bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase I study of sorafenib in Japanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Furuse Junji , Ishii Hiroshi , Nakachi Kohei , Suzuki Eiichiro , Shimizu Satoshi , Nakajima Keiko 
Published: October 2007

Sorafenib is an orally active multikinase inhibitor that targets serine and threonine, and tyrosine kinases that are involved in tumor‐cell signal transduction and tumor angiogenesis. This phase I trial was conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and preliminary efficacy of sorafenib in Japanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with underlying liver dysfunction. Patients with unresectable HCC, Child–Pugh status A or B, and adequate organ functions were treated. A single dose of sorafenib was administered, followed by a 7‐day wash‐out period, after which patients received either sorafenib 200 mg (cohort 1) or 400 mg (cohort 2) twice daily. The PK were investigated after a single dose and during steady state. The efficacy was evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. A total of 27 patients were evaluated for PK, safety, and efficacy. Although both area under the concentration–time curve for 0–12 h and maximal concentration at steady state were slightly lower in Child–Pugh B patients than in Child–Pugh A patients, the difference was not considered to be clinically relevant. Common adverse drug events included elevated lipase, amylase, rash or desquamation, diarrhea, and hand–foot skin reaction. A dose‐limiting toxicity of hand–foot skin reaction was observed in one patient (cohort 2). Among the 24 patients evaluable for tumor response, one patient (4%) achieved a partial response, 20 (83%) had stable disease, and three (13%) had progressive disease. Sorafenib demonstrated a favorable tolerability and safety profile in Japanese HCC patients. Moreover, promising preliminary antitumor activity has been observed. Finally, there were no clinically relevant differences in PK between Child–Pugh A and B patients. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 159–165)
Choice of first antihypertensive – are existing guidelines ignored?
Authors: Okechukwu Ifeanyi , Mahmud Azra , Bennett Kathleen , Feely John 
Published: October 2007

What is already known about this subject • Recommended treatment guidelines for hypertension have been developed to assist GPs' decisions about appropriate therapies.• The British Hypertension Society's (BHS) 2004 guidelines recommend initial drug choice based on age, and avoidance of β‐adrenoceptor blockers in diabetes. What this study adds • Prescribing of first‐line antihypertensives in Ireland appears guided by age, but mainly for those under 55 years.• Adherence to the guidelines was in part related to patient gender.• Presence of concomitant diabetes had a greater influence on the choice of therapy than age of patient.AimsTo determine adherence to hypertension guidelines in relation to age and diabetes.MethodsThe Irish HSE‐PCRS prescribing database identified patients initiating antihypertensive monotherapy in 2005. Logistic regression predicted the likelihood of therapy according to guidelines.ResultsThe odds ratio (OR) of receiving therapies according to the guideline recommendations in those <55 years vs. ≥55 years was 1.31 (95% CI 1.26, 1.37). Diabetics were more likely than nondiabetics to receive antihypertensives other than β‐adrenoceptor blockers (OR 2.97, 95% CI 2.74, 3.21).ConclusionsOur findings show some adherence to the guidelines in relation to age but selective prescribing of antihypertensives for diabetics.
Omnivory does not prevent trophic cascades in pelagic food webs
Authors: OKUN NILS , BRASIL JANDESON , ATTAYDE JOSÉ LUIZ , COSTA IVANEIDE A. S. 
Published: October 2007

Summary1. Strong trophic cascades have been well documented in pelagic food webs of temperate lakes. In contrast, the limited available evidence suggests that strong cascades are less typical in tropical lakes.2. To measure the effects of omnivorous tilapia on planktonic communities and water transparency of a small man‐made tropical lake, we performed a 5‐week in situ enclosure experiment with five densities of fish randomly allocated to 20 enclosures. Zooplankton and Phytoplankton biomasses as well as water transparency were measured weekly.3. Results show that omnivorous tilapia significantly decreased the abundance of large Cladocerans, increased the abundance of small algae (greatest axial linear dimension <50 μm) and decreased water transparency as predicted by trophic cascade theory.4. Therefore, omnivory was not a sufficient factor to prevent a trophic cascade in this pelagic community, although the cascade effect was weaker than reported from many north temperate, nutrient‐rich lakes.
Slow, fast and in between: habitat distribution and behaviour of larvae in nine species of libellulid dragonfly
Authors: MCCAULEY SHANNON J. 
Published: October 2007

Summary1. Activity and microhabitat use are important factors determining species performance in habitats that differ in permanence and species composition of top predators. This study examined the relationship between the distribution across a gradient of habitat permanence and an associated transition in the composition of top predators and the behaviour of species of larval dragonflies. It also assessed the relationship between larval behaviour, body size and the duration of the larval stage. In laboratory mesocosms the mobility of the different species was measured, as was the extent to which they associated with artificial vegetation.2. Species mobility was positively related to their natural occurrence in habitats in which invertebrates or small‐bodied fish were the top predators, and negatively related with the frequency with which species co‐existed with large‐bodied fish, the permanence of the habitat and the length of the larval stage.3. Rather than falling into strict low and high mobility categories, habitat generalists that occurred across the habitat gradient, co‐existing with different top predators, had variable mobility levels. In these generalists, mobility was positively related to how frequently they were found in natural habitats in which invertebrates were the top predators.4. The extent to which species utilized the artificial vegetation in mesocosms was associated with the length of the larval period but was not associated with mobility or species habitat distribution in the field.
Productivity and significance of headwater streams: population structure and biomass of the black‐bellied salamander (Desmognathus quadramaculatus)
Authors: PETERMAN WILLIAM E. , CRAWFORD JOHN A. , SEMLITSCH RAYMOND D. 
Published: October 2007

Summary1. Headwater streams are a significant feature of the southern Appalachian landscape, comprising more than 70% of the total stream length in the region. Salamanders are the dominant vertebrate within headwater‐riparian forest ecosystems, but their ecological role is not clearly understood.2. We studied a population of black‐bellied salamanders (Desmognathus quadramaculatus) at a headwater stream in the southern Appalachian Mountains using radio‐telemetry and mark‐recapture methods. The length and area of headwater streams in the region were estimated using GIS.3. Home ranges of radio‐tracked salamanders were relatively small (mean = 1.06 m2). Adult salamanders in our telemetry study inhabited edge microhabitats significantly more often than either stream or riparian microhabitats, and the same trend was observed in the mark‐recapture study.4. We estimated the population density at this site to be 11 294 salamanders ha−1, amounting to 99.30 kg ha−1 of biomass, an estimate that is six times greater than reported in previous studies. The majority of this biomass was found within the stream, but 22% was found in the surrounding riparian habitat more than 1 m from the stream. Using headwater stream length and area estimates, we extrapolated biomass estimates for black‐bellied salamanders inhabiting stream and riparian microhabitats across the study region.5. We report one of the largest estimates of secondary consumer biomass for a headwater ecosystem, attesting to the overall productivity of headwater streams. Headwaters are known to be important for ecological and ecosystem processes and our biomass estimates suggest that salamanders are a critical component to these systems.
Studies on uptake and intracellular processing of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus by Atlantic cod scavenger endothelial cells
Authors: Martin‐Armas M , Sommer A‐I , Smedsrød B 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPrevious work in our group has identified the scavenger endothelial cells (SECs) of heart endocardium in cod, Gadus morhua L., as the major site for elimination of both physiological and foreign macromolecular waste from the circulation. The present study was undertaken to establish the role of cod SECs in the clearance of virus. We focused on infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) as it is a well‐known virus with a broad host range, and causes significant economic losses in the salmon industry. Our results showed that cod SEC cultures infected by the IPNV produce high titres of new virus. Ligand‐receptor inhibition experiments suggested that the virus did not enter the cells through any of the major endocytosis receptors of cod SECs. Yet, the infection lowered the capacity of the cells to endocytose ligands via the scavenger receptor. Inhibitors of receptor recycling and vesicle acidification did not affect virus infectivity. The finding that SEC cultures prepared from 25% of the cod produced high titres of IPNV without being infected in the laboratory, suggests that SECs of cod may serve as reservoirs for IPNV in persistently infected cod.
Efficacy of triclosan soap against superficial dermatomycoses: a double‐blind clinical trial in 224 primary school‐children in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Authors: Dinkela Almuth , Ferié Julia , Mbata Marco , Schmid‐Grendelmeier Marco , Hatz Christoph 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  Superficial dermatomycoses are a common problem in tropical regions. Due to limited resources, specific antimycotic therapy is often not available. The present study was performed to assess the clinical efficacy of the antimicrobial agent Triclosan in bar soap in comparison with regular soap against selected superficial dermatomycoses in Tanzanian schoolchildren.Methods  820 primary school children were examined for skin disorders and 224 of these were included in the soap trial. The clinical presentation of dermatomycoses was recorded using a symptom score. Samples were taken for microscopic examination and mycological culture. The study participants received either bar soap containing Triclosan or a placebo for 2 months. They were re‐examined at the end of this period.Results  The benefit achieved by the addition of Triclosan was not statistically significant. Overall cure rates for Triclosan and placebo groups taken together were 21.8% for tinea versicolor, 58.3% for tinea capitis, 55.5% for tinea corporis and 68.8% for tinea pedis. This was confirmed microscopically. For the majority of the children the dermatomycoses improved significantly.Conclusions  The results strongly argue for regular soap use against common dermatomycoses as a low‐cost and effective treatment. This promising finding should be considered in settings where dermatophyte infections represent a public health problem and where access to appropriate treatment and financial resources are limited.
Correlation of mucocutaneous manifestations of HIV/AIDS infection with CD4 counts and disease progression
Authors: Nnoruka Edith N. , Chukwuka Judith C. , Anisuiba Ben 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  As the search for reliable clinical indicators for management of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in resource‐poor settings continues, mucocutaneous disorders of HIV should be considered among key clinical indicators for prediction of underlying immune status, disease progression, and possible complications of highly active antiretroviral therapy in Africa.Objective  To identify and correlate mucocutaneous disorders to CD4‐positive cell count and total lymphocyte count in HIV/AIDS patients of southeast Nigeria.Methodology  Data were collected through interview‐administered survey followed by clinical and dermatological examination of recruited patients and controls.Result  Mean CD4 cell count of HIV/AIDS patients was 303.81 cells/mm3 and was significantly lower to the control group – 807.3 cells/mm3 (z = 10.089 and P < 0.005). In comparison with the CD4 cell count of asymptomatic HIV‐positive patients (mean 433.6 cells/mm3), CD4 cell count of HIV‐positive patients with various mucocutaneous manifestations (mean 293.63 cells/mm3) was statistically correlated with low counts (z = 4.0731 and P < 0.05). Papulopruritic itch accounted for 32.2% (73/227) among patients with CD4+ cell counts of 51–200 cells/mm3, while seborrheic dermatitis occurred most significantly with CD4 cell counts of 201–500 cells/mm3 (43.1% vs. 12%P < 0.01) relative to those with lower CD4+ counts (51–200 cells/mm3). Mucocutaneous lesion counts of >100 cells/mm3 were readily observed in advanced stage.Conclusion  Cryptococcus skin lesions occurred at low CD4+ counts of ≤ 50 cells/mm3; Kaposi sarcoma at CD4+ counts of ≤ 200 cells/mm3, while seborrheic dermatitis occurred at CD4+ counts of >200 cells/mm3 and as an early skin manifestation within our environment. Campaign for the skin as an important clinical organ for assessment, prediction of immune status, and management of HIV/AIDS, particularly for hard‐to‐reach and resource‐limited health facilities, has to be undertaken.
Marjolin's ulcer: the importance of surgical management of chronic cutaneous ulcers
Authors: Asuquo Maurice , Ugare Gabriel , Ebughe Godwin , Jibril Paul 
Published: October 2007

AbstractChronic cutaneous ulcers are commonplace in the developing world, especially in rural areas with poor living conditions and often result from the trauma of road‐traffic injuries. Chronic cutaneous ulcers may also be due to vascular insufficiency, neuropathy, nodular leprosy, pressure, diabetes, or hemoglobinopathies, or they may be tropical ulcers. If poorly managed, these lesions may undergo malignant transformation. We evaluated the clinical histories and treatment outcomes of patients seen at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, between January 2000 and December 2004, who had histologic diagnosis of Marjolin's ulcer, in an attempt to identify risk factors for this problem. The six patients were men, age 30–70 years (mean, 42 years). Trauma was the leading cause of injury leading to ulceration: road‐traffic accidents (four patients, 66.7%), fall (one patient, 16.7%), and flame burn (one patient, 16.7%). Most injuries involved the limbs: lower (four patients, 66.7%) and upper (one patient, 16.7%). The histologic diagnosis in all the cases were squamous cell carcinoma and mean latency period from injury to diagnosis of malignancy was 18.5 years. All the patients had been admitted because of poor results from topical treatment. Three patients (50%) were managed with wide excision and skin grafting with the lesions healed. Ignorance as well as economic and sociocultural factors were the underlying issues. Education concerning the risks associated with chronic wounds and the need for prompt and proper surgical management are recommended.
Cutaneous disorders in the “bairro Inhamudima” of Beira, Mozambique
Authors: Chhaganlal Kajal , Van Jaarsveld Inge , Hoffmann Kristina , Ramos Maria Isabel , Krober Monique , De Hoop Dirk 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground  There are no reliable data on the prevalence of skin diseases in Mozambique.Aim  To address this issue and to apply the findings to the dermatology teaching program at the Universidade Católica de Moçambique.Methods  Medical students attempted to identify the most common skin disorders in the “bairro Inhamudima” of Beira, Mozambique by conducting a population survey. During a 3‐month period, the students visited families in a slum area. Information on gender, age, human immunodeficiency virus status, cutaneous abnormalities, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical course was recorded.Results  Eleven per cent of the study population suffered from cutaneous disease. More than half the patients (57%) sought medical assistance, but 39% could not be diagnosed by the medical students. The most common disorder was scabies. Other problems included fungal infections, viral infections, allergies, and dermatitis with or without secondary bacterial infection.Conclusions  There is a major dermatologic need in the slum areas of Beira, Mozambique. The dermatology teaching program should pay particular attention to training in the diagnosis and management of infections and infestations.
Effect of alternative medicinal systems and general practice
Authors: Verma Shyam 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAlternative medicinal systems like Ayurveda and homeopathy are respected and legitimate sciences. The former was born in India. Colleges abound in this country churning out tens of thousands of graduates of these fields. It is ironic that a large number of them pratice allopathic general practice instead of, or along with, their field of specialisation despite laws prohibiting them to do so. Their gross lack of knowledge of dermatology wreaks a havoc. Even GPs contribute to this confusion for the same reason. Pharmacists contribute to unauthorised sale of dermatologic drugs and promote unsupervised treatment flouting the law. The result is neglected and vitiated dermatoses, unwanted adverse drug reactions and resource depletion for the patient. The practising dermatologist in India is unfortunately the one who bears the brunt of the above confusion. However these situations are also contributory to the enviable clinical skills that Indian dermatologists are so well known for.
Pod shatter resistance evaluation in cultivars and breeding lines of Brassica napus, B. juncea and Sinapis alba
Authors: Wang R. , Ripley V. L. , Rakow G. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPod shatter susceptibility was investigated in Brassica napus germplasm and shatter resistant species of B. juncea and Sinapis alba. The comparisons were made by measuring seed yield in field plots, detached pod rupture energy (RE) and the half‐life of pod‐opening. Pod shatter resistance was significantly greater in B. napus lines derived from interspecific hybridizations of B. napus with B. rapa, B. carinata and B. juncea, than common B. napus cultivars. While these lines exhibited no significant difference in resistance to pod shatter than B. juncea, an entry of S. alba had no yield loss caused by pod shatter. Resistance to pod shatter was characterized in the field as little or no yield loss after full maturity, delayed shattering in time, and stable yield performance under variable climatic conditions during pod maturity. Yield loss caused by pod shatter ranged from a low of 4% for the B. juncea cv. ‘AC Vulcan’ to a high of 61% for the black seeded B. napus line DH12075 in 2‐year field trials after 1 month maturity. Pod shatter resistance was not significantly associated with specific plant and pod morphological traits, except pod length (P = 0.005) in tested materials. Field visual scores of pod shatter through inspections of average pod shatter per plant within plots were highly correlated with plot yield loss. Indoor quantitative evaluations of pod strength using a pendulum machine to measure pod RE and random impact test to measure half‐life of pod‐opening resistance were highly correlated with field yield loss. Multiple evaluations of pod shatter in method and in time after pod maturity are recommended for reliable evaluation of pod shatter resistance.
Genetic diversity of Chinese Spring Soybean Germplasm Revealed by SSR Markers
Authors: Wang L. X. , Guan R. X. , Li Y. H. , Lin F. Y. , Luan W. J. , Li W. , Ma Y. S. , Liu Z. X. , Chang R. Z. , Qiu L. J. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractTo use, maintain and increase crop germplasm collections efficiently, it is important to assess the diversity of these collections. In this study, 1383 accessions of Chinese spring sowing soybean (Glycine max) were used for SSR analysis. In total, 1111 alleles were detected among these collections with an average number of alleles (NA) of 18.52 per locus. The genetic diversity index (PIC value) varied from 0.456 to 0.928 with an average of 0.815. Intensive breeding of cultivars have led to a decrease of genetic diversity. Random‐repeated sampling within landraces of different geographical regions suggested that the ranking of both average NA and PIC values among different geographical regions were North spring soybean (Nsp) > South spring soybean (Ssp) > Northeast spring soybean (NEsp), but because of the uneven distribution of SSR variation patterns, the differences between them did not reach a significant level. There was a relationship between genetic distances and geographical distances among soybean populations from different regions, indicating a certain degree of geographical differentiation among Chinese soybean germplasm collections.
Effect of Porcine and Ovine FSH on Nuclear Maturation of Pig Oocytes In Vitro
Authors: Samartzi F , Tsakmakidis I , Theodosiadou E , Vainas E 
Published: October 2007

ContentsThe effect of porcine or ovine FSH on the maturation rate of porcine oocytes and on the time course of meiotic progression was studied. Groups of 20 grade‐A cumulus oocyte complexes, aspirated from slaughterhouse cycling‐gilt ovaries, were cultured in vitro in 400 μl of Modified Parker's Medium supplemented with oestrous cow serum and porcine FSH (Folltropin®‐V, 0.50 mg/ml) or ovine FSH (OvagenTM, 0.44 iu/ml), in four‐well dishes under mineral oil, at 38.5°C, 5% CO2 in humidified air. At the end of each 3‐h interval, from 3 to 42 h of culture, the nuclear status of oocytes was assessed microscopically (1000×), after fixation (methanol/acetic acid: 3/1) and orcein (2%) staining. Oocytes were classified as (i) immature (IMM), i.e. oocytes at germinal vesicle stage, germinal vesicle break down and prophase I, (ii) metaphase I (MI) and (iii) metaphase II (MII), i.e. oocytes at anaphase I, telophase I and metaphase II. Data were analysed using regression analysis, chi‐square and t‐test. Nuclear status was assessed in 1610 oocytes (porcine FSH: 787, ovine FSH: 823). Most of the oocytes were at MI from 24 to 33 h (porcine FSH 60.27%, ovine FSH 42.80%, p < 0.001) and at MII from 36 to 42 h (porcine FSH 80.38%, ovine FSH 67.45%, p < 0.01) of culture. Significantly higher maturation rate was observed in porcine FSH than in ovine FSH treated oocytes (86.69 ± 12.97%, 71.34 ± 9.86%, mean ± SD, p < 0.05), after 42 h of culture. In conclusion, under the specific culture conditions, porcine FSH seems to support pig oocyte maturation better than ovine FSH.
Amyloidosis of the breast mimicking recurrence in a previously treated early breast cancer
Authors: Toohey JM , Ismail K , Lonergan D , Lewis CR 
Published: October 2007

SummaryAmyloid involvement of the breast is infrequently reported and may have clinical and radiological features suspicious for a primary breast malignancy. We describe a case of amyloid of the breast in which asymptomatic mammographic findings were suspicious for locally recurrent disease in a patient with previously treated breast cancer.