bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Demographic changes and marker properties affect detection of human population differentiation
Authors: Listman Jennifer B , Malison Robert T , Sughondhabirom Atapol , Yang Bao-Zhu , Raaum Ryan L , Thavichachart Nuntika , Sanichwankul Kittipong , Kranzler Henry R , Tangwonchai Sookjaroen , Mutirangura Apiwat , Disotell Todd R , Gelernter Joel 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackgroundDifferentiating genetically between populations is valuable for admixture and population stratification detection and in understanding population history. This is easy to achieve for major continental populations, but not for closely related populations. It has been claimed that a large marker panel is necessary to reliably distinguish populations within a continent. We investigated whether empirical genetic differentiation could be accomplished efficiently among three Asian populations (Hmong, Thai, and Chinese) using a small set of highly variable markers (15 tetranucleotide and 17 dinucleotide repeats).ResultsHmong could be differentiated from Thai and Chinese based on multi-locus genotypes, but Thai and Chinese were indistinguishable from each other. We found significant evidence for a recent population bottleneck followed by expansion in the Hmong that was not present in the Thai or Chinese. Tetranucleotide repeats were less useful than dinucleotide repeat markers in distinguishing between major continental populations (Asian, European, and African) while both successfully distinguished Hmong from Thai and Chinese.ConclusionDemographic history contributes significantly to robust detection of intracontinental population structure. Populations having experienced a rapid size reduction may be reliably distinguished as a result of a genetic drift -driven redistribution of population allele frequencies. Tetranucleotide markers, which differ from dinucleotide markers in mutation mechanism and rate, are similar in information content to dinucleotide markers in this situation. These factors should be considered when identifying populations suitable for gene mapping studies and when interpreting interpopulation relationships based on microsatellite markers.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 efficiently binds to human fetal astrocytes and induces neuroinflammatory responses independent of infection
Authors: Li Jinliang , Bentsman Galina , Potash Mary Jane , Volsky David J 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackgroundHIV-1 infects human astrocytesin vitroandin vivobut the frequency of infected cells is low and its biological significance is unknown. In studiesin vitro, recombinant gp120 alone can induce profound effects on astrocyte biology, suggesting that HIV-1 interaction with astrocytes and its functional consequences extend beyond the limited levels of infection in these cells. Here we determined the relative efficiencies of HIV-1 binding and infection in human fetal astrocytes (HFA), mainly at the single cell level, using HIV-1 tagged with green fluorescence protein (GFP)-Vpr fusion proteins, termed HIV-GFP, to detect virus binding and HIV-1 expressing Rev and NefGFP fusion proteins to detect productive infection.ResultsEssentially all HFA in a population bound HIV-GFP specifically and independently of CCR5 and CXCR4. The dynamics of this binding at 37°C resembled binding of an HIV fusion mutant to CD4-positive cells, indicating that most of HIV-GFP arrested infection of HFA at the stage of virus-cell fusion. Despite extensive binding, only about 1% of HFA were detectably infected by HIV-RevGFP or HIV-NefGFP, but this proportion increased to the majority of HFA when the viruses were pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus envelope glycoprotein G, confirming that HFA impose a restriction upon HIV-1 entry. Exposure of HFA to HIV-1 through its native proteins rapidly induced synthesis of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 with increased mRNA detected within 3 h and increased protein detected within 18 h of exposure.ConclusionOur results indicate that HIV-1 binding to human astrocytes, although extensive, is not generally followed by virus entry and replication. Astrocytes respond to HIV-1 binding by rapidly increased cytokine production suggesting a role of this virus-brain cell interaction in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis.
Surfactant protein Bpolymorphisms are associated with severe respiratory syncytial virus infection, but not with asthma
Authors: Puthothu Beena , Forster Johannes , Heinze Jessica , Heinzmann Andrea , Krueger Marcus 
Published: May 2007

Abstract

Background
Surfactant proteins (SP) are important for the innate host defence and essential for a physiological lung function. Several linkage and association studies have investigated the genes coding for different surfactant proteins in the context of pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or respiratory distress syndrome of preterm infants. In this study we tested whether SP-B was in association with two further pulmonary diseases in children, i. e. severe infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus and bronchial asthma.

Methods
We chose to study five polymorphisms in SP-B: rs2077079 in the promoter region; rs1130866 leading to the amino acid exchange T131I; rs2040349 in intron 8; rs3024801 leading to L176F and rs3024809 resulting in R272H. Statistical analyses made use of the Armitage's trend test for single polymorphisms and FAMHAP and FASTEHPLUS for haplotype analyses.

Results
The polymorphisms rs3024801 and rs3024809 were not present in our study populations. The three other polymorphisms were common and in tight linkage disequilibrium with each other. They did not show association with bronchial asthma or severe RSV infection in the analyses of single polymorphisms. However, haplotypes analyses revealed association of SP-B with severe RSV infection (p = 0.034).

Conclusion
Thus our results indicate a possible involvement of SP-B in the genetic predisposition to severe RSV infections in the German population. In order to determine which of the three polymorphisms constituting the haplotypes is responsible for the association, further case control studies on large populations are necessary. Furthermore, functional analysis need to be conducted.
Rescued from their Invisibility: The Afro-Puerto Ricans of Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century San Mateo de Cangrejos, Puerto Rico
Authors: Stark David M. 
Published: May 2007

The black “root” has been systematically “uprooted” from the main “trunk” of the Puerto Rican nation.Jorge DuanyScholars who study Puerto Rico's past have struggled with the question of how to define the island’s national identity. Is the essence of Puerto Rican identity rooted in Spain, does it have its origins in Africa, in the legacy of the native Tainos, or is it a product of two or all three of these? This polemical question has yet to be resolved and remains a subject of much debate. The island's black past is often overlooked, and what has been written tends to focus on the enslaved labor force and its ties to the nineteenth-century plantation economy. Few works are specifically devoted to the study of the island's seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Afro-Puerto Rican population. Recent scholarship has begun to address this oversight. For example, the efforts of fugitive slaves and free black West Indian migrants making their way to Puerto Rico have been well documented. Yet, little is known about the number or identity of these runaways. How many slaves made their way to freedom in Puerto Rico, who were they, and where did they come from? Perhaps more importantly, what about their new lives on the island? How were they able to create a sense of belonging, both as individuals and as part of a community within the island's existing population and society? What follows strives to answer these questions by taking a closer look first at the number and identity of these fugitives, and second at how new arrivals were assimilated into their new surroundings through marriage and family formation while their integration was facilitated by participation in the local economy. Through their religious and civic activity Afro-Puerto Ricans were able to create a niche for themselves in San Juan and eventually a community of their own in Cangrejos. In doing so, they helped shape the island's national identity.
Constructing the time independent Hamiltonian from a time dependent one
Authors: Dobrski Michał 
Published: May 2007

AbstractIn this paper we introduce a method for finding a time independent Hamiltonian of a given Hamiltonian dynamical system by canonoid transformation of canonical momenta. We find a condition that the system should satisfy to have an equivalent time independent formulation. We study the example of a damped harmonic oscillator and give the new time independent Hamiltonian for it, which has the property of tending to the standard Hamiltonian of the harmonic oscillator as damping goes to zero.
Pseudoacute abdomen in female caused by haematometrocolpos and haematosalpinx because hymen imperforatus: diagnosis and therapy of imperforate hymen
Authors: Erman-Vlahović Mirna , Habek Dubravko , Vlahović Ivan , Bobić Mirna 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
We present a case of atresia hymenalis in a 12.5 year old female who was admitted to gynecological emergency with a history of severe lower abdominal pains over the course of a few months. Provided are clinical pictures of the “Pseudoacute abdomen”. Upon clinical examination, we found blue, shiny, bulging and imperforated hymen. An abdominal mass was palpated in the vicinity of the navel. Transabdominal ultrasound demonstrated mass filled with thick liquid. “Mercedes hymenal incision” was performed in general anaesthesia. About 1.2 litre of dark, thick blood was removed. Postoperative course was uneventful. The two years of follow-up were characterized with regular psychomotoric development for the age with regular menstrual cycles.
Scintigraphic examination of the cartilages of the foot
Authors: NAGY A. , DYSON S. J. , MURRAY R. M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Radiographic examination of the cartilages of the foot is well documented; however, there is limited information about their scintigraphic assessment.Objectives: To evaluate the scintigraphic appearance of the cartilages of the foot using subjective and quantitative image analysis and to correlate radiographic and scintigraphic findings.Hypotheses: An ossified cartilage would have similar radiopharmaceutical uptake (RU) to the ipsilateral aspect of the distal phalanx; RU would extend throughout the length of the ossified cartilage; a separate centre of ossification (SCO) would be identified on a scintigraphic image; and fracture or trauma to an ossified cartilage would manifest as increased RU (IRU).Methods: Front feet (n = 223) of horses (n = 186) that had dorsopalmar radiographic views and dorsal scintigraphic images were included in the study. The cartilages of the foot were graded radiographically and scintigraphically. Quantitative evaluation of the scintigraphic images was carried out using region of interest (ROI) analysis. For statistical analysis RU ratios were used. Correlations between a radiographically detected SCO and focal RU and between IRU and radiographic abnormalities were assessed.Results: There was a good correlation and an excellent agreement between radiographic and scintigraphic grades. ROI analysis showed a proximal to distal increase in RU ratios within each cartilage of the foot. A radiographically identified SCO could be detected scintigraphically in 12/17 feet (70.6%). Thirty‐eight feet had IRU in the region of a cartilage, 25 of which (65.8%) had corresponding radiographic abnormalities. Fracture of an ossified cartilage was associated with IRU in all horses.Conclusions and potential relevance: Scintigraphy may give information about the potential clinical significance of ossification of the cartilages of the foot and associated lesions, therefore prompting further investigation by use of a uniaxial ipsilateral palmar nerve block and imaging, using either magnetic resonance imaging and/or computed tomography.
Trimetoquinol: bronchodilator effects in horses with heaves following aerosolised and oral administration
Authors: CAMARGO F. C. , ROBINSON N. E. , BERNEY C. , EBERHART S. , BAKER S. , DETOLVE P. , DERKSEN F. J. , LEHNER A. F. , HUGHES C. , TOBIN T. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryReason for performing study: The bronchodilator effects of trimetoquinol (TMQ) have been studied when administered i.v. or intratracheally, but not in an aerosolised form.Objectives: To define the relationship between the therapeutic and adverse responses (therapeutic index) of TMQ when administered as an aerosol or by the oral route.Methods: Increasing doses of TMQ were administered to horses with heaves as an aerosol and by the oral route. Dose ranged 100–1000 μg/horse for aerosolised TMQ and from 6–60 μg/kg bwt for the oral route. Airway and cardiac effects were assessed by measurement of maximal change in pleural pressure (ΔPplmax) and heart rate (HR), respectively. Side effects of sweating, agitation and muscle trembling were scored subjectively. Duration of action of aerosolised (1000 μg/horse) and oral (6–60 μg/kg bwt) TMQ was evaluated over 6 h.Results: Aerosol administration of TMQ caused dose‐dependent bronchodilation but did not change HR or cause other observable side effects. When 1000 μg/horse was administered via aerosol, TMQ produced a 2‐phase bronchodilation; an immediate effect lasting up to 30 min and a second phase between 2 and 4 h. Oral TMQ was therapeutically ineffective.Conclusion: Aerosol administration of TMQ is a safe and effective method of producing bronchodilation in horses.
Rapid infusion of a phospholipid emulsion attenuates the effects of endotoxaemia in horses
Authors: MOORE J. N. , NORTON N. , BARTON M. H. , HURLEY D. J. , REBER A. J. , DONOVAN D. C. , VANDENPLAS M. L. , PARKER T. S. , LEVINE D. M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Endotoxaemia currently is associated with a poor prognosis in horses. The results of recent trials in other species indicate that phospholipid emulsions reduce the deleterious effects of endotoxin (LPS). However, in a previous study in horses, a 2 h infusion of emulsion caused an unacceptable degree of haemolysis.Hypothesis: Rapid administration of a lower total dose of emulsion would reduce the effects of LPS and induce less haemolysis; the emulsion would reduce inflammatory effects of LPSin vitro.Methods: Twelve healthy horses received an i.v. infusion either of saline or a phospholipid emulsion (100 mg/kg), followed immediately byE. coliO55:B5 LPS (30 ng/kg). Clinical parameters, haematological profiles, serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF) activity, serum lipid profiles, urine analyses and severity of haemolysis were monitored before and at selected times after LPS. Monocytes were also incubatedin vitrowith LPS in the presence or absence of emulsion, after which TNF and tissue factor activities were determined.Results: Clinical signs of endotoxaemia were reduced in horses receiving the emulsion, including clinical score, heart rate, rectal temperature, serum TNF activity, and the characteristic leucopenic response to LPS, when compared to horses not receiving the emulsion. Three horses receiving the emulsion had none, 2 had mild and one had moderate haemolysis. There were no differences in urinalysis results and creatinine concentrations, either within the groups over time or between the groups. Serum concentrations of phosphatidylcholine, bile acids and triglycerides peaked immediately after the infusion; there were no significant changes in concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids or cholesterol. Incubation of equine monocytes with emulsion prevented LPS‐induced TNF and tissue factor activities.Conclusions: Rapid administration of emulsion significantly reduced inflammatory effects of LPSin vivoand caused a clinically insignificant degree of haemolysis. The results of thein vitrostudies indicate that emulsion prevents not only LPS‐induced synthesis of cytokines, but also expression of membrane‐associated mediators (i.e. tissue factor).Potential relevance: Rapid i.v. administration of emulsions containing phospholipids that bind endotoxin may provide a clinically useful method of treating endotoxaemia in horses.
Equine herpesvirus‐1‐specific interferon gamma (IFNγ) synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in Thoroughbred horses
Authors: LUCE R. , SHEPHERD M. , PAILLOT R. , BLACKLAWS B. , WOOD J. L. N. , KYDD J. H. 
Published: May 2007

Summary Reasons for performing study: An assay has been developed that measures EHV‐1 specific interferon gamma synthesis (IFNγ), a cytokine produced following the activation of memory T lymphocytes and therefore a measure of cell mediated immunity. The method requires validation in the field. Objectives: To measure the frequency of EHV‐1 specific, IFNγ synthesising peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in a population of Thoroughbred horses, and examine its relationship with age, gender, premises and history of vaccination or field infection with EHV‐1. Methods: Lymphocytes from 200 Thoroughbred horses were stimulated with EHV‐1 in vitro, and IFNγ detected using a monoclonal antibody and indirect immunofluorescence. Percent positive cells were enumerated by flow cytometric analysis and the results described and compared statistically between groups. Results: The frequency of IFNγ+ PBMC was significantly higher in animals age >5 years compared with 2–4 years, in females vs. males, on stud farms vs. training yards and following vaccination of 2‐year‐olds with inactivated virus compared with nonvaccinates. Age strongly confounded all these associations and care must therefore be taken interpreting these results. Mares exposed to a field infection with EHV‐1 also had higher frequencies of IFNγ+ PBMC than other vaccinated horses. Conclusions: The frequency of EHV‐1 specific, IFNγ+ PBMC among the sample Thoroughbred population was diverse but lowest in young, unvaccinated horses‐in‐training. Potential relevance: The frequency of EHV‐1 specific lymphocytes synthesising IFNγ in this population may be associated with its susceptibility to infection with this virus. This easy technique may be applied to monitor the antigenicity of vaccines and their effectiveness at stimulating cellular immunity.
Incisional complications following exploratory celiotomy: does an abdominal bandage reduce the risk?
Authors: SMITH L. J. , MELLOR D. J. , MARR C. M. , REID S. W. J. , MAIR T. S. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryReasons for performing study: Post operative complications following exploratory laparotomy can be potentially life‐threatening, increase post operative morbidity and result in an increase in the length of hospitalisation of the affected individual. No study has evaluated the efficacy of specific strategies to reduce the incidence of post operative incisional complications.Hypothesis: The use of an abdominal bandage following colic surgery through a celiotomy incision would significantly reduce the prevalence of post operative incisional complications.Methods: A controlled, randomised clinical trial to test the hypothesis was devised. Horses eligible for inclusion in the study were assigned randomly either to the study or control group following recovery from general anaesthesia. Any post operative incisional complications occurring during hospitalisation were recorded. Long‐term follow‐up was obtained via telephone questionnaires. Absolute risk reduction (ARR) and number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated. Multivariable analyses were conducted for all outcomes of interest.Results: There was an ARR of the likelihood of developing a post operative incisional complication of 45% when using compared to not using an abdominal bandage in the post operative period. Therefore, it would be necessary to treat 2.2 horses with an abdominal bandage in order to prevent one horse developing any post operative incisional complications.Conclusions: Although incisional complications continue to be a problem following an exploratory celiotomy for colic, the proportion of horses affected was significantly reduced by use of a bandage.Potential relevance: Using an abdominal bandage following an exploratory laparotomy may help reduce the prevalence of post operative incisional complications, and prevent the development of potentially life‐threatening complications.
Genes and respiratory disease: a first step on a long journey
Authors: EWART S. L. , ROBINSON N. E. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThis review highlights the critical importance of phenotype definition in the understanding of the pathogenesis of respiratory disease in horses. The general approach to genetic studies is discussed and comparative studies of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) conditions, such as asthma, described in the context of learning more about equivalent equine conditions. The availability of methods to study genetic tests have previously relied on DNA sequence knowledge from man, laboratory and domesticated animals, but recent data from the horse genome sequence are now available. This should facilitate advances in the identification of specific genes for equine diseases. The review summarises the future potential for such studies and places the report in this issue (p 236) by Jost et al. (2007) of the involvement of IL4RA as a candidate gene in RAO into this context.
Increased levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase in patients with gliomas
Authors: Zheng Ping‐Pin , Hop Wim C. , Luider Theodorus M. , Sillevis Smitt Peter A. E. , Kros Johan M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectiveGliomas are among the highest vascularized tumors. We hypothesized that patients with gliomas have increased levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and circulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).MethodsThe fraction of EPCs was quantified by fluorescence‐activated cell sorter analysis using anti‐CD34, ‐CD133 and ‐KDR (kinase insert domain receptor) monoclonal antibodies in unselected peripheral blood samples of 32 patients with gliomas. Control groups included 47 patients with other central nervous system tumors or diseases, 10 patients with recent ischemic strokes, and 19 healthy blood donors. The circulating eNOS concentration of plasma was measured by a colorimetric assay in the same samples. In addition, CD34+CD105+ KDR+ and CD34+CD146+KDR− cell fractions were measured.ResultsThe percentage of CD34+CD133+KDR+ EPCs in the blood of glioma patients is significantly greater than that in the blood of patients with other central nervous system tumors or diseases (p = 0.003), stroke patients (p = 0.005), or healthy donors (p = 0.013). The plasma eNOS concentration is also significantly greater in glioma patients compared with each of the control groups (p < 0.001 for all groupwise comparisons). No significant differences in the levels of the EPCs or eNOS between any of the control groups were demonstrated. In the glioma patients, the level of eNOS correlated with the fraction of CD34+CD105+KDR+ cells (r = 0.748; p = 0.008).InterpretationThe data are suggestive of increased mobilization of EPCs contributing to neoplastic vasculogenesis in glioma. The increased levels of EPCs and eNOS in the peripheral blood of glioma patients trigger further investigations as to their value as independent parameters for use in clinical practice. Ann Neurol 2007