bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lessons to be learned: a case study approach
Authors: Dewan Madhu , Malatani Tarek Saed , Ansari Mohammad Amin 
Published: November 2005

Malignant melanoma of soft tissue, also called clear cell sarcoma (CCS) of tendons and aponeuroses, presents as a soft tissue mass, usually in the lower extremity of young females. We report two cases of CCS of the upper extremity - in a Korean and a Saudi Arabian girl. Because of the presence of melanin, melanosomes, S-100 protein and the tendency for regional nodal metastases, it has been suggested that this entity be considered a melanoma rather than a soft tissue sarcoma. The evidence for a neuroectodermal origin of these neoplasms is compelling. Despite these features, CCS has been reported as showing a distinct chromosomal translocation pattern t(12;22)(q13;q12) in certain isolated cytogenetic or molecular diagnostic case reports; however, there is no information about the breakpoints at genomic level. Such genetic studies need to be performed on primary and metastatic cutaneous, mucosal or ocular melanomas prior to considering them specific for malignant melanoma of soft tissue/CCS. Microscopically, solid nests and fascicles of pale fusiform or cuboidal cells are divided by fine fibrous tissue septa. Characteristically, the cells possess a round to oval nucleus with a central prominent nucleolus. Pleomorphism may or may not be present; the cytoplasm is clear due to the presence of glycogen but, occasionally, the cytoplasm is more eosinophilic, resembling a melanoma. A tumour size (>5 cm) and the presence of necrosis are statistically significant predictors of poor prognosis. A lesion on the proximal part of an extremity progresses slower than one that is more distal (i.e. acral). An early diagnosis and initial radical surgery are essential for a favourable clinical outcome. Once regional lymph node metastases or haematogenous dissemination has occurred, the prognosis becomes dismal.
Promoting the social and emotional health of children: where to now?
Authors: Barlow Jane , Underdown Angela 
Published: November 2005

In advanced industrial societies such as the UK, the burden of disease is shifting from physical to mental health problems - emotional and behavioural problems currently being the major cause of disability in children. Evidence concerning the role of parents in promoting children’s social and emotional health, in conjunction with the benefits of supporting parents in this role, has focused attention on the need for greater clarity concerning the role of both parents and governments in supporting and protecting children’s social and emotional health. This paper examines the evidence base concerning children’s social and emotional development and suggests some steps that may be necessary to ensure the future promotion of children’s social and emotional health.
Fetal gender determination and the male: female population ratio in Bangladesh
Authors: Quddus Sabrin 
Published: November 2005

Gender determination of the fetus can be an important issue to parents, especially in Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. This study was conducted to determine how often we can detect the gender of the fetus and whether the gender ratio of the fetus correlated with the gender ratio of the population as determined by the census. Fetal gender ratio of male and female was found to be 1.04:1; the population gender ratio of the same period was 1.038:1. This study was conducted from March 1999 to December 2001.
The Beijing genotype and drug resistant tuberculosis in the Aral Sea region of Central Asia
Authors: Cox Helen Suzanne , Kubica Tanja , Doshetov Daribay , Kebede Yared , Rüsch-Gerdess Sabine , Niemann Stefan 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

Background
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, dramatically increasing rates of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have been reported from several countries. This development has been mainly attributed to the widespread breakdown of TB control systems and declining socio-economic status. However, recent studies have raised concern that the Beijing genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis might be contributing to the epidemic through its widespread presence and potentially enhanced ability to acquire resistance.

Methods
A total of 397 M. tuberculosis strains from a cross sectional survey performed in the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan have been analysed by drug susceptibility testing, IS6110 fingerprinting, and spoligotyping.

Results
Fifteen isolates showed mixed banding patterns indicating simultaneous infection with 2 strains. Among the remaining 382 strains, 152 (40%) were grouped in 42 clusters with identical fingerprint and spoligotype patterns. Overall, 50% of all isolates were Beijing genotype, with 55% of these strains appearing in clusters compared to 25% of non-Beijing strains. The percentage of Beijing strains increased with increasing drug resistance among both new and previously treated patients; 38% of fully-susceptible isolates were Beijing genotype, while 75% of MDR-TB strains were of the Beijing type.

Conclusion
The Beijing genotype is a major cause of tuberculosis in this region, it is strongly associated with drug resistance, independent of previous tuberculosis treatment and may be strongly contributing to the transmission of MDR-TB. Further investigation around the consequences of Beijing genotype infection for both tuberculosis transmission and outcomes of standard short course chemotherapy are urgently needed.
SSH adequacy to preimplantation mammalian development: Scarce specific transcripts cloning despite irregular normalisation
Authors: Bui LC , Léandri RD , Renard JP , Duranthon V 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

Background
SSH has emerged as a widely used technology to identify genes that are differentially regulated between two biological situations. Because it includes a normalisation step, it is used for preference to clone low abundance differentially expressed transcripts. It does not require previous sequence knowledge and may start from PCR amplified cDNAs. It is thus particularly well suited to biological situations where specific genes are expressed and tiny amounts of RNA are available. This is the case during early mammalian embryo development. In this field, few differentially expressed genes have been characterized from SSH libraries, but an overall assessment of the quality of SSH libraries is still required. Because we are interested in the more systematic establishment of SSH libraries from early embryos, we have developed a simple and reliable strategy based on reporter transcript follow-up to check SSH library quality and repeatability when starting with small amounts of RNA.

Results
Four independent subtracted libraries were constructed. They aimed to analyze key events in the preimplantation development of rabbit and bovine embryos. The performance of the SSH procedure was assessed through the large-scale screening of thousands of clones from each library for exogenous reporter transcripts mimicking either tester specific or tester/driver common transcripts. Our results show that abundant transcripts escape normalisation which is only efficient for rare and moderately abundant transcripts. Sequencing 1600 clones from one of the libraries confirmed and extended our results to endogenous transcripts and demonstrated that some very abundant transcripts common to tester and driver escaped subtraction. Nonetheless, the four libraries were greatly enriched in clones encoding for very rare (0.0005% of mRNAs) tester-specific transcripts.

Conclusion
The close agreement between our hybridization and sequencing results shows that the addition and follow-up of exogenous reporter transcripts provides an easy and reliable means to check SSH performance. Despite some cases of irregular normalisation and subtraction failure, we have shown that SSH repeatedly enriches the libraries in very rare, tester-specific transcripts, and can thus be considered as a powerful tool to investigate situations where small amounts of biological material are available, such as during early mammalian development.
A descriptive study of older adults with persistent pain: Use and perceived effectiveness of pain management strategies [ISRCTN11899548]
Authors: Kemp Carol A , Ersek Mary , Turner Judith A 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackgroundPersistent pain is a common, often debilitating, problem in older adults; however, few studies have focused on the experiences of older adults in managing their pain. The objective of this study was to describe the use and perceived effectiveness of pain management strategies in a sample of older adults and to explore the associations of these variables with demographic and psychosocial characteristics.MethodsAdults ≥ 65 years old and living in retirement facilities who reported persistent pain (N = 235, mean age = 82 years, 84% female, 94% white) completed measures of demographics, pain, depression, self-efficacy for managing pain, and a Pain Management Strategies Survey. Participants identified current and previous-year use of 42 pain management strategies and rated helpfulness of each on a 5-point scale.ResultsAcetaminophen, regular exercise, prayer, and heat and cold were the most frequently used pain management strategies (61%, 58%, 53%, and 48%, respectively). Strategies used by >25% of the sample that were rated moderately or more helpful (i.e., >2 on a 0 to 4 scale) were prayer [mean (SD) = 2.9 (0.9)], opioids [2.6 (0.8)], regular exercise [2.5 (1.0)], heat/cold [2.5 (1.0)], nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [2.4 (1.0)], and acetaminophen [2.3 (1.0)]. Young-old (65–74 years) study participants reported use of more strategies than did old-old (85+ years) participants (p = .03). Perceived helpfulness of strategy use was significantly associated with pain intensity (r = -.14, p < .0001), self-efficacy (r = .28, p < .0001), and depression (r = -.20, p = .003).ConclusionOn average, older adults view the strategies they use for persistent pain as only moderately helpful. The associations between perceived helpfulness and self-efficacy and depression suggest avenues of pain management that are focused less on specific treatments and more on how persons with persistent pain think about their pain.
Prevalence of pre- and postpartum depression in Jamaican women
Authors: Wissart Janice , Parshad Omkar , Kulkarni Santosh 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

Background
Maternal depression during pregnancy has been studied less than depression in postpartum period. The aims of this study were to find out the prevalence of prepartum and postpartum depression and the risk factors associated in a cohort of Afro-Jamaican pregnant women in Jamaica.

Methods
The Zung self-rating depression scale instrument was administered to 73 healthy pregnant women at 28 weeks gestation and at 6 weeks postpartum for quantitative measurement of depression. Blood samples were collected at 8, 28, 35 weeks gestation and at day 1 and 6 weeks postpartum to study the thyroid status.

Results
Study demonstrated depression prevalence rates of 56% and 34% during prepartum and postpartum period, respectively. 94% women suffering depression in both periods were single. There were significant variations in both FT3 and TT4 concentrations which increased from week 8 to week 28 prepartum (p < 0.05) and then declined at the 35th week (p < 0.05 compared with week 28) and 1 day post delivery study (p < 0.05 compared with week 35). The mean values for TSH increased significantly from week 8 through week 35. The mean values at 1 day postpartum and 6 week postpartum were not significantly different from the 35 week values. For FT3, TT4 and TSH there were no significant between group differences in concentrations. The major determinants of postpartum depression were moderate and severe prepartum depression and change in TT4 hormone concentrations.

Conclusion
High prevalence of depression was found during pre- and postpartum periods. Single mothers, prepartum depression and changes in TT4 were factors found to be significantly associated with postpartum depression.
Immediate endoscopic management of complete iatrogenic anterior urethral injuries: A case series with long-term results
Authors: Maheshwari Pankaj N , Shah Hemendra N 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

Background
Urethral injury produces partial or complete disruption of the urethral integrity. Advances in endourology have made endoscopic management of most of these injuries feasible without greatly compromising the final result. We report our institutional experience of immediate endoscopic realignment of complete iatrogenic anterior urethral injury.

Methods
From May 1997 to May 2003, seven patients with complete anterior urethral disruption were managed by immediate endoscopy guided splinting of urethra. Retrograde urethroscopy, combined with fluoroscopic guidance and in some cases antegrade cystoscopy through a suprapubic stab cystostomy was performed. A guide wire was negotiated across the disruption. Later, a 16 F Foley catheter was placed for 1–3 weeks. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and then yearly to assess the long-term outcome of endoscopic management.

Results
Immediate endoscopic realignment was achieved in all patients. Three patients developed recurrence at six months; that was treated by optical urethrotomy. Only one patient developed multiple recurrences over an average follow-up of 49.2 months (range 7 to 74 months). He was offered open end-to-end urethroplasty at twenty months after third recurrence. Thus immediate endoscopic realignment avoided any further intervention in four patients (57.14%); while after an additional optical urethrotomy, urethroplasty could be avoided in six patients (87.2%).

Conclusion
Immediate endoscopic realignment of traumatic urethral disruption is a feasible, safe and effective treatment modality for management of patients with iatrogenic complete anterior urethral injuries.
Specific distribution of overexpressed aurora B kinase in interphase normal epithelial cells
Authors: Abdullah Ash-shafie , Foong Charlene , Murata-Hori Maki 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

Background
It is known that aurora B, a chromosomal passenger protein responsible for the proper progression of mitosis and cytokinesis, is overexpressed throughout the cell cycle in cancer cells. Overexpression of aurora B produced multinuclearity and induced aggressive metastasis, suggesting that overexpressed aurora B has multiple functions in cancer development. However, the detailed dynamics and functions of overexpressed aurora B are poorly understood.

Results
We overexpressed GFP fused aurora B kinase in normal rat kidney epithelial cells. Using spinning disk confocal microscopy, we found that overexpressed aurora B-GFP was predominantly localized in the nucleus and along the cortex as a dot-like or short filamentous structure during interphase. Time-lapse imaging revealed that a cytoplasmic fraction of overexpressed aurora B-GFP was incorporated into the nucleus after cell division. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the nuclear fraction of overexpressed aurora B did not induce ectopic phosphorylation of histone H3 after cell division. The cytoplasmic fraction of overexpressed aurora B-GFP was mainly associated with cortical actin filaments but not stress fibers. Myosin II regulatory light chain, one of the possible targets for aurora B, did not colocalize with cortical aurora B-GFP, suggesting that overexpressed aurora B did not promote phosphorylation of myosin II regulatory light chain in interphase cells.

Conclusion
We conclude that overexpressed aurora B has a specific localization pattern in interphase cells. Based on our findings, we propose that overexpressed aurora B targets the nuclear and cortical proteins during interphase, which may contribute to cancer development and tumor metastasis.
Complement receptor 1 polymorphisms associated with resistance to severe malaria in Kenya
Authors: Thathy Vandana , Moulds JoAnn M , Guyah Bernard , Otieno Walter , Stoute José A 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackgroundIt has been hypothesized that the African allelesSl2andMcCbof the Swain-Langley (Sl) and McCoy (McC) blood group antigens of the complement receptor 1 (CR1) may confer a survival advantage in the setting ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria, but this has not been demonstrated.MethodsTo test this hypothesis, children in western Kenya with severe malaria-associated anaemia or cerebral malaria were matched to symptomatic uncomplicated malaria controls by age and gender. Swain-Langley and McCoy blood group alleles were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism and conditional logistic regression was carried out.ResultsNo significant association was found between the African alleles and severe malaria-associated anaemia. However, children withSl2/2genotype were less likely to have cerebral malaria (OR = 0.17, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.72, P = 0.02) than children withSl1/1. In particular, individuals withSl2/2 McCa/bgenotype were less likely to have cerebral malaria (OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.77, P = 0.02) than individuals withSl1/1 McCa/a.ConclusionThese results support the hypothesis that theSl2allele and, possibly, theMcCballele evolved in the context of malaria transmission and that in certain combinations probably confer a survival advantage on these populations.
Evaluating change in health-related quality of life in adult rhinitis: Responsiveness of the Rhinosinusitis Disability Index
Authors: Chen Hubert , Katz Patricia P , Shiboski Stephen , Blanc Paul D 
Published: November 2005

Abstract

Background
The Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) is a validated measure of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in rhinitis. Responsiveness of the RSDI to changes in health status over time has not been described.

Methods
We studied adults with a self-reported physician diagnosis of rhinitis identified through a national telephone survey. HRQL was assessed at baseline and at 24 months using the RSDI. Symptom severity, physical health status (SF-12 PCS), psychological mood (CES-D), and perceived control of symptoms were also assessed at the time of each interview. In addition, we ascertained specific health outcomes attributed to rhinitis, including days of restricted activity, job effectiveness, number of physician visits, and medication costs.

Results
Of 109 subjects interviewed at baseline, 69 (63%) were re-interviewed 24 months later. RSDI scores improved by = 0.5 standardized response mean in 13 (19%) subjects and worsened in 17 (25%). Change in the RSDI over time correlated with changes in symptom severity (r = 0.38, p = 0.001), physical health (r = -0.39, p = 0.001), mood (r = 0.37, p = 0.002) and perceived control of symptoms (r = -0.37, p = 0.01). In multivariate analyses adjusted for baseline health status, improvement in RSDI was associated with less restricted activity (p = 0.01), increased job effectiveness (p = 0.03), and decreased medication costs (p = 0.05), but was not associated with change in the number of physician visits from baseline (p = 0.45).

Conclusion
The RSDI is responsive to changes in health status and predicts rhinitis-specific health outcomes.
Analysis of Fcγ receptor haplotypes in rheumatoid arthritis: FCGR3A remains a major susceptibility gene at this locus, with an additional contribution from FCGR3B
Authors: Morgan Ann W , Barrett Jennifer H , Griffiths Bridget , Subramanian Deepak , Robinson Jim I , Keyte Viki H , Ali Manir , Jones Elizabeth A , Old Robert W , Ponchel Frederique , Boylston Arthur W , Situnayake R Deva , Markham Alexander F , Emery Paul , Isaacs John D 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe Fcγ receptors play important roles in the initiation and regulation of many immunological and inflammatory processes, and genetic variants (FCGR) have been associated with numerous autoimmune and infectious diseases. The data in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are conflicting and we previously demonstrated an association between FCGR3A and RA. In view of the close molecular proximity with FCGR2A, FCGR2B and FCGR3B, additional polymorphisms within these genes and FCGR haplotypes were examined to refine the extent of association with RA. Biallelic polymorphisms in FCGR2A, FCGR2B and FCGR3B were examined for association with RA in two well characterized UK Caucasian and North Indian/Pakistani cohorts, in which FCGR3A genotyping had previously been undertaken. Haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium were estimated across the FCGR locus and a model-free analysis was performed to determine association with RA. This was followed by regression analysis, allowing for phase uncertainty, to identify the particular haplotype(s) that influences disease risk. Our results reveal that FCGR2A, FCGR2B and FCGR3B were not associated with RA. The haplotype with the strongest association with RA susceptibility was the FCGR3A–FCGR3B 158V-NA2 haplotype (odds ratio 3.18, 95% confidence interval 1.13–8.92 [P = 0.03] for homozygotes compared with all genotypes). The association was stronger in the presence of nodules (odds ratio 5.03, 95% confidence interval 1.44–17.56; P = 0.01). This haplotype was also more common in North Indian/Pakistani RA patients than in control individuals, but not significantly so. Logistic regression analyses suggested that FCGR3A remained the most significant gene at this locus. The increased association with an FCGR3A–FCGR3B haplotype suggests that other polymorphic variants within FCGR3A or FCGR3B, or in linkage disequilibrium with this haplotype, may additionally contribute to disease pathogenesis.
Adalimumab clinical efficacy is associated with rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody titer reduction: a one-year prospective study
Authors: Atzeni Fabiola , Sarzi-Puttini Piercarlo , Dell' Acqua Donata , de Portu Simona , Cecchini Germana , Cruini Carola , Carrabba Mario , Meroni Pier Luigi 
Published: November 2005

AbstractStudies on autoantibody production in patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors reported contradictory results. We investigated in a prospective study the efficacy of a treatment with human monoclonal anti-TNF-α antibody (adalimumab) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and we evaluated the relationship between treatment efficacy and the incidence and titers of disease-associated and non-organ-specific autoantibodies. Fifty-seven patients with RA not responsive to methotrexate and treated with adalimumab were enrolled. Antinuclear, anti-double-stranded(ds)DNA, anti-extractable nuclear antigens, anti-cardiolipin (aCL), anti-β2 glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) autoantibodies, rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) autoantibodies were investigated at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of follow-up. Comparable parameters were evaluated in a further 55 patients treated with methotrexate only. Treatment with adalimumab induced a significant decrease in RF and anti-CCP serum levels, and the decrease in antibody titers correlated with the clinical response to the therapy. A significant induction of antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) and IgG/IgM anti-dsDNA autoantibodies were also found in 28% and 14.6% patients, respectively, whereas aCL and anti-β2GPI autoantibodies were not detected in significant quantities. No association between ANA, anti-dsDNA, aCL and anti-β2GPI autoantibodies and clinical manifestations was found. Clinical efficacy of adalimumab is associated with the decrease in RF and anti-CCP serum levels that was detected after 24 weeks and remained stable until the 48th week of treatment. Antinuclear and anti-dsDNA autoantibodies, but not anti-phospholipid autoantibodies, can be induced by adalimumab but to a lower extent than in studies with other anti-TNF blocking agents.