bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Construction and validation of a prototype microarray for efficient and high‐throughput genotyping of angiosperms
Authors: Jayasinghe Ruchira , Kong Stephan , Coram Tristan E. , Kaganovitch Janna , Xue Charlie C. L. , Li Chun G. , Pang Edwin C. K. 
Published: February 2007

SummaryUntil recently, the identification of plants relied on conventional techniques, such as morphological, anatomical and chemical profiling, that are often inefficient or unfeasible in certain situations. Extensive literature exists describing the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA‐based identification techniques, which offer a reliable platform, but their broad application is often limited by a low throughput. However, hybridization‐based microarray technology represents a rapid and high‐throughput tool for genotype identification at a molecular level. Using an innovative technique, a ‘Subtracted Diversity Array’ (SDA) of 376 features was constructed from a pooled genomic DNA library of 49 angiosperm species, from which pooled non‐angiosperm genomic DNA was subtracted. Although not the first use of a subtraction technique for genotyping, the SDA method was superior in accuracy, sensitivity and efficiency, and showed high‐throughput capacity and broad application. The SDA technique was validated for potential genotyping use, and the results indicated a successful subtraction of non‐angiosperm DNA. Statistical analysis of the polymorphic features from the pilot study enabled the establishment of accurate phylogenetic relationships, confirming the potential use of the SDA technique for genotyping. Further, the technique substantially enriched the presence of polymorphic sequences; 68% were polymorphic when using the array to differentiate six angiosperm clades (Asterids, Rosids, Caryophyllids, Ranunculids, Monocots and Eumagnoliids). The ‘proof of concept’ experiments demonstrate the potential of establishing a highly informative, reliable and high‐throughput microarray‐based technique for novel application to sequence independent genotyping of major angiosperm clades.
Collective Bargaining and Wage Dispersion in Europe
Authors: Dell’Aringa Carlo , Pagani Laura 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe level at which collective bargaining takes place is usually considered important in determining wage levels and wage inequalities. Two different situations are considered: a first in which bargaining is only ‘multi‐employer’, and a second in which it is ‘multi‐level’, in the sense that workers can be covered by both a ‘multi‐employer’ and a ‘single‐employer’ contract at the same time. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of these different institutional settings on pay dispersion. The study is carried out using the European Structure of Earnings Survey, which is a large dataset containing detailed matched employer–employee information for the year 1995. The countries analysed are Italy, Belgium and Spain. The empirical results generally show that wages of workers covered by only a ‘multi‐employer’ contract are no more compressed than those of workers covered by both ‘multi‐employer’ and ‘single‐employer’ contracts. This implies that where workers are not covered by single‐employer bargaining, they receive wage supplements paid unilaterally by their employers.
Large Employers and Apprenticeship Training in Britain
Authors: Ryan Paul , Gospel Howard , Lewis Paul 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe consider the link between apprenticeship and large employers in Britain, in terms of the contribution of apprenticeship to intermediate skills and the contribution of large employers to the Advanced Apprenticeship (AA) programme. Evidence is taken from interviews with managers in 28 organizations. We find that apprenticeship functions to only a limited extent outside AA, and then primarily because of the ineligibility of particular categories of trainee. The use that employers make of apprenticeship varies considerably, in association with its cost‐effectiveness relative to recruitment and upgrade training within human resource management strategy, and with employers’ evaluations of the technical content of AA qualifications. The prospects for increased sponsorship of apprenticeship by large organizations are curbed by the greater appeal of recruitment and upgrade training in various contexts.
Experiencing Part‐Time Work: Temporal Tensions, Social Relations and the Work–Family Interface
Authors: Walsh Janet 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPart‐time work is commonly depicted as positive for women workers and their experience of work and home. Drawing on the qualitative commentaries of lower‐level service workers, this study explores the temporal, social and interpersonal consequences of part‐time work. While many employees liked part‐time work, there was evidence that fragmented work schedules, mandated overtime and difficulties in taking time off work created tensions and problems for women in both the work and family domains. Inferior treatment also punctuated the work experiences of a number of part‐time employees and served to underline their differential work status.
Sharing Stories: Parents' Involvement in Reading with Inner‐City Nursery Children
Authors: Robson Cliff , Whitley Steve 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRecent research has underlined both the benefits of parents reading stories to their children before they start school and of parental involvement in the early reading stages. A one‐year project was carried out in the nursery class of an inner‐city primary school to set up a regular book borrowing service to enable and encourage parents to read regularly to their pre‐reception class children. The level of parental and child interest was monitored throughout. An attempt to measure the effect of the input was made by testing the children involved in the project at the end of their reception class year.Although the results do not show any significant difference in the level of achievement between the experimental school and the two control schools, the project did reveal an unexpectedly high level of parental interest in orienting children towards literacy.
Human papillomavirus infection and primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a seroepidemiological study
Authors: Riska A , Finne P , Koskela P , Alfthan H , Jalkanen J , Lehtinen M , Sorvari T , Stenman U‐H , Paavonen J , Leminen A 
Published: February 2007

Objective  To evaluate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 or 33 infection in primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC).Design  A retrospective case–control study.Setting  Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.Population  Seventy‐eight consecutive women with PFTC diagnosed between 1985 and 2000 were studied. For each case, two healthy controls were selected.Methods  Serum immunoglobulin G antibodies to HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33 were measured from women with PFTC and their healthy controls.Main outcome measures  Analysis of HPV 6, 11, 18, 31 and 33 seropositivity among women with PFTC and controls.Results  Seropositivity rates of non‐oncogenic or oncogenic HPV types did not differ between cases and controls, odds ratios being 1.04–1.30 for oncogenic HPVs and 1.08–1.19 for non‐oncogenic HPVs, similarly. We did not find any multiplicative joint effect in PFTC by antibodies to more than one oncogenic HPV type; neither did we find any antagonistic effect among women with antibodies to non‐oncogenic and oncogenic HPV types.Conclusions  Our results do not suggest any link between PFTC and serological evidence for HPV infection.
Noninvasive antenatal management of fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: safe and effective
Authors: Van Den Akker ESA , Oepkes D , Lopriore E , Brand A , Kanhai HHH 
Published: February 2007

Objective  To describe the outcome of pregnancies with fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) in relation to the invasiveness of the management protocol.Design  Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a national cohort.Setting  Leiden University Medical Centre, the national centre for management of severe red cell and platelet alloimmunisation in pregnancy.Population  Ninety‐eight pregnancies in 85 women with FNAIT having a previous child with thrombocytopenia with (n= 16) or without (n= 82) an intracranial haemorrhage (ICH).Methods  Our management protocol evolved over time from (1) serial fetal blood samplings (FBS) and platelet transfusion (n= 13) via (2) combined FBS with maternal intravenous immunoglobulins (n= 33) to (3) completely noninvasive treatment with immunoglobulins only (n= 52 pregnancies, resulting in 53 neonates). Perinatal outcome was assessed according to the three types of management.Main outcome measures  Occurrence of ICH, perinatal survival, gestational age at birth and complications of FBS.Results  All but one of 98 pregnancies ended in a live birth; none of the neonates had an ICH. The median gestational age at birth was 37 weeks (range 32–40). In groups 1 and 2, three emergency caesarean sections were performed after complicated FBS, resulting in two healthy babies and one neonatal death.Conclusion  Noninvasive antenatal management of pregnancies complicated by FNAIT appears to be both effective and safe.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the Japanese eight‐barbel loach, Lefua echigonia
Authors: KOIZUMI NORIYUKI , TAKAHASHI HIDEAKI , MINEZAWA MITSURU , TAKEMURA TAKESHI , OKUSHIMA SHUJI , MORI ATSUSHI 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe isolated and characterized 17 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the Japanese eight‐barbel loach, Lefua echigonia, an endangered freshwater species in streams including agricultural canals in Japan. The number of observed alleles for each locus ranged from two to nine, and the values of observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.125 to 0.844 and from 0.148 to 0.876, respectively. All loci conformed to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Genetic linkage disequilibrium analysis between all pairs of the loci showed no significant departure from the null hypothesis between any of the loci.
Development and characterization of eight microsatellite markers in bullet tuna (Auxis rochei)
Authors: CATANESE GAETANO , INFANTE CARLOS , CRESPO ANIELA , ZUASTI EUGENIA , PONCE MARIAN , FUNES VICTORIA , PÉREZ LAURA , MANCHADO MANUEL 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe bullet tuna (Auxis rochei) is a worldwide species of high commercial value in Spain. Nevertheless, little information is currently available about the genetic characteristics of wild A. rochei populations. In this survey, we have developed eight new microsatellites for the bullet tuna using an enriched genome library protocol. Primers were screened on a total of 78 individuals from three wild populations (Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific), revealing seven to 27 alleles per locus with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.63 to 0.97. These markers can be potentially useful tools for use in population genetic studies.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in a marine fish species, the tusk (Brosme brosme)
Authors: KNUTSEN HALVOR , FIANI DAVID , SANNÆS HANNE , HOELZEL A. RUS 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe developed polymerase chain reaction primers for nine dinucleotide microsatellite loci in the marine deep‐sea fish, the tusk (Brosme brosme). All markers were obtained from a partial genomic DNA library, and characterized in 100 unrelated individuals from one putative population. The number of alleles ranged from two to 60 with an average of 15/locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.020 to 0.826 (average 0.438). Several of the markers amplified multiple alleles from the two other gadoid species tested.
Microsatellite loci from the ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Suillus pictus associated with the genus Pinus subgenus Strobus
Authors: HIROSE D. , TOKUMASU S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSeven microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete Suillus pictus associated with soft pine species (Pinus subgenus Strobus) using a dual‐suppression‐PCR technique. Microsatellite variation was assessed using 38 isolates of S. pictus sampled from three different local populations in Japan. The number of alleles per locus ranged from three to 12 within populations. These microsatellite loci can be used for studying the allelic variation and genetic structure in/among local populations of S. pictus.
PROCESS FOR OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT: WOMEN’S OPINIONS
Authors: BENTO SILVANA FERREIRA , HARDY ELLEN , OSIS MARIA JOSÉ DUARTE 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTIn Brazil, every study involving human beings is required to produce an informed consent form that must be signed by study participants: this is stated in Resolution 196/96.1 Consent must be obtained through a specific structured process.Objective:  To present the opinions of women regarding how the process of obtaining informed consent should be conducted when women are invited to participate in studies on contraceptive methods.Subjects and Methods:  Eight focus groups were conducted, involving a total of 51 women living in the metropolitan region of Campinas. The women involved in the study were either participating in a clinical trial in the area of women’s health or had participated in such a trial in the previous 12 months. A thematic guide was used to conduct the focus group discussions; the discussions were recorded, transcribed and a thematic analysis performed.Results:  In general, the person who invites a woman to participate in a study should be a member of the research team but not the principal investigator. Information relating to the study should be given orally and in writing, both individually and in the group setting. Study volunteers should be informed about, among other things, the risks, possible side effects and discomforts, including long‐term effects. The use of audiovisual aids to provide information was suggested.Conclusion:  The process for obtaining informed consent was seen as a means of establishing a relationship between the volunteers and the investigator/research team. The information that the study participants expected to be given coincides with the requirements established under Resolution 196/96. The use of audiovisual aids would improve understanding of the information provided.
RESPECT FOR PERSONS PERMITS PRIORITIZING TREATMENT FOR HIV/AIDS
Authors: METZ THADDEUS 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTI defend a certain claim about rationing in the context of HIV/AIDS, namely, the ‘priority thesis’ that the state of a developing country with a high rate of HIV should provide highly active anti‐retroviral treatment (HAART) to those who would die without it, even if doing so would require not treating most other life‐threatening diseases. More specifically, I defend the priority thesis in a negative way, by refuting two influential and important arguments against it inspired by the Kantian principle of respect for persons. The ‘equality argument’ more or less maintains that prioritizing treatment for HIV/AIDS would objectionably treat those who suffer from it as more important than those who do not. The ‘responsibility argument’ says, roughly, that to ration life‐saving treatment by prioritizing those with HIV would wrongly fail to hold people responsible for their actions, since most people infected with HIV could have avoided the foreseeable harm of infection. While it appears that a Kantian must think that one of these two arguments is sound, I maintain that, in fact, respect for persons grounds neither the equality nor responsibility argument against prioritizing HAART and hence at least permits doing so. If this negative defence of the priority thesis succeeds, then conceptual space is opened up for the possibility that respect for persons requires prioritizing HAART, which argument I sketch in the conclusion as something to articulate and defend in future work.
Correlation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and mutations in basal core promoter/precore with clinical features of chronic HBV infection
Authors: Du Heng , Li Tong , Zhang Hua‐Yuan , He Zhong‐Ping , Dong Qing‐Ming , Duan Xue‐Zhang , Zhuang Hui 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground/Aims: To investigate the correlation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) mutations in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods: HBV genotyping, nucleotide mutation, serum HBV DNA level and serological markers were analyzed in 121 patients with chronic HBV infection using INNO‐LiPA HBV genotyping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product‐based sequencing, fluorescence quantitative PCR and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays respectively.Results: Forty (33.0%), 77 (63.6%), two (1.7%) and two (1.7%) patients had genotypes B, C, B/C and D infections respectively. Significant differences were found in serum HBV DNA levels (log10 copies/ml: 6.18 vs. 5.61, P=0.042) and mutations at nucleotide (nt) 1762/1764 (71.4% vs. 42.5%, P=0.002) between genotypes C‐ and B‐infected patients. There were significant differences in the mean age, serum biochemical parameter levels and mutation rates in BCP/PC among hepatitis e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive and ‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and liver cirrhosis (LC) groups.Conclusion: Genotypes C and B are predominant in China, and the frequent nt 1762/1764 mutation, which occurs commonly in HBeAg‐negative CHB, especially in genotype C patients, may be associated with the progress of chronic HBV infection.
Open‐label pilot study of folic acid in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai , Levy Cynthia , Angulo Paul , Keach Jill , Jorgensen Roberta , Lindor Keith D. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract:Background/Aims: Folate deficiency disturbs hepatic methionine metabolism and promotes the development of steatohepatitis in animal models. Our aims were (1) to determine the safety and efficacy of folic acid treatment in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) on changes in liver biochemistries, and (2) to investigate the presence of subclinical folate deficiency in this population.Methods: Patients with biopsy‐proven NASH were treated with folic acid 1 mg/day for 6 months. Liver enzymes and adverse events were monitored every 3 months until completion.Results: Ten patients (one male and nine females) with a median age of 54 years were enrolled in this study. At baseline, the median steatosis grade was 2 (range 1–3), the median necroinflammatory grade was 1 (1–3), and the median fibrosis stage was 2 (0–4). The median level of red cell folate was 526 ng/ml (range 99–708); the normal level was 268–616 ng/ml. One compensated cirrhotic patient had folate deficiency. No serious adverse events occurred. After 6 months of therapy, no significant reductions in serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels (60±25 vs. 54±29, P=0.5 and 86±29 vs. 83±42, P=0.6, respectively), were observed. Serum levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and prothrombin time remained in the normal range during treatment in all patients.Conclusion: Six months of therapy with folic acid at a dose of 1 mg/day, although safe and well tolerated, does not lead to a significant biochemical improvement in patients with NASH. In a small number of patients, folate deficiency was present in only a cirrhotic patient.
Dynamics of hepatitis B e antigen index ratio correlate with treatment response in chronic hepatitis B patients
Authors: Wang Chia‐Chi , Liu Chun‐Jen , Lai Ming‐Yang , Kao Jia‐Horng , Chen Ding‐Shinn 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground/Aim: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is an important event in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Whether early dynamics of HBeAg index ratio could predict therapeutic endpoint of HBeAg seroconversion in patients receiving lamivudine remains unclear and thus deserves investigation.Methods: A total of 52 patients (males/females, 40/12; mean age, 31.1±7.5 years) with HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level ≥5 × upper limit of normal were enrolled. They received daily 100 mg lamivudine for at least 1 year. Pretreatment HBeAg index ratio and the dynamics during treatment [early serologic response (ESR) and serologic breakthrough (SB)] between responders and non‐responders were compared.Results: Of these 52 patients, mean pretreatment serum ALT level was 580 IU/l and baseline HBeAg index ratio (S/N) was 37.9. The overall 1‐year on‐treatment combined response rate was 50%. By using linear regression analysis, HBeAg index ratio was positively correlated with serum HBV DNA level (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.62, P<0.0001). By using multivariate logistic regression analysis, ESR could predict the success of treatment response (P=0.0302), and SB had a 90% positive predictive value of treatment failure.Conclusions: HBeAg index ratio is closely correlated with serum HBV DNA level, and the dynamics of HBeAg index ratio may predict 1‐year on‐treatment combined response to lamivudine in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients.
New molecular targets for hepatocellular carcinoma: the ErbB1 signaling system
Authors: Berasain Carmen , Castillo Josefa , Prieto Jesús , Avila Matías A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer‐related deaths. This malignancy is often diagnosed at an advanced state, when most potentially curative therapies are of limited efficacy. In addition, HCC is a type of tumor highly resistant to available chemotherapeutic agents, which leaves HCC patients with no effective therapeutic options and a poor prognosis. From a molecular perspective, HCC is a heterogeneous type of tumor. However, in most cases, HCC emerges on a background of persistent liver injury, inflammation and hepatocellular proliferation, which is characteristic of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Recent studies have revealed that dysregulation of a limited number of growth and survival‐related pathways can play a key role in HCC development. The epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB1) can be bound and activated by a broad family of ligands, and can also engage in extensive cross talk with other signaling pathways. This system is considered as an important defense mechanism for the liver during acute tissue injury; however, accumulating evidences suggest that its chronic stimulation can participate in the neoplastic conversion of the liver. Agents that target the ErbB1 receptor have shown antineoplastic activity in other types of tumors, but their efficacy either alone or in combination with other compounds has just started to be tested in experimental and human HCC. Here, we review the evidences that support the involvement of the ErbB1 in HCC development and that provide a rationale for ErbB1 targeting in HCC prevention and treatment.