bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low rate of apoptosis and overexpression of bcl‐2 in Epstein–Barr virus‐associated gastric carcinoma
Authors: Kume T , Oshima K , Shinohara T , Takeo H , Yamashita Y , Shirakusa T , Kikuchi M 
Published: October 2006

AimsEpstein–Barr virus (EBV) has been demonstrated in about 10% of gastric carcinomas. However, the pathogenetic role of EBV in gastric carcinoma is uncertain. We compared the rate of apoptotic cell death, cell proliferation and the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins in gastric carcinomas with or without EBV.Methods and resultsEpstein–Barr virus was detected in 40 gastric carcinomas by EBV‐encoded small RNA‐1 in‐situ hybridization. Apoptotic cell death, MIB‐1, p53, bcl‐2 and bcl‐x were examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl‐mediated dUTP‐nick end labelling method and immunohistochemistry. We also included 40 age‐, sex‐ and disease stage‐matched EBV‐negative cases as a control. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly lower in EBV‐positive (20 ± 15.1/1000 cells) and bcl‐2‐positive (17 ± 12.9/1000 cells) tumours than in EBV‐negative (43 ± 37.1) and bcl‐2‐negative tumours (38 ± 32.1, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). bcl‐2 immunostaining was significantly higher in EBV‐positive tumours (24 cases) than in EBV‐negative tumours (12 cases, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in bcl‐x and p53 expression between EBV‐positive and ‐negative tumours. The number of MIB‐1‐positive cells in EBV‐positive tumours (237 ± 161/1000) was significantly lower than in EBV‐negative tumours (480 ± 208/1000 cells, P < 0.001).ConclusionsA low rate of apoptosis and high bcl‐2 expression were recognized in EBV‐positive gastric carcinomas, suggesting that bcl‐2 protein is the main inhibitor of apoptosis in EBV‐positive carcinomas. In addition, the low apoptotic and proliferative activities may reflect a low biological activity in EBV‐positive gastric carcinomas.
A test of the reproductive cost hypothesis for sexual size dimorphism in Yarrow's spiny lizard Sceloporus jarrovii
Authors: COX R. M. 
Published: October 2006

Summary

Trade‐offs between reproduction and growth are central assumptions of life‐history theory, but their implications for sexual size dimorphism (SSD) are poorly understood.
Adult male Yarrow's spiny lizards Sceloporus jarrovii average 10% larger than adult females. In a low‐altitude (1700 m) population, this SSD develops because males grow more quickly than females during the first year of life, particularly during the first female reproductive season. This study tests the hypothesis that SSD develops because female growth is constrained by energetic costs of reproduction.
To test for a growth cost of reproduction, I compared growth rates of free‐living females that differed, either naturally or experimentally, in reproductive status. Females that naturally delayed reproduction until their second year grew more quickly than females that reproduced as yearlings, and ovariectomized yearlings grew more quickly and to larger sizes than reproductive controls.
To determine whether SSD develops in the absence of this inferred reproductive cost, I also studied a high‐altitude (2500 m) population in which all females delay reproduction until their second year. Sex differences in growth trajectories were similar to those observed at low altitude, such that males averaged 10% larger than females even prior to female reproduction.
Although female growth may be constrained by reproduction, multiple lines of evidence indicate that this cost is insufficient to explain the full magnitude of SSD in S. jarrovii. First, differences in growth of reproductive and nonreproductive females are not observed until the final month of gestation, by which time SSD is already well developed. Second, the growth benefit accruing from experimental inhibition of reproduction accounts for only 32% of the natural sex difference in body size. Finally, SSD develops well in advance of female reproduction in a high‐altitude population with delayed maturation.
Interactive effects of environmental stress and inbreeding on reproductive traits in a wild bird population
Authors: MARR A. B. , ARCESE P. , HOCHACHKA W. M. , REID J. M. , KELLER L. F. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryConservation biologists are concerned about the interactive effects of environmental stress and inbreeding because such interactions could affect the dynamics and extinction risk of small and isolated populations, but few studies have tested for these interactions in nature.We used data from the long‐term population study of song sparrowsMelospiza melodiaon Mandarte Island to examine the joint effects of inbreeding and environmental stress on four fitness traits that are known to be affected by the inbreeding level of adult birds: hatching success, laying date, male mating success and fledgling survival.We found that inbreeding depression interacted with environmental stress to reduce hatching success in the nests of inbred females during periods of rain.For laying date, we found equivocal support for an interaction between parental inbreeding and environmental stress. In this case, however, inbred females experienced less inbreeding depression in more stressful, cooler years.For two other traits, we found no evidence that the strength of inbreeding depression varied with environmental stress. First, mated males fathered fewer nests per season if inbred or if the ratio of males to females in the population was high, but inbreeding depression did not depend on sex ratio. Second, fledglings survived poorly during rainy periods and if their father was inbred, but the effects of paternal inbreeding and rain did not interact.Thus, even for a single species, interactions between the inbreeding level and environmental stress may not occur in all traits affected by inbreeding depression, and interactions that do occur will not always act synergistically to further decrease fitness.
Postcopulatory inbreeding avoidance by female crickets only revealed by molecular markers
Authors: SIMMONS LEIGH W. , BEVERIDGE MAXINE , WEDELL NINA , TREGENZA TOM 
Published: October 2006

AbstractMultiple mating is thought to provide an opportunity for females to avoid the costs of genetic incompatibility by postcopulatory selection of compatible sperm haplotypes. Few studies have tested the genetic incompatibility hypothesis directly. Here we experimentally manipulated the compatibility of females with their mates using the gryllid cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus. We recorded the hatching success of eggs laid by females mated with two nonsibling males, two siblings, or one nonsibling male and one sibling. In contrast with two previous studies on crickets that have adopted this approach, the hatching success of eggs did not differ between females mated with two full siblings and females mated with two unrelated males, indicating that embryo viability was not a cost of inbreeding in this species. We assigned paternity to offspring produced by females mated to both a sibling and a nonsibling male using microsatellite markers. As in previous studies of this species, we were unable to detect any difference in the proportion of offspring sired by the 1st and the 2nd male to mate with a female when females were unrelated to their mates. However, in our experimental matings the proportion of offspring sired by the nonsibling male depended on his sequence position. Paternity was biased toward the nonsibling male when he mated first. Our data show that molecular analyses of paternity are essential to detect subtle mechanisms of postcopulatory sexual selection.
Sperm competition games: the risk model can generate higher sperm allocation to virgin females
Authors: BALL M. A. , PARKER G. A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe examine the risk model in sperm competition games for cases where female fertility increases significantly with sperm numbers (sperm limitation). Without sperm competition, sperm allocation increases with sperm limitation. We define ‘average risk’ as the probability q that females in the population mate twice, and ‘perceived risk’ as the information males gain about the sperm competition probability with individual females. If males obtain no information from individual females, sperm numbers increase with q unless sperm limitation is high and one of the two competing ejaculates is strongly disfavoured. If males can distinguish between virgin and mated females, greater sperm allocation to virgins is favoured by high sperm limitation, high q, and by the second male's ejaculate being disfavoured. With high sperm limitation, sperm allocation to virgins increases and to mated females decreases with q at high q levels. With perfect information about female mating pattern, sperm allocation (i) to virgins that will mate again exceeds that to mated females and to virgins that will mate only once, (ii) to virgins that mate only once exceeds that for mated females if q is high and there is high second male disadvantage and (iii) to each type of female can decrease with q if sperm limitation is high, although the average allocation increases at least across low q levels. In general, higher sperm allocation to virgins is favoured by: strong disadvantage to the second ejaculate, high sperm limitation, high average risk and increased information (perceived risk). These conditions may apply in a few species, especially spiders.
Training doctors in general practices: A review of the literature
Authors: Larsen Karen , Perkins David 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective:  This study was undertaken to assess the evidence of whether new forms of medical training, where substantial training takes place in general practice, will be acceptable to GPs. In particular, we asked the questions: Are GPs willing to act as trainers and supervisors in their practices? Do GPs have the appropriate skills to be trainers? Do practices have the infrastructure and resources to support placements? And, are patients happy to be seen by medical students and General Practice Registrars? Design:  Key Australian and international databases, key Australian journals and key Australian websites were searched for literature on general practice‐based training of medical students and General Practice Registrars. Results:  In the international and Australian literature, we found that many GPs consider training medical students and General Practice Registrars to be intrinsically satisfying. They vary in their skills, and most medical schools have made significant investments in training and support activities. Many practices do not have the necessary infrastructure, and investments need to be made if extended placements are to be successful. Many patients are happy to be seen by students and Registrars, but careful thought needs to be given to implementing appropriate models so that students have good learning opportunities, patients are not disadvantaged and general practices can operate efficiently. Conclusion:  The success of this new model of clinical placements is dependent on medical schools having a detailed understanding of the needs and expectations of GPs.
Orientation for general practice in remote Aboriginal communities: A program for registrars in the Northern Territory
Authors: Morgan Simon 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground:  Remote general practice can be a highly rewarding career, but poses many personal and professional challenges. It is characterised by significant geographical, professional and social isolation and a requirement for practitioners with public health, emergency and extended clinical skills. The remote practitioner faces further challenges in the remote Aboriginal community setting, including language and cultural barriers. Objectives:  This paper discusses the specific components of a remote Aboriginal community general practice registrar orientation program in the Northern Territory, and their particular importance and relevance to remote training and practice in this context.Discussion:  Northern Territory General Practice Education, the regional general practice training provider in the Northern Territory, has developed a model for a comprehensive orientation program for general practice registrars planning to work in remote Aboriginal community locations. This comprises a number of core components, including communication and cultural safety training; clinical and procedural skill development; population health; self‐care and personal/professional role delineation; and organisational issues. We believe it is a program that is applicable to other disciplines undertaking work in remote Aboriginal communities.
Factors affecting the recruitment and retention of pharmacists to practice sites in rural and remote areas of New South Wales: A qualitative study
Authors: Harding Anthony , Whitehead Paula , Aslani Parisa , Chen Timothy 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective:  To explore factors affecting recruitment and retention of pharmacists in rural/remote areas of New South Wales (NSW). Design:  Qualitative semistructured in‐depth interviews. Setting:  Primary care – rural/remote community pharmacies. Participants:  Purposive sample of 12 community pharmacists. Main outcome measures:  Factors affecting recruitment and retention of pharmacists in rural/remote areas of NSW. Results:  Respondents reported a variety of personal and professional reasons for taking up rural practice, including previous rural experience and a preference for working in rural over metropolitan areas. The main factor affecting retention in rural areas was the high level of professional satisfaction and interprofessional rapport. Perceived reasons for the current under‐supply of pharmacists to rural/remote areas of NSW included changing demographics of the pharmacy undergraduate degree programs and pharmacy workforce, and negative perceptions of rural pharmacy practice and rural lifestyle. Conclusions:  This study identified factors believed to affect recruitment and retention of pharmacists in rural/remote areas. There appears to be considerable overlap between the factors, with different weightings of importance for different individuals. The lack of consensus for a proposed method of resolving this problem highlights its complexity and the need for further studies in this area.
Wagga Wagga specialist outreach palliative medicine service: A report on the first 12 months of service
Authors: Broadbent Andrew , McKenzie Jenny 
Published: October 2006

AbstractObjective:  This paper reports on and discusses the development of a visiting palliative medicine specialist outreach service for Wagga Wagga New South Wales, Australia, and presents initial data and three case vignettes for reflection. The visiting doctor was flown from Sydney each fortnight for a day and integrated with the local nursing based palliative care team. Methods:  Demographic data was collected over the initial 12 months of service, which included the location of the consult (hospital, home, nursing home), whom the consult was from (specialist, GP), age of the patient, location of death, type of cancer, as well as the complexity of consultation from the perspective of one of the authors. Results:  The majority of referrals were for advice on cancer pain control (62.3%) and other symptoms (26.7%) confirming the expectation. Those patients referred were considered appropriate, with over 75% having a palliative care issue that was considered appropriate for direct patient contact by the specialist in palliative medicine. Conclusions:  The provision of a visiting palliative medicine specialist to rural areas has been developed over the last few years in New South Wales and the reporting of the success of this particular service aims to provide evidence for the need and the development of further services, as it is expected that this service would continue but with an increasing number of referrals as the service became increasingly known.
How to modulate inflammatory cytokines in liver diseases
Authors: Tilg Herbert , Kaser Arthur , Moschen Alexander R. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Most acute and chronic liver diseases are characterized by inflammatory processes with enhanced expression of various pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines in the liver. These cytokines are the driving force of many inflammatory liver disorders often resulting in fibrosis and cirrhosis.Severe alcoholic hepatitis is a prototypic tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐associated disease. This knowledge has recently led to pilot studies with promising results investigating specific anti‐TNF drugs such as infliximab or etanercept in the treatment of this disease, although a recently performed controlled French study did show a potential detrimental effect of this approach. Anti‐TNF treatment strategies might also improve chronic hepatitis C infection as shown by one controlled trial using etanercept administered subcutaneously for 24 weeks. Furthermore, several case reports suggest that TNF‐α neutralization is not harmful to patients chronically infected with this virus. In contrast, neutralization of TNF‐α worsens and might even be associated with fatalities in chronic hepatitis B infection. Anti‐inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) have also been tried in patients with chronic liver diseases. Whereas IL‐10 administered to patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection shows indeed anti‐inflammatory effects in the liver, it seems to act as a proviral agent thereby limiting its clinical utility. Another cytokine with major anti‐inflammatory potential is the adipokine adiponectin, as its administration is beneficial in many experimental models of liver injury. Interference with cytokine pathways and/or administration of anti‐inflammatory cytokines will be of major interest in the future therapy of many liver diseases.
Systemic mediators induce fibrogenic effects in normal liver after partial bile duct ligation
Authors: Osawa Yosuke , Seki Ekihiro , Adachi Masayuki , Taura Kojiro , Kodama Yuzo , Siegmund Soren V. , Schwabe Robert F. , Brenner David A. 
Published: October 2006

Abstract: Background/Aims: Collagen production by activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event in liver fibrosis, and a number of factors have been characterized that trigger HSC activation and collagen production. However, it remains unclear if these factors act locally at the site of injury or also affect HSCs distant to the site of injury.Methods: A model of partial bile duct ligation (PBDL) in which fibrogenesis can be compared between the injured ligated lobe and the non‐ligated lobe.Results: After PBDL, HSCs showed an increased expression of procollagen type I α1 mRNA and collagen‐reporter gene activity not only in the ligated lobe, but also in the non‐ligated lobe, albeit at a lower level. In contrast, an increase in the number of desmin‐ and α‐smooth muscle actin positive HSCs, and accumulation of inflammatory cells were observed only in the ligated lobe. Although transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) mRNA was increased only in the ligated lobe, Smad2/3 were activated in the ligated and the non‐ligated lobe. These data suggest that the systemic increase in profibrogenic mediators including TGF‐β induces collagen transcription in the uninjured liver.Conclusion: Systemic profibrogenic mediators from the injury site affect the residual non‐injured liver.
The Challenge of Acute-Stroke Management: Does Telemedicine Offer a Solution?
Authors: Wu Olivia , Langhorne Peter 
Published: October 2006

Background Several studies have described successful experiences with the use of telemedicine in acute stroke. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and treatment delivery reliability, of telemedicine systems for the clinical and radiological assessment, and management of acute-stroke patients. Summary of Review A systematic review of the literature was carried out. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: ( 1 ) study population included participants with a diagnosis of suspected acute stroke, ( 2 ) intervention included the use of telemedicine systems to aid assessment, diagnosis, or treatment in acute stroke, and ( 3 ) outcomes measured related to feasibility in clinical practice, acceptability to patients, carers, and staff, reliability of telemedicine systems, and effectiveness in delivering treatment, especially tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Overall, 17 relevant non-randomised studies reported that telemedicine systems were feasible and acceptable. Interrater reliability was excellent for global clinical assessments and decisions on radiological exclusion criteria although agreement for individual assessment items was more variable. Telemedicine systems were associated with increased use of tPA. Conclusion Although there is limited reliable evidence, observational studies have indicated that telemedicine systems can be feasible, acceptable, and reliable in acute-stroke management. In addition, telemedicine consultations were associated with improved delivery of tPA.
QualitySNP: a pipeline for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions/deletions in EST data from diploid and polyploid species
Authors: Tang Jifeng , Vosman Ben , Voorrips Roeland E , van der Linden C Gerard , Leunissen Jack AM 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackgroundSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are important tools in studying complex genetic traits and genome evolution. Computational strategies for SNP discovery make use of the large number of sequences present in public databases (in most cases as expressed sequence tags (ESTs)) and are considered to be faster and more cost-effective than experimental procedures. A major challenge in computational SNP discovery is distinguishing allelic variation from sequence variation between paralogous sequences, in addition to recognizing sequencing errors. For the majority of the public EST sequences, trace or quality files are lacking which makes detection of reliable SNPs even more difficult because it has to rely on sequence comparisons only.ResultsWe have developed a new algorithm to detect reliable SNPs and insertions/deletions (indels) in EST data, both with and without quality files. Implemented in a pipeline called QualitySNP, it uses three filters for the identification of reliable SNPs. Filter 1 screens for all potential SNPs and identifies variation between or within genotypes. Filter 2 is the core filter that uses a haplotype-based strategy to detect reliable SNPs. Clusters with potential paralogs as well as false SNPs caused by sequencing errors are identified. Filter 3 screens SNPs by calculating a confidence score, based upon sequence redundancy and quality. Non-synonymous SNPs are subsequently identified by detecting open reading frames of consensus sequences (contigs) with SNPs. The pipeline includes a data storage and retrieval system for haplotypes, SNPs and alignments. QualitySNP's versatility is demonstrated by the identification of SNPs in EST datasets from potato, chicken and humans.ConclusionQualitySNP is an efficient tool for SNP detection, storage and retrieval in diploid as well as polyploid species. It is available for running on Linux or UNIX systems. The program, test data, and user manual are available athttp://www.bioinformatics.nl/tools/snpweb/and as Additional files.