bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers in the Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) for capture–recapture studies
Authors: SEYOUM SEIFU , TRINGALI MICHAEL D. , HIGHAM MARYANNE 
Published: July 2007

AbstractFifteen polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci for Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, were isolated by using PIMA, a polymerase chain reaction‐based technique. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from two to 24 (mean = 7.7) in 65 specimens from Tampa Bay, Florida. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.27 to 0.92 (mean = 0.60) and from 0.28 to 0.95 (mean = 0.62), respectively. Genotypes at one locus deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. In exact tests for genotypic disequilibrium, there was no evidence of associations between any pair of loci. Overall, loci were well resolved and highly polymorphic, confirming their suitability for DNA fingerprinting applications and other genetic studies.
Use of Melatonin in Children and Adolescents: Clinicians’ and Parents’ Perspective
Authors: Banta Seema 
Published: July 2007

Background:  There is a paucity of research on professionals’ and parents’ views on melatonin use in children and adolescents with sleep problems.Method:  A two‐stage survey was employed. First stage: Child psychiatrists and community paediatricians working in a health district were surveyed. Second stage: Parents/carers of children currently on melatonin under the care of these clinicians completed questionnaires.Results:  Eighty‐seven per cent of the participating clinicians prescribed melatonin, with most of them prescribing melatonin for chronic and treatment resistant cases. Differences in prescribing practices between child psychiatrists and community paediatricians were noted. All children were prescribed either 3 mgs or 6 mgs melatonin. None of them experienced any significant side effects.Conclusions:  This research highlights that clinicians recognise melatonin as an effective treatment of childhood insomnia and parents value its usefulness too.
Vaya con Dios: Religion and the Transnational History of the Americas
Authors: Voekel Pamela , Moreton Bethany , Jo Michael 
Published: July 2007

AbstractOver the past decade, the transnational turn within US academic history has won recognition from the country's key legitimating professional institutions, from journals of record to first‐tier search committees and major conferences. For historians of Latin America, as for scholars of diaspora and others who have long worked to historicize the nation‐state, this is familiar territory. Their work has always challenged imperial hubris and debunked claims to national autogenesis. World systems theory, dependency theory, the Atlantic World tradition, border studies, the historical record seen from the vantage of the invaded – these insured that simply telling the truth about history was an inherently anti‐imperialist act. What has yet to be thoroughly integrated into this tradition, however, are recent questions raised by scholars of religious developments in the global south or the margins of first‐world nation‐states. As arguably the most successful transnational movement in history, religion commands our attention. Moreover, despite the unease it arouses, the study of transnational religion has much to offer to even self‐consciously anti‐imperialist scholarship. Since the Enlightenment, secular states and rational subjects have proclaimed themselves the rightful tutors of their counterparts mired in magical religion and primitive superstition. Because many anti‐imperialist theories share some of the Enlightenment assumptions animating this particular civilizing mission, they cede key ground to imperialism. Recent scholarship on religion challenges a series of dichotomies at the heart of imperialism and some anti‐imperialisms as well: religion and secularism, faith and reason, tradition and modernity, obedience and free will. These interventions suggest that to win the debate over Empire, transnational history must change its terms.
Influence of IL‐10RA and IL‐22 polymorphisms on outcome of hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Hennig Branwen J. , Frodsham Angela J. , Hellier Simon , Knapp Susanne , Yee Leland J. , Wright Mark , Zhang Lyna , Thomas Howard C. , Thursz Mark , Hill Adrian V. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground: Two receptor chains, IL‐10RA and IL‐10RB, are known to mediate the functions of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), which has been shown to be involved in the progression of persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Little information is available on the role of host genetic variation in IL‐10 receptor genes and outcome of HCV infection. IL‐22, an IL‐10 homologue, shares the IL‐10RB receptor chain with IL‐10 and has antiviral properties. We investigated the possible role of polymorphisms in the IL‐10RA and IL‐22 genes in hepatitis C disease pathogenesis.Methods: This study population consisted of 631 HCV patients, recruited from several hepatology clinics across Europe. We genotyped four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL‐10RA and six SNPs in the IL‐22 gene by ligation detection reaction or restriction fragment length polymorphism. Outcome of HCV infection was assessed according to viral clearance, treatment response, severity of fibrosis and overall inflammation.Conclusions: Variation in IL‐10RA appeared to be correlated with response to treatment and inflammation. Two SNPs in IL‐22 affected treatment response and viral clearance respectively. We furthermore report on allele and haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium for IL‐10RA and IL‐22. Our results indicate that genetic variation in these genes may play a modulatory role in the outcome of hepatitis C infection.
Serum homocystein level and vascular thrombosis in patients with Behçet disease
Authors: NAZARINIA M. A. , AFLAKI E. , HABIBAGHAHI Z. , RAJAEE A. , OMRANI G. R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  Behçet disease (BD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology that in some patients will present with thrombosis. However, the mechanism of thrombosis is unknown. In this study, we investigate the correlation between homocystein level in BD patients with vascular thrombosis.Patient and methods:  One hundred and twenty‐three patients who fullfilled the criteria of the International Study Group for BD (n = 77, 62.6% females and n = 46, 37.4% males) were included in this cross‐sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups: with thrombosis (n = 23, 18.7%) and without thrombosis (n = 100, 81.3%). All patients underwent colour Doppler sonography for documentation of vascular thrombosis. Serum homocystein was measured by ELISA method, folate and B12 were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results:  Patients with vascular involvement, vein and/or arterial thrombosis were enrolled. Mean serum homocystein level was significantly higher in the group with thrombosis (P = 0.012) and in male patients than females (18.10 ± 5.5 vs. 13.21 ± 4.1). In multiple regression analysis, the only factors that persisted for thrombosis were age and sex (P = 0.02, P < 0.0001, respectively). Serum folate and B12 were not correlated with thrombosis in BD.Conclusions:  In this study, we found that mean homocystein levels were higher in BD patients with thrombosis and it may have a role in the process of thrombosis in BD.
The diagnostic dilemma of undifferentiated inflammatory synovitis of the knee joint/joints: a comprehensive approach
Authors: EMAD Yasser , RAGAB Yasser , SHAARAWY Ahmed 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  The objective of this pilot study was to describe clinical features, laboratory investigations and enhanced MRI features in patients presenting with undifferentiated inflammatory synovitis of the knee.Patient and methods:  Fifteen patients with undifferentiated inflammatory synovitis of the knee joint were recruited for this study. All patients underwent full history‐taking, detailed rheumatological examination, synovial fluid analysis including polarized microscopy, rheumatoid factor (RF), anti‐nuclear antibody (ANA), anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), C‐reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. MRI/gadolinium‐enhanced MRI was done for all patients with unilateral presentation and for the most symptomatic knee in cases of bilateral knee involvement.Results:  Enhanced MRI showed the following findings: synovial enhancement and effusion 15/15, pannus formation 13/15, bone marrow edema 3/15, bone erosions 2/15, cartilaginous erosions 1/15, synovial cysts 2/15, Baker's cyst 2/15, periarticular soft tissue edema 3/15, and lipoma arborescencs 2/15.Conclusions:  Undifferentiated synovitis of the knee is not necessarily a benign condition. It represents a diagnostic dilemma in rheumatological practice that deserves early identification and early treatment in order to prevent inevitable and irreversible articular damage if left untreated. The ability of MRI to detect early changes like bone marrow edema and bony and cartilaginous erosions (usually not obvious on plain X‐rays) makes this a highly sensitive tool for evaluation of patients presenting with undifferentiated synovitis affecting the knee joint. When combined with gadolinium, it allows accurate assessment of the degree of synovial thickening (pannus) and picks up local intra‐articular lesions especially in patients with unilateral disease.
Pathologic acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy and calcium phosphosphate deposition disease
Authors: ROTHSCHILD Bruce M. , ROBINSON Sarah 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAim:  To assess if acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joint findings share specificity with those of peripheral joints for distinguishing among the major forms of erosive arthritis.Methods:  The clavicles from skeletons of 392 individuals with documented spondyloarthropathy, rheumatoid arthritis and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPDD) were macroscopically examined for erosion presence and character and for reactive new bone formation.Results:  Examination of the bones of individuals with documented rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy and calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease revealed specificity of acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joint alterations for the underlying arthritis.Conclusions:  Acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular erosions have equivalent diagnostic specificity to that of peripheral joints, facilitating diagnosis when erosions are not recognized in the latter. Such joint involvement was so common in individuals with other evidence of CPPD that its presence should suggest the likelihood of that diagnosis.
The role of HLA‐DQβ1 alleles in susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: AFSHARI Jalil Tavakkol , REZAIEYAZDI Zahra , SHOJA‐TAHERI Farnaz , SADEGHIZADEH Majid 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAim:  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory erosive joint disease with the worldwide distribution of approximately 0.5–1.0%. Etiology of RA is not exactly known but immunologic and genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Genetic factors such as human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are responsible for many autoimmune diseases; therefore we decided to look for a correlation between RA and the presence of HLA‐DQβ1 alleles as possible genetic markers.Methods:  Genomic DNA from the whole blood samples of 25 patients with RA and 86 normal individuals as control group were extracted by salting out method. The genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific primer (PCR‐SSP) technique. HLA‐typing was done by this method after optimizing the PCR reaction for each allele. In this procedure seven serological subclasses of HLA‐DQβ1 can be detected.Results:  Comparing the results between the patients and controls show a significant increase in the frequency of HLA‐DQ8 (*0302, *0305) alleles in RA patients. The P‐values were 0.007 and the relative risk for these alleles was evaluated higher than 1.Conclusions:  The results suggest that DQ8 is the dominant HLA‐DQβ1 allele that is associated with susceptibility to RA in north‐eastern Iran.
Effects of FTY720 on BXSB lupus‐prone mice: a preliminary study
Authors: YE Shuang , GU Yue‐ying , WANG Jing‐ding , TAKAHARA Shiro , GUO Chang‐zhan , CHEN Shun‐le , SHEN Nan 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAim:  To examine the effects of a novel immunosuppressant, FTY720, on BXSB lupus‐prone mice, and to investigate its immune regulatory pathway by using a cDNA microarray.Methods:  Male BXSB mice received oral administration of 10 mg/kg FTY720 twice a week from age 9 weeks. Levels of antinuclear antibodies in serum and histopathology of the kidney were evaluated. The gene expression profile of splenic lymphocyte was analysed by cDNA microarray.Results:  FTY720 suppressed the production of antinuclear antibodies (P < 0.05) and reduced the deposition of IgG in glomeruli, compared to control animals. The microarray determined 247 differential expressed genes, which contained a cluster of genes related to lymphocyte trafficking and cytoskeletal remodeling.Conclusion:  Our preliminary data suggests FTY720 has some immune suppressive effect on BXSB mice. The mechanism may be due to accelerate lymphocyte homing and redistribution which differs from traditional cytotoxic agents. Its clinical implication deserves further study.
Granulomatous disease in selective IgA deficiency
Authors: LIMAYE Vidya , LU Tim , ANG Eugene , KRISHNAN Amirtharajan , HISSARIA Pravin , GILLIS David 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAlthough common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is sometimes associated with sarcoidosis/granulomatous disease, there have only been isolated reports of selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency and granulomatous disease. We present a patient with IgA deficiency who developed Heerfordt syndrome, a variant of neurosarcoidosis. This specific entity has not been previously reported to occur in IgA deficiency. Our case expands the reported associations of IgA deficiency and provides another example to the paucity of reported cases of sarcoidosis occurring in patients with IgA deficiency. As CVID and IgA deficiency have common underlying genetic factors, such an association is biologically plausible.
Prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women in Sri Lanka: a cross‐sectional community study
Authors: LEKAMWASAM Sarath , WIJAYARATNE Lalith , RODRIGO Mahinda , HEWAGE Udul 
Published: July 2007

AbstractObjective:  This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women selected from seven provinces in Sri Lanka.Method:  The study was a community‐based cross‐sectional survey of a group of 1642 community‐dwelling postmenopausal women in seven provinces, except the North and East, in Sri Lanka. Phalangeal bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in all subjects using an AccuDEXA. In a subgroup of 150 women BMDs in the spine from L2–L4 and proximal femur were measured using a Norland Eclipse central DXA machine. In this subgroup, the diagnosis of osteoporosis was made according to the WHO criteria based on T‐scores of the spine or femoral neck. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of different phalangeal BMD levels were examined and the prevalence of osteoporosis was calculated using the most acceptable cut‐off value.Results:  A sharp decline in phalangeal BMD (0.006 g/cm2/year) was seen during the postmenopausal period. Phalangeal T‐score of −2.00, which had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 78%, 85%, 91% and 68% respectively, was selected as the most suitable value to predict osteoporosis: 357 women had phalangeal T‐scores either equal to or lower than −2.00. When the positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this cut‐off value were applied, 736 women (44.9%) in our sample were likely to have osteoporosis.Conclusions:  Osteoporosis is a prevalent disease among postmenopausal women in Sri Lanka. Similar prevalence figures have been reported from other Asian countries.
Recent insights into the causes of chronic leg ulceration in venous diseases and implications on other types of chronic wounds
Authors: Chen W. Y. John , Rogers Alan A. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTVenous ulceration represents the most prevalent form of difficult‐to‐heal wounds and these problematic wounds require a significant amount of healthcare resources for their treatment. In order to develop effective treatment regimens a clearer understanding of the underlying pathological processes that lead to skin breakdown is required. However, to date, most of these studies have tended to focus on describing the pathology of already‐established ulcers. By bringing together relevant aspects of diverse disciplines such as inflammation, cardiovascular, and connective tissue biology, we aim to provide an insight into how circulatory abnormalities that are caused by the underlying disease etiology can induce local tissue inflammation resulting in tissue breakdown. Initially this results in internal tissue damage but if the underlying disease is not treated, the internal tissue damage can worsen and lead to open ulceration. This article discusses the cause‐and‐effect relationships between chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulceration, focusing particularly on the biological processes that lead from the underlying disease condition to overt ulceration. Available evidence also suggests that formation of pressure, diabetic foot and arterial ulcers, and ulcers as results of blood disorders, is also likely to share some of the same biological processes as venous ulcers.
Chronic tympanic membrane perforation: a better animal model is needed
Authors: Santa Maria Peter L. , Atlas Marcus D. , Ghassemifar Reza 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTDevelopments in the treatment of chronic tympanic membrane perforation have been hindered by the lack of an ideal animal model. It is not appropriate to test such treatments on acute perforations as the majority of these heal spontaneously. An ideal animal model would be one that most closely resembles the human clinical situation. It should be inexpensive, readily available, and easy to create. There have been a number of attempts to create a chronic tympanic membrane perforation model with limited success. All published attempts at chronic tympanic membrane perforations have been reviewed and the limitations of each model are discussed. A number of areas for research exist for further developing a chronic tympanic membrane perforation model. These areas include a perforation model in the presence of bacteria and eustachian tube dysfunction. Understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms of chronic otitis media and potential treatments will also be useful.
Are we really seeing the total costs of surgical site infections? A Spanish study
Authors: Alfonso Jose Luis , Pereperez Sergio Blasco , Canoves Jose Moreno , Martinez Mercedes Melgar , Martinez Isabel Martinez , Martin‐Moreno Jose M. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTTo identify overall costs generated by surgical site infections (SSI) patients, including indirect costs. A prospective study of case series of patients who have undergone major surgical treatment was undertaken. Patients who suffered SSI were compared with controls (nested case–control design). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions were followed and SSI established. Overall costs and indirect related morbidity/mortality costs were estimated. The study was performed in a general, tertiary hospital (Valencia, Spain) for 4.5 years. Surgical site infections patients were 9.02% of the total people who underwent surgery. Their stays were prolonging by 14 days, and resources were used more intensely and for longer periods than in controls. Excess hospital costs were $10,232 per patient of which 37% corresponded to prolonged stays. Health costs only accounted for 10% of overall costs; $97,433 per patient including indirect social costs. Studies merely assessing excess costs due to prolonged stays of SSI patients do not reflect the entire scenario as they simply represent 35% of real hospital costs. A comprehensive appraisal shows that total healthcare expenditures represent a tenth of overall costs, which strengthens the claims that investment in preventing SSI would be highly cost‐effective.
Creating thick linear scar by inserting a gelatin sponge into rat excisional wounds
Authors: Wu Xiaoli , Gao Zhen , Song Nan , Chua Chekhau , Deng Dan , Cao Yilin , Liu Wei 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTThe rat incisional wound is an important model for wound scarring research, but it is also difficult to mimic thick human incisional scarring. We hypothesized that such a thick linear scarring can be generated by inserting a gelatin sponge into a rat excisional wound. The results demonstrated that the new wound model could generate 11 times wider wound width (at day 7) and 4–5 times wider scar width (at days 14, 21, and 60), respectively, than the widths of incisional wounds (p<0.05) in adult Sprague–Dawley rats. The thick linear scar created was grossly apparent in contrast to the grossly unobvious scar of the incisional wound, and a regular linear shape could be achieved with a similar scar width along the wound. The mechanism study revealed several factors that might contribute to the enhanced scarring, including delayed wound healing, enhanced inflammation, increased expression of fibrotic factors, and abnormal wound remodeling due to the insertion of the gelatin sponge. These results indicate that the new wound model of thick linear scar might be valuable for clinically relevant study of scar manipulation. Moreover, this model may serve as a tool for studying gene‐mediated tissue regeneration during wound repair using inserted gelatin sponge as a gene carrier.
Hydrated keratinocytes reduce collagen synthesis by fibroblasts via paracrine mechanisms
Authors: Tandara Andrea A. , Kloeters Oliver , Mogford Jon E. , Mustoe Thomas A. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTRegulating collagen metabolism can control hypertrophic scars in cutaneous wounds. Hypertrophic scars can be reduced by occlusive dressings such as silicone sheeting; however, their mechanism is still unknown. We hypothesized that hydration of keratinocytes reduces the collagen secretion of fibroblasts by modifying the cytokine levels. Stratified human epidermal keratinocytes and confluent human dermal fibroblasts were co‐cultured serum free for 72 hours. Keratinocytes were either kept at the air interface or hydrated. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1)α, IL‐1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and procollagen‐1 were analyzed by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Secretion of cytokines into conditioned media was quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and collagen content by Western blot. The content of collagen‐I decreased by 44% in the presence of hydrated keratinocytes. Co‐culture with air‐treated keratinocytes decreased collagen‐I only by 23%. Co‐cultured hydrated keratinocytes had significantly higher TNF‐α mRNA (172%) than hydrated keratinocytes. At the protein level, there was an overall trend toward increased TNF‐α levels in hydrated cultures. IL‐1β secretion decreased significantly under hydration (42% monoculture, 58% co‐culture). Co‐culture stimulated a 240% increase of KGF mRNA in fibroblasts compared with monocultured fibroblasts. Fibroblasts secreted 4.5‐fold more KGF in hydrated co‐cultures and sixfold more KGF in air‐treated co‐cultures. Hydration of keratinocytes modifies important paracrine interactions between keratinocytes and fibroblasts and reduces collagen‐1, which supports the hypothesis that hydration of the epidermis and restoration of water barrier function play an important role in scar formation.