disorders, and lack guidance regarding the appropriate use of immunological investigations. A working party from the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID) has published screening protocols for these rare disorders, which aim to help select which tests should be done in which patients. The success of these proposals will depend on all immunologists disseminating this information in a format that is suitable for the busy generalist, who may not be familiar with these immunological tests and concepts. Laboratories should expect increasing requests for these screening investigations, and should make themselves familiar with these protocols so that appropriate second-line investigations can be arranged in a timely fashion. Speedy and effective communication between the laboratory and clinician is essential, and clinically interpreted reports are mandatory. Although these protocols are part of a screening process, their effectiveness in practice remains to be established, and further refinement will be required over time. The early involvement of the clinical immunologist in cases of suspected immunodeficiency is key.
Anti-C1q antibodies in hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Saadoun D , Sadallah S , Trendelenburg M , Limal N , Sene D , Piette J C , Schifferli J A , Cacoub P 
Published: July 2006

SummaryAutoantibodies against C1q have been described in many immune-complex diseases including hypocomplementaemic urticarial vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). No study has focused on the role of anti-C1q antibodies in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this study was (i) to evaluate the prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies in HCV infection; and (ii) to analyse the association of anti-C1q antibodies with clinical and biological features of HCV–mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) vasculitis. We searched for anti-C1q antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test in 111 HCV patients (75 had cryoglobulin and 23 systemic vasculitis), 60 SLE patients and 109 blood donors. Anti-C1q antibodies were detected in 26% of HCV patients compared to 10% of healthy donors (P &lt; 0·01), and 38% in patients with SLE. Although there was a higher prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies among HCV patients with type III cryoglobulin (50%, P &lt; 0·01), the overall prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies was similar in HCV patients being cryoglobulin-positive or cryoglobulin-negative (26%versus 25%, P = 0·98). A significant association was found between anti-C1q antibodies and low C4 fraction of complement (P &lt; 0·05). No association was found between anti-C1q antibodies and HCV genotype, severity of liver disease or with specific clinical signs of HCV–MC vasculitis. This study shows an increased prevalence of anti-C1q antibodies in HCV-infected patients. Anti-C1q antibodies were associated with low C4 levels. No association was found between anti-C1q antibodies and HCV–MC vasculitis, nor between anti-C1q antibodies and cryoglobulinaemia.
The BRAF mutation is useful for prediction of clinical recurrence in low‐risk patients with conventional papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Kim Tae Yong , Kim Won Bae , Rhee Yoon Soo , Song Ja Young , Kim Jung Min , Gong Gyungyub , Lee Seungkoo , Kim Sang Yoon , Kim Seong Chul , Hong Suck Joon , Shong Young Kee 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground  The activating BRAFV600E mutation is the most common genetic alteration reported in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). While some reports suggest the BRAFV600E mutation is associated with factors predicting a poor prognosis and recurrence, this remains a controversial issue.Aim  To determine whether the presence of the BRAFV600E mutation is a prognostic indicator for clinical recurrence in low‐risk patients with conventional PTC.Patients and methods  The study involved 203 conventional PTC patients who underwent total or near‐total thyroidectomy followed by immediate 131I ablation of the remnants. Patients with antithyroglobulin antibodies and those with extracervical metastases at presentation were excluded. DNA was extracted from paraffin‐embedded tumour specimens, and the presence of the BRAFV600E mutation was evaluated using PCR amplification and direct sequencing.Results  The BRAFV600E mutation was found to be present in 149 (73·4%) of 203 patients. The BRAFV600E mutation was correlated with male gender (P = 0·006) and with tumour size (P = 0·005). While there appeared to be an association between the BRAFV600E mutation and extrathyroid extension, this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0·062). During follow‐up of the 203 patients (median 7·3 years; range 0·7–10·0 years), 36 (18%) patients experienced recurrence. While univariate analysis showed the BRAFV600E mutation was associated with tumour recurrence (21% with mutation vs 7% without mutation; P = 0·037), this association was not shown following multivariate analyses adjusting for the clinicopathological prognostic factors of age, gender, tumour size, extrathyroid extension, multifocality and lymph node metastasis.Conclusions  Although the BRAFV600E mutation was found to be associated with a higher clinical recurrence of disease in low‐risk conventional PTC patients, it was not an independent predictor.
Pituitary–ovarian response to the gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone‐agonist test in anovulatory patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: predictive role of ovarian stroma
Authors: Fulghesu A. M. , Angioni S. , Belosi C. , Apa R. , Selvaggi L. , Ciampelli M. , Iuculano A. , Melis G. B. , Lanzone A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryObjective  To evaluate the influence of ovarian stroma on basal and poststimulus androgen secretion in patients affected by secondary amenorrhoea and polycystic ovaries (PCO) at ultrasound (US).Design  Prospective study.Patients  Fifty‐one patients with PCO selected from a group of 72 normal weight women aged 20–25 years affected by secondary amenorrhoea and 10 normal ovulatory controls.Methods  All subjects underwent US to evaluate volume, area, stromal area and stromal/total area ratio of both ovaries. Plasma levels of gonadotrophins, oestradiol (E2) and androgens were measured before and 24 h after GnRH‐a injection. 60 min after stimulus LH and FSH were also assayed.Results  Thirty patients had increased ovarian stroma (IS) and 21 patients normal ovarian stroma (NS). Significantly higher LH levels characterized the IS group, both basally and after GnRH‐a stimulation compared with NS and controls (P < 0·01). Baseline levels of androstenedione, testosterone and 17‐OHprogesterone (17‐OHP) were significantly higher in IS group. Moreover, 17‐OHP hyper‐response to GnRH‐a was demonstrated in IS group in comparison to NS and control groups (P < 0·005).Conclusions  Stroma evaluation may be of use in discriminating between different pathogenic factors in secondary amenorrhoea. This criterion may be applied to support the correct diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Indeed, in line with the most recently proposed guidelines, patients affected by multifollicular ovaries could be classified as PCOS. The possibility of taking into account more than one US criterion or of carefully reanalysing the significance of increased stroma volume should be considered.