bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial differences in treatment preferences: oral health as an example
Authors: Tilashalski Ken R. , Gilbert Gregg H. , Boykin Michael J. , Litaker Mark S. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Recent analyses from the Florida Dental Care Study found that response to a hypothetical scenario at baseline strongly predicted: (a) tooth loss during follow‐up; and (b) subsequent receipt of either a dental extraction or Root Canal Therapy (RCT). The scenario (‘CHOICE’) required choosing either to: (1) extract the tooth before even knowing the cost of treatments; (2) extract, but after knowing the cost of all treatments; or (3) have RCT despite knowing costs.Objective  The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with CHOICE and quantify their effects.Methods  As part of the baseline phase of the study, 873 subjects with at least one tooth and who were 45 years or older participated for an interview and dental examination. A multinomial multivariable regression of CHOICE quantified effects due to hypothesized predictors.Results  CHOICE was strongly associated with race (African‐Americans were significantly less likely to choose RCT). Results from the multivariable regression suggest that the race effect could be explained by racial differences in patient preference, treatment acceptability and ability to afford treatment.Conclusions  There were substantial racial differences in treatment preference even in this hypothetical scenario where racial differences in patient–provider interaction and clinical factors were not relevant. Certain predisposing and enabling variables explained these racial differences in treatment preference.
Economic analysis for clinical practice – the case of 31 national consensus guidelines in the Netherlands
Authors: Niessen Louis W. , Grijseels Els , Koopmanschap Marc , Rutten Frans 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRationale, aims and objective Evidence on the cost‐effectiveness of health interventions in the development of practice guidelines has become of interest in many countries. Challenges are the quality of economic data, the use of cost‐effectiveness criteria, and the consensus process. Our paper aims to assess the quality and use of economic information in the formulation of consensus guidelines in a Dutch pilot programme and to recommend improvements.Methods  Retrospective qualitative review of economic evaluations and formulated recommendations, using a checklist based on international standards.Results The national programme to support the development of guidelines with economic analysis in multidisciplinary consensus groups run from 1998 to 2002. It has included 31 medical guidelines, addressing 23 conditions across seven International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐disease groups. Experts in health technology assessment have participated in the guidelines groups. Economic information in all guidelines varies by all criteria in the level of evidence used. Information on quality‐adjusted life years gained is limited as is statistical analysis in most studies. Highest cost‐effectiveness ratios reported are between €20 000 and €30 000. However, there is no uniformity in the definitions of acceptable cost‐effectiveness ratios.Conclusions Economic recommendations can be included in guidelines. Interaction between clinicians and health economists promotes a balance between medical and economic arguments. Among panellists there appears to be agreement on the level of the cost‐effectiveness ratios that is acceptable. It is recommended that economic analysis is used to strengthen the evidence‐base of guidelines. An evidence‐grading system should include the quality of economic evaluation. Roles of policymakers and providers need to be defined.
Using semantic differentials in fieldwork
Authors: Shields Linda 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRationale  A large project was undertaken to examine attitudes and opinions of health staff and parents about the care of hospitalized children in four countries. A simple scoring system, which allowed comparisons between results from each country, was needed to examine concepts under investigation.Aims and objectives  This paper describes how, after trialling a range of methods, semantic differentials (SD) were found to be easy for the subjects to use. They translated well into other languages and provided scores which were easy to analyse and compare.Results  Semantic differentials are based on a series of line scores using adjectives and their antonyms for a set of characteristics. They are a particularly useful method for fieldwork analysis, as they can be done by hand with no computer support.Conclusions  Semantic differentials were found to be useful for cross‐cultural, quantitative studies of this kind. I discuss SDs, how they work, their trialling, reliability and validity and their usefulness in cross‐cultural research.
Treatment and survival from breast cancer: the experience of patients at South Australian teaching hospitals between 1977 and 2003
Authors: Luke Colin , Gill Grantley , Birrell Stephen , Humeniuk Vlad , Borg Martin , Karapetis Christos , Koczwara Bogda , Olver Ian , Penniment Michael , Pittman Ken , Price Tim , Walsh David , Kiat (Eric) Yeoh Eng , Roder David 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRationale  Treatment guidelines recommend a more conservative surgical approach than mastectomy for early stage breast cancer and a stronger emphasis on adjuvant therapy. Registry data at South Australian teaching hospitals have been used to monitor survivals and treatment in relation to these guidelines.Aims and objectives  To use registry data to: (1) investigate trends in survival and treatment; and (2) compare treatment with guidelines.Methods  Registry data from three teaching hospitals were used to analyse trends in primary courses of treatment of breast cancers during 1977–2003 (n = 4671), using univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression. Disease‐specific survivals were analysed using Kaplan–Meier product limit estimates and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.Results  The 5‐year survival was 79.9%, but with a secular increase, reaching 83.6% in 1997–2003. The relative risk of death (95% confidence limits) was 0.74 (0.62, 0.88) for 1997–2003, compared with previous diagnoses, after adjusting for tumour node metastasis stage, grade, age and place of residence. Treatment changes included an increase in conservative surgery (as opposed to mastectomy) from 51.7% in 1977–1990 to 76.8% in 1997–2003 for stage I (P < 0.001) and from 31.1% to 52.2% across these periods for stage II (P < 0.001). Adjuvant radiotherapy also became more common (P < 0.001), with 20.6% of patients receiving this treatment in 1977–1990 compared with 60.7% in 1997–2003. Radiotherapy generally was more prevalent when conservative surgery was provided, although also relatively common in mastectomy patients when tumour diameters exceeded 50 mm or when there were four or more involved nodes. The proportion of patients receiving chemotherapy increased (P < 0.001), from 19.6% in 1977–1990 to 36.9% in 1997–2003, and the proportion having hormone therapy also increased (P < 0.001), from 34.3% to 59.4% between these periods.Conclusions  Survivals appear to be increasing and treatment trends are broadly consistent with guideline directions, and the earlier research on which these recommendations were based.
Risk prediction for Down’s syndrome in young pregnant women using maternal serum biomarkers: determination of cut‐off risk from receiver operating characteristic curve analysis
Authors: Hwa Hsiao‐Lin , Ko Tsang‐Ming , Hsieh Fon‐Jou , Yen Ming‐Fang , Chou Kai‐Pei , Chen Tony Hsiu‐Hsi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjective  The aim of this study was to establish a predictive model for Down’s syndrome using maternal age as well as maternal serum levels of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and to identify an optimal cut‐off risk in women under the age of 35 years to improve sensitivity.Methods  Logistic regression models were utilized to predict fetal Down’s syndrome as a function of maternal age and logarithm of levels of AFP as well as hCG using training data of 20 pregnancies with fetal Down’s syndrome and 9730 unaffected pregnancies. Validation was performed using data of another nine affected pregnancies and 3496 unaffected pregnancies. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted.Results  Based on the newly established logistic regression equations, the optimal cut‐off risk from the ROC curve analysis was at 1:499, with a 17.8% false‐positive rate and a 90.0% sensitivity. A suboptimal cut‐off risk was estimated at 1:332, with a 12.0% false‐positive rate and an 80% sensitivity.Conclusion  A predictive model for Down’s syndrome was developed using logistic regression. By ROC curve analysis and clinical consideration, the cut‐off risk for young pregnant women could be determined.
The clinical and cultural factors in classifying low back pain patients within Greece: a qualitative exploration of Greek health professionals
Authors: Billis Evdokia V. , McCarthy Christopher J. , Stathopoulos Ioannis , Kapreli Eleni , Pantzou Paulina , Oldham Jacqueline A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives Identifying homogenous subgroups of low back pain (LBP) patients is considered a priority in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and is believed to enhance clinical outcomes. In order to achieve this, the specific features of each subgroup need to be identified. The aim of this study was to develop a list of clinical and cultural features that are included in the assessment of LBP patients in Greece, among health professionals. This ‘list’ will be, utilized in a clinical study for developing LBP subgroups.Methods Three focus groups were conducted, each one comprising health professionals with homogenous characteristics and all coordinated by a single moderator. There were: 11 physiotherapists (PTs) with clinical experience in LBP patients, seven PTs specialized in LBP management, and five doctors with a particular spinal interest.The focus of discussions was to develop a list of clinical and cultural features that were important in the examination of LBP. Content analysis was performed by two researchers.Results Clinicians and postgraduates developed five categories within the History (Present Symptoms, History of Symptoms, Function, Psychosocial, Medical History) and six categories within the Physical Examination (Observation, Neurological Examination, Active and Passive Movements, Muscle Features and Palpation). The doctors identified four categories in History (Symptomatology, Function, Psychosocial, Medical History) and an additional in Physical Examination (Special Tests). All groups identified three cultural categories; Attitudes of Health Professionals, Patients’ Attitudes and Health System influences.Conclusion An extensive Greek ‘list’ of clinical and cultural features was developed from the groups’ analysis. Although similarities existed in most categories, there were several differences across the three focus groups which will be discussed.
Phylogeography of the green turtle, Chelonia mydas, in the Southwest Indian Ocean
Authors: BOURJEA J. , LAPÈGUE S. , GAGNEVIN L. , BRODERICK D. , MORTIMER J. A. , CICCIONE S. , ROOS D. , TAQUET C. , GRIZEL H. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractPatterns of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation were used to analyse the population genetic structure of southwestern Indian Ocean green turtle (Chelonia mydas) populations. Analysis of sequence variation over 396 bp of the mtDNA control region revealed seven haplotypes among 288 individuals from 10 nesting sites in the Southwest Indian Ocean. This is the first time that Atlantic Ocean haplotypes have been recorded among any Indo‐Pacific nesting populations. Previous studies indicated that the Cape of Good Hope was a major biogeographical barrier between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans because evidence for gene flow in the last 1.5 million years has yet to emerge. This study, by sampling localities adjacent to this barrier, demonstrates that recent gene flow has occurred from the Atlantic Ocean into the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope. We also found compelling genetic evidence that green turtles nesting at the rookeries of the South Mozambique Channel (SMC) and those nesting in the North Mozambique Channel (NMC) belong to separate genetic stocks. Furthermore, the SMC could be subdivided in two different genetic stocks, one in Europa and the other one in Juan de Nova. We suggest that this particular genetic pattern along the Mozambique Channel is attributable to a recent colonization from the Atlantic Ocean and is maintained by oceanic conditions in the northern and southern Mozambique Channel that influence early stages in the green turtle life cycle.
Population genetic signatures of diffuse co‐evolution between leaf‐cutting ants and their cultivar fungi
Authors: MIKHEYEV A. S. , MUELLER U. G. , BOOMSMA J. J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSwitching of symbiotic partners pervades most mutualisms, despite mechanisms that appear to enforce partner fidelity. To investigate the interplay of forces binding and dissolving mutualistic pairings, we investigated partner fidelity at the population level in the attine ant–fungal cultivar mutualism. The ants and their cultivars exhibit both broad‐scale co‐evolution, as well as cultivar switching, with short‐term symbiont fidelity maintained by vertical transmission of maternal garden inoculates via dispersing queens and by the elimination of alien cultivar strains. Using microsatellite markers, we genotyped cultivar fungi associated with five co‐occurring Panamanian attine ant species, representing the two most derived genera, leaf‐cutters Atta and Acromyrmex. Despite the presence of mechanisms apparently ensuring the cotransmission of symbiont genotypes, different species and genera of ants sometimes shared identical fungus garden genotypes, indicating widespread cultivar exchange. The cultivar population was largely unstructured with respect to host ant species, with only 10% of the structure in genetic variance being attributable to partitioning among ant species and genera. Furthermore, despite significant genetic and ecological dissimilarity between Atta and Acromyrmex, generic difference accounted for little, if any, variance in cultivar population structure, suggesting that cultivar exchange dwarfs selective forces that may act to create co‐adaptive ant–cultivar combinations. Thus, binding forces that appear to enforce host fidelity are relatively weak and pairwise associations between cultivar lineages and ant species have little opportunity for evolutionary persistence. This implicates that mechanisms other than partner fidelity feedback play important roles in stabilizing the leafcutter ant–fungus mutualism over evolutionary time.
Landscape‐scale genetic variation in a forest outbreak species, the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae)
Authors: MOCK K. E. , BENTZ B. J. , O’NEILL E. M. , CHONG J. P. , ORWIN J. , PFRENDER M. E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe mountain pine beetleDendroctonus ponderosaeis a native species currently experiencing large‐scale outbreaks in western North American pine forests. We sought to describe the pattern of genetic variation across the range of this species, to determine whether there were detectable genetic differences betweenD. ponderosaeoccupying different host trees in common localities, and to determine whether there was molecular evidence for a past demographic expansion. Using a combination of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and mitochondrial sequencing analyses, we found evidence of genetic structuring among populations that followed a broad isolation‐by‐distance pattern. Our results suggest that the geographical pattern of gene flow follows the core distribution of the principalD. ponderosaehost species, around rather than across the Great Basin and Mojave Deserts. Patterns of haplotype diversity and divergence were consistent with a range‐wide population expansion. This signal was particularly pronounced in the northern part of the species’ range, where outbreak activity is currently increasing. Using AFLP markers, we were unable to detect significant differences among groups of insects sampled from different host trees in common locations. Incidentally, we found that a large proportion of the polymorphic AFLP markers were gender‐specific, occurring only in males. While we did not include these markers in our analyses, this finding warrants further investigation.
Maturation of the 5′ end of Bacillus subtilis 16S rRNA by the essential ribonuclease YkqC/RNase J1
Authors: Britton Robert A. , Wen Tingyi , Schaefer Laura , Pellegrini Olivier , Uicker William C. , Mathy Nathalie , Tobin Crystal , Daou Roula , Szyk Jacek , Condon Ciarán 
Published: November 2006

SummaryFunctional ribosomal RNAs are generated from longer precursor species in every organism known. Maturation of the 5′ side of 16S rRNA in Escherichia coli is catalysed in a two‐step process by the cooperative action of RNase E and RNase G. However, many bacteria lack RNase E and RNase G orthologues, raising the question as to how 16S rRNA processing occurs in these organisms. Here we show that the maturation of Bacillus subtilis 16S rRNA is also a two‐step process and that the enzyme responsible for the generation of the mature 5′ end is the widely distributed essential ribonuclease YkqC/RNase J1. Depletion of B. subtilis of RNase J1 results in an accumulation of 16S rRNA precursors in vivo. The precursor species are found in polysomes suggesting that they can function in translation. Mutation of the predicted catalytic site of RNase J1 abolishes both 16S rRNA processing and cell viability. Finally, purified RNase J1 can correctly mature precursor 16S rRNA assembled in 70S ribosomes, showing that its role is direct.
Changes of initiation mass and cell dimensions by the ‘eclipse’
Authors: Zaritsky Arieh , Vischer Norbert , Rabinovitch Avinoam 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe minimum time (E) required for a new pair of replication origins (oriCs) produced upon initiating a round of replication to be ready to initiate the next round after one cell mass doubling, the ‘eclipse’, is explained in terms of a minimal distance (lmin) that the replication forks must move away from oriC before oriCs can ‘fire’ again. In conditions demanding a scheduled initiation event before the relative distance lmin/L0.5 (L being the total chromosome length) is reached, initiation is presumably delayed. Under such circumstances, cell mass at the next initiation would be greater than the usual, constant Mi (cell mass per copy number of oriC) prevailing in steady state of exponential growth. This model can be tested experimentally by extending the replication time C using thymine limitation at short doubling times τ in rich media to reach a relative eclipse E/C < lmin/L0.5. It is consistent with results obtained in experiments in which the number of replication ‘positions’n (= C/τ) is increased beyond the natural maximum, causing the mean cell size to rise continuously, first by widening, then by lengthening, and finally by splitting its poles. The consequent branching is associated with casting off a small proportion of normal‐sized cells and lysing DNA‐less cells. Whether or how these phenomena are related to peptidoglycan composition and synthesis are moot questions.
Structural Evidence for a New IgG1 Antibody Sequence Allele of Cattle
Authors: Saini S. S. , Farrugia W. , Muthusamy N. , Ramsland P. A. , Kaushik A. K. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAnalysis of the heavy‐chain gene (pTGHC9907) encoding a bovine IgG1 antibody against bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV‐1) isolated from a Holstein cow has led to the identification of a new IgG1 sequence allele. A comparison of nucleotide sequence of pTGHC9907 with the IgG1a (clone 2) and IgG1b (clone 8.10) sequence variants and unclassified IgG1 cDNA sequence (clone 8.75) has revealed significant differences in the hinge region spanning codons 216–230. The Thr224 and Thr226 of IgG1a were replaced with Arg224 and Pro226, while both Thr218 and Pro224 of IgG1b were substituted with Arg with deletion of Ser225 in HB9907 antibody. Additional amino acid substitutions were noted in the CH1 (positions 190, 192), CH2 (position 281) and CH3 (position 402) exons. Thus, the polymorphic sites occurred in all constant domains, but were clustered in the hinge region of IgG1. Examination of a three‐dimensional model of the HB9907 heavy chain revealed that all sequence variations were on the surface of the IgG and are possible targets for recognition by antisera and effector molecules such as cellular adhesion molecules. The presence in the CH1 domain of a repeating motif of Pro–Ala–Ser–Ser indicated a potential structure‐enhancing function and a role in cellular adhesion and migration. Replacement of Thr with Arg residues within the hinge was predicted to have a dual effect of reducing the number of O‐linked glycosylation sites and increasing the susceptibility to degradation by protease‐secreting bacteria of the hinge region. As unclassified IgG1 cDNA sequence (clone 8.75) is structurally distinct from other variants, it is also classified as IgG1d. Collectively, these observations support the identification of a new allotypic variant of bovine IgG1, designated as IgG1c that is distinct in both sequence and structure from the known sequence variants.
Partial Depletion of CD69low‐expressing Natural Regulatory T Cells with the Anti‐CD25 Monoclonal Antibody PC61
Authors: McNeill A. , Spittle E. , Bäckström B. T. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe role CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) play in modulating the immune response has been investigated extensively over recent years. Much of the work to date has used the activation marker CD25 to define, enrich and deplete Treg. However, the identification of FoxP3 as a definitive marker of Treg has allowed us to study the effect of monoclonal antibodies against CD25 on regulatory T‐cell populations. Recently, published data have indicated that Treg are inactivated, not depleted, through treatment with anti‐CD25 monoclonal antibody. Using FoxP3‐Green fluorescent protein reporter mice, we show that treatment with the CD25 MoAb PC61 depleted a subpop ulation of Treg. The depleted Treg population expressed low levels of the CD69 marker, indicating an inactive phenotype. In addition, PC61 treatment altered the function of the remaining regulatory T‐cell population, preventing their ability to modulate autoimmune diseases. Thus, our results have important implications with regard to interpreting experimental outcomes from in vivo anti‐CD25 treatments.