bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using the dog genome to find single nucleotide polymorphisms in red foxes and other distantly related members of the Canidae
Authors: SACKS BENJAMIN N. , LOUIE SUSAN 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are the ideal marker for characterizing genomic variation but can be difficult to find in nonmodel species. We explored the usefulness of the dog genome for finding SNPs in distantly related nonmodel canids and evaluated so‐ascertained SNPs. Using 40 primer pairs designed from randomly selected bacterial artificial chromosome clones from the dog genome, we successfully sequenced 80–88% of loci in a coyote (Canis latrans), grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes), which compared favourably to a 60% success rate for each species using 10 primer pairs conserved across mammals. Loci were minimally heterogeneous with respect to SNP density, which was similar, overall, in a discovery panel of nine red foxes to that previously reported for a panel of eight wolves (Canis lupus). Additionally, individual heterozygosity was similar across the three canids in this study. However, the proportion of SNP sites shared with the dog decreased with phylogenetic divergence, with no SNPs shared between red foxes and dogs. Density of interspecific SNPs increased approximately linearly with divergence time between species. Using red foxes from three populations, we estimated FST based on each of 42 SNPs and 14 microsatellites and simulated null distributions conditioned on each marker type. Relative to SNPs, microsatellites systematically underestimated FST and produced biased null distributions, indicating that SNPs are superior markers for these functions. By reconstituting the frequency spectrum of SNPs discovered in nine red foxes, we discovered an estimated 77–89% of all SNPs (within the region screened) present in North American red foxes. In sum, these findings indicate that information from the dog genome enables easy ascertainment of random and gene‐linked SNPs throughout the Canidae and illustrate the value of SNPs in ecological and evolutionary genetics.
An isotopic and geochemical study of carbonate‐clay mineralization in basaltic caves: abiotic versus microbial processes
Authors: LÉVEILLÉ R. J. , LONGSTAFFE F. J. , FYFE W. S. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTStable isotope and geochemical data are used here to differentiate between contemporaneous abiotic and microbial processes leading to formation of modern carbonate‐ (calcite, aragonite and magnesite) and silicate‐rich (kerolite) mineralization in basaltic sea caves on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Strontium isotope and Ca/Sr ratios in meteoric water and cave carbonates suggest that the majority of Sr and Ca are derived from rock–water interaction within the host basalts situated above the caves. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios and chemical compositions of cave and surface waters indicate that evaporation does not control cave‐water composition. However, evaporation of drops and thin films of water in microenvironments can lead to precipitation of some phases. This behaviour is suggested by the covariance in δ18O and δ13C values of some carbonates, especially magnesite, which is considered to be a late‐stage evaporative precipitate. Modelling of water evolution suggests that evaporation can be a cause of supersaturation for magnesite, kerolite and some Ca carbonates. However, the highly elevated δ13C values (up to +8.2) of some Ca carbonates, compared to average dissolved inorganic carbon δ13C values (~−12), are best explained as the product of microbial photosynthesis, in particular by cyanobacteria, present in the upper layers of active microbial mats on cave surfaces. The preferential uptake of 12C by cyanobacteria is recorded in the low δ13C values (−29.1 to −22.6) of organic matter in mats and mineralized microbialites. The resulting 13C‐enrichment of dissolved inorganic carbon is recorded in the elevated δ13C values of these Ca carbonates. A positive correlation exists between the δ13C values of the carbonates and coexisting organic matter. The large enrichment in 13C of carbonate minerals, relative to dissolved inorganic carbon, and its covariance with the δ13C values of coexisting organic matter are useful for identification of carbonate‐rich mineralization resulting from autotrophic microbial activity.
Monocyte‐derived dendritic cells from chronic HCV patients are not infected but show an immature phenotype and aberrant cytokine profile
Authors: Gelderblom Huub C. , Nijhuis Laurens E. J. , De Jong Esther C. , Te Velde Anje A. , Pajkrt Dasja , Reesink Henk W. , Beld Marcel G. H. M. , Van Deventer Sander J. H. , Jansen Peter L. M. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by an insufficient immune response, possibly owing to impaired function of antigen‐presenting cells such as myeloid dendritic cells (DCs). Therapeutic vaccination with in vitro generated DCs may enhance the immune response. Subsets of DCs can originate from monocytes, but the presence of HCV in monocytes that develop into DCs in vitro may impair DC function. Therefore, we studied the presence of HCV RNA in monocytes and monocyte‐derived DCs from chronic HCV patients.Methods: Monocytes were cultured with granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and interleukin 4 (IL‐4) for 6 days, and then with GM‐CSF, IL‐4, tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), prostaglandin E2, IL‐1β and IL‐6 for 2 days to generate mature DCs. HCV RNA was assessed by polymerase chain reaction. Surface molecules were assessed by flow cytometry. Cytokine production was assessed by cytokine bead array.Results: HCV RNA was present in monocytes in 11 of 13 patients, but undetectable in mature DCs in 13 of 13 patients. The morphology of patient DCs was comparable with DCs from healthy controls, but the percentage of cells expressing surface molecules CD83 (P=0.001), CD86 (P=0.023) and human leucocyte antigen‐DR (P=0.028) was lower in HCV patients. Compared with control DCs, patient DCs produced enhanced levels of IL‐10 (P=0.0079) and IL‐8 (P=0.0079), and lower levels of TNF‐α (P=0.032), IL‐6 (P=NS) and IL‐1β (P=0.0079). Patient and control DCs did not produce IL‐12.Conclusions: Monocyte‐derived DCs from chronic HCV patients are not infected but show an immature phenotype and aberrant cytokine profile.
The clinical features of dermatomyositis in a South Australian population
Authors: LIMAYE Vidya , BLUMBERGS Peter , SCOTT Grace , ROBERTS‐THOMSON Peter 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:  To review the clinical features of dermatomyositis (DM) in a South Australian population.Methods:  Retrospective review of medical records of patients with biopsy‐proven DM in South Australia from 1990 to 2005.Results:  There were 21 cases of biopsy‐proven DM in SA (62% F, mean age 49.7 ± 18.4 years) and clinical details were available in 20 of these. Malignancy was identified in 9/20 patients; in five this followed the diagnosis of DM, with three malignancies seen within 3 months of disease onset. Three patients had a clearly defined immune insult prior to the diagnosis of DM; one patient had Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection 23 days prior to DM, two had pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations 5 and 14 days prior to the onset of DM, respectively. Two of three patients with anti‐Jo‐1 antibody experienced thromboembolism within 2 months of DM onset and three patients had interstitial lung disease (2 with anti‐Jo‐1 antibody). Creatine kinase (CK) was elevated in 15/20 cases and showed strong correlation with transaminases, and notably not with traditional inflammatory markers.Conclusions:  This retrospective review of patients with biopsy‐proven DM suggests a role for infection/vaccination in triggering disease onset. A particularly strong association with malignancy was observed and it is suggested that DM may predispose to thrombosis. Transaminases, in addition to CK may be used to monitor disease activity, and traditional inflammatory markers have little role in this.
The epidemiology of dermatomyositis in South Australia
Authors: LIMAYE Vidya , BLUMBERGS Peter , SCOTT Grace , HAKENDORF Paul , STEVANOVIC Vladimir , HIGHTON John , ROBERTS‐THOMSON Peter 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:  To review the epidemiology of dermatomyositis (DM) in South Australia (SA) and to compare it with other Australian states and New Zealand (NZ).Methods:  Muscle biopsy and hospital separation data for DM in SA, other Australian states, and NZ were determined. The role of environmental factors was investigated.Results:  From 1990 to 2005, there were 21 cases of biopsy‐proven DM in SA (62% F, mean age 49.7 ± 18.4) and 99 cases of polymyositis (PM). Based on biopsy‐proven figures, the average incidence of DM per year in SA was 1.4 ± 1.2, and 6.6 ± 2.6 for PM. Since 1991, there were 221 and 441 total separations from SA hospitals with principal diagnoses of DM and PM, respectively. The ratio DM/DM + PM is thought to correlate with solar irradiance, and within Australia, SA had the lowest ratio (0.39, 95% CI 0.22–0.56), with the highest ratio seen in WA (0.67, 95% CI 0.53–0.81). This ratio did not correlate with latitude, duration of sunshine, cloud cover, relative humidity or total rainfall. Within SA, no correlation with socioeconomic status was seen. Australian data were similar to NZ, where the ratios were 0.34 and 0.3 for North and South Islands, respectively. As separation data reflect total hospital visits, we also ascertained individual patient separations from SA hospitals (1997 to July 2005) and found a similar ratio of DM/DM + PM (0.38 ± 0.08).Conclusions:  The proportion of inflammatory myositis which is DM varies nationwide, with a consistent ratio seen in SA (33–38%). Geoclimatic variables do not appear to influence DM/PM disease expression in Australia.
A survey of psychosocial attributes of Filipino patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: LI‐YU Julie , NAVARRA Sandra V. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:  To describe various domains of psychosocial attributes among Filipino patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods:  This is a cross‐sectional survey of SLE patients seen at a tertiary centre in Manila, Philippines in 2005. All patients completed self‐administered questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI‐II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Optimism and Pessimism Scales. Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to determine association between levels of depression and anxiety.Results:  A total of 275 female SLE patients with mean age of 32.57 years ± 12.26 SD (range 19–68) completed the questionnaires. Various levels of depression, anxiety as well as optimism/pessimism were disclosed by patients. There was a significant association between degree of depression and anxiety, P = 0.000, but not with age at time of survey (P = 0.099) nor disease duration (P = 0.584). Areas of concern in the interpersonal domain included ‘irritability’, and ‘having none or lost interest in sex.’ In the socio‐cultural domain, prevalent indicators of ‘indecisiveness’, ‘worthlessness’, and ‘self‐criticism’ ranged from 42.7% to 47.7%. Descriptors of situational domain included guilt and punishment feelings, loss of energy, concentration difficulty, and tiredness/fatigue; notably 15.3% harboured suicidal thoughts.Conclusions:  This survey among Filipino SLE patients further identified areas of concern in the various interpersonal, socio‐cultural and situational domains which may significantly impact on patients’ and caregivers’ adjustment to the illness, and may thus influence the approach as well as overall response to management of these patients.
Clinical experience in using CD20 monoclonal antibody in treating severe systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: MOHD SHAHRIR M. S. , ABDUL HALIM A. G. , SOEHARDY Z. , NORELLA KONG C. T. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground and method:  This clinical experience involved the treatment of resistant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with CD20 monoclonal antibody. Five patients failed conventional therapy, two developed complications and one needed rituximab as an emergency measure. Four patients had lupus nephritis, three had autoimmune hemolytic anemia, two had immune thrombocytopenia and one had lupoid hepatitis. The patients were aged 14–49 years, (mean 28.63). Three were Malays, two Chinese, two Indian and one Turkish; six were females. Mean disease duration was 63.25 months and mean total rituximab dose received was 2812.50 mL.Results:  Hemoglobin levels improved from 9.3 ± 5.7 to 13.1 ± 8.6 g/dL for two SLE patients with autoimmune hemolytic anemia after 34 weeks (P = 0.180). Platelet counts improved from 25 ± 17 to 198 ± 97 × 109/high powered field from 0 to 10 weeks for three SLE patients with immune thrombocytopenia (P = 0.109). In the lupus nephritis patients on rituximab, serum albumin improved from 24.5 ± 23.2 to 37.5 ± 31.8 mmol/L (n = 3) from week 0 to week 17 (P = 0.100). Urine protein creatinine ratio improved from 0.55 ± 0.23 to 0.08 ± 0.03 g/mmol creatinine (P = 0.068) from week 0 to week 13. C3 and C4 improved from 90.8 ± 36.5 to 120.7 ± 37.9 (P = 0.07) and 21.6 ± 10.1–27.3 ± 16.2 mg/dL (P = 0.27), respectively, and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Activity Disease Index was reduced from 17.9 ± 11.2 to 6.3 ± 6.8 (P = 0.375) after 8 weeks. Two patients developed drug reactions to rituximab.Conclusion:  All of the patients responded to rituximab on top of their conventional therapy.
Hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis activity in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled study using insulin hypoglycemia stress test
Authors: JOKAR Mohammadhassan , MOOSSAVI Zohreh , FARD Azam Vaziri 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:  To study the response of cortisol to insulin‐induced hypoglycemia in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:  We measured the response of cortisol to insulin‐induced hypoglycemia (0.15 µ/kg) in 10 patients (6 female, 4 male) with active RA and 10 (6 female, 4 male) healthy controls. All patients had never received glucocorticoids before the study. The cortisol concentration was assessed by radioimmunoassay.Results:  The mean age was 47.3 years (± 14.2 years) in patients and 43.5 years (± 10.6 years) in control subjects. The mean disease duration was 66.3 months (range 12–120). The basal serum levels of cortisol in patients with RA were not significantly different from those of controls. Although the mean serum cortisol levels after insulin‐induced hypoglycemia were lower in patients with RA than controls in all samples, the significant difference was seen only in the samples 60 min after insulin injection (18.59 vs. 24.28 µg/dL, P = 0.041).Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that active RA is associated with dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary‐adrenal axis.
Screening for amyloid deposition by subcutaneous fat tissue aspiration technique in rheumatoid arthritic patients and investigating its clinical significance in Iran
Authors: ALISHIRI G. Hussein , BAYAT Noushin , SALIMZADEH Ahmad , FORGHANIZADEH Jafar , SETAREHSHENAS Roya , GHORBANI Gholam Ali 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim:  This study examined the frequency of secondary amyloidosis in Iranian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in order to determine its clinical significance.Methods:  A total of 220 RA patients (167 female, 53 male), with minimum disease duration of 5 years, were included in this prospective study over a period of about 2 years. Abdominal subcutaneous fat‐pad aspiration (ASFA) method was used in obtaining specimens from all subjects. All of the specimens were examined for apple‐green birefringence under polarized light microscope. Amyloid deposits were graded from 1+ to 3+. Clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of the patients were assessed and recorded.Results:  Amyloid deposition was detected in 11 (5%) of the fat smears stained with Congo red stain. All of the samples had minimal (1+) amyloid deposits. In this study, amyloid‐positive cases showed clinically significant symptoms; six of the patients (55%) presented with proteinuria, and seven other cases (64%) presented with severe constipation.Conclusion:  Abdominal fat amyloid deposition was found to be uncommon in adult Iranian RA patients. In up to half of the patients the deposits were subclinical. A longer follow‐up and larger multicentric collaborative study is needed to determine the significance of subclinical amyloid deposits.
Association of Sjögren's syndrome and rosacea: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: SANTOS‐NETO Leopoldo Luiz Dos , ANDRADE Elvis Henrique Santos , YAMAKAWA Patrícia Eiko , WATANABE SILVA Carlos Hirokatsu 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBoth Sjögren's syndrome and rosacea present clinical manifestations that include ocular involvement. We report a case of a 45‐year‐old woman with a history of persistent erythematous malar rash, associated with conjunctival hyperemia, xerophthalmia and blefaritis. The patient filled the current classification criteria proposed for Sjögren's syndrome and those for rosacea. The coexistence of these diseases has not been previously described in the literature. Both diseases have similar symptoms and different treatment approaches. We believe that it is important for clinicians to identify this association in order to provide better care for the patient.
Budd–Chiari syndrome due to membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava in a patient with Behcet's disease
Authors: EBRAHIMI Mahmood , JOKAR Mohammadhassan , TAHERI Reza 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBudd–chiari syndrome is a well known complication of Behcet's disease. All cases of Behcet's disease with Budd–Chiari syndrome that have been reported in the literature had thrombosis of hepatic veins or inferior vena cava. We describe a 33‐year‐old woman with Behcet's disease who developed Budd–Chiari syndrome due to a membranous web of the inferior vena cava.
Subcutaneous panniculitis complicating pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma
Authors: BERHANE T. A. , SO K. , FROST F. A. , LANGLANDS D. R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAcinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas is rare and can occur with the unusual presentation of arthritis and panniculitis that mimic erythema nodosum. We report a case and review the available literature regarding this rare condition of erythema nodosum and panniculitis associated with bilateral ankle and feet pain, which has rendered the patient virtually wheelchair‐bound.
Dermatomyositis in a patient with high grade papillary urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder
Authors: SHARMA Aman , KUMAR Susheel , WANCHU Ajay , MANDAL A. K. , SINGH Surjit , BAMBERY Pradeep 
Published: May 2007

AbstractInflammatory myopathies like dermatomyositis are associated with increased incidence of malignancies. This association has been commonly reported with malignancies of ovaries, gastro‐intestinal tract, breast and non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas but occurrence of dermatomyositis with bladder cancer has been rarely reported. We report a patient with carcinoma bladder who developed dermatomyositis while being treated for the bladder cancer.
Multifocal pyomyositis: report of two cases
Authors: AL‐EMADI Samar , HAMMOUDEH Mohammed , ABDULWAHAB Nagui 
Published: May 2007

AbstractPyomyositis is a primary infection of the striated muscles. We describe the clinical and imaging features of pyomyositis in two patients, one diabetic and the other immunocompetent. Treatment with incision, drainage and antibiotics was successful and resulted in full recovery. Increased awareness, especially in immuno‐competent patients, should lead to earlier diagnosis, correct treatment and a better outcome.
Transient dermatomyositis complicated with interstitial pneumonia
Authors: HAMAGUCHI Masahide , KAWAHITO Yutaka , KOBAYASHI Tsutomu , YOSHIKAWA Toshikazu 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe experienced a case of transient dermatomyositis with interstitial pneumonia, which was diagnosed on the basis of clinical manifestation and histology. The patient's symptoms, including both dermatomyositis and interstitial pneumonia, improved without pharmacological treatment.
Short‐Term Temporal Effects on Community Structure of Lepidoptera in Restored and Remnant Tallgrass Prairies
Authors: Summerville Keith S. , Bonte Anson C. , Fox Lena C. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractUnderstanding the degree to which species assemblages naturally vary over time will be critically important when assessing whether direct management effects or contingency is responsible for species gain or loss. In this study, we tested three predictions related to short‐term variation in prairie moth communities: (1) communities would only exhibit significant temporal variation in newly restored sites (1–3 years old); (2) prairie size and age would positively influence community reassembly, with larger, older restorations sampling a greater proportion of the regional species pool; and (3) older restorations (7–10 years old) would have yet to converge on the community composition of prairie remnants. Moths were sampled from 13 Tallgrass prairie restorations and remnants in central Iowa in 2004–2005. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant effects of sampling year on moth species richness and abundance as well as on the richness of two functional groups, but difference among prairie types was only observed in 2005. Rarefaction analysis revealed that older restorations and prairie remnants supported higher species richness compared to recently planted sites, and nonmetric, multidimensional scaling ordination indicated that restorations older than 7 years were clearly converging on the species composition of remnants. These results suggest that moth communities in restorations and remnants are highly variable in time but that as restorations age, they appear to reaccumulate moth species found in prairie remnants. The long‐term persistence of a particular species assemblage within a given site, however, might be a difficult endpoint to attain in central Iowa prairies because of significant annual variation in species occurrence.
Disentangling Competition, Herbivory, and Seasonal Effects on Young Plants in Newly Restored Communities
Authors: Parsons Michael H. , Lamont Byron B. , Koch John M. , Dods Kenneth 
Published: May 2007

Abstract Optimizing techniques of impact and consequence assessment are critical when faced with the challenges of reclamation within a damaged or altered ecosystem. Much debate has arisen over an appropriate index to evaluate herbivore and competition effects on restored communities. We assessed concurrent environmental pressures by means of repeated measurements using three common indices of plant performance (biomass, shoot extension, and survival) in conjunction with monitoring for number and timing of plants eaten. Our design incorporated 24 species, representing a range of taxonomic groups and growth forms, planted at low and high densities, inside and outside large‐scale mammal exclosures. We demonstrate that biomass and height measurements are correlated (at both the individual and the combined species levels), whereas the survival index often showed independent information. Using the most conservative measure (survival), we delineate between plant deaths attributed to seasonal effects, competition (some facilitation was apparent), and herbivory (both compensation and loss of fitness were demonstrated). Plant spacing effects depended on the index (response variable) and whether we measured individual or combined species. The survival index rarely showed competition effects. Due to counter facilitation effects, competition was not demonstrated for any index at the combined species level. The comparison of the relative order and magnitude of plants being eaten against impact identified vulnerable and compensating species. Once identified, compensating species may be used sacrificially to buffer damage in new reclamation systems, whereas deterrents may be used around known vulnerable species.