bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significant sequence similarities in promoters and precursors of Arabidopsis thaliana non-conserved microRNAs
Authors: Wang Yu , Hindemitt Tobias , Mayer Klaus F. X. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Some plant microRNAs have been shown to be de novo generated by inverted duplication from their target genes. Subsequent duplication events potentially generate multigene microRNA families. Within this article we provide supportive evidence for the inverted duplication model of plant microRNA evolution. First, we report that the precursors of four Arabidopsis thaliana microRNA families, miR157, miR158, miR405 and miR447 share nearly identical nucleotide sequences throughout the whole miRNA precursor between the family members. The extent and degree of sequence conservation is suggestive of recent evolutionary duplication events. Furthermore we found that sequence similarities are not restricted to the transcribed part but extend into the promoter regions. Thus the duplication event most probably included the promoter regions as well. Conserved elements in upstream regions of miR163 and its targets were also detected. This implies that the inverted duplication of target genes, at least in certain cases, had included the promoters of the target genes. Sequence conservation within promoters of miRNA families as well as between miRNA and its potential progenitor gene can be exploited for understanding the regulation of microRNA genes.
Contact: Kmayer@gsf.de
Supplementary Material: Web supplementary information is available at . Further supplementary material is available on Bioinformatics online.
Physical and psychological co‐morbidity in irritable bowel syndrome: a matched cohort study using the General Practice Research Database
Authors: JONES R. , LATINOVIC R. , CHARLTON J. , GULLIFORD M. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome is a common problem known to have a complex relationship with psychological disorders and other physical symptoms. Little information, however, is available concerning physical and psychological comorbidity in irritable bowel syndrome patients studied over an extended period.AimTo evaluate physical and psychological morbidity 2 years before and during 6 years after the time of diagnosis in incident cases of irritable bowel syndrome and control subjects.MethodsA matched cohort study was implemented in 123 general practices using the General Practice Research Database. Irritable bowel syndrome cases (n = 1827) and controls (n = 3654) were compared for 2 years before and 6 years after diagnosis.ResultsThe age‐standardized incidence of irritable bowel syndrome in patients over 15 years of age was 1.9 per 1000 in men and 5.8 per 1000 in women. From 2 years before the date of diagnosis, more irritable bowel syndrome cases (13%) than controls (5%) consulted with depression or were prescribed antidepressant drugs. Consultation and prescription rates for anxiety were also higher before diagnosis, and both anxiety and depression remained prevalent up to 6 years after diagnosis. Asthma, symptoms of urinary tract infection, gall‐bladder surgery, hysterectomy and diverticular disease were recorded more frequently in irritable bowel syndrome patients, who were also more likely than controls to be referred to hospital.ConclusionsPeople who are diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome experience more anxiety and depression and a range of physical problems, compared with controls; they are more likely to be referred to hospital.
Theory and explanation in child welfare: education and looked‐after children
Authors: Berridge David 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTEmpirical child welfare research in England takes insufficient account of wider social theory. Intellectual, professional and political reasons for this are discussed. The implications are considered in relation to one important social problem: the low educational achievement of children looked after by local authorities (‘in care’). It is concluded that the absence of a broader sociological perspective has led to insufficient and simplistic explanations from researchers and policy‐makers of low achievement among looked‐after pupils. It is unwise to rely on official statistics on educational outcome indicators for looked‐after pupils. Previous conceptualization of poor educational performance has been inadequate, and we should refer to low achievement, not ‘underachievement’. The socio‐economic risk factors that are linked with family breakdown and admission to care also predict low educational achievement, such as social class and poverty. Social mobility and transition to adulthood are increasingly problematic in England, making it difficult for care leavers to improve their social position. Parental maltreatment is strongly linked with educational failure. Other countries may do no better than England does. Thus, it is by no means obvious that the care system necessarily jeopardizes looked‐after children’s education.
Interleukin-12 is involved in the enhancement of human natural killer cell activity byLactobacillus caseiShirota
Authors: Takeda K , Suzuki T , Shimada S-I , Shida K , Nanno M , Okumura K 
Published: August 2006

SummaryWe conducted a placebo-controlled, cross-over trial to examine the effect of Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) on natural killer (NK) cell activity in humans. NK cell activity exhibited a declining trend during the period of placebo ingestion, but NK cell activity increased after intake for 3 weeks of fermented milk containing 4 × 1010 live LcS. When human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured in the presence of heat-killed LcS, NK cell activity was enhanced. The ability of LcS to enhance NK cell activity and induce interleukin (IL)-12 production was correlated, and the addition of anti-IL-12 monoclonal antibody reduced the enhancement of NK cell activity triggered by LcS. In addition, separation of NK cells from LcS-stimulated monocytes with membrane filter reduced NK cell activity to the intermediate level and almost deprived monocytes of the ability to produce IL-12. These results demonstrate that LcS can enhance NK cell activity in vivo and in vitro in humans, and IL-12 may be responsible for enhancement of NK cell activity triggered by LcS.
De novo expression of MECA‐79 glycoprotein‐determinant on developing B lymphocytes in gut‐associated lymphoid tissues
Authors: Sinha Rajesh K. , Yang Guibin , Alexander Cornelius , Mage Rose G. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryRabbit is one of several species that depend on development of B lymphocytes in gut‐associated lymphoid tissues for primary immunoglobulin‐repertoire diversification. The rabbit appendix is an important site of early B‐lymphocyte development. We previously reported that peripheral lymph node addressin detected by monoclonal antibody (mAb) MECA‐79 played a role in recruitment of immature blood‐borne B cells into neonatal rabbit appendix. Here, we report expression of an ∼127 000 MW O‐linked sulphated proteoglycan on developing B cells in appendix and Peyer's patches recognized by the mAb MECA‐79. Binding of the mAb to B lymphocytes was sensitive to enzyme treatment with O‐sialoglycoprotease and expression was partially inhibited by sodium chlorate, a metabolic inhibitor of sulphation. The proportions of MECA‐79+ B lymphocytes gradually increased from < 0·5% at 3 days to > 70% at 6 weeks in appendix and Peyer's patches. The proportions of MECA‐79+ B lymphocytes in spleen and peripheral blood were very low (0·5–2%). However, the MECA‐79 determinant was detected on B cells in splenic germinal centres after immunization. In situ labelling of appendix cells showed that the MECA‐79 determinant was expressed on fluorescein‐labelled B lymphocytes that migrated from appendix into mesenteric lymph nodes. B‐cell MECA‐79 may be involved in interactions with T cells and/or dendritic cells. Alternatively, because we found that lymphatic endothelium in the thymus‐dependent area of appendix, a site for lymphocyte exit, expressed P‐selectin (CD62P), interaction of the MECA‐79 determinant on B cells with CD62P may have a role in the exit of B lymphocytes from rabbit appendix.
Assessing the relationships between contextual factors and research utilization in nursing: systematic literature review
Authors: Meijers Judith M.M. , Janssen Maaike A.P. , Cummings Greta G. , Wallin Lars , Estabrooks Carole A. , Y.G. Halfens Ruud 
Published: August 2006

Aim.  This paper reports a systematic literature review examining relationships between contextual factors and research utilization in nursing, examining the strength of these relationships, and mapping the contextual factors to the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services model of research implementation.Background.  Healthcare organizations have long struggled with how to improve clinical care outcomes. Understanding which contextual factors enhance nursing research utilization may support organizations in creating environments that facilitate the uptake of evidence in nursing practice to improve these outcomes.Methods.  A search of five electronic bibliographic databases and a manual search of specific journals were conducted for studies that were published in English and examined contextual factors as independent variables and research utilization as the dependent variable from the perspective of nurses working in clinical practice. The studies were assessed for quality of design, sample, measurement and statistical analysis.Results.  Ten papers met the search criteria. Six contextual factors were identified as having a statistically significant relationship with research utilization, namely the role of the nurse, multi‐faceted access to resources, organizational climate, multi‐faceted support, time for research activities and provision of education. The contextual factors could successfully be mapped to the dimensions of context in the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework (context, culture, leadership), with the exception of evaluation.Conclusion.  The strength of the relationship between the six contextual factors and research utilization by nurses is still largely unknown as (a) few studies were found of sufficient quality because of methodological limitations and (b) the results in reviewed studies were mixed. More robust methods in future work would yield a better understanding of the full impact of contextual factors on nurses’ use of research.
Night‐to‐night alterations in sleep apnea type in patients with heart failure
Authors: TKACOVA R. , WANG H. , BRADLEY T. D. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryIn patients with heart failure, apnea type can shift overnight from mainly obstructive to mainly central in association with reductions in PCO2 and increases in periodic breathing cycle length, indicative of a fall in cardiac output. We hypothesized that the predominant apnea type could also vary from one night to another in association with alterations in PCO2 and cycle length. We studied 12 men with heart failure in whom the predominant apnea type changed from one night to the next over periods of at least 1 month, and two groups with either predominantly obstructive or central sleep apnea (OSA or CSA) in whom apnea type remained stable over time. In patients with unstable apnea type (n = 12, duration between sleep studies 9.0 ± 4.4 months), PCO2 was significantly lower (37.6 ± 1.6 mmHg versus 41.7 ± 1.9 mmHg, P < 0.01), and cycle length significantly longer (61.9 ± 3.4 s versus 51.0 ± 1.9 s, P < 0.001) during nights with predominantly central than nights with predominantly obstructive apnea. In contrast, in both the stable central (n = 8, duration between sleep studies 11.9 ± 5.3 months) and the stable obstructive (n = 8, duration between studies 6.9 ± 5.2 months) sleep apnea groups, neither PCO2 nor cycle length changed significantly between the baseline and follow‐up sleep studies. We conclude that in some patients with heart failure, OSA and CSA are part of a spectrum of periodic breathing that can shift over time in association with alterations in PCO2, cycle length and probably cardiac function.
Cognitive deficits in narcolepsy
Authors: NAUMANN A. , BELLEBAUM C. , DAUM I. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe aim of the investigations was to explore the nature and the severity of cognitive deficits in narcolepsy patients. In two studies, narcolepsy patients were compared with matched control subjects on a range of attention, memory and executive control tasks. Impairments were only observed on attention and executive function tasks which involved higher demands on inhibition or task management abilities whereas relatively routine memory and attention tasks yielded intact performance in narcolepsy patients. The overall pattern of results indicates an executive control deficit in narcolepsy which might be related to a reduction of available cognitive processing resources because of the need for continuous allocation of resources to monitoring and maintenance of vigilance.
Self‐reported sleep duration in Finnish general population
Authors: KRONHOLM ERKKI , HÄRMÄ MIKKO , HUBLIN CHRISTER , ARO ARJA R. , PARTONEN TIMO 
Published: August 2006

SummarySelf‐reported short or long sleep duration has been repeatedly found to be associated with increased mortality and health risks. However, there is still an insufficient amount of detailed knowledge available to characterize the short and long sleep duration groups in general population. Consequently, the underlying mechanisms potentially explaining the health risks associated with short and long sleep duration are unclear. In the present study, the self‐reported sleep duration in a sample of Finnish general population was studied, and its possible associations with such factors as self‐perceived health, sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, sleep difficulties and daytime concomitants were analyzed. In particular, an effort was made to define mutually statistically‐independent determinants of sleep duration. In the Finnish Health 2000 Survey, a representative sample of 8028 subjects of 30 years of age or older and a sample of 1894 subjects of 18–29 years of age were invited to take part in the health interview and health examination. The participation rate of the study was over 80%. The most important and statistically‐independent determinants of short and long sleep duration were gender, physical tiredness, sleep problems, marital status, main occupation and physical activity. However, in the multivariable model they only accounted for approximately 16% of the variance in sleep duration in short and long sleepers, suggesting multiple sources of variance. The present study also suggests a dose–response like relationship between the sleep duration and many of its determinants within both short and long sleepers. A more detailed analysis of the clinical status of the short and long sleep duration groups is needed to evaluate the possible importance of these findings for health risks associated with sleep duration.
Evolution of larval host plant associations and adaptive radiation in pierid butterflies
Authors: Braby M. F. , Trueman J. W. H. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract
Butterflies in the family Pieridae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) feed as larvae on plants belonging primarily to three distantly related angiosperm orders: Fabales (legumes and allied plants), Brassicales (crucifers and related plants containing mustard oil glucosides), and Santalales (‘mistletoes’). However, some utilize plants from 13 other families in a further eight orders. We investigated the evolutionary history of host plant use of the Pieridae in the context of a recent phylogenetic hypothesis of the family, using simple character optimization. Although there is a close association between host plant and butterfly higher classification, we find no evidence for cospeciation but a pattern of repeated colonization and specialization. The ancestral host of the family appears to be Fabaceae or Fabales, with multiple independent shifts to other orders, including three to Santalales. The shift to Brassicales, which contain secondary compounds (glucosinolates), promoted diversification and adaptive radiation within the subfamily Pierinae. Subsequent shifts from crucifers to mistletoes (aerial-stem hemiparasites) facilitated further diversification, and more recent shifts from mistletoes to mistletoe host trees led to exploitation of novel host plants outside the conventional three orders. Possible mechanisms underlying these host shifts are briefly discussed. In the Pierinae, a striking association between host plant, larval and adult behaviour, adult phenotype, and mimicry calls for further research into possible relationships between host specialization, plant chemistry and butterfly palatability.
Urinary Tract Infections due to Mycoplasma canis in Dogs
Authors: ÜLgen M. , ÇEtin C. , ŞEntürk S. , ÖZel A. E. , ÖZdemir Ü. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryUrine samples were obtained from 100 dogs with symptoms of lower urinary tract disease by cystocentesis and were examined for mycoplasmas. Urinalysis, haematological and biochemical analyses were also performed. Bacteria were isolated from urine in 41 of 100 dogs; Mycoplasma canis was isolated from four of 100 (4%) urine samples and three were pure culture. Selective mycoplasma media were used for isolation. In growth inhibition test, propagation of the four M. canis isolates was inhibited by their specific hyperimmune sera and there was no cross reactivity between isolates and hyperimmune sera of other mycoplasmas. Dogs in which M. caniswas isolated were azotemic. All dogs were treated with enrofloxacin, furosemide, and supportive therapy (fluid therapy, ascorbic acid). In all animals, clinical improvements were observed after treatment.
EXPERIENCE WITH UNIPOLAR RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Authors: Chen Yi , Kejriwal Nand K. , Smith Julian A. , Goldstein Jacob , Shardey Gilbert C. , Pick Adrian W. , Almeida Aubrey A. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  The cut and sew Cox maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF), although effective, is not widely used because of technical complexity, prolonged duration and significant risk of postoperative bleeding. This study reviews our experience with the unipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure, which was used to create a modified maze to treat AF.Methods:  A retrospective review of 31 patients undergoing consecutive cardiac surgery who had concomitant RFA for AF over a 16‐month period was carried out. A Cobra unipolar RFA probe (EPT; Boston Scientific, San Jose, CA, USA) was used to create a standard set of lesions.Results:  There were 20 men and 11 women (mean age, 66 ± 9 years; range, 48–87 years). AF was continuous in 21 patients and intermittent in 10. The median duration of AF leading up to surgery was 48 months (range, 6 months–20 years). Left atrium was enlarged in 81% of the patients. Operations included mitral valve repair (7 patients), replacement (5), coronary artery bypass (10), aortic valve replacement (1) and combined procedures (8). There were no complications directly attributable to RFA. There were three early deaths. One patient required a permanent pacemaker. Median follow up was 22 months (range, 12–30 months). One patient died 2 years after the operation from a stroke. Cardioversion was attempted in five patients within 3 months of operation and was successful in four. At 2 years following the procedure, the probability of the patient remaining in sinus rhythm was 0.71 ± 0.15.Conclusion:  Surgical RFA can be carried out as a useful adjunct to conventional cardiac surgery. Although the results were satisfactory in this series, further studies are needed to refine the indication of the procedure and to assess its longer‐term efficacy.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ASSISTED OSTEODENSITOMETRY IN TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY
Authors: Pandit Salil , Graydon Andrew , Bradley Lyndon , Walker Cameron , Pitto Rocco 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Periprosthetic bone remodelling is an important issue in total hip arthroplasty, which can compromise long‐term outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone remodelling of the proximal femur with an uncemented hydroxyapatite‐coated taper stem.Methods:  Twenty‐three patients (27 hips) were included in this study. The mean age of the patients at the index operation was 57.2 years. There were 15 men and 8 women. Bone remodelling was assessed with quantitative computed tomography and the clinical outcome determined using the Harris Hip Scores. The mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 38 points and at the 1‐year follow up, it was rated 96 points. All hips were radiologically stable.Results:  At the 1‐year follow up, we found a greater bone‐density loss of the cancellous bone (ranging from 16.7 to 28.2%) compared with the cortical bone (ranging from 5.3 to 7.8%). A strong correlation was found between the low density of the cortical bone at the index operation and a higher loss of bone density at the follow up.Conclusion:  The newly designed tapered stem showed good clinical and radiological outcomes with a proximal femoral bone loss that compares favourably with other studies.
HYPOXIA AND ANGIOGENESIS IN PANCREATIC CANCER
Authors: Garcea Giuseppe , Doucas Helena , Steward Will P. , Dennison Ashley R. , Berry David P. 
Published: August 2006

Background:  Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal of all solid tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized by late diagnosis, aggressive local invasion, early metastasis and resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Increasing knowledge regarding the molecular events behind the growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer may lead to new targets for intervention.Methods:  A search of Pubmed and Medline databases was undertaken using the keywords pancreatic cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, hypoxia, angiogenesis and anti‐angiogenesis therapy.Results:  Hypoxia is the driving force behind angiogenesis in pancreatic cancers. Research into angiogenesis has shown many different sites that can be targeted by agents such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors.Conclusion:  Anti‐angiogenic therapy could be an important adjunct to conventional chemotherapy treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasia.
Use of simple load‐independent constraint parameter for prediction of brittle fracture
Authors: NOVÁK J. , LAUEROVÁ D. 
Published: August 2006

ABSTRACTIn this paper, a load‐independent constraint parameter based on T‐stress is suggested for prediction of brittle fracture in the ductile‐to‐brittle transition region under different constraint conditions. This parameter is applied to the results of EU project VOCALIST and in particular to fracture toughness data for pre‐cracked Charpy specimens with deep and shallow cracks (steel A533B specially heat treated to achieve an elevated yield stress). These were obtained from the VOCALIST project in NRI Řež.In contrast to the usual procedure using a non‐dimensional ratio of T‐stress and yield stress, T/σy, for constraint evaluation, a slightly different parameter is proposed. This is based on the load‐independent ratio of T‐stress and the stress intensity factor KI, T/KI, for prediction of constraint‐dependent brittle fracture. A simple ‘universal’ dependence of constraint correction factor f=Kcmat/Kmat on constraint parameter T/KI seems to accurately describe the behaviour of ferritic steels, provided that ductile crack growth preceding brittle fracture is non‐existent or negligibly small. In the paper, both calibration of the dependence and its verification through independent data for two other ferritic steels are performed.In addition, a modification of the factor f= 1 +α(−T/σy)m used in the R6 procedure is proposed and leads to a ‘universal’ dependence of fracture toughness ratio Kcmat/Kmat on constraint.Finally, results of the application of the constraint corrected toughness concept within the Failure Assessment Diagram of the R6 procedure when applied to VOCALIST data are presented.