bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic spectrum of mosaic trisomy 18: Two new patients, a literature review, and counseling issues
Authors: Tucker Megan E. , Garringer Holly J. , Weaver David D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMosaic trisomy 18 occurs when two different cell lines exist in the same individual; one cell line has two copies of chromosome 18, while the other has three copies. Here we present two new patients with mosaic trisomy 18, summarize 31 reported cases from the literature, and discuss management and counseling themes. Our first patient is an 8½‐year‐old female with normal intelligence and no significant dysmorphic features other than short stature and cubitus valgus. The second patient is a 21‐month‐old male with developmental delay, several dysmorphic features, including a patent ductus arteriosus, and normal growth. In general, the phenotype of individuals with mosaic trisomy 18 varies greatly. Some individuals have the complete trisomy 18, Edwards syndrome phenotype with early death while others are phenotypically completely normal. The latter group is exemplified by four normal appearing adults with mosaic trisomy 18 who were identified only after giving birth to children with complete trisomy 18. Further, a wide range of anomalies have been reported, most at low frequencies, including microcephaly, delayed bone age, brachydactyly, congenital heart defects, developmental delay, short stature, and premature ovarian failure. Intellectual capabilities range from profound mental retardation to above average intelligence. There appears to be no correlation with the percentage of trisomic cells in either fibroblasts or leukocytes and the individual's phenotype or intellectual function. We also discuss a variety of counseling issues including long‐term survival, reproductive capacity of individuals with mosaic trisomy 18, and recurrence risks. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human manipulative behavior in the Central European Late Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age: Humeral bilateral asymmetry
Authors: Sládek Vladimír , Berner Margit , Sosna Daniel , Sailer Robert 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIt is assumed that the transition from the Late Eneolithic to the Early Bronze Age in Central Europe was associated with substantial changes in subsistence and the perception of gender differences. However, the archeological record itself does not entirely support this model. Alternatively, this transition may be interpreted as a continuous process. We used asymmetry in external dimensions, and asymmetry in size and distribution of cortical tissue of humeri to elucidate the nature of this transition with respect to differences in manipulative behavior. The total sample of 67 individuals representing five archaeological cultures was used. The results indicate that the pattern of asymmetry of the humeral external measurements and the cross‐sectional parameters taken at 35% of humeral biomechanical length remain stable during the Late Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age. However, females of both periods show fluctuating asymmetry for all of the cross‐sectional parameters, but directional asymmetry for biomechanical length. Males are nonsignificantly shifted from the line of equivalence for biomechanical length, but exhibit directional asymmetry for the cortical area and polar moment of area. Only distal articular breadth yields fluctuating asymmetry for both females and males in both periods. Thus, the transition from the Late Eneolithic to the Early Bronze Age can be seen as a continuous process that probably affected only a limited part of human activities. We interpret the differences between females and males of both periods as evidence of gender‐specific activities; males might have been associated with extra‐domestic agricultural labor that resulted in asymmetrical manipulative loading and females with domestic labor with symmetrical manipulative loading in both periods. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Yaws disease in a wild gorilla population and its impact on the reproductive status of males
Authors: Levréro Florence , Gatti Sylvain , Gautier‐Hion Annie , Ménard Nelly 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe evaluated the prevalence of skin lesions in a gorilla population in the Republic of Congo. The observed lesions were typical of yaws, a treponematosis described in gorillas and humans living in tropical regions. Among the 377 gorillas identified, 17% presented skin lesions, mainly on their faces. The worst cases presented physical handicaps because of the deep lesions. As in humans, lesions break out when individuals are young. Lesions were more prevalent among males than females above 8 years old. This sex‐bias prevalence could result from the behavioral characteristics of males through a greater exposure to wounds. Lesions were also more prevalent in unmated adult males (either solitaries or those living in nonbreeding groups) than in males leading breeding groups. In the case of the latter, nonaffected and affected leading males had a similar number of infants and juveniles. Still, none of the leading males ever presented serious handicaps because of the skin lesions. This suggests that adult females could favor males without lesions. Finally, lesions were more prevalent among immature animals in nonbreeding groups than in breeding groups, suggesting that either young animals with lesions disperse earlier from their natal groups, or that the disease spreads faster in nonbreeding groups. Our results provide some insights into the spread of a disease in a wild population. Further studies are required to determine if the vigor of males affects the development of the disease and if affected individuals experience social discrimination inducing a negative impact on population dynamics. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of hospital and surgeon procedure volume with patient‐centered outcomes of total knee replacement in a population‐based cohort of patients age 65 years and older
Authors: Katz Jeffrey N. , Mahomed Nizar N. , Baron John A. , Barrett Jane A. , Fossel Anne H. , Creel Alisha H. , Wright John , Wright Elizabeth A. , Losina Elena 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo study the association between procedure volume and patient‐centered outcomes such as functional status.MethodsWe performed an observational study of a stratified random sample of Medicare beneficiaries who underwent primary total knee replacement (TKR) in 2000. Low‐volume surgeons were defined as surgeons performing ≤6 TKRs per year in the Medicare population, and low‐volume centers were defined as those in which ≤25 TKRs per year were performed. The primary outcome was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) functional status score (0–100 scale; 100 = best) 2 years after TKR. We defined a WOMAC functional status score of <60 as a poor functional outcome. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, preoperative functional status, and comorbidities.ResultsFifty‐eight percent of 1,597 eligible patients agreed to participate. Twelve percent of participating patients had a WOMAC score <60 2 years following TKR. Patients operated upon by low‐volume surgeons in low‐volume hospitals were twice as likely to have a poor WOMAC functional status score as patients operated upon by higher volume surgeons and in higher volume hospitals (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1–4.2).ConclusionPatients operated upon in low‐volume hospitals by low‐volume surgeons had worse functional outcomes 2 years after TKR. These findings add a new and important dimension to the discussion of whether to promote selective referral of procedures such as TKR to high‐volume centers.
Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator
Authors: Herrero‐Beaumont Gabriel , Ivorra José Andrés Román , del Carmen Trabado María , Blanco Francisco Javier , Benito Pere , Martín‐Mola Emilio , Paulino Javier , Marenco José Luis , Porto Armando , Laffon Armando , Araújo Domingos , Figueroa Manuel , Branco Jaime 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effects of the prescription formulation of glucosamine sulfate (1,500 mg administered once daily) on the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA) during a 6‐month treatment course.MethodsThree hundred eighteen patients were enrolled in this randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trial in which acetaminophen, the currently preferred medication for symptomatic treatment of OA, was used as a side comparator. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral glucosamine sulfate 1,500 mg once daily (n = 106), acetaminophen 3 gm/day (n = 108), or placebo (n = 104). The primary efficacy outcome measure was the change in the Lequesne index after 6 months. Secondary parameters included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and response according to the Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria. These outcome measures were assessed using an intent‐to‐treat analysis.ResultsAt baseline, the study patients had moderately severe OA symptoms (mean Lequesne index ∼11 points). Glucosamine sulfate was more effective than placebo in improving the Lequesne score, with a final decrease of 3.1 points, versus 1.9 with placebo (difference between glucosamine sulfate and placebo −1.2 [95% confidence interval −2.3, −0.8]) (P = 0.032). The 2.7‐point decrease with acetaminophen was not significantly different from that with placebo (difference −0.8 [95% confidence interval −1.9, 0.3]) (P = 0.18). Similar results were observed for the WOMAC. There were more responders to glucosamine sulfate (39.6%) and acetaminophen (33.3%) than to placebo (21.2%) (P = 0.004 and P = 0.047, respectively, versus placebo). Safety was good, and was comparable among groups.ConclusionThe findings of this study indicate that glucosamine sulfate at the oral once‐daily dosage of 1,500 mg is more effective than placebo in treating knee OA symptoms. Although acetaminophen also had a higher responder rate compared with placebo, it failed to show significant effects on the algofunctional indexes.
Longitudinal power Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of joint inflammatory activity in early rheumatoid arthritis: Predictive value in disease activity and radiologic progression
Authors: Naredo Esperanza , Collado Paz , Cruz Ana , Palop Mercedes J. , Cabero Félix , Richi Patricia , Carmona Loreto , Crespo Manuel 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the sensitivity to change of power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) assessment of joint inflammation and the predictive value of PDUS parameters in disease activity and radiologic outcome in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsForty‐two patients with early RA who started therapy with disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs underwent blinded sequential clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound assessment at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year and radiographic assessment at baseline and 1 year. For each patient, 28‐joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) was recorded at each visit. The presence of synovitis was investigated in 28 joints using gray‐scale ultrasonography and intraarticular power Doppler signal. Active synovitis was defined as intraarticular synovitis detected with power Doppler signal. The ultrasound joint count for active synovitis and an overall joint index for power Doppler signal were calculated. Sensitivity to change of PDUS variables was assessed by estimating the smallest detectable difference (SDD) from the intraobserver variability.ResultsThe SDD for ultrasound joint count for active synovitis and ultrasound joint index for power Doppler signal was lower than mean changes from baseline to 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Time‐integrated values of PDUS parameters demonstrated a highly significant correlation with DAS28 after 1 year (r = 0.63, P < 0.001) and a stronger correlation with radiographic progression (r = 0.59–0.66, P < 0.001) than clinical and laboratory parameters (r < 0.5).ConclusionPDUS is a sensitive and reliable method for longitudinal assessment of inflammatory activity in early RA. PDUS findings may have a predictive value in disease activity and radiographic outcome.
Cell markers, cytokines, and immune parameters in cement mason apprentices
Authors: Carlsten C. , de Roos A. J. , Kaufman J. D. , Checkoway H. , Wener M. , Seixas N. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjectiveCement masons are known to have significant silica exposure, and silica exposure and silicosis are thought to increase risk of autoimmune disease. Because the mechanisms remain obscure, with inconclusive reports of systemic immune effects following silica exposure, our goal was to identify potential early markers of silica‐related immunologic and respiratory effects.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study of cement mason apprentices and electrician (control) apprentices. Demographics, dust exposure history, symptoms, spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide, and blood (for immunoglobulins, cytokines, cell counts, and surface markers) were obtained from 11 cement mason apprentices and a comparison group of 21 electrician apprentices.ResultsMasons had significantly higher (P < 0.05) masonry dust exposure (42 versus 9 dust‐hour‐years), serum interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β; 12 versus 9 pg/ml), IL‐2 (20 versus 8 pg/ml), IL‐4 (193 versus 67 pg/ml), IL‐10 (44 versus 21 pg/ml), and interferon‐γ (139 versus 65 pg/ml) compared with electricians. In contrast, masons had significantly lower percentages of CD25+ (12% versus 20%) and CD69+ (4% versus 9%) lymphocytes.ConclusionMason apprentices had higher levels of serum proinflammatory cytokines and lower percentages of CD25+ and CD69+ lymphocytes than did electrician apprentices. These preliminary findings suggest that mason apprentices may be at greater risk of a systemic proinflammatory state that is potentially linked to immune dysregulation. Although distinct limitations of this preliminary data are recognized, this is consistent with early biologic effects leading to increased incidence of autoimmune disease among silica‐exposed workers. Prospective studies are needed to validate these initial findings and clarify the temporal sequence of observed relationships.
About universes with scale‐related total masses and their abolition of presently outstanding cosmological problems
Authors: Fahr H. J. , Heyl M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe most recently celebrated cosmological implications of the cosmic microwave background studies with WMAP (2006), though fascinating by themselves, do, however, create some extremely hard conceptual challenges for the present‐day cosmology. These recent extremely refined WMAP observations seem to reflect a universe which was extremely homogeneous at the recombination age and thus is obviously causally closed at the time of the cosmic recombination era. From the very tiny fluctuations apparent at this early epoch the presently observable nonlinear cosmic density structures can, however, only have grown up, if in addition to a mysteriously high percentage of dark matter an even higher percentage of dark energy is admitted as drivers of the cosmic evolution. The required dark energy density, on the other hand, is nevertheless 120 orders of magnitude smaller then the theoretically calculated value. These are outstanding problems of present day cosmology onto which we are looking here under new auspices. We shall investigate in the following, up to what degree a universe simply abolishes all these outstanding problems in case it reveals itself as an universe of constant total energy. As we shall show basic questions like: How could the gigantic mass of the universe of about 1080 proton masses at all become created? – Why is the presently recognized and obviously indispensable cosmic vacuum energy density so terribly much smaller than is expected from quantum theoretical considerations, but nevertheless terribly important for the cosmic evolution? – Why is the universe within its world horizon a causally closed system? –, can perhaps simply be answered, when the assumption is made that the universe has a constant total energy with the consequence that the total mass density of the universe (matter and vacuum) scales with $ R^{-2}_{\rm u} $. Such a scaling of matter and vacuum energy abolishes the horizon problem, and the cosmic vacuum energy density can easily be reconciled with its theoretical expectation values. In this model the mass of the universe increases linearly with the world extension Ru and can grow up from a Planck mass as a vacuum fluctuation. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A three‐dimensional computer model analysis of three hypothetical biofilm detachment mechanisms
Authors: Chambless Jason D. , Stewart Philip S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThree hypothetical mechanisms of detachment were incorporated into a three‐dimensional computer model of biofilm development. The model integrated processes of substrate utilization, substrate diffusion, growth, cell advection, and detachment in a cellular automata framework. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize each of the mechanisms with respect to four criteria: the resulting biofilm structure, the existence of a steady state, the propensity for sloughing events, and the dynamics during starvation. The three detachment mechanisms analyzed represented various physical and biological influences hypothesized to affect biofilm detachment. The first invoked the concept of fluid shear removing biomass that protrudes far above the surface and is therefore subjected to relatively large drag forces. The second pathway linked detachment to changes in the local availability of a nutrient. The third pathway simulated an erosive process in which individual cells are lost from the surface of a biofilm cell cluster. The detachment mechanisms demonstrated diverse behaviors with respect to the four analysis criteria. The height‐dependant mechanism produced flat, steady state biofilms that lacked sloughing events. Detachment based on substrate limitation produced significant sloughing events. The resulting biofilm structures included distinct, hollow clusters separated by channels. The erosion mechanism produced neither a non‐zero steady state nor sloughing events. A mechanism combining all three‐detachment mechanisms produced mushroom‐like structures. The dynamics of biofilm decay during starvation were distinct for each detachment mechanism. These results show that detachment is a critical determinant of biofilm structure and of the dynamics of biofilm accumulation and loss. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007; 97: 1573–1584. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of quercetin on bone minerals, biomechanical behavior, and structure in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Kanter Mehmet , Altan Mehmet Fatih , Donmez Senayi , Ocakci Ayse , Kartal Murat Emre 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the effect of quercetin (QE) on bone minerals and biomechanics in insulin‐dependent diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by 50 mg kg−1 intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) in a single dose. The rats were randomly allotted into four experimental groups: A (control), B (non‐diabetic + QE), C (diabetic), and D (diabetic + QE) each containing 10 animals. The diabetic rats received QE (15 mg kg−1 day−1) for 4 weeks following 8 weeks of STZ injection. Blood samples were taken to determine glucose, insulin, calcium, and magnesium levels. The rats' femora were assessed biomechanically at femoral mid‐diaphysis and neck. It was found that QE treatment increased insulin, calcium, and magnesium levels. Three‐point bending of the femoral mid‐diaphysis and necks showed significantly lower maximum load values (Fmax) in animals in the STZ group than the QE + STZ or control groups (p < 0.05). The results support the conclusion that QE treatment may decrease blood glucose and increase plasma insulin, calcium, and magnesium. QE treatment may also be effective in bone mineral metabolism, biomechanical strength, and bone structure in STZ‐induced diabetic rats. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Locally advanced prostate cancer—biochemical results from a prospective phase II study of intermittent androgen suppression for men with evidence of prostate‐specific antigen recurrence after radiotherapy
Authors: Bruchovsky Nicholas , Klotz Laurence , Crook Juanita , Goldenberg S. Larry 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBACKGROUND.Biochemical results from a prospective Phase II trial of intermittent androgen suppression for recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy were analyzed for correlations to the onset of hormone‐refractory disease.METHODS.Patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate and a rising serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level after external beam irradiation of the prostate were treated intermittently with a 36‐week course of cyproterone acetate and leuprolide acetate. Then, patients were stratified according to their serum PSA range at the start of each cycle and were followed with further biochemical testing until disease progression was evident.RESULTS.The mean PSA reduction was 95.2% irrespective of stratification group. A baseline serum PSA level <10 μg/L and a serum PSA nadir ≤0.2 μg/L were associated with the longest time off treatment. The overall mean nadir PSA value in the progression group at 1.40 ± 0.19 μg/L was 2.6‐fold greater than the value of 0.55 ± 0.88 μg/L in the no‐progression group (P = .0002). Recovery of serum testosterone to a level of ≥7.5 nmol/L was observed in 75%, 50%, 40%, and 30% of men in Cycles 1 to 4, respectively, and was sufficient to normalize the level of hemoglobin in each cycle, which dropped by an average of 10.8 g/L during treatment (P < .0001).CONCLUSIONS.The length of the off‐treatment interval during cyclic androgen withdrawal therapy was related inversely to baseline and nadir levels of serum PSA. Nadir PSA was a powerful predictor of early progression to androgen independence. Cancer 2007 © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Ab Initio Study of Poly(vinyl chloride) Propagation Kinetics: Head‐to‐Head versus Head‐to‐Tail Additions
Authors: Van Cauter Karen , Van Speybroeck Veronique , Waroquier Michel 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe relative importance of head‐to‐head versus head‐to‐tail additions during the free‐radical polymerization of vinyl chloride is determined by ab initio methods for different chain lengths of the polymer. First, a level of theory study is performed to determine cost‐effective methods for the ab initio description of the propagation kinetics of vinyl chloride. The study includes the following DFT‐based methods: B3LYP, B3PW91, BHandH, BHandHLYP, BLYP, BP86, MPW1K and MPW1PW91, in combination with double or triple zeta basis sets 6‐31G(d) and 6‐311G(d,p). Also, the more recently developed BMK and MPW1K functionals are included. The influence of diffuse functions is tested by comparison with the basis sets 6‐31+G(d) and 6‐311++G(3df,2p). The best‐performing methods are B3LYP, B3PW91 and MPW1 K combined with the 6‐31+G(d) basis set. The converged probability of head‐to‐head propagation (2 per 1000 monomer units) is put into relation with the experimental concentrations of defect structures. A comparison is made with the head‐to‐head (HH) content of fluorine‐substituted polymers and poly(vinyl acetate). The ab initio calculations correctly predict the relative sequence of HH content among the various polymers.