bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parents’ postnatal sense of security (PPSS): development of the PPSS instrument
Authors: Persson Eva K. , Fridlund Bengt , Dykes Anna‐Karin 
Published: April 2007

Background:  There is a need to develop an instrument that measures both the parents’ experiences and sense of security during the first postnatal week. No instrument measuring positive dimensions which can be influenced and supported by the postnatal health care has been developed.Objective:  The aim of the study was to develop a specific instrument to assess both mothers’ and fathers’ postnatal sense of security concerning the first postnatal week.Design:  The study has a methodological and developmental design and was carried out in four steps: construction of the items, face validity, data collection and data analysis.Settings and participants:  One hundred and thirteen mothers who had given birth in hospitals in southern Sweden and 99 fathers comprised the study participants.Data analysis:  Statistical analysis, testing for construct validity with explorative factor analysis, internal consistency reliability and comparative validity was carried out.Results:  The parents’ postnatal sense of security (PPSS) instrument, mother's version, was reduced from 37 to 18 items (explained variance 66.8%, Cronbach's coefficient alpha 0.88) comprising the following dimensions: a sense of the midwives’/nurses’ empowering behaviour, a sense of general well‐being, a sense of affinity within the family and a sense that breast feeding was manageable. The father's version was reduced from 36 to 13 items (explained variance 69%, Cronbach's coefficient alpha 0.77), and comprised the following dimensions: a sense of the midwives’/nurses’ empowering behaviour, a sense of the mother's general well‐being including breast feeding, a sense of general well‐being and a sense of affinity within the family.Conclusions:  The PPSS instrument is valid and reliable and the only specific instrument measuring postnatal sense of security that is useful for both parents. The instrument needs to be further evaluated.
DEco‐TILLING: an inexpensive method for single nucleotide polymorphism discovery that reduces ascertainment bias
Authors: GARVIN M. R. , GHARRETT A. J. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractGenetic markers that measure DNA variation are important for population genetics research, resource management and other applications. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are becoming a popular marker because they are abundant and because rapid and efficient assays can be developed to detect them. However, with the exception of a few organisms, most species have little DNA sequence information available and relatively few SNPs have been developed for species that lack sequence data. Methods to find SNPs can be expensive and incorporate substantial ascertainment bias, which may result in failure to discover SNPs that are useful or efficient for addressing specific questions. We have developed a system to detect SNPs that we call DEco‐TILLING, which is derived from Eco‐TILLING (targeting induced local lesions in genomes). The DEco‐TILLING method facilitates the development of useful genotyping assays rapidly and inexpensively and can reduce ascertainment bias.
Microsatellites from the vairone Leuciscus souffia (Pisces: Cyprinidae) and their application to closely related species
Authors: MUENZEL FRAUKE M. , SANETRA MATTHIAS , SALZBURGER WALTER , MEYER AXEL 
Published: April 2007

AbstractEleven microsatellites were isolated from the vairone Leuciscus souffia (Risso 1826), an endangered fish that inhabits river systems in and around the Alps in Europe. The level of genetic diversity was assessed in 29 individuals of the subspecies L. s. souffia, and their variability was further estimated in seven individuals of a different subspecies, L. s. muticellus. Eight of these microsatellite loci were also applied to seven closely related cyprinid species. Availability of the reported microsatellite loci will facilitate the investigation of population genetic structure of these species with applications for the development of conservation strategies and phylogeographical approaches.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)
Authors: PAN LEI , QUAN ZHIWU , LI SHUANGMEI , LIU HONGGAO , HUANG XINFANG , KE WEIDONG , DING YI 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an aquatic plant of economic and ornamental importance in China. From an (AG)n‐enriched genomic library, 24 microsatellites were isolated and identified by using the (fast isolation by the AFLP of sequences containing repeats) FIASCO protocol. Eleven loci showed polymorphism with two to six alleles per locus. These markers yielded 42 alleles in a survey of 32 accessions of the sacred lotus. Eleven effective primer pairs of simple sequence repeats were designed and will be used as genetic markers to evaluate the fine‐scale population structure of the sacred lotus in the future.
Development and characterization of novel microsatellite markers for the common earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L.)
Authors: VELAVAN T. P. , SCHULENBURG HINRICH , MICHIELS NICO K. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe developed and characterized 10 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci from an SSR‐enriched genomic DNA library of the common earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris L). Characterization of these loci using 32 individuals revealed high levels of genetic diversity, five to 18 alleles per locus and a high observed and expected heterozygosity. These loci will be used for paternity analysis and population genetic studies of the co‐evolution between L. terrestris and its parasites.
formatomatic: a program for converting diploid allelic data between common formats for population genetic analysis
Authors: MANOUKIS NICHOLAS C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThere has been a great increase in both the number of population genetic analysis programs and the size of data sets being studied with them. Since the file formats required by the most popular and useful programs are variable, automated reformatting or conversion between them is desirable. formatomatic is an easy to use program that can read allelic data files in genepop, raw (csv) or convert formats and create data files in nine formats: raw (csv), arlequin, genepop, immanc/bayesass+, migrate, newhybrids, msvar, baps and structure. Use of formatomatic should greatly reduce time spent reformatting data sets and avoid unnecessary errors.
On the importance ofg(0) for estimating bird population densities with standard distance‐sampling: implications from a telemetry study and a literature review
Authors: BÄCHLER ERICH , LIECHTI FELIX 
Published: April 2007

Raw count data are often used to estimate bird population densities. However, such data do not consider detection probability. As an alternative, methods that model detection probability such as distance‐sampling have been proposed. However, standard distance‐sampling provides reliable estimates for absolute density only when the underlying assumptions are met. One of the most critical of these assumptions is that animals on a transect line or at an observation point have to be detected with certainty (theg(0) = 1 assumption). We radiotagged nine Orphean WarblersSylvia hortensisand estimated their short‐distance detection probability. Birds were radio‐located in 264 cases in single bushes or trees. Their visual detection probability after a 5‐min search was only 0.58 (sd = ±0.14, range = 0.38–0.80), although the observer knew the bird's location. Furthermore, we carried out a literature review to assess how theg(0) = 1 assumption is handled in practice. None of the 28 standard distance‐sampling papers reviewed contained an estimation ofg(0). In 57% of the papers, theg(0) = 1 assumption was not even mentioned. Nevertheless, none of the authors declared their estimates as being relative. Our empirical data show that theg(0) = 1 assumption would be severely violated for a foliage‐gleaning bird species at a desert stopover site outside the breeding season. The literature review revealed that the testing of theg(0) = 1 assumption is largely ignored in practice. We strongly suggest that more attention should be paid to the testing of this key assumption, because results may not be reliable when it is violated. If it is not possible to test theg(0) = 1 assumption org(0) is less than 1, alternative methods should be used. Another possibility is to estimate detection probability by the means of radiotagged individuals.
Preparation and characterization of new challenge stocks of SIVmac32H J5 following rapid serial passage of virus in vivo
Authors: Ferguson D. , Wade‐Evans A. , Elsley W. , Sangster R. , Silvera P. , MacManus S. , Davis G. , Corcoran T. , Berry N. , Brown S. , Jenkins A. , Cowie J. , Sethi M. , Hull R. , Stebbings R. , Lines J. , Norley S. , Stott E.J. , Almond N. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractBackground  A new challenge stock of the simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmacJ5 has been produced following passage in vivo.Methods  SIVmacJ5 3/92 (J5M), was passaged serially through cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) by intravenous inoculation of infected spleen cells isolated and prepared 14 days post‐infection. Two challenge stocks, SIVmacJ5 S61MLN and SIVmacJ5 S62spl, were prepared by culture of lymphoid tissue ex vivo.Results  These virus stocks appeared better adapted for replication in M. fascicularis as demonstrated by a greater persistence of recoverable live virus from the periphery and increased pathology in lymphoid tissues 20 weeks post‐challenge as detected by immunohistochemistry. Sequence analysis of the envelope gene from these stocks did not identify marked diversification of sequence as a result of this procedure.Conclusions  These stocks display more robust peripheral persistence and tissue pathology in cynomolgus macaques and should prove valuable analysing recombinant vaccines based upon SIVmacJ5 transgenes.
Ex vivo imaging of basal cell carcinoma using synchrotron phase‐contrast X‐ray microscopy
Authors: Son Sang Wook , Park Sang Yong , Man Park Gyu , Ha Seung Han , Lee Gun Woo , Lee On Seok , Hwu Yeukuang , Kim Ae Ree , Je Jung Ho , Oh Chil Hwan 
Published: April 2007

Background/aims: There is a need for development of non‐invasive methods to improve early diagnosis and screening of suspected malignant lesions. Phase‐contrast X‐ray microscopy (PCXM) has potential to reveal the structures inside soft tissues, and fine details can be observed without any staining or contrast‐enhancing cell preparation. We aimed to investigate the possibility that PCXM can be used to explore the microscopic details of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).Methods: Paraffin blocks of specimens from patients with basal cell carcinoma were cut with 30 μm thickness for PCXM imaging. Experiments were performed at the International Consortium of Phase Contrast Imaging and Radiology (ICPCIR) (7B2) beamline of the Pohang light source in Korea. The PCXM images were achieved by using coherent hard X‐rays from a synchrotron source with no monochromatization.Results: We could obtain images with clear edge enhancement by PCXM. The images taken with this technique showed clear anatomic details of organelles in normal skin such as epidermis, dermis and skin appendages. Most of cancerous lesions were clearly differentiated from adjacent normal tissues and the images closely corresponded to those obtained with low‐magnification optical microscopy.Conclusion: In this pilot study, we successfully demonstrated that synchrotron PCXM could be used for radiological imaging of BCC with great anatomic details.
Malignant B‐cell Lymphoma, WHO Classification and the Respective 18F‐fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose Positron Emission Tomography Results
Authors: Hoffmann M. , Raderer M. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryMalignant lymphomas represent a diverse range of diseases with exceedingly different behaviour. The common clinical denominator, however, is necessary for correct staging and reliable monitoring of therapy. Many reports on the usefulness of 18F‐fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG‐PET) in staging and follow‐up of lymphomas have been published with very promising results. The aim of this review was to highlight the impact of 18F‐FDG‐PET with respect to the distinct lymphoma entities. The possible future role of PET/computed tomography (CT) is tersely mentioned. Reviewing the literature regarding 18F‐FDG‐PET according to the WHO classification of lymphomas found the method to be highly reliable in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), and especially useful in therapy monitoring in HL patients. Promising data have also been published on follicular lymphoma in spite of its indolent nature, and for the aggressive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma 18F‐FDG‐PET should be considered standard in assessment of response. For marginal zone lymphoma, especially its common extranodal variant (mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma) 18F‐FDG‐PET results are varying, and the method cannot be recommended for uncritical widespread use in the clinical practice. For the less common lymphoma entities, only few results could be found, but they were nevertheless promising for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). More mature data are nevertheless still needed to judge the use of 18F‐FDG‐PET in MCL.
The Role of Imaging in Malignant Lymphoma: A Critical View on PET Scanning in Current Clinical Practice
Authors: Namberger K. , Greil R. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryTreatment and prognosis of malignant lymphomas depend on accurate staging and evaluation of clinical and histological features. Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are standard conventional imaging procedures for staging and, under certain circumstances, are supplemented by skeletal scintigraphy, biopsy from suspected areas of organ involvement and bone marrow biopsy. The determination of response to therapy, which is still the most important marker of prognosis [J Clin Oncol17 (1999) 1244], is usually performed at the end of therapy. However, this approach is being challenged (i) by the knowledge that the speed of tumour cell kill might be relevant particularly in high‐grade lymphomas, and (ii) by the application of modern immunological treatments with monoclonal antibodies whose efficacy may last substantially longer than the time period they are infused. Nuclear medicine imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) has become an increasingly used imaging method for the evaluation of lymphoma patients and is capable of more sensitive and accurate staging, early prediction of response and prognosis after 2–3 cycles of chemotherapy, and even predicting the relapse probability after the end of treatment [J Nucl Med47 (2006) 1326]. The main advantages of the technique are based on the detection of tumour‐specific metabolic cellular changes. Despite increased sensitivity in many but not all types of lymphoma, PET is not specific for tumour tissue and can be falsely interpreted. Additionally, the therapeutic consequences of the results of radioimaging are poorly defined despite the widespread use of the techniques, raising a number of unsolved problems. This article will review the use of PET and PET/CT in the staging and evaluation of response to therapy in malignant lymphoma and critically assess the pitfalls and advantages of this technique.
Negative pressure wound therapy: treating a venomous insect bite
Authors: Miller Michael S , Ortegon Marta , McDaniel Cheryl 
Published: April 2007

AbstractReports of spider bites appear throughout North America. Bites associated with the brown recluse spider (Loxosceles recluse) cause serious medical complications because the venom of this spider contains a powerful necrotising agent with the potential to cause severe cutaneous necrosis. Although not much is known regarding the application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to spider bites, this therapy has considerable literature support for its efficacy, cost‐effectiveness and ease of use in chronic, difficult‐to‐heal wounds. A case study using NPWT to successfully treat a non healing upper arm wound presumed due to a venomous spider bite is presented here. The patient was successfully treated with a new, less costly NPWT product called the Versatile 1® and a new combination drain plus dressing called the Miller DermiVex® drain, both manufactured by Blue Sky Medical (Carlsbad, CA).
OASIS® wound matrix versus Hyaloskin® in the treatment of difficult‐to‐heal wounds of mixed arterial/venous aetiology
Authors: Romanelli Marco , Dini Valentina , Bertone Mariastefania , Barbanera Sabrina , Brilli Cinzia 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMixed arterial/venous (A/V) ulcers are difficult to treat and slow to heal likely as a result of deficiencies in molecular and cellular elements in the wound bed. Recently, biomaterials have been developed that replace extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and growth factors critical to the normal healing process. In this study, the effects of OASIS® and Hyaloskin® were evaluated to compare the effectiveness of these two ECM‐based products in their ability to achieve complete wound healing of mixed A/V ulcers. After 16 weeks of treatment, patients in each group were evaluated on four criteria: complete wound healing, time to dressing change, pain and comfort. Complete wound closure was achieved in 82·6% of OASIS®‐treated ulcers compared with 46·2% of Hyaloskin®‐treated ulcers (P < 0·001). Statistically significant differences favouring the OASIS® treatment group were also reported for time to dressing change (P < 0·05), pain (P < 0·05) and patient comfort (P < 0·01). Overall, OASIS® was superior to Hyaloskin® for the treatment of patients with mixed A/V ulcers, a population in which standard treatment options largely consist of moist wound dressings and compression therapy is typically not an option. OASIS® is a useful and well‐tolerated treatment for mixed A/V ulcers that has the potential to improve quality of life and reduce costs associated with standard of care.
Evaluation of the IMMY ALPHA
Histoplasma
Antigen Enzyme Immunoassay for Diagnosis of Histoplasmosis Marked by Antigenuria
Authors: LeMonte Ann , Egan Lindsey , Connolly Patricia , Durkin Michelle , Wheat L. Joseph 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

The sensitivity of detection of antigenuria in patients positive by the MiraVista Diagnostics
Histoplasma
enzyme immunoassay (MVD EIA) was 44% with the IMMY ALPHA
Histoplasma
antigen EIA. The specificity was 84% with the IMMY EIA versus 98% with the MVD EIA. The correlation between assays for positive cases was weak (
r
2
= 0.430).
To Test or Not To Test: a Cost Minimization Analysis of Susceptibility Testing for Patients with Documented
Candida glabrata
Fungemias
Authors: Collins Curtis D. , Eschenauer Gregory A. , Salo Susan L. , Newton Duane W. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

This cost minimization analysis investigated the financial impact of the treatment of fungemias due to
Candida glabrata
from a hospital perspective using three competing alternatives: (i) performing in-house susceptibility testing on all
C. glabrata
isolates and changing patients to less expensive fluconazole therapy for isolates that test susceptible; (ii) susceptibility testing at outside laboratories with delayed deescalation to fluconazole if isolates test susceptible; and (iii) no routine susceptibility testing with full echinocandin treatment course. Sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulation enhanced the robustness of the model through variation of all assumptions and costs. In the base case, the use of in-house testing displayed a cost advantage over the options of send-out testing and no susceptibility testing ($2,226 versus $2,410 versus $3,136, respectively). Sensitivity analyses determined that the cost of echinocandin therapy and the turnaround time for send-out testing had the potential to impact the base case model. The decision model indicated that in-house susceptibility testing of
C. glabrata
isolates should result in lower overall treatment costs in patients with documented
C. glabrata
fungemias.
Differences in Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Skin and Soft Tissue Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Isolates between Two Hospitals in Northern California
Authors: Bhattacharya Debika , Carleton Heather , Tsai Chiaojung J. , Baron Ellen Jo , Perdreau-Remington Françoise 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACT

Community-onset methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(CO-MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) are associated with SCC
mec
IV and Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes. CO-MRSA epidemiologic studies suggest that genotypic variation exists within one geographic region. We compared MRSA genotypes and demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with CO-MRSA SSTI between two regional medical centers. We also examined factors associated with SCC
mec
IV and PVL carriage. A total of 279 MRSA SSTI isolates from 2000 to 2002 at San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH) and Stanford University Hospital (SUH) were genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and PCR for SCC
mec
and PVL genes. Medical records were reviewed for clinical characteristics. Ninety-three percent and 69% of MRSA SSTI were caused by CO-MRSA at SFGH and SUH, respectively. Patients with CO-MRSA SSTI at SFGH were more likely to be nonwhite, younger, homeless, and have no previous exposure to health care (
P
< 0.01). SFGH CO-MRSA strains were more likely to carry SCC
mec
type IV and PVL genes (90% and 55%, respectively) than SUH strains (29% and 16%, respectively). In multivariate analyses, nonwhite ethnicity was associated with both SCC
mec
type IV and PVL carriage (odds ratio [OR] of 2.65 and 95% confidence interval [CI] of 1.19 to 5.95 and OR of 1.94 and 95% CI of 1.03 to 3.65, respectively). ST8:USA300:IV became the dominant clone at SFGH, but not at SUH, by 2002. Despite geographic proximity, CO-MRSA SSTI exhibited differing SCC
mec
types, PVL carriage, and clonal dynamics. CO-MRSA SSTI at SUH were more likely to represent feral isolates of nosocomial origin. Clinicians should assess for nosocomial and community risk factors, realizing that different populations with CO-MRSA SSTI may require separate antimicrobial strategies.