bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Programming effects of antenatal dexamethasone in the developing mesolimbic pathways
Authors: Leão P. , Sousa J.C. , Oliveira M. , Silva R. , Almeida O.F.X. , Sousa N. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractElevated glucocorticoids, during pregnancy, alter emotionality and increase propensity to drug abuse later in life, albeit through substrates and mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we examined whether antenatal glucocorticoid exposure induces enduring structural changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), an important relay point in the reward limbic circuitry. To this end, rat dams were exposed to the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) on days 18 and 19 of gestation, and stereological tools were used to assess the total volume of, and neuronal numbers in, the NAcc, as well as the density of mesencephalic dopaminergic inputs from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the NAcc in their adult offspring. Further, we used measures of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into NAcc cells to examine whether DEX‐induced effects on cell proliferation represent another mechanism through which glucocorticoids alter the structure of mesolimbic pathways and might influence addictive behavior. Our studies show that exposure to DEX during late gestation results in significantly reduced volumes and cell numbers in the NAcc. The latter measure correlated strongly with a reduced rate of cell proliferation in DEX‐exposed animals. Moreover, the treatment resulted in a decreased number of cells expressing tyrosine hydroxylase in the VTA and an impoverished dopaminergic innervation of the NAcc. These observations, which identify glucocorticoid‐sensitive structures and neurochemical targets within the developing “reward pathway,” pave way for future studies designed to understand how early life events can predispose individuals for developing drug dependence in adolescent and adult life. Synapse 61:40–49, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictive factors for recurrent non-toxic goitre in an endemic region
Authors: Erbil Y , Bozbora A , Tulumoğlu Yanık B , Özbey N , Salmaslıoğlu A , Özarmağan S 
Published: October 2006

Aims: We aimed to determine the risk factors for recurrence and to assess the complication rate associated with surgery for benign, recurrent goitre.Methods: We studied 125 consecutive patients with recurrent goitre who underwent re-operative thyroid surgery (group one). Patients in the control group were randomly selected from those undergoing their first procedure during the same period (group two). Age, initial surgery, presence of multinodular goitre, presence of carcinoma in the resected thyroid tissue, interval between initial operation and re-operation, and complications were analysed and compared for the two groups.Results: The mean age (± standard deviation) was found to be significantly greater in group one compared with group two. The mean age at the time of primary thyroid operation was found to be significantly less in group one compared with group two. The interval between the initial and the re-operative procedures was a mean of 15.8±eight years. Initial surgery was conservative. Papillary thyroid carcinoma was found in 14/125 (11 per cent) of group one patients. The incidence of complications was found to be significantly higher in group one compared with group two.Conclusion: The incidence of recurrent goitre has been directly related to conservative thyroid surgery and to the retention of large amounts of remnant tissue. To avoid recurrent goitre and possible re-operative complications, total or near-total thyroidectomy should be performed in all patients with bilateral, multinodular goitre, especially in endemic regions.
Attitudes toward disease and prognosis disclosure and decision making for terminally ill patients in Japan, based on a nationwide random sampling survey of the general population and medical practitioners
Authors: MIYASHITA,. MITSUNORI , HASHIMOTO SHUJI , KAWA MASAKO , SHIMA YASUO , KAWAGOE HIROMI , HASE TSUNETO , SHINJO YAE , SUEMASU KEIICHI 
Published: October 2006

Objective:Employing a nationwide cross-sectional survey, we investigated the Japanese general population's attitudes toward disease and prognosis disclosure and related factors. Furthermore, we investigated Japanese medical practitioners' attitudes toward disease and prognosis disclosure for patients and decision making.Methods:A nationwide anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted. A total of 5000 individuals were randomly sampled from the general population and 3104 physicians and 6059 nurses were randomly sampled in Japan.Results:Finally, 2422 people from the general population (response rate, 48%), 1577 physicians (51%), and 3361 nurses (56%) returned questionnaires. Among the general population, 73% of participants answered that they “want to know” about their disease and prognosis when in an incurable disease state. Ninety percent desired direct disclosure and 8% disclosure through their family. However, few medical practitioners answered “patient himself” (physician 3%, nurses 4%) as the person whom they would primarily notify about the disease and prognosis when in charge of a patient with an incurable disease. On the other hand, physicians answered “family” most frequently (59%), whereas nurses most commonly responded, “depends on patient's condition” (63%).Significance of research:Several detailed analyses of factors associated with prognosis disclosure were conducted. Japanese physicians need to carefully communicate with the patients individually about whether direct disclosure or disclosure primarily to the family is preferred.
Cellular functions of the BRCA tumour-suppressor proteins
Authors: Boulton S.J. 
Published: October 2006

Inherited germline mutations in either BRCA1 or BRCA2 confer a significant lifetime risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Defining how these two genes function at the cellular level is essential for understanding their role in tumour suppression. Although BRCA1 and BRCA2 were independently cloned over 10 years ago, it is only in the last few years that significant progress has been made towards understanding their function in cells. It is now widely accepted that both genes play critical roles in the maintenance of genome stability. Evidence implicates BRCA2 as an integral component of the homologous recombination machinery, whereas BRCA1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that has an impact on DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, cell-cycle progression and meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. In this article, I will review the most recent advances and provide a perspective of potential future directions in this field.
Nationwide Outbreak of Red Eye Syndrome Associated With Transfusion of Leukocyte-Reduced Red Blood Cell Units
Authors: Alonso-Echanove Juan , Sippy Brian D. , Chin Arthur E. , Cairns Lisa , Haley Rebecca , Epstein Jay S. , Richards Michael J. , Edelhauser Henry , Hedberg Katrina , Kuehnert Matthew J. , Jarvis William R. , Pearson Michele L. ,   the Transfusion-Associated Red Eye Syndrome Study Group
Published: October 2006

Objective.To characterize red eye reactions occurring within 24 hours after receipt of units of leukocyte-reduced red blood cells, determine their etiology, and investigate their potential link to transfusion.Methods.We conducted a survey of transfusion facilities nationwide to determine the scope and magnitude of the reactions; performed case-control and cohort studies among transfused patients at the facility where most reactions occurred; and performed animal experiments, using cellulose acetate derivatives extracted from leukocyte-reduction filters and filter precursors, to reproduce reactions.Results.From January 1, 1997, through January 15, 1998, we identified 159 reactions in 117 patients from 17 states. Reactions were characterized by conjunctival erythema or hemorrhage (in 100% of patients), eye pain (in 62%), photophobia (in 46%), and decreased visual acuity (in 32%). Symptom onset occurred 1-24 hours after initiation of transfusion and resolved within a median of 5 days. Reactions were associated with transfusion sessions that included units of red blood cells filtered with a specific brand of filter, the LeukoNet filter (HemaSure) (odds ratio, 100.4; P< .001). There was a dose-response relationship between the number of LeukoNet-filtered units transfused and the attack rate for reactions, ranging from 0.8% among sessions in which 1 unit was transfused to 27.3% among sessions in which 3 or more units were transfused (P< .001). A similar ocular syndrome was elicited in rabbits injected with cellulose acetate derivatives extracted from unused LeukoNet filters or filter precursors. No reactions were reported after LeukoNet filters were withdrawn from the market.Conclusions.This transfusion-associated red eye syndrome was linked to a specific brand of leukocyte-reduction filter and likely resulted from cellulose acetate derivatives leached from the filter membrane.
Outbreak of Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection in a Japanese Nursing Home, 1999-2000
Authors: Nakashima Kazutoshi , Tanaka Takeshi , Kramer Michael H. , Takahashi Hiroshi , Ohyama Takaaki , Kishimoto Toshio , Toshima Hironori , Miwa Shigeyuki , Nomura Atsushi , Tsumura Naoki , Ouchi Kazunobu , Okabe Nobuhiko 
Published: October 2006

Objective.To identify risk factors for infection and severe illness due to Chlamydia pneumoniae.Methods.To identify risk factors for infection, we conducted a case-control study among nursing home residents who had onset of symptoms during December 1, 1999, to February 20, 2000. To identify risk factors for severe illness among nursing home residents, we conducted a retrospective cohort study.Setting.A nursing home providing long-term and day care services for elderly patients in Japan.Participants.Fifty-nine residents and 41 staff members of a nursing home.Results.The attack rates for respiratory illness were 53% (31 of 59) among residents and 22% (9 of 41) among staff. Infection was confirmed in 15 resident and 2 staff case patients by isolation of C. pneumoniae from nasal swab specimens. Fifteen resident case patients developed severe illness (ie, bronchitis, pneumonia, and hypoxia); one case patient died. The median age of resident case patients was 87 years. We could identify neither the source of the outbreak nor significant risk factors for infection and severe illness in residents. However, residents with a higher level of physical activity were more likely to become infected, whereas older residents (aged more than 85 years) and those with a lower level of physical activity were more likely to develop severe illness (P>.05). Contact with residents was a risk factor for infection in staff (relative risk, undefined; P = .04).Conclusions.C. pneumoniae can cause large outbreaks of infection and severe illness among elderly persons, and its transmission is likely to be enhanced by close contacts among people in nursing homes. Therefore, early detection of an outbreak by means of better surveillance, and subsequent isolation of patients, may be effective control measures.
Assessment may conceal therapeutic benefit: findings from a randomized controlled trial for hazardous drinking
Authors: Kypri Kypros , Langley John D. , Saunders John B. , Cashell‐Smith Martine L. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTContext  The concept that assessment of a person's health status without subsequent intervention has beneficial effects in itself has stimulated much interest in underlying psychological mechanisms, methodological implications and its public health potential. There have, however, been few experimental studies of assessment effects.Aim  To test the hypothesis that assessment in itself produces a reduction in hazardous drinking.Design and setting  Two conditions (group A, leaflet only and group B, leaflet and assessment but no intervention) of a four‐arm randomized controlled trial with enrolment in March–April 2003.Participants  A total of 975 students (17–29 years) attending a primary health‐care clinic completed a web‐based Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire. Of 599 who scored ≥ 8576 consented to follow‐up and were included in the full four‐arm trial, of whom 293 (153 women) were assigned to groups A and B.Intervention  Group A received an information leaflet at baseline. Group B received the information leaflet and 10 minutes of web‐based assessment 4 weeks later.Measurements  Drinking frequency, typical quantity, heavy episode frequency, personal problems and academic problems.Findings  Baseline mean AUDIT scores were 15.0 (SD = 5.4) and 14.9 (SD = 5.0) in groups A and B, respectively. Twelve months after baseline, relative to group A, group B reported lower overall consumption (geometric means ratio 0.82, 95% CI: 0.68–0.98), fewer heavy drinking episodes (0.66, 0.47–0.91), fewer problems (0.81, 0.67–0.99) and lower AUDIT scores (beta = −1.63, −0.62 to −2.65).Conclusions  Brief assessment appeared to reduce hazardous drinking. Controlled trials that rely on assessment may therefore underestimate treatment effects. Limitations include the possibility of measurement artefact due to social desirability bias.
Unusual case presentations associated with the CD45 C77G polymorphism
Authors: Tchilian E Z , Gil J , Navarro M L , Fernandez-Cruz E , Chapel H , Misbah S , Ferry B , Renz H , Schwinzer R , Beverley P C L 
Published: October 2006

SummaryCD45, the leucocyte common antigen, is a haematopoietic cell specific tyrosine phosphatase. Human polymorphic CD45 variants are associated with autoimmune and infectious diseases and alter the phenotype and function of lymphocytes, establishing CD45 as an important regulator of immune function. Here we report four patients with diverse diseases with unusual clinical features. All four have the C77G polymorphism of CD45 exon 4, which alters the splicing and CD45RA/CD45R0 phenotype of lymphocytes. We suggest that C77G may be a contributing factor in these unusual cases.
Asthma onset prior to multiple sclerosis and the contribution of sibling exposure in early life
Authors: Ponsonby A-L , Dwyer T , Van Der Mei I , Kemp A , Blizzard L , Taylor B , Kilpatrick T , Simmons R 
Published: October 2006

Summary
Higher sibling exposure is associated with a reduced risk of asthma and other T helper 2 (Th2)-type disorders, possibly through a beneficial effect of higher infection load. The effect on Th1 disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) is less clear. Here we examine the association between asthma and MS, taking into account early life sibling exposure. A population-based case–control study in Tasmania, Australia based on 136 cases of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-confirmed MS and 272 community controls, matched on sex and year of birth. Study measures include cumulative exposure to total, older or younger siblings by age 6 years, history of doctor-diagnosed asthma and serological IgG responses to herpes viruses. MS cases were more likely (P = 0·02) than controls to have asthma which began before age of onset of MS symptoms compared to the corresponding age for controls. The absence of younger sibling exposure by age 6 years potentiated (P = 0·04) the association between asthma and MS. Compared to those with younger sibling exposure and no asthma, the adjusted odds ratio for MS for those with asthma and no younger sibling exposure was 7·22 (95% CI: 2·52, 20·65). Early life sibling exposure was associated with altered IgG serological responses to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) in adulthood. Reduced early life sibling exposure appeared to contribute to the excess of asthma among MS cases by the time of MS onset. MS development may reflect factors that relate to a general immuno-inflammatory up-regulation of immune activity as well as disease specific factors. The link between early life sibling exposure and the immune response to herpes group viral antigens is consistent with a protective role for early life infections.
ES1, a new lung carcinoma antibody— an immunohistochemical study
Authors: Mai K T , Perkins D G , Zhang J , MacKenzie C R 
Published: October 2006

Aims:  To characterize a single domain antibody (sdAb), AFAI, obtained by panning a naive phage display library of single domain antibodies against the non‐small cell lung carcinoma cell line A549. AFAI recognizes a variant form of carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6 or CEA6).Methods and results:  Various normal tissues and 139 neoplastic lesions from lung and other organs were immunostained with ES1 antibody, a pentameric and highly avid form of AFAI. ES1 was immunoreactive with 34 of 35 non‐squamous large cell lung carcinomas with staining intensities ranging from focal to extensive and from moderate to strong. Importantly, ES1 stained poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinomas and many undifferentiated large cell lung carcinomas that typically show negative immunoreactivity with an antibody specific for thyroid transcription factor‐1. Non‐lung adenocarcinomas showed more focal and weaker immunoreactivity than for lung adenocarcinoma. Other carcinomas showed negative or weak immunoreactivity and normal tissues showed no immunoreactivity.Conclusions:  Compared with other antibodies used in the clinical evaluation of lung adenocarcinomas, ES1 is more lung carcinoma sensitive, more sensitive in immunostaining of poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas that are usually associated with distant metastasis and less immunoreactive with normal tissues.
Development and design of a ‘ready‐to‐use’ reaction plate for a PCR‐based simultaneous detection of animal species used in foods
Authors: Laube Ines , Zagon Jutta , Spiegelberg Almuth , Butschke Andreas , Kroh Lothar W. , Broll Hermann 
Published: October 2006

SummaryDifferent TaqManTM‐polymerase chain reaction systems have been developed, which allow the detection of even minute amounts of beef, pork, lamb, goat, chicken, turkey and duck in processed foods. The species‐specific systems are able to amplify DNA regions with no more than 108 bp in size (exception: duck, 212 bp) located on the single‐copy genes cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) phosphodiesterase, ryanodine receptor and interleukin‐2 precursor. The parallel detection of the common ingredient ‘meat’ produced from mammals and poultry was based on the amplification of a region of the myostatin gene. The limit of detection was determined to be ten genome copies for each system. The relative SD under repeatability condition was below 30%. In addition, a ‘ready‐to‐use’ reaction plate has been developed, which makes it possible to investigate the presence of the seven animal species in parallel after a single real‐time run.
Use crude olive leaf juice as a natural antioxidant for the stability of sunflower oil during heating
Authors: Farag Radwan S. , Mahmoud Ebtesam A. , Basuny Amany M. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryOlive leaves (Kronakii cultivar) were obtained from the annual pruning of olive trees and pressed to obtain a crude juice. Aliquots from the concentrated crude olive leaf juice, representing 400, 800, 1600 and 2400 ppm as polyphenols, were added to sunflower oil. Samples of sunflower oil mixed with olive leaf juice were heated intermittently at 180 ± 5 °C for 5 h day−1 and the heating process was repeated for five consecutive days. A control experiment was performed where butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) at 200 ppm was added to sunflower oil prior to intermittent heating in order to compare the antioxidant efficiency between the natural polyphenolics of olive leaf juice and synthetic antioxidant BHT. Some physical and chemical constants for the unheated and heated sunflower oil were determined. The data indicate that the addition of olive leaf juice to sunflower oil heated at 180 °C induced remarkable antioxidant activity and at 800 ppm level was superior to that of BHT in increasing sunflower oil stability.
The non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae Sap transporter provides a mechanism of antimicrobial peptide resistance and SapD‐dependent potassium acquisition
Authors: Mason Kevin M. , Bruggeman Molly E. , Munson Robert S. , Bakaletz Lauren O. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryWe have shown that non‐typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) resists killing by antimicrobial peptides (APs). A mutant defective in expression of the sap (sensitivity to antimicrobial peptides) gene cluster product SapA is sensitive to killing by APs and is significantly attenuated in its ability to survive in a chinchilla model of otitis media compared with the parent strain. In NTHI, SapA is believed to function as the periplasmic solute binding protein of an ABC transporter. Here, we demonstrated that recombinant chinchilla beta defensin‐1 specifically interacted with recombinant SapA and that AP exposure increased expression of the sap operon. We further demonstrated that the putative Sap transporter ATPase protein, SapD, was required for AP resistance as well as potassium uptake in NTHI strain 86‐028NP. Loss of SapD additionally abrogated NTHI survival in vivo. Complementation of the sapD mutation restored the ability to grow in potassium‐limited medium, resistance to AP‐mediated killing and survival in vivo. Collectively, these data support a mechanism of Sap system‐mediated resistance to APs that depends on Sap‐dependent transport of APs and a Sap‐dependent restoration of potassium homeostasis. Thus, NTHI required a functional Sap system to mediate bacterial survival and pathogenesis in vivo.
A clash to conquer: the malaria parasite liver infection
Authors: Mikolajczak Sebastian A. , Kappe Stefan H. I. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryAll mammalian malaria parasite species have an initial tissue stage in liver cells. The liver stage produces new parasite forms that can enter and live inside red blood cells. Accordingly, the first place of residence provides parasites with a radically different cellular and molecular environment from their subsequent red blood cell home. Liver stages have remained refractory to reveal their secrets, yet the last few years have seen several advances in elucidating their biology. This review looks at the more recent findings concerning the liver stage–host hepatocyte association, some of which may become powerful weapons in the prevention of malaria infection. We also outline areas of liver stage research and technological development that provide promising foci to accelerate a better understanding of this most elusive of the parasites many life cycle stages.
The evolution of endosymbiont density in doubly infected host species
Authors: ENGELSTÄDTER J. , HAMMERSTEIN P. , HURST G. D. D. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMultiple infection of individual hosts with several species or strains of maternally inherited endosymbionts is commonly observed in animals, especially insects. Here, we address theoretically the effect of co‐infection on the optimal density of the endosymbionts in doubly infected hosts. Our analysis is based on the observation that a maternally inherited double infection is only stable if doubly infected females produce more doubly infected daughters than singly infected or uninfected females produce daughters. We consider both a general model and a model involving two endosymbionts inducing bidirectional cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). We demonstrate that the optimal replication rate of endosymbionts in doubly infected hosts can be expected to be similar to or below the optimal replication rate in singly infected hosts. This is in contrast to some theoretical predictions for horizontally transmitted parasites and stems from the two strains of endosymbionts having coupled fitness. We discuss our results with respect to recent empirical results on endosymbiont densities, the evolution of CI‐inducing bacteria and, more generally, the evolution of cooperation through direct fitness benefits.