bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B virus genotypes, core promoter variants, and precore stop codon variants in patients infected chronically in North‐Eastern Italy
Authors: Dal Molin Gianna , Poli Albino , Crocè Lory S. , D'Agaro Pierlanfranco , Biagi Claudia , Comar Manola , Tiribelli Claudio , Campello Cesare 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes distribution and the core promoter (CP)/precore (PC) variability were evaluated by a line probe assay in 272 patients infected chronically enrolled consecutively in an area of the North‐Eastern Italy. Seven out of the eight genotypes were detected. Italian subjects (83% of the sample) were infected mainly by genotype D (73%) and A (26%); genotype F, and genotype H, were detected only in one subject. In foreigners, the genotype distribution reflected the distribution described for the areas of origin, that is, in Asia genotypes B, C, and D; in Africa genotypes A and E. CP and PC variants prevalence rates were 51% and 60%, respectively, and were significantly higher in Italian patients, probably in relation to their older age. In the analysis restricted to genotypes A and D, PC wild type was linked strongly to genotype A (OR = 4.08, 95% CI = 3.07–5.43, P < 0.0001). In genotype A‐infected patients, only e seroconversion was associated significantly with CP variants. In genotype D‐infected subjects, CP variants were linked significantly to older age and to a higher e seroconversion rate, while PC variants also showed a strong relationship with an ALT lower activity and a lower viral load. In multivariate analysis, HBeAg positivity was associated strongly and independently with younger age, genotype A and CP wild type. Independent determinants of higher viral loads were recognized by increasing age, in male gender and concomitant presence of HBeAg and the CP wild type virus. J. Med. Virol. 78:734–740, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of antibodies against A and B influenza viruses in South‐Western Papua New Guinea
Authors: Puzelli Simona , Boros Stefano , Affinito Chiara , Calzoletti Laura , Facchini Marzia , Danaya Robert T. , Owen Ifor L. , Pozio Edoardo , Rezza Giovanni , Donatelli Isabella 
Published: April 2006

AbstractInfluenza viruses remain a major cause of respiratory disease in both developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, there is little information on the prevalence of this respiratory infection in many developing countries, such as Papua New Guinea, since most of the available data originate from studies carried out in industrialized countries. In the present study, a serosurvey among residents of 47 remote villages of Papua New Guinea was conducted to evaluate the intensity of exposure to human influenza A and B viruses. The data obtained confirm the co‐circulation of these antigenic variants, reported having circulated in the Southern Hemisphere. Variations in seroprevalence of influenza A and B virus infection were found within the study area. J. Med. Virol. 78:820–824, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Patterns of serum type 1 and type 2 immune markers in healthy carriers of HTLV‐I
Authors: Birmann Brenda M. , Mueller Nancy E. , Okayama Akihiko , Hsieh Chung‐Cheng , Tsubouchi Hirohito , Harn Donald , Stuver Sherri O. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractType 1 immunity appears to be diminished in healthy Japanese carriers of human T‐lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐I), but type 2 status remains undetermined. To further examine the subclinical effect of HTLV‐I on host immunity, we measured serum antibodies to the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in 415 healthy Japanese adults to broadly characterize type 1 status. Levels of the type 2 biomarkers total immunoglobulin E (IgE), soluble CD23 (sCD23), and soluble CD30 (sCD30) were assessed in 167, 142, and 135 of these subjects, respectively. We analyzed the association of HTLV‐I with levels of each serum marker using linear and logistic regression. Altered EBV antibody profiles that are consistent with deficient type 1 immunity were more prevalent in HTLV‐I carriers than non‐carriers (odds ratio (OR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5–5.3). Carriers also had 45% lower total IgE levels (P = 0.04) than non‐carriers. In contrast, HTLV‐I infection was not significantly associated with elevated levels of sCD23 or sCD30. These observations are contrary to our expectation of elevated type 2 biomarkers among carriers. We conclude that in this population, healthy carriers of HTLV‐I may have subclinical deficiencies in both type 1 and type 2 immunity, and that type 1 and type 2 immunity are not necessarily reciprocal in persons with subclinical immune dysregulation. J. Med. Virol. 78:847–852, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A case of hydatid cyst associated with postpartum maternal death
Authors: Robertson M. , Geerts L. , Gebhardt G. S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA young, apparently healthy woman from a rural area in South Africa presented in the third trimester of pregnancy with a symptomatic abdominal mass between the uterine fundus and liver. The etiology was established to be an echinococcus cyst of the liver and medical treatment was initiated. The fetal outcome was good but the mother died 3 days postpartum due to an unusual but devastating complication of the hydatid cyst. Copyright © 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deglaciation and Holocene climate change in the western Peruvian Andes
Authors: Weng Chengyu , Bush Mark B. , Curtis Jason H. , Kolata Alan L. , Dillehay Tom D. , Binford Michael W. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPollen, charcoal, magnetic susceptibility, and bulk density data provide the first paleoecological record spanning the last 33,000 years from the western cordillera of the Peruvian Andes. Sparse super-puna vegetation existed before 30,000 cal yr B.P. around Lake Compuerta (3950 m elevation), prior to a sedimentary hiatus that lasted until c. 16,200 cal yr B.P. When sedimentation resumed, a glacial foreland or super-puna flora is represented in which Polylepis was a significant element. Glacial outwash, marked by high sedimentary magnetic susceptibility, increased from c.16,200 cal yr B.P. and reached a peak at c. 13,200 cal yr B.P. Between c. 12,500 cal yr B.P. and 10,000 cal yr B.P., magnetic susceptibility was reduced. Vegetation shifts suggest a cool dry time, consistent with regional descriptions of the Younger Dryas event. Deglaciation resumes by 10,000 cal yr B.P. and the last ice is lost from the catchment at ∼7500 cal yr B.P. During the early Holocene warm and dry period between 10,000 and 5500 cal yr B.P., Alnus expanded in downslope forests. Alnus declined in abundance at 5500 cal yr B.P. when wetter and cooler conditions returned and human activity intensified. Maize (Zea mays) pollen first occurred in the core at ∼2600 cal yr B.P., indicating a minimum age for local agriculture. An increase in Alnus pollen abundance at ∼1000 cal yr B.P. could be due to human activity or perhaps due to a regional climate change associated with cultural turnover elsewhere in the Andes at this time.
Computations of overturning waves
Authors: New A. L. , McIver P. , Peregrine D. H. 
Published: April 2006

The numerical method of Longuet-Higgins & Cokelet (1976), for waves on deep water, is extended to account for a horizontal bottom contour, and used to investigate breaking waves in water of finite depth. It is demonstrated that a variety of overturning motions may be generated, ranging from the projection of a small-scale jet at the wave crest (of the type that might initiate a spilling breaker) to large-scale plunging breakers involving a significant portion of the wave. Although there seems to be a continuous transition between these wave types, a remarkable similarity is noticed in the overturning regions of many of the waves.Three high-resolution computations are also discussed. The results are presented in the form of interrelated space-, velocity- and acceleration-plane plots which enable the time evolution of individual fluid particles to be followed. These computations should be found useful for the testing of analytical theories, and may also be applied, for example, to studies of slamming forces on shipping and coastal structures.
Eosinophilia: secondary, clonal and idiopathic
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew , Patnaik Mrinal M. , Pardanani Animesh 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBlood eosinophilia signifies either a cytokine‐mediated reactive phenomenon (secondary) or an integral phenotype of an underlying haematological neoplasm (primary). Secondary eosinophilia is usually associated with parasitosis in Third World countries and allergic conditions in the West. Primary eosinophilia is operationally classified as being clonal or idiopathic, depending on the respective presence or absence of a molecular, cytogenetic or histological evidence for a myeloid malignancy. The current communication features a comprehensive clinical summary of both secondary and primary eosinophilic disorders with emphasis on recent developments in molecular pathogenesis and treatment.
Flexible architecture of inducible morphological plasticity
Authors: KISHIDA OSAMU , NISHIMURA KINYA 
Published: April 2006

SummaryPredator‐induced morphological defences are produced in response to an emergent predator regime. In natural systems, prey organisms usually experience temporal shifting of the composition of the predator assemblage and of the intensity of predation risk from each predator species. Although, a repetitive morphological change in response to a sequential shift of the predator regime such as alteration of the predator species or diminution of the predation risk may be adaptive, such flexible inducible morphological defences are not ubiquitous.We experimentally addressed whether a flexible inducible morphological defence is accomplished in response to serial changes in the predation regime, using a model prey species which adopt different defensive morphological phenotypes in response to different predator species.Rana pirica(Matsui) tadpoles increased body depth and tail depth against the predatory larval salamanderHynobius retardatus(Dunn); on the other hand, they only increased tail depth against the predatory larval dragonflyAeshna nigroflava(Martin).Rana piricatadpoles with the predator‐specific phenotypes were subjected to removal or exchange of the predator species. After removal of the predator species, tadpoles with each predator‐specific phenotype changed their phenotype to the nondefensive basic one, suggesting that both predator‐specific phenotypes are costly to maintain. After an exchange of the predator species, tadpoles with each predator‐specific phenotype reciprocally, flexibly shifted their phenotype to the now more suitable predator‐specific one only by modifying their body part. The partial modification can effectively reduce time and energy expenditures involved in repetitive morphological changes, and therefore suggest that the costs of the flexible morphological changes are reduced.
Retrospective assessment of PASI 50 and PASI 75 attainment with a calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate ointment
Authors: Anstey Alex V. , Kragballe Knud 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  The US National Psoriasis Foundation recently recommended that PASI 50 and PASI 75 response rates be used in clinical trials to enable comparisons across studies of different psoriasis therapies. To date, these response rates have not been reported for the two‐compound ointment containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate (Daivobet®/Dovobet®; LEO Pharma, Ballerup, Denmark). Further, in order to compare Daivobet® with other therapeutics recently presented to the European regulatory authorities and the FDA, comparison with the biologicals, efalizumab, etanercept and alefacept, were also made.Objectives  To present the PASI 50 and PASI 75 results for the two‐compound ointment containing calcipotriol and betamethasone dipropionate.Methods  Data from six phase III studies conducted with the two‐compound ointment were pooled and the PASI 50 and PASI 75 response rates calculated for patients with severe (PASI ≥ 17) or less severe disease (PASI < 17) at treatment commencement. Results for the biological therapies, efalizumab, etanercept and alefacept, were obtained from relevant published phase III studies.Results  PASI 50 and PASI 75 were achieved by more patients treated with the two‐compound ointment than with the individual components. In patients with severe disease, the PASI 50 response rate after 4 weeks’ treatment was 88.8% with the two‐compound ointment, 69.2% with betamethasone dipropionate, 53.8% with calcipotriol, and 30.0% with ointment vehicle. In comparison, 12 weeks’ treatment with the biologicals resulted in PASI 50 response rates of 59% with efalizumab, 74% with etanercept, and 56% with alefacept.Conclusions  The two‐compound ointment is effective, producing a PASI 50 and PASI 75 response in greater than 80% and 50% of patients, respectively, regardless of psoriasis severity.
Characterization of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus
Authors: XIA J. H. , XIA K. F. , JIANG S. G. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus are presented. Allelic diversity was estimated in 50 samples collected from southeastern China. Eleven loci displayed polymorphism that ranged from 10 to 25 alleles per locus and the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.48 to 0.91. These markers could be very useful for the study of population genetics of the yellowfin seabream.
Alterations of M‐cadherin, neural cell adhesion molecule and β‐catenin expression in satellite cells during overload‐induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy
Authors: Ishido M. , Uda Munehiro , Masuhara Mitsuhiko , Kami Katsuya 
Published: April 2006

AbstractAim:  Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and M‐cadherin are cell adhesion molecules expressed on the surface of skeletal muscle satellite cell (SC). During myogenic morphogenesis, M‐cadherin participates in mediating terminal differentiation and fusion of myoblasts by forming a complex with β‐catenin and that NCAM contributes to myotube formation by fusion of myoblasts. Hypertrophy and hyperplasia of functionally overloaded skeletal muscle results from the fusion with SCs into the existing myofibres or new myofibre formation by SC–SC fusion. However, the alterations of NCAM, M‐cadherin and β‐catenin expressions in SCs in response to functional overload have not been investigated.Methods:  Using immunohistochemical approaches, we examined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of these factors expressed in SCs during the functional overload of skeletal muscles.Results:  Myofibres with SCs showing NCAM+/M‐cadherin−, NCAM+/M‐cadherin+ or NCAM−/M‐cadherin+ were detected in overloaded muscles. The percentage changes of myofibres with SCs showing NCAM+/M‐cadherin−, NCAM+/M‐cadherin+ or NCAM−/M‐cadherin+ were elevated in day‐3 post‐overloaded muscles, and then only the percentage changes of myofibres with SCs showing NCAM−/M‐cadherin+ were significantly increased in day‐7 post‐overload muscles (P < 0.05). Both β‐catenin and M‐cadherin were co‐localized throughout quiescent, proliferation and differentiation stages of SCs.Conclusion:  These results suggested that the expressions of NCAM, M‐cadherin and β‐catenin in SCs may be controlled by distinct regulatory mechanisms during functional overload, and that interactions among NCAM, M‐cadherin and β‐catenin in SCs may play important roles to contribute to overload‐induced muscle hypertrophy via fusion with each other or into the existing myofibres of SCs.
High-Energy Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy as a Treatment for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Furia John Patrick 
Published: April 2006

Background Results of high-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy are not determined. It is unclear how local anesthesia alters the outcome of this procedure. Hypothesis Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Local anesthesia field block adversely affects outcome. Study Design Case control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods Thirty-five patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy were treated with 1 dose of high-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT group; 3000 shocks; 0.21 mJ/mm2; total energy flux density, 604 mJ/mm2), and 33 were treated with nonoperative therapy (control group). All extracorporeal shock wave therapy procedures were performed using a local anesthesia field block (LA subgroup, 12 patients) or a nonlocal anesthesia (NLA subgroup, 23 patients). Evaluation was by visual analog score and by Roles and Maudsley score. Results One month, 3 months, and 12 months after treatment, the mean visual analog score for the control and ESWT groups were 8.2 and 4.2 (P < .001), 7.2 and 2.9 (P < .001), and 7.0 and 2.8 (P < .001), respectively. Twelve months after treatment, the number of patients with successful Roles and Maudsley scores was statistically greater in the ESWT group compared with the control group (P > .0002), with 83% of ESWT group patients having a successful result, and the mean improvement in visual analog score for the LA subgroup was significantly less than that in the NLA subgroup (F = 16.77 vs F = 53.95, P < .001). The percentage of patients with successful Roles and Maudsley scores did not differ among the LA and NLA subgroups. Conclusion Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is an effective treatment for chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Local field block anesthesia may decrease the effectiveness of this procedure.
Refined localization of the FAT1 quantitative trait locus on pig chromosome 4 by marker-assisted backcrossing
Authors: Berg Frida , Stern Susanne , Andersson Kjell , Andersson Leif , Moller Maria 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
A major QTL for fatness and growth, denoted FAT1, has previously been detected on pig chromosome 4q (SSC4q) using a Large White – wild boar intercross. Progeny that carried the wild boar allele at this locus had higher fat deposition, shorter length of carcass, and reduced growth. The position and the estimated effects of the FAT1 QTL for growth and fatness have been confirmed in a previous study. In order to narrow down the QTL interval we have traced the inheritance of the wild boar allele associated with high fat deposition through six additional backcross generations.

Results
Progeny-testing was used to determine the QTL genotype for 10 backcross sires being heterozygous for different parts of the broad FAT1 region. The statistical analysis revealed that five of the sires were segregating at the QTL, two were negative while the data for three sires were inconclusive. We could confirm the QTL effects on fatness/meat content traits but not for the growth traits implying that growth and fatness are controlled by distinct QTLs on chromosome 4. Two of the segregating sires showed highly significant QTL effects that were as large as previously observed in the F2 generation. The estimates for the remaining three sires, which were all heterozygous for smaller fragments of the actual region, were markedly smaller. With the sample sizes used in the present study we cannot with great confidence determine whether these smaller effects in some sires are due to chance deviations, epistatic interactions or whether FAT1 is composed of two or more QTLs, each one with a smaller phenotypic effect. Under the assumption of a single locus, the critical region for FAT1 has been reduced to a 3.3 cM interval between the RXRG and SDHC loci.

Conclusion
We have further characterized the FAT1 QTL on pig chromosome 4 and refined its map position considerably, from a QTL interval of 70 cM to a maximum region of 20 cM and a probable region as small as 3.3 cM. The flanking markers for the small region are RXRG and SDHC and the orthologous region of FAT1 in the human genome is located on HSA1q23.3 and harbors approximately 20 genes. Our strategy to further refine the map position of this major QTL will be i) to type new markers in our pigs that are recombinant in the QTL interval and ii) to perform Identity-By-Descent (IBD) mapping across breeds that have been strongly selected for lean growth.
An investigation of minimisation criteria
Authors: Wade Angie , Pan Huiqi , Eaton Simon , Pierro Agostino , Ong Evelyn 
Published: April 2006

Abstract

Background
Minimisation can be used within treatment trials to ensure that prognostic factors are evenly distributed between treatment groups. The technique is relatively straightforward to apply but does require running tallies of patient recruitments to be made and some simple calculations to be performed prior to each allocation. As computing facilities have become more widely available, minimisation has become a more feasible option for many. Although the technique has increased in popularity, the mode of application is often poorly reported and the choice of input parameters not justified in any logical way.

Methods
We developed an automated package for patient allocation which incorporated a simulation arm. We here demonstrate how simulation of data can help to determine the input parameters to be used in a subsequent application of minimisation.

Results
Several scenarios were simulated. Within the selected scenarios, increasing the number of factors did not substantially adversely affect the extent to which the treatment groups were balanced with respect to the prognostic factors. Weighting of the factors tended to improve the balance when factors had many categories with only a slight negative effect on the factors with fewer categories. When interactions between factors were included as minimisation factors, there was no major reduction in the balance overall.

Conclusion
With the advent of widely available computing facilities, researchers can be better equipped to implement minimisation as a means of patient allocation. Simulations prior to study commencement can assist in the choice of minimisation parameters and can be used to justify those selections.
A randomized cross over trial of tolerability and compliance of a micronutrient supplement with low iron separated from calcium vs high iron combined with calcium in pregnant women [ISRCTN56071145]
Authors: Ahn Eric , Pairaudeau Nicholas , Pairaudeau Nicholas , Cérat Yves , Couturier Bernard , Fortier Andre , Paradis Éric , Koren Gideon 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackgroundPrenatal micronutrient combinations with high iron content are associated with high rates of gastrointestinal symptoms. This coupled with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy results in women often discontinuing their multivitamins.A new prescription supplement (PregVit®) that separates iron from calcium in two tablets – morning and evening, has lower elemental iron content (35 mg), but results in similar extent of iron absorption when compared to another supplement containing (60 mg) of elemental iron (Materna®). The objectives of this study were to compare tolerability and compliance with PregVit®vs. a supplement with high iron content (Materna®), in pregnant women.MethodsRandomized, crossover open labeled study in 135 pregnant women attending outpatient clinics in Ontario and Quebec.ResultsUse of PregVit®was associated with a 30% reduction in constipation rate as compared to Materna®. Both products demonstrated similar compliance rates.Compliance of Materna®was negatively associated with the severity of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. No such correlation was found for PregVvit®.ConclusionPregVit®, a supplement with lower iron content (35 mg), has significantly decreased constipation rates as compared to 60 mg iron- Materna and has similar compliance rates. High iron content in multivitamin supplements is associated with adverse effects in pregnancy.