bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic accuracy of core biopsy for ductal carcinoma in situ and its implications for surgical practice
Authors: Dillon M F , Quinn C M , McDermott E W , O’Doherty A , O’Higgins N , Hill A D K 
Published: June 2006

Background:Core biopsy is considered to be a highly accurate method of gaining a preoperative histological diagnosis of breast cancer. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is often impalpable and is a more subtle form of breast cancer.Aim:To investigate the accuracy of core biopsy in the diagnosis of cancer in patients with DCIS.Methods:All patients who had invasive cancer (n = 959) or DCIS (n = 92) that was confirmed by excision between 1999 and 2004 were identified. The diagnostic methods, histology of the core biopsy specimen and excision histology were reviewed in detail.Results:Core biopsy was attempted in 88% (81/92) of patients with DCIS and in 91% (874/959) of those with invasive disease. Of those patients who underwent core biopsy, a diagnosis of carcinoma on the initial core was made in 65% (53/81) of patients with DCIS compared with 92% (800/874) of patients with invasive disease (p<0.0001). Smaller lesion size (p = 0.005) and lower grade (p = 0.03) were associated with increased risk for a negative or non-diagnostic core in patients with DCIS. The nature of the mammographic lesion or the method of biopsy did not affect the probability of an accurate core biopsy. Patients who had a preoperative diagnosis of DCIS by core biopsy had a reoperation rate of 36% compared with 65% of those that did not have a preoperative diagnosis (p = 0.007).Conclusion:Although core biopsies are highly accurate forms of obtaining a preoperative diagnosis in patients with invasive breast cancer, this is not the case in DCIS. As the number of surgical procedures can be reduced by core biopsy, it is still of considerable value in the management of DCIS.
Wild-type and central DNA flap defective HIV-1 lentiviral vector genomes: intracellular visualization at ultrastructural resolution levels
Authors: Arhel Nathalie J , Souquere-Besse Sylvie , Charneau Pierre 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
HIV-1 and other lentiviruses have the unique ability among retroviruses to efficiently replicate in non-dividing cells as a result of the active nuclear import of their DNA genome across an interphasic nuclear membrane. Previous work has shown that a three-stranded DNA structure synthesized during HIV-1 reverse transcription, called the central DNA flap, acts as a cis-determinant of HIV-1 genome nuclear import. Concordantly, DNA Flap re-insertion in lentiviral-derived gene therapy vectors stimulates gene transfer efficiencies and complements the level of nuclear import to wild-type levels quantitatively indistinguishable from wild-type virus in all cell types and tissues examined so far. In order to define the precise nature of the replicative defect of DNA flap mutant viruses, we carried out in situ DNA hybridization experiments with electron microscopy to determine the subcellular localization of DNA flap mutant and wild-type HIV-1 genomes. We found that Flap defective DNA genomes accumulate at the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear membrane with no overlap across the nuclear membrane, whereas wild-type genomes localize throughout the nuclear compartment. These data provide an unequivocal confirmation of the role of the DNA flap in HIV-1 nuclear import and further establish that the DNA flap controls a step that immediately precedes translocation through the nuclear pore. Further, the widespread distribution of wild-type genomes within the open chromatin confirms the recent genome-wide mapping of HIV-1 cDNA integration sites and points to an as-yet poorly understood step of intranuclear transport of HIV-1 pre-integration complexes.
Origin of the specialists
Authors: Davis Ben 
Published: June 2006

The surgical profession is going through a period of great change. Perhaps the area most affected by the current wave of initiatives is that of surgical training. There will inevitably be casualties as old systems are abandoned and new ones are introduced but there will also be those who flourish under the new regime. Is this a case of survival of the fittest? In this month's Trainees' Forum, Ben Davis provides us with a fascinating examination of the principles of Darwinism and demonstrates how they can be applied to the surgical workforce of today.
Analysis of Mismatch Repair in Human Nuclear Extracts
Authors: Wang Huixian , Hays John B. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis unit describes an assay for completed mismatch correction along with a precise and sensitive assay for mismatch‐repair excision intermediates and a simple and efficient procedure for construction of mismatch repair substrates. These substrates are derived by ligating synthetic oligomers into a gapped plasmid generated using the sequence‐specific N.BstNBI nicking endonuclease, then the sequence‐specific nicking endonuclease N.AlwI, to introduce single nicks for initiation of excision. These methods can be easily adapted for construction and analysis of DNA‐lesion‐containing substrates to study DNA‐repair pathways other than mismatch repair.
Measurement of Protein Glutathionylation
Authors: Filipovska Aleksandra , Murphy Michael P. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractProteins contain free, exposed thiols that can be glutathionylated in the native state as a result of thiol‐disulfide exchange reactions with glutathione disulfide, catalyzed by glutaredoxin. A number of other reactions can also lead to protein glutathionylation. The modification of proteins by glutathionylation is important in oxidative damage and may be an important post‐translational modification to proteins involved in redox signaling. This unit describes methods for the identification of glutathionylated proteins and quantification of the extent of glutathionylation. The protocols described use isolated mitochondrial protein complexes, mitochondrial membranes, and intact mitochondria, but can be easily adapted to other systems.
Organelle Proteomics
Authors: Lescuyer Pierre , Chevallet Mireille , Luche Sylvie , Rabilloud Thierry 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis unit describes strategies for studying the proteomes of organelles, which is one example of targeted proteomics. It relies heavily on previously published units dealing with organelle preparation, protein solubilization, and proteomics techniques. A specific commentary for organelle proteomics is provided. Specific protocols for the isolation of nuclei from various sources (cell cultures, tissues) are also provided.
Safe Use of Radioisotopes
Authors: Meisenhelder Jill , Semba Kentaro 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe use of radioisotopes to label specific molecules in a defined way has greatly furthered the discovery and dissection of biochemical pathways. The development of methods to synthesize such tagged biological compounds inexpensively on an industrial scale has enabled them to be used routinely in laboratory protocols, including many detailed in this manual. Although most of these protocols involve the use of only microcurie amounts of radioactivity, some (particularly those describing the metabolic labeling of proteins or nucleic acids within cells) require amounts on the order of millicuries. In all cases where radioisotopes are used, depending on the quantity and nature of the isotope, certain precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of the scientist. It is essential to use good safety practices and proper protection to handle radioactive substances. This unit discusses handling, storage, and disposal of the isotopes most frequently used in biological research.
Basic Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Smith Carolyn L. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis unit introduces the reader to the basic principles of confocal microscopy and the design and capabilities of current confocal microscopes. The advantages and disadvantages of confocal microscopy as compared to other techniques for fluorescence imaging are described. There are also practical guidelines for sample preparation and optimizing imaging parameters and examples of some of the applications of confocal microscopy.
Tissue Culture Cell Assays Used to Analyze Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Marquis Hélène 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis unit describes tissue culture cell assays for analysis of the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to cause intracellular infection. It includes methods for evaluating the organism's ability to invade its host, to escape the primary vacuole formed upon invasion of host cells, to multiply within the cytosol of its host, and to spread from cell to cell without exiting the intracellular milieu. Each step can be evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively.
Delivery and Expression of Functional Viral RNA Genomes In Planta by Agroinfiltration
Authors: Annamalai Padmanaban , Rao A. L. N. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAgroinfiltration is a simple, efficient, and powerful approach for transient expression of viral genes as well as DNA‐based expression of full‐length RNA genomes of plant viruses for studies leading to understanding of replication, movement, and assembly. Most importantly, it results in synchronous delivery of Agrobacterium transformants to a majority of cells encompassing the infiltrated area and is therefore ideal for examining the biological activities of viruses having multipartite genomes. Because of the high transformation rate and efficient accumulation of mRNAs, the method is also ideal for analyzing biological activities of viral genomes with defective replication and cell‐to‐cell movement characteristics.
In Vitro Translation of Plant Viral RNA
Authors: Browning Karen S. , Mayberry Laura 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis unit describes the preparation of a wheat germ extract that provides all the soluble components of the plant translational machinery. Many RNA plant viruses have positive‐strand genomes and the viral RNA serves as messenger RNA (mRNA). The preparation of mRNA by in vitro transcription is also described. The translation assay requires optimization of the amount of wheat germ extract, level of mRNA, and the concentration of Mg2+ and K+ for each mRNA. The translational efficiency of RNAs or mutants may be compared (e.g., capped versus uncapped RNAs to measure cap‐independent translation) or the amount/size of the protein product may be determined.
Comparing the perceived causes of the second Iraq war: a network analysis approach
Authors: Rafiq Umbereen , Jobanuptra Neera , Muncer Steven 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe objective of this research was to examine the representation by British students of 11 perceived causes of the invasion of Iraq. We used network analysis to develop a network of the pattern of causes that are involved. Overall most participants identified a nexus of causes that reciprocally linked religious prejudice, racism and the history of conflict in the Middle East. They identified a reciprocal link between religious prejudice and September 11th, indicating that it was a cause and effect of religious prejudice. They also supported a link between the personalities of Bush and Saddam and economic gain, and acknowledged the effect of the first Gulf war on Saddam. We also found that Muslim participants were significantly less in favour of the invasion than Christian participants, and produced different networks of the links between causes. The study demonstrates that network analysis can be used to compare and contrast representations of a political event, and thus extends its use in the study of social representations. Aggr. Behav. 32:321–329, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New Participant Role Scales: comparison between various criteria for assigning roles and indications for their validity
Authors: Goossens F.A. , Olthof T. , Dekker P.H. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe present study was set up with two aims in mind. First, to assess the psychometric characteristics of a peer‐report measure of bullying in a Dutch sample, and second, to compare relative and absolute ways of assigning roles in the bullying process. The sample consisted of 242 children (51% boys; mean age approximately 10 years) at T1. Two years later, there were 247 children (49% boys).We made use of an adaptation of the original Participant Role Scales (PRS) Salmivalli, Lagerspetz, Björkqvist et al., 1996; Salmivalli, Lappalainen and Lagerspetz, 1998) and of the Aggression and Victimization Scale [Perry, Kusel and Perry, 1988]. This scale, called the New PRS, consisted of 32 items in total. Five highly reliable scales were distinguished with the help of CFA, one for leader‐like bullying behavior, one for follower‐like bullying behavior, and scales for outsider, defender and victim. We computed the roles according to four criteria, that is, z‐scores (a relative measure) and three different percentage scores (10%, 15% and 20%; each an absolute measure). Sociometric status was also assessed. The concordance between the various methods was moderate. Test–retest stability was also moderate. Test–retest coefficients for the scale scores were considerably higher. Links were found between the roles and sociometric status, irrespective of the method used for assigning roles. Victims were rejected, as were bullies, but defenders were popular. Gender differences indicated that boys were more often bullies or followers, and girls were more often outsiders or defenders. Absolute methods for assigning bullying roles produced fewer unclassifiable children and brought to light substantial differences between classes. Aggr. Behav. 32:343–357, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Violent computer games and their effects on state hostility and Physiological arousal
Authors: Arriaga Patrícia , Esteves Francisco , Carneiro Paula , Monteiro Maria Benedicta 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAn experimental study was conducted to investigate the impact of violent computer games on state hostility, state anxiety and arousal. Participants were undergraduate students, aged from 18 to 25 years old. Before the experimental sessions, participants filled in self‐report measures concerning their video game habits and were also pre‐tested for aggressiveness and trait anxiety. Physiological responses (heart rate and skin conductance) were measured during the experiment. After playing, information about state hostility and state anxiety was collected. The results showed that participants who played the violent game reported significantly higher state hostility and support the assumption that an aggressive personality moderates the effect of playing a violent game on state hostility. Aggr. Behav. 32:358–371. 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aggression and social status: the moderating roles of sex and peer‐valued characteristics
Authors: Vaillancourt Tracy , Hymel Shelley 
Published: June 2006

AbstractResearch on peer rejection has long emphasized links between aggressive behavior and peer liking, with aggressive children and adolescents being more rejected by peers. However, recent research shows that at least some aggressive students enjoy considerable power and influence and are perceived as “popular” within the peer group. To understand the processes underlying links between aggression and social status, the present research considered three distinct indices of social status (social preference, perceived popularity, and power) and investigated the degree to which the possession of peer‐valued characteristics moderated the links between status and aggression and whether these links varied by sex. A sample of 585 adolescents (grades 6–10) completed peer evaluation measures assessing social status, aggression (overt/physical, indirect/relational), and the degree to which peers possessed eight different peer‐valued characteristics (e.g., attractiveness, athleticism, etc.). Although sociometric indices of status were significantly related to perceived popularity, especially for boys, perceptions of power were more strongly linked to perceived popularity than to sociometric likeability. Moreover, the three indices of social status were differentially related to peers' assessments of aggression and to peer‐valued characteristics, with notable sex differences. As predicted, regression analyses demonstrated that the observed relationships between social status and aggression were moderated by the possession of peer‐valued characteristics; aggressive students who possessed peer‐valued characteristics enjoyed higher levels of perceived popularity and power and less disliking than those who did not. This relationship varied as a function of sex, the type of aggression considered, and the status construct predicted. Aggr. Behav. 32:396–408, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coincidental outbreak of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation unit
Authors: Imataki Osamu , Makimoto Atsushi , Kato Shingo , Bannai Takahiro , Numa Naomi , Nukui Yoko , Morisawa Yuji , Ishida Toshihiko , Kami Masahiro , Fukuda Takahiro , Mori Shin‐ichiro , Tanosaki Ryuji , Takaue Yoichi 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground:Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common nosocomial pathogens among hospital‐acquired infections, and immunocompromised patients are highly susceptive to infection. The molecular typing of isolated strains is a common method for tracing an outbreak of MRSA, but experience with this approach is still limited in the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) ward.Methods:We experienced 6 cases of MRSA infection/colonization in our 26‐bed HSCT ward during a 4‐week period. This unusual outbreak strongly suggested that the same MRSA strain was involved despite strict isolation and aseptic patient care. Clarification of the transmission pattern was critical, and we applied pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) assays for evaluation.Results and conclusion:In four of the six cases, the pattern of bands examined by PFGE and AFLP analyses supported the idea that direct person‐to‐person transmission was very unlikely and the outbreak was coincidental. This experience highlights the clinical value of molecular typing methods for the clinical epidemiological assessment of MRSA outbreak. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New‐onset and idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: Incidence, diagnostic validity, and potential risk factors
Authors: Schech Stephanie D. , Brinker Allen , Shatin Deborah , Burgess Margaret 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to determine the incidence rate for new‐onset and idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) among adults 20–64 years old, the validity of diagnostic criteria, and potential risk factors for TTP.Methods:This retrospective observational study analyzed automated administrative data from 11 geographically dispersed U.S. health plans. Cases of TTP were identified based on the presence of an inpatient hospital claim for TTP (ICD‐9‐CM 446.6) between 1/1/97 and 12/31/01 and confirmed by medical record review. Pharmacy and medical claims were used to evaluate outpatient drug exposure and comorbidities preceding hospitalization for TTP. Cases and the base population were screened so as to result in an incidence rate for idiopathic TTP.Results:We confirmed new‐onset and idiopathic TTP in 9 of 15 presumptive cases for an incidence density of 1.4 per million person‐years (95% CI: 0.6–2.6). The rate increased to 1.8 per million person‐years after projection and age‐standardization. The highest incidence rate of TTP was found in patients 50–64 years old (2.8 per million person‐years; 95% CI: 0.8–7.1). These 9 patients had no apparent risk factors for TTP based on claims and medical record data.Conclusions:In a general U.S. population, the incidence rate of confirmed new‐onset and idiopathic TTP was lower than previously reported, but appears to be on the rise. Our findings suggest that administrative claims data are useful for identifying outpatient drug exposures and comorbidities potentially associated with TTP. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of whole blood platelet lumi‐aggregometry to optimize anti‐platelet therapy in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders
Authors: Manoharan A. , Gemmell R. , Hartwell T. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractTwenty‐seven patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders and in vitro evidence of platelet hyperactivity on whole blood platelet lumi‐aggregometry were commenced on anti‐platelet therapy comprising aspirin, clopidogrel, and/or odorless garlic and the studies were repeated to assess the efficacy of the therapeutic agent(s). Only 8 patients showed clear evidence of anti‐platelet effect while receiving the standard low‐dose (100 mg/day) aspirin therapy. Thirteen patients required a higher dosage of aspirin and/or an additional anti‐platelet agent to achieve therapeutic adequacy. Lumi‐aggregometry also proved useful to optimize therapy in the 6 patients who received clopidogrel or odorless garlic because of aspirin intolerance. Am. J. Hematol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functionalization of wood particles through a reactive extrusion process
Authors: Carlborn Karana , Matuana Laurent M. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWood particles were modified in a reactive extrusion process with maleated polyethylene (MAPE) and maleated polypropylene (MAPP) compounds. Contents of MAPE were varied to study the effect of material composition on grafting efficiency during reactive extrusion, while extruder barrel temperatures and rotational screw speeds were varied to evaluate the effects of processing conditions on the modification of wood particles. Polymer molecular weight effects were followed using MAPP, with different molecular weights. Efficiency of the modification was assessed using FTIR and XPS surface analysis techniques, along with a titrimetric analysis, to verify the esterification reaction between the wood particles and maleated polyolefins. The grafting of maleated polyolefins onto the surface of the wood particles through a reaction of the hydroxyl groups on the wood surface with the maleated groups of the maleated polyolefins was confirmed, while the level of grafting of MAPE onto wood particles was determined to be a function of the MAPE concentration. However, there was no significant difference found in grafting efficiency at different extrusion processing conditions, rather all of the conditions resulted in adequate grafting. Similarly, there was no difference in grafting efficiency with the molecular weight of MAPP. Reactive extrusion was found to be a suitable technique for the modification of wood particles, with maleated polyolefins, for all of the material compositions and processing conditions studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3131–3142, 2006
Synthesis of unsaturated polyesters of increased solubility in styrene
Authors: Matynia Tadeusz , Worzakowska Marta , Tarnawski Wiesław 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe present study presents the synthesis of unsaturated polyester resins using only one glycol i.e., ethylene glycol. Polyesters of inorganic solubility in styrene were prepared. Properties of the resins in the noncrosslinked state in the process of crosslinking and after curing were studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3143–3150, 2006