bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular typing ofCryptosporidium parvumassociated with a diarrhoea outbreak identifies two sources of exposure
Authors: MATTSSON J. G. , INSULANDER M. , LEBBAD M. , BJÖRKMAN C. , SVENUNGSSON B. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYAn outbreak of cryptosporidiosis associated with exposure to outdoor swimming-pool water affected an estimated 800–1000 individuals. PCR products were obtained from faecal specimens from 30 individuals who tested positive forCryptosporidiumoocysts. RFLP and sequencing analyses showed that all individuals were infected withCryptosporidium parvum. Among the infected individuals, five had just swum in an adjacent indoor pool during the same period, and had no identified contact with individuals linked to the outdoor pool. With the use of subgenotyping based on analysis of three mini- and microsatellite loci, MS1, TP14, and GP15, we could identify two sources of exposure. One subtype was associated with the outdoor pool and another with the indoor pool. These data demonstrate that the use of mini- and microsatellite loci as markers for molecular fingerprinting ofC. parvumisolates are valuable in the epidemiological investigation of outbreaks.
Trends in incidence of pneumococcal disease before introduction of conjugate vaccine: South West England, 1996–2005
Authors: IHEKWEAZU C. A. , DANCE D. A. B. , PEBODY R. , GEORGE R. C. , SMITH M. D. , WAIGHT P. , CHRISTENSEN H. , CARTWRIGHT K. A. V. , STUART J. M. 
Published: October 2007

SUMMARYIntroduction of pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines into the United Kingdom's routine immunization programmes is expected to change the epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). We have documented the epidemiology of IPD in an English region (South West) with high-quality surveillance data before these programmes were established. We analysed data on isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from blood and CSF between 1996 and 2005 from microbiology laboratories in the South West that were reported and/or referred for serotyping to the Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections. The mean annual incidence of IPD increased from 11·2/100 000 in 1996 to 13·6/100 000 in 2005 (P<0·04). After adjusting for annual blood-culture sampling rates in hospitals serving the same catchment populations, an increase in annual incidence of IPD was no longer observed (P=1·0). Variation in overall incidence between laboratories could also be explained by variation in blood culture rates. The proportion of disease caused by serotypes 6B, 9V and 14 decreased significantly (P=0·001, P=0·007, and P=0·027 respectively) whereas that caused by serotype 4, 7F and 1 increased (P=0·001, P=0·003, and P<0·001 respectively) between 2000 and 2005. The level of penicillin non-susceptibility and resistance to erythromycin remained stable (2% and 12% respectively). This study provides an important baseline to assess the impact of changing vaccination programmes on the epidemiology of IPD, thus informing future use of pneumococcal vaccines.
New Zealand sub-Antarctic phytoliths and their potential for past vegetation reconstruction
Authors: Thorn Vanessa C. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPhytoliths in the modern vegetation of sub-Antarctic Campbell Island are compared with those in the soil beneath to assess the accuracy of vegetation reconstructions made from dispersed phytolith assemblages. The soil phytoliths alone suggest the source vegetation is a grassland association for all study sites, which reflects none of the herb, fern or shrub component of the overlying vegetation. It is concluded that at this locality dispersed phytoliths on their own are not reliable indicators of source vegetation and should be used with caution in this context for palaeoecological studies. However, they can provide useful botanical information where all other organic material is absent. With further research, based on the abundance and diversity of Poaceae phytoliths observed in this and other studies, dispersed phytoliths from the fossil record have the potential to contribute significantly to the understanding of grassland ecosystem development in the geological past.
Hormone replacement therapy in Denmark, 1995–2004
Authors: LØKKEGAARD ELLEN , LIDEGAARD ØJVIND , NØRGAARD MØLLER LISBETH , AGGER CARSTEN , HELMS ANDREASEN ANNE , Jørgensen Torben 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground. Recently, the Danish National Register of Medicinal Product Statistics (NRM) was opened for research purposes, and therefore, on an individual basis, can merge with other national registers. The aim of this study was to analyse the use of hormones based on the individual data of the entire Danish female population, with the focus on a detailed evaluation of specific hormone regimens and factors associated with systemic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Methods. All Danish female citizens, aged 15–70 years during the study period 1995–2004, were identified in the Civil Registration System, and their redeemed prescriptions for hormones and medication for diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and heart conditions were retrieved from the NRM. Information on habitation, education, employment and gynaecological surgery was obtained from other national registers. Results. After 2002, the use of HRT was reduced by 65%. In 2002, HRT was most prevalent in women aged 55–59 years, when an average of 200 defined daily doses per 1,000 women per day was recorded. In 2002, approximately 39% of women aged 50–57 years were ever exposed to HRT. The mean duration of HRT was 5 years in an 8‐year time window. During the study period, there was a significant decline in the use of systemic hormones, initially due to a decrease in cyclic combined therapy, but after 2002 continuous combined therapy decreased rapidly. HRT was positively associated with middle‐term education, employment status, and living in urban areas. Women treated for diabetes used hormones less frequently than women without diabetes. Women using antiarrhythmics or antihypertensives used hormones more often than women not using this medication. HRT was positively associated with gynaecological surgery. Conclusion. One in five women, aged 50‐59 years, redeemed daily HRT. Use of HRT declined from 1995 to 2002, but more than halved after 2002. HRT is associated to redemption of other medications of significance for health.
Preferences for involvement in treatment decision‐making among Norwegian women with urinary incontinence
Authors: O'DONNELL MÁIRE , HUNSKAAR STEINAR 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground. Current health policies advocate patient participation in treatment decision‐making. Objective. To explore whether role preferences among women with urinary incontinence (UI) change depending on the treatment decision‐making context. We also explore what factors are associated with role preferences and changes in role preferences. Methods. A national telephone survey of 265 women with UI identified from 1,000 randomly selected Norwegian women aged 18 or over. The interview included questions on socioeconomic factors, general health status, UI‐related factors, and role preferences. Women were categorised as preferring an ‘active’, ‘collaborative’, or ‘passive’ role in treatment decision‐making based on their selection of a response from the Control Preferences Scale. Results. Women's preferences changed significantly when considering UI treatment decision‐making compared to treatment decision‐making generally (p<0.001). A total of 60% preferred an active role in UI treatment decisions compared to 38% when considering treatment decision‐making generally. Multivariable analyses found that higher education was significantly associated with preferring an active role in general treatment decision‐making. For UI treatment decision‐making, women aged 60 or over and those who were married or had a partner were less likely to prefer an active compared to a collaborative role. Conclusions. Women with UI prefer a more active role when considering UI treatment decision‐making compared to treatment decision‐making generally. Factors associated with role preferences vary depending on the decision‐making context, with older women and those who were married or had a partner more likely to prefer an active role when considering UI treatment decision‐making.
Leisure time physical activity during pregnancy and impact on gestational diabetes mellitus, pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery and birth weight: a review
Authors: HEGAARD HANNE K. , PEDERSEN BENTE K. , BRUUN NIELSEN BIRGITTE , DAMM PETER 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground. It has been questioned whether leisure time physical activity (LTPA) during pregnancy is beneficial or deleterious to pregnancy outcome, and whether a sedentary lifestyle during pregnancy has a negative impact on pregnancy. Answers to these questions are of general interest, since some young women are very physically active during leisure time, while others have a sedentary lifestyle. Method. In this review, we analysed the association between LTPA and the selected pregnancy outcomes, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pre‐eclampsia, preterm delivery, and birth weight. Results. The prevailing literature clearly indicates that LTPA before and/or during pregnancy has a protective effect on the development of GDM and pre‐eclampsia. Furthermore, LTPA does not seem to have a negative impact on the rate of preterm delivery or on birth weight. Conclusion. Thus, it seems relevant that health authorities recommend 30 min of daily physical activity to healthy pregnant women.
The effect of vaginal distension on the female urinary bladder and urethral sphincters
Authors: SHAFIK AHMED , EL SIBAI OLFAT , SHAFIK ALI A. , SHAFIK ISMAIL A. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractAims.A mention of effect of vaginal distension, as induced by penile thrusting at coitus, on urinary bladder (UB) and urethral sphincters could not be traced in literature. We investigated the hypothesis that, upon vaginal distension, UB undergoes inhibited activity, while external and internal urethral sphincters (IUS) exhibit increased activity in order to guard against urine leakage during coitus.Methods. Response of UB and external and IUS to vaginal balloon distension was recorded in 28 healthy women (age 35.6±3.3 years). A vaginal condom was inflated with air in increments of 50 up to 200 ml, and vesical pressure as well as electromyographic (EMG) activity of external and IUS were registered. The test was repeated after separate anaesthetisation of vagina, UB and external and IUS.Results.On vaginal distension, vesical pressure was reduced in the ratio of expansion of vaginal volume up to a certain capacity, beyond which vesical pressure ceased to decline when distending volume was augmented. Similarly, IUS EMG activity increased progressively on incrementally added vaginal distension up to 150‐ml distension, beyond which any further vaginal distension did not produce an additional increase of EMG activity; the external urethral sphincter (EUS) EMG activity showed no response. Vaginal distension, while the vagina, UB and external and IUS had been separately anaesthetised, produced no significant change.Conclusion.Vaginal balloon distension seems to effect vesical wall relaxation and increase IUS tone. This appears to provide a mechanism that prevents urine leak during coitus. Vesical and IUS response to vaginal distension are suggested to be mediated through a reflex we term ‘vagino‐vesicosphincteric reflex’, which seems to be evoked by vaginal distension during penile thrusting. The reflex may prove of diagnostic significance in sexual disorders.
Occurrence and determinants of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use in pregnancy
Authors: YANG TUBAO , WALKER MARK C. , KREWSKI DANIEL , YANG QIUYING , GARNER PETER , YANG TUBAO , WALKER MARK C. , KREWSKI DANIEL , YANG QIUYING , GARNER PETER , FRASER WILLIAM , OLATUNBOSUN OLUFEMI , NIMROD CARL , YANG TUBAO , WALKER MARK C. , KREWSKI DANIEL , YANG QIUYING , GARNER PETER , FRASER WILLIAM , OLATUNBOSUN OLUFEMI , NIMROD CARL , WU WEN SHI 
Published: October 2007

AbstractObjective. To estimate the rate of prescription trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use in pregnancy, and to analyse the association between maternal characteristics and use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in pregnancy. Methods. A population‐based study was conducted based on a 50% random sample of women who gave a birth in Saskatchewan between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2000. The rate of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use during pregnancy was estimated. The exposure in each trimester was also estimated. Associations between maternal characteristics and pregnancy trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole use were evaluated using multiple logistical regression with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as the association measures. Results. A total of 18,575 women who gave a birth in Saskatchewan during the study period were included in the analysis. Among them, 596 (3.2%) had at least 1 prescription for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole during pregnancy, 389 (2.1%) in the first trimester, 208 (1.1%) in the second trimester, and 195 (1.1%) in the third trimester. Women with chronic health conditions (6.2%) had a 2‐fold increased risk of exposure compared to women without a chronic health condition (2.8%). Younger women (<20 years) with parity ≥3 and women on Saskatchewan assistance plan were also at increased risk. There were variations in exposure by trimester. For example, teenage women without chronic health conditions were at increased risk of use in the second and third trimester. Conclusions. Some 3.2% of women are exposed to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole during pregnancy. Women with chronic health problems, of younger age, and of lower socioeconomic status are at elevated risk of exposure to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole during pregnancy.
Uterine rupture and perinatal outcome
Authors: WIDÉN PETTERSSON KATARINA , GRUNEWALD CHARLOTTA , THOMASSEN PETER 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground. In view of the increasing number of caesarean sections (CS), we wanted to investigate the clinical aspects of uterine rupture including perinatal outcome. Methods. A retrospective investigation of 24,181 deliveries at Stockholm South General Hospital between 1999 and 2004. Patient notes from cases with ICD‐codes 0710 and 0711 were studied together with charts from previous deliveries and neonatal data from the Paediatric Department. Results. Some 22 cases of uterine rupture were found, giving an incidence of 0.9 per 1,000 deliveries. In all cases, the diagnosis was confirmed at laparotomy. In 19/22 cases, the rupture occurred in patients with a previous uterine scar, 18 of whom were delivered at term and one at 16 gestational weeks. One case of intrauterine fetal death was noted. Of the remaining 20 newborns, 9 had a 5‐min Apgar ≤7, one died after 3 days, and one had neurological sequele at follow‐up. The remaining 18 newborns were healthy at discharge and up to 1 year of age. Conclusions. A previous uterine scar was the single most obvious risk factor. A positive finding was the relatively low risk of long‐term post‐asphyctic sequele in the newborns.
Comprehension problems in children with specific language impairment: does mental imagery training help?
Authors: Joffe Victoria L. , Cain Kate , Marić Nataša 
Published: October 2007

AbstractBackground: Children with specific language impairment experience story comprehension deficits. Research with typically developing children, poor comprehenders and poor readers has shown that the use of mental imagery aids in the comprehension of stories.Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention programme in the use of mental imagery to improve the literal and inferential comprehension of children with specific language impairment.Methods & Procedures: Nine children with specific language impairment were trained to produce mental images for sentences and stories in five 30‐min sessions. Their ability to answer literal and inferential questions about short narratives was assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention and compared with the performance of 16 same‐age typically developing controls.Outcome & Results: The intervention improved the question–answering performance of the children with specific language impairment for both literal and inferential questions: the improvement was only significant for the literal questions.Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that a relatively short intervention in the use of mental imagery is an effective way to boost the story comprehension of children with specific language impairment.
VisGenome: visualization of single and comparative genome representations
Authors: Jakubowska Joanna , Hunt Ela , Chalmers Matthew , McBride Martin , Dominiczak Anna F. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractSummary: VisGenome visualizes single and comparative representations for the rat, the mouse and the human chromosomes at different levels of detail. The tool offers smooth zooming and panning which is more flexible than seen in other browsers. It presents information available in Ensembl for single chromosomes, as well as homologies (orthologue predictions including ortholog one2one, apparent ortholog one2one, ortholog many2many) for any two chromosomes from different species. The application can query supporting data from Ensembl by invoking a link in a browser.Availability: http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~asia/VisGenomeContact: asia@dcs.gla.ac.uk
Conserved C-Terminal Motifs of the Arabidopsis Proteins APETALA3 and PISTILLATA Are Dispensable for Floral Organ Identity Function
Authors: Piwarzyk Eileen , Yang Yingzhen , Jack Thomas 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe B-class genes APETALA3 (AP3) and PISTILLATA (PI) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and their orthologs in other species have been the focus of studies to elucidate the development of petals and stamens in angiosperm flowers. Evolutionary analysis indicates that B-class genes have undergone multiple gene duplication events in angiosperms. The resultant B-class lineages are characterized by short, conserved amino acid sequences at the extreme C-terminal end of the B-class proteins. AP3 is a member of the euAP3 lineage that contains both the euAP3 and PI-derived motifs at the C terminus. PI is a member of the PI lineage that contains the C-terminal PI motif at the C terminus. Despite conservation over a wide evolutionary distance, the function of C-terminal motifs is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that truncated forms of AP3 and PI, which lack the conserved C-terminal motifs, function to direct floral organ identity specification in Arabidopsis plants. By contrast, larger truncations, which remove the third putative amphipathic α-helix in the K domain of AP3 or PI, are nonfunctional. We conclude that the euAP3 and PI-derived motifs of AP3 and the PI motif of PI are not essential for floral organ identity function of AP3 and PI in Arabidopsis.
A Guide to Choosing Vectors for Transformation of the Plastid Genome of Higher Plants
Authors: Lutz Kerry Ann , Azhagiri Arun Kumar , Tungsuchat-Huang Tarinee , Maliga Pal 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Plastid transformation, originally developed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), has recently been extended to a number of crop species enabling in vivo probing of plastid function and biotechnological applications. In this article we report new plastid vectors that enable insertion of transgenes in the inverted repeat region of the plastome between the trnV and 3′rps12 or trnI and trnA genes. Efficient recovery of transplastomic clones is ensured by selection for spectinomycin (aadA) or kanamycin (neo) resistance genes. Expression of marker genes can be verified using commercial antibodies that detect the accumulation of neomycin phosphotranseferase II, the neo gene product, or the C-terminal c-myc tag of aminoglycoside-3″-adenylytransferase, encoded by the aadA gene. Aminoglycoside-3″-adenylytransferase, the spectinomycin inactivating enzyme, is translationally fused with green fluorescent protein in two vectors so that transplastomic clones can be selected by spectinomycin resistance and visually identified by fluorescence in ultraviolet light. The marker genes in the new vectors are flanked by target sites for Cre or Int, the P1 and phiC31 phage site-specific recombinases. When uniform transformation of all plastid genomes is obtained, the marker genes can be excised by Cre or Int expressed from a nuclear gene. Choice of expression signals for the gene of interest, complications caused by the presence of plastid DNA sequences recognized by Cre, and loss of transgenes by homologous recombination via duplicated sequences are also discussed to facilitate a rational choice from among the existing vectors and to aid with new target-specific vector designs.
Root Plasma Membrane Transporters Controlling K+/Na+ Homeostasis in Salt-Stressed Barley
Authors: Chen Zhonghua , Pottosin Igor I. , Cuin Tracey A. , Fuglsang Anja T. , Tester Mark , Jha Deepa , Zepeda-Jazo Isaac , Zhou Meixue , Palmgren Michael G. , Newman Ian A. , Shabala Sergey 
Published: October 2007

Abstract
Plant salinity tolerance is a polygenic trait with contributions from genetic, developmental, and physiological interactions, in addition to interactions between the plant and its environment. In this study, we show that in salt-tolerant genotypes of barley (Hordeum vulgare), multiple mechanisms are well combined to withstand saline conditions. These mechanisms include: (1) better control of membrane voltage so retaining a more negative membrane potential; (2) intrinsically higher H+ pump activity; (3) better ability of root cells to pump Na+ from the cytosol to the external medium; and (4) higher sensitivity to supplemental Ca2+. At the same time, no significant difference was found between contrasting cultivars in their unidirectional 22Na+ influx or in the density and voltage dependence of depolarization-activated outward-rectifying K+ channels. Overall, our results are consistent with the idea of the cytosolic K+-to-Na+ ratio being a key determinant of plant salinity tolerance, and suggest multiple pathways of controlling that important feature in salt-tolerant plants.
ArabidopsisCryptochrome 2 Completes Its Posttranslational Life Cycle in the Nucleus
Authors: Yu Xuhong , Klejnot John , Zhao Xiaoying , Shalitin Dror , Maymon Maskit , Yang Hongyun , Lee Janet , Liu Xuanming , Lopez Javier , Lin Chentao 
Published: October 2007

AbstractCRY2 is a blue light receptor regulating light inhibition of hypocotyl elongation and photoperiodic flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana. The CRY2 protein is found primarily in the nucleus, and it is known to undergo blue light–dependent phosphorylation and degradation. However, the subcellular location where CRY2 exerts its function or undergoes blue light–dependent phosphorylation and degradation remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the function and regulation of conditionally nuclear-localized CRY2. Our results show that CRY2 mediates blue light inhibition of hypocotyl elongation and photoperiodic promotion of floral initiation in the nucleus. Consistent with this result and a hypothesis that blue light–dependent phosphorylation is associated with CRY2 function, we demonstrate that CRY2 undergoes blue light–dependent phosphorylation in the nucleus. CRY2 phosphorylation is required for blue light–dependent CRY2 degradation, but only a limited quantity of CRY2 is phosphorylated at any given moment in seedlings exposed to blue light, which explains why continuous blue light illumination is required for CRY2 degradation. Finally, we showed that CRY2 is ubiquitinated in response to blue light and that ubiquitinated CRY2 is degraded by the 26S proteasome in the nucleus. These findings demonstrate that a photoreceptor can complete its posttranslational life cycle (from protein modification, to function, to degradation) inside the nucleus.