bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational exposure in dentistry and miscarriage
Authors: Lindbohm Marja-Liisa , Ylöstalo Pekka , Sallmén Markku , Henriks-Eckerman Maj-Len , Nurminen Tuula , Forss Helena , Taskinen Helena 
Published: October 2006

Background:Information on the reproductive effects of chemical exposures in dental work is sparse or inconsistent.Aim:To investigate whether dental workers exposed to acrylate compounds, mercury amalgam, solvents or disinfectants are at an increased risk of miscarriage.Methods:The study was conducted among women dental workers and a comparison group of workers occupationally unexposed to dental restorative materials. Information on pregnancies was obtained from national registers and outpatient units of hospitals. Data on occupational exposure were obtained using postal questionnaires. The final study population included 222 cases of miscarriage and 498 controls (births). An occupational hygienist assessed exposure to acrylate compounds, disinfectants and solvents. Exposure to other agents was assessed on the basis of the questionnaire data. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression.Results:The ORs adjusted for confounding factors were increased for moderate-exposure and high-exposure categories of mercury amalgam (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 4.1 and OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.6 to 2.5, respectively). The risk was slightly increased for the highest-exposure category of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7 to 2.6) and polymethylmethacrylate dust (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8 to 2.4). A slightly increased risk was also detected for likely exposure to organic solvents (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.8 to 2.3) and disinfectants (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9 to 2.7).Conclusions:No strong association or consistent dose–response relationship was observed between exposure to chemical agents in dental work and the risk of miscarriage. A slightly increased risk was found for exposure to mercury amalgam, some acrylate compounds, solvents and disinfectants. These findings indicate that the possibility of a weak association between exposure to these agents and an increased risk of miscarriage cannot be excluded.
Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Surface Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to the Shoulder After Acute Stroke
Authors: Church Catherine , Price Christopher , Pandyan Anand D. , Huntley Stuart , Curless Richard , Rodgers Helen 
Published: October 2006

Background and Purpose—Surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation (sNMES) after stroke aims to improve upper limb function and reduce shoulder pain, but current evidence of effectiveness is inconclusive. We have undertaken a randomized controlled trial to evaluate sNMES to the shoulder after acute stroke.Methods—One hundred seventy-six patients, within 10 days of stroke onset, were randomized to receive sNMES or placebo in addition to stroke unit care. The primary outcome measure was upper limb function measured by the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) 3 months after stroke. Secondary outcome measures included other measures of upper limb function, upper limb impairment, pain, disability, and global health status. Outcome assessments were blinded.Results—There was no difference in arm function between groups in terms of the primary outcome measure. The median ARAT at 3 months was 50 in the intervention group and 55.5 in the control group (P=0.068). Significant differences were seen at 3 months in favor of the control group for other measures of arm function and impairment: grasp and gross movement subsections of the ARAT, Frenchay Arm Test, and the arm subsection of the Motricity Index. Secondary analysis suggested that these differences were most marked in subjects with severe initial upper limb weakness.Conclusions—A 4-week program of sNMES to the shoulder after acute stroke does not improve functional outcome and may worsen arm function in severely impaired stroke patients. “Routine” use of sNMES to the proximal affected upper limb after acute stroke cannot be recommended.
ADAMTS13 and von Willebrand factor and the risk of myocardial infarction in men
Authors: Chion Chan K. N. K. , Doggen Carine J. M. , Crawley James T. B. , Lane David A. , Rosendaal Frits R. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) mediates the tethering/adhesion of platelets at sites of vascular injury. This function depends on its multimeric size, which is controlled by ADAMTS13. We measured plasma ADAMTS13 and VWF antigen levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a large population-based case-control study (Study of Myocardial Infarctions Leiden [SMILE]), consisting of 560 men with a first myocardial infarction (MI) and 646 control subjects. Although ABO blood groups influenced VWF levels, they had no influence on ADAMTS13. Furthermore, there was no relationship between plasma ADAMTS13 and VWF levels. Similar to VWF, the estimated risk of MI was increased for every quartile of ADAMTS13 when compared to the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 1.5-1.6). If confirmed, the association of ADAMTS13 with MI may suggest an unexpected mechanistic action of ADAMTS13.
Microarray expression analysis of meiosis and microsporogenesis in hexaploid bread wheat
Authors: Crismani Wayne , Baumann Ute , Sutton Tim , Shirley Neil , Webster Tracie , Spangenberg German , Langridge Peter , Able Jason A 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundOur understanding of the mechanisms that govern the cellular process of meiosis is limited in higher plants with polyploid genomes. Bread wheat is an allohexaploid that behaves as a diploid during meiosis. Chromosome pairing is restricted to homologous chromosomes despite the presence of homoeologues in the nucleus. The importance of wheat as a crop and the extensive use of wild wheat relatives in breeding programs has prompted many years of cytogenetic and genetic research to develop an understanding of the control of chromosome pairing and recombination. The rapid advance of biochemical and molecular information on meiosis in model organisms such as yeast provides new opportunities to investigate the molecular basis of chromosome pairing control in wheat. However, building the link between the model and wheat requires points of data contact.ResultsWe report here a large-scale transcriptomics study using the Affymetrix wheat GeneChip®aimed at providing this link between wheat and model systems and at identifying early meiotic genes. Analysis of the microarray data identified 1,350 transcripts temporally-regulated during the early stages of meiosis. Expression profiles with annotated transcript functions including chromatin condensation, synaptonemal complex formation, recombination and fertility were identified. From the 1,350 transcripts, 30 displayed at least an eight-fold expression change between and including pre-meiosis and telophase II, with more than 50% of these having no similarities to known sequences in NCBI and TIGR databases.ConclusionThis resource is now available to support research into the molecular basis of pairing and recombination control in the complex polyploid, wheat.
A systematic review of the psychometric properties of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire
Authors: Leite Jose C de Carvalho , Jerosch-Herold Christina , Song Fujian 
Published: October 2006

Abstract

Background
The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) is a disease-specific measure of self-reported symptom severity and functional status. It is frequently used in the reporting of outcomes from trials into interventions for carpal tunnel syndrome. We conducted a systematic review of published studies on the psychometric properties of the BCTQ to determine the level of evidence on the instrument's validity, reliability and responsiveness to date.

Methods
A search of the databases Medline, CINAHL, AMED and PsychInfo was conducted to retrieve studies which investigated one or more of the psychometric properties of the BCTQ. Data abstraction was undertaken by the first two authors.

Results
Ten studies were retrieved which met the inclusion criteria. One study evaluated face and content validity (43 patients) eight studies assessed construct validity (932 patients), four studies tested reliability (126 patients) and nine studies assessed responsiveness (986 patients). Interpretability was evaluated in one study and acceptability in eight studies (978 patients).

Conclusion
The BCTQ is a standardised, patient-based outcome measure of symptom severity and functional status in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence base of the psychometric properties indicates that the BCTQ is a valid, reliable, responsive and acceptable instrument and should be included as a primary outcome measures in future CTS trials.
Diffuse large B cell lymphoma of thyroid as a masquerader of anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid, diagnosed by FNA : A case report
Authors: Daneshbod Yahya , Omidvari Shapour , Daneshbod Khosrow , Negahban Shahrzad , Dehghani Mehdi 
Published: October 2006

Background:
Both thyroid lymphoma and anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid present with rapidly growing mass in eldery patients. Anaplastic carcinoma has high mortality rate and combination of surgery, radiation therapy and multidrug chemotherapy are the best chance for cure. Prognosis of thyroid lymphoma is excellent and chemotherapy for widespred lymphoms and radiotherapy with or without adjuvant chemotherapy for tumors localized to the gland, are the treatment of choice.

Case report:
This article reports a 70 year old man presenting with diffuse neck swelling and hoarseness of few weeks duration. Fine needle aspiration was done and reported as anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid which thyroidectomy was planned. The slides were sent for second opinion. After review, with initial diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma versus lymphoma, immunocytochemical study was performed. Smears were positive for B cell markers and negative for cytokeratin, so with the impression of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, the patient received two courses of chemotherapy by which the tumor disappeared during two weaks.

Conclusion:
Despite previous reports, stating easy diagnosis of high-grade thyroid lymphoma on the grounds of cytomorphological features we like to emphasize, overlapping cytologic features of the curable high grade thyroid lymphoma form noncurable anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and usefulness of immunocytochemistry to differentiate these two disease.
Dynamic evolution of selenocysteine utilization in bacteria: a balance between selenoprotein loss and evolution of selenocysteine from redox active cysteine residues
Authors: Zhang Yan , Romero Hector , Salinas Gustavo , Gladyshev Vadim N 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Background
Selenocysteine (Sec) is co-translationally inserted into protein in response to UGA codons. It occurs in oxidoreductase active sites and often is catalytically superior to cysteine (Cys). However, Sec is used very selectively in proteins and organisms. The wide distribution of Sec and its restricted use have not been explained.

Results
We conducted comparative genomics and phylogenetic analyses to examine dynamics of Sec decoding in bacteria at both selenium utilization trait and selenoproteome levels. These searches revealed that 21.5% of sequenced bacteria utilize Sec, their selenoproteomes have 1 to 31 selenoproteins, and selenoprotein-rich organisms are mostly Deltaproteobacteria or Firmicutes/Clostridia. Evolutionary histories of selenoproteins suggest that Cys-to-Sec replacement is a general trend for most selenoproteins. In contrast, only a small number of Sec-to-Cys replacements were detected, and these were mostly restricted to formate dehydrogenase and selenophosphate synthetase families. In addition, specific selenoprotein gene losses were observed in many sister genomes. Thus, the Sec/Cys replacements were mostly unidirectional, and increased utilization of Sec by existing protein families was counterbalanced by loss of selenoprotein genes or entire selenoproteomes. Lateral transfers of the Sec trait were an additional factor, and we describe the first example of selenoprotein gene transfer between archaea and bacteria. Finally, oxygen requirement and optimal growth temperature were identified as environmental factors that correlate with changes in Sec utilization.

Conclusion
Our data reveal a dynamic balance between selenoprotein origin and loss, and may account for the discrepancy between catalytic advantages provided by Sec and the observed low number of selenoprotein families and Sec-utilizing organisms.
Macrophages in experimental rat lung isografts and allografts: infiltration and proliferation in situ
Authors: Schmidt Andree , Sucke Jochen , Fuchs-Moll Gabriele , Freitag Petra , Hirschburger Markus , Kaufmann Andreas , Garn Holger , Padberg Winfried , Grau Veronika 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAlveolar macrophages (AMs) and peribronchial/perivascular macrophages are probably involved in lung allograft damage. We investigate leukocyte infiltration into graft tissue and address the question whether proliferation in situ contributes to macrophage homeostasis and accumulation. Lung transplantation was performed in the Lewis (LEW)-to-LEW and in the Dark Agouti-to-LEW rat strain combination. Graft infiltration by ED1+ and ED2+ (CD163) macrophages was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and compared with infiltration by lymphocytes. Cells in the S-phase of the cell cycle were pulse-labeled with BrdU and detected immunohistochemically. Finally, the donor or recipient origin of AMs was determined by IHC and in situ hybridization. ED1+ AMs in allogeneic transplants increased by more than 25-fold from Days 1 to 5. In addition, large, peribronchial/perivascular infiltrates developed containing numerous ED1+ cells. Although AMs in normal rat lungs are CD163−, AMs up-regulated CD163 between Days 4 and 5, reaching maximum values on Day 6. Lymphocytes were less numerous than macrophages. About 16% of the AMs and 10% of the peribronchial/perivascular macrophages were in the S-phase of the cell cycle on Day 2 post-transplantation. No differences in the frequency of BrdU+ macrophages were obvious between isografts and allografts. AMs of donor origin increased in number considerably during allograft rejection. In conclusion, the cellular infiltrate in lung allografts is dominated by macrophages, which exhibit an unusual phenotype and a strong capacity for mitotic self-renewal.
Incorporation and Clearance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Erythrocyte Membranes and Plasma Phospholipids
Authors: Cao Jing , Schwichtenberg Kerry A , Hanson Naomi Q , Tsai Michael Y 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground: The sum of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 ω3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 ω3) in erythrocyte membranes, termed the omega-3 index, can indicate suboptimal intake of omega-3 fatty acids, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). To study the effects of fatty acid supplementation, we investigated the rate of incorporation and clearance of these fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes and plasma after intake of supplements.Methods: Twenty study participants received supplementation with either fish oil (1296 mg EPA + 864 mg DHA/day) or flaxseed oil (3510 mg alpha-linolenic acid + 900 mg linoleic acid/day) for 8 weeks. We obtained erythrocyte membrane and plasma samples at weeks 0, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 24 and extracted and analyzed fatty acids by gas chromatography.Results: After 8 weeks of fish oil supplementation, erythrocyte membrane EPA and DHA increased 300% (P &lt;0.001) and 42% (P &lt;0.001), respectively. The mean erythrocyte omega-3 index reached a near optimal value of 7.8%, and remained relatively high until week 12. EPA and DHA showed greater increases and more rapid washout period decreases in plasma phospholipids than in erythrocyte membranes. Flaxseed oil supplementation increased erythrocyte membrane EPA to 133% (P &lt;0.05) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5 ω3) to 120% (P &lt;0.01) of baseline, but DHA was unchanged. In plasma phospholipids, EPA, DPA, and DHA showed a slight but statistically insignificant increase.Conclusions: Erythrocyte membrane EPA+DHA increases during relatively short intervals in response to supplementation at rates related to amount of supplementation. These results may be useful to establish appropriate dosage for omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
Rapid and Simultaneous Quantification of 4 Urinary Proteins by Piezoelectric Quartz Crystal Microbalance Immunosensor Array
Authors: Luo Yang , Chen Ming , Wen Qianjun , Zhao Meng , Zhang Bo , Li Xiaoyan , Wang Feng , Huang Qing , Yao Chunyan , Jiang Tianlun , Cai Guoru , Fu Weiling 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Background: Urinary proteins are predictive and prognostic markers for diabetes nephropathy. Conventional methods for the quantification of urinary proteins, however, are time-consuming, and most require radioactive labeling. We designed a label-free piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor array to simultaneously quantify 4 urinary proteins.
Methods: We constructed a 2 × 5 model piezoelectric immunosensor array fabricated with disposable quartz crystals for quantification of microalbumin, α1-microglobulin, β2-microglobulin, and IgG in urine. We made calibration curves after immobilization of antibodies at an optimal concentration and then evaluated the performance characteristics of the immunosensor with a series of tests. In addition, we measured 124 urine samples with both QCM immunosensor array and immunonephelometry to assess the correlation between the 2 methods.
Results: With the QCM immunosensor array, we were able to quantify 4 urinary proteins within 15 min. This method had an analytical interval of 0.01–60 mg/L. The intraassay and interassay imprecisions (CVs) were &lt;10%, and the relative recovery rates were 90.3%–109.1%. Nonspecificity of the immunosensor was insignificant (frequency shifts &lt;20 Hz). ROC analyses indicated sensitivities were ≥95.8% and, specificities were ≥76.3%. Bland–Altman difference plots showed the immunosensor array to be highly comparable to immunonephelometry.
Conclusions: The QCM system we designed has the advantages of being rapid, label free, and highly sensitive and thus can be a useful supplement to commercial assay methods in clinical chemistry.
An integrated approach to assess water quality and environmental contamination in the fluvial-lagoon system of the Palizada River, Mexico
Authors: Osten Jaime Rendón-Von , Memije Martin G. , Ortiz Alejandro , Soares Amadeu M.V.M. , Guilhermino Lucia 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWater quality and the contamination in relation to land use in the fluvial-lagoon system of the Palizada River (FLSPR; State of Campeche, Mexico) was investigated using an integrated approach including 21-d in situ bioassays with the native mosquito fish Gambusia yucatana, determination of cholinesterase (ChE) activity in wild populations of this species, and water-quality variables. The present study was performed over 19 months at three sites with different types of anthropogenic impact. Significant differences in a water-quality index for aquatic life (WQI) were found among sites. Fish mortality was significantly and negatively correlated with WQI, dissolved oxygen, and sulfates. High survival rates (≥80%) were found in preliminary exposures and in some of the bioassays performed at all sites. Therefore, test chambers and the cabinet seemed to be suitable for use in toxicity bioassays with G. yucatana. The in situ bioassay was able to discriminate levels of water contamination in both time and space, indicating that it is suitable for use in conditions similar to those found in the FLSPR. In the biomonitoring study, a ChE inhibition of greater than 20% in wild fish was found in some periods of the year at all sampling sites. This indicates the presence of anticholinesterase agents in the water. Fish from two of the sites had a ChE inhibition of greater than 40% in some sampling months, suggesting that deleterious effects already may have been induced in fish. Furthermore, at these sites, the pattern of ChE inhibition was in good agreement with the probable runoff of pesticides from agricultural fields.
Cadmium exposures during early development: DO they lead to reproductive impairment in fathead minnows?
Authors: Sellin Marlo K. , Kolok Alan S. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe primary objective of this study was to determine whether cadmium (Cd) exposures during embryonic and larval development alter the reproductive performance, reproductive physiology, and sex ratio of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Embryonic exposures were conducted by exposing adult female fathead minnows to 0, 25, or 100 μg/L Cd for 8 d prior to breeding. Larval exposures were conducted by exposing the larvae to waterborne Cd at 0, 12.5, 25, or 50 μg/L from 8 to 29 d posthatch (the time period associated with female sexual differentiation). Minnows from each exposure period were raised to maturity, at which time their reproductive success, secondary sexual characteristics, gonadosomatic index (GSI), plasma 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) concentrations, and sex ratios were assessed. Results from the embryonic study reveal that Cd exposures alter the secondary sexual characteristics of male fathead minnows but do not alter reproductive performance, GSI, 11-KT concentrations, or sex ratios. Larval exposures, during the period of female sexual differentiation, significantly reduce the frequency of adult spawning and increase clutch size but do not alter fecundity, secondary sexual characteristics, GSI, or 11-KT. Subtle alterations in sex ratio were observed, indicating that larval Cd exposures may increase the proportion of females in an exposed population.
Metamorphosis increases biotransformation of polychlorinated biphenyls: A comparative study of polychlorinated biphenyl metabolism in green frogs (Rana clamitans) and leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) at various life stages
Authors: Leney Jocelyn L. , Drouillard Ken G. , Haffner G. Douglas 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) elimination rates were used to determine whether green frogs (Rana clamitans) and leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) at three life stages (tadpole, metamorph, and adult) were capable of metabolic biotransformation of PCBs. Polychlorinated biphenyls were grouped according to their structural properties to determine whether congeners with specific structures were eliminated more rapidly than others, which would suggest the occurrence of metabolic biotransformation. For both species and at all life stages studied, PCBs with adjacent unsubstituted meta-para sites (group-2 PCBs) were eliminated significantly faster than PCBs with adjacent unsubstituted ortho-meta sites (group-3 PCBs). Because these groups of PCBs span similar hydrophobicity ranges, it was concluded that green and leopard frogs can selectively metabolize group-2 PCBs. Metabolic activity was more pronounced in the metamorph stage than in any other life stage. In green frog metamorphs, the average elimination rate of the group-2 PCBs was 4.9-fold greater than that of the group-3 PCBs. By contrast, in green frog tadpoles, group-2 PCBs were eliminated 1.9-fold faster than group-3 PCBs, and in green frog adults, group-2 PCBs were eliminated 1.5-fold faster than group-3 PCBs.