bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Refractory anaemia with excess of blasts (RAEB): analysis of reclassification according to the WHO proposals
Authors: Germing Ulrich , Strupp Corinna , Kuendgen Andrea , Aivado Manuel , Giagounidis Aristoteles , Hildebrandt Barbara , Aul Carlo , Haas Rainer , Gattermann Norbert 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe French–American–British (FAB) classification assigns patients with myelodysplastic syndromes to the category of refractory anaemia with excess blasts (RAEB) if they have a medullary blast count of 5–20%, and/or a peripheral blast count of 2–5%. The new World Health Organization (WHO) classification subdivides RAEB into RAEB I with a medullary blast count ≤10% and a peripheral blast count ≤5% and RAEB II with >10% medullary and/or >5% peripheral blasts. RAEB II is also diagnosed if Auer rods are present. In 558 patients, we analysed these subtypes of RAEB in terms of haematological characteristics, karyotype anomalies and prognosis. RAEB I was diagnosed in 256 and RAEB II in 302 patients. In the RAEB II group, 22% of patients had >5% peripheral blasts or the presence of Auer rods. The median survival was 16 months for RAEB I as compared with 9 months for RAEB II. Patients with Auer rods, regardless of their medullary and peripheral blast count, had no worse prognosis. No significant differences were identified between the RAEB subtypes with respect to clinical, morphological, haematological and cytogenetic parameters. The survival data support the WHO reclassification of RAEB based on peripheral and medullary blast counts and Auer rods. The WHO classification is useful for diagnosis and provides risk stratification, supported by cytogenetic data for clinical decision making, identifying those RAEB patients with an unfavourable prognosis who should be offered chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation.
Soluble thrombomodulin is antithrombotic in the presence of neutralising antibodies to protein C and reduces circulating activated protein C levels in primates
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi A. , Fernández José A. , Marzec Ulla M. , Kelly Andrew B. , Mohri Mitsunobu , Griffin John H. , Hanson Stephen R. , Gruber Andras 
Published: November 2005

SummaryWe studied whether there was a relationship between the anticoagulant effects of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhsTM) and activation of protein C in a primate model of acute vascular graft thrombosis in 11 baboons (Papio species). Baboons were pretreated with 0·1, 1 and 5 mg/kg of rhsTM, with or without co‐injection of a neutralising monoclonal antibody to protein C (HPC4) in the 1 mg/kg rhsTM group. Subsequently, thrombogenic polyester grafts were deployed for 3 h into chronic exteriorised arteriovenous shunts. Thrombus growth in the graft, plasma‐activated protein C (APC) levels, coagulation and thrombosis markers were determined. In untreated baboons, baseline circulating APC levels more than doubled and graft thrombi propagated until reaching equilibrium in about 1 h. Treatment with rhsTM reduced thrombus propagation rates, prolonged the clotting and bleeding times, decreased thrombin–antithrombin complex, β‐thromboglobulin and fibrinopeptide A levels, and, surprisingly, also decreased systemic APC levels, in a dose‐dependent manner. In the presence of HPC4 antibody to inhibit APC generation, the acute antithrombotic activity of rhsTM on graft thromboses was not attenuated for up to 80 min, but sustained thrombus accumulation was observed over a 180‐min period. These findings suggest that, in contrast to the prevailing hypotheses, the primary antithrombotic activity of rhsTM is independent of protein C, at least in this primate model. Direct inhibition of thrombin's prothrombotic activity upon complex formation with rhsTM might explain the molecular mechanism of the observed antithrombotic effect.
Prevalence of high‐grade CIN following mild dyskaryotic smears in different age groups
Authors: Giannopoulos T. , Butler‐Manuel S. , Tailor A. , Demetriou E. , Daborn L. 
Published: November 2005

Objective:  The new guidelines of the British Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology suggest that women should be offered colposcopy after only one mildly dyskaryotic smear. This is expected to generate increased workload for the colposcopy clinics, at least in the short term. The main objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in women with mildly dyskaryotic smears and investigate whether there is any variation in different age groups. The rationale was to determine whether we could reduce the burden on colposcopy services by prioritizing the mild dyskaryotic referrals by age, as we hypothesized that high‐grade CIN is less frequent in younger women.Methods:  The study sample included all women who were referred for colposcopy with a cervical smear suggesting mild dyskaryosis (with or without koilocytosis) from April 2000 to March 2003.Results:  We studied 510 women. They were divided into three age groups (<20, 20–25 and >25 years). The overall prevalence of high‐grade CIN (CIN II and III) was 28.7%.The positive predictive value of a mildly dyskaryotic smear for high‐grade CIN was similar in all groups.Conclusions:  Our results show that we are not in a position to prioritize our referrals by age group and reduce the initial pressure for colposcopies. We are also concerned that with the implementation of the new guidelines, a significant number of women <25 years will be carrying high‐grade CIN for more than 5 years before they are first screened.
Outcome of women with index smear showing mild dyskaryosis: effects of age and evidence of HPV infection
Authors: Winn C. M. , Jones H. 
Published: November 2005

Objective:  Recent national guidelines (NHSCSP Document 20) recommend colposcopy referral after one mildly dyskaryotic smear, compared with the current practice of cytological surveillance and referral if the abnormality persists. The aim of this study was to identify the percentage of women whose first abnormal smear, showing mild dyskaryosis, returned to normal with cytological surveillance. Colposcopy could therefore be avoided in this group. This study also assessed whether age or human papillomavirus (HPV) status affected this outcome and the impact of non‐attenders on the reliability of surveillance.Methods:  This was a retrospective study examining the follow‐up of 1484 women whose first abnormal smear showed mild dyskaryosis between 1996 and 1998. The possible outcomes were: persisting abnormality referred to colposcopy, follow‐up by cytology alone (negative follow‐up), lost to follow‐up or moved out of the area. Results were further assessed in terms of age (over or under 35 years) and cytological evidence of HPV effect.Results:  In this study 50.9% of women, presenting with a mildly dyskaryotic smear, returned to normal without colposcopy within the follow‐up period of 6–8 years. Age (over/under 35) or cytological evidence of HPV did not significantly affect this figure.Conclusions:  Immediate colposcopy would overtreat 50% of the study group resulting in 159 extra colposcopies in this unit per year. High‐grade abnormalities were twice as prevalent (22% versus 11%) in the younger age group, suggesting that younger rather than older women would benefit from immediate referral.
Ex vivo study of the adhesion of an epoxy‐based sealer to human dentine submitted to irradiation with Er : YAG and Nd : YAG lasers
Authors: Sousa‐Neto M. D. , Silva Coelho F. I. , Marchesan M. A. , Alfredo E. , Silva‐Sousa Y. T. C. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAim  To evaluate the adhesion of an epoxy‐based sealer to human dentine submitted to irradiation with Er : YAG or Nd : YAG laser at various parameters.Methodology  Ninety maxillary canine teeth were sectioned transversely at the cemento‐enamel junction and at the root tip to leave an 8‐mm‐long cylinder. The tooth specimen was centred in a metallic ring (16 mm diameter and 8 mm height) and embedded in acrylic resin. The root canals were prepared using a low‐speed handpiece and a conical diamond bur, which was attached to a paralleling device. This bur was lowered to a depth previously determined by a silicone stop. Specimens were divided into nine groups: group I, dentine was treated with 2 mL of 17% EDTAC for 5 min. Groups II–V were irradiated with Er : YAG laser at the following parameters: group II – 8 Hz and 200 mJ input (120 mJ output); group III – 8 Hz and 400 mJ input (240 mJ output); group IV – 16 Hz and 200 mJ input (120 mJ output); group V – 16 Hz and 400 mJ input (240 mJ output). Groups VI–IX were irradiated with Nd : YAG laser at the following parameters: group VI – 10 Hz and 1 W input (0.4 W output); group VII – 10 Hz and 2 W input (0.8 W output); group VIII – 15 Hz and 1 W input (0.4 W output); group IX – 15 Hz and 2 W input (0.8 W output). The root canals were filled with an epoxy‐based root canal sealer and submitted to a push‐out test.Results  Statistical analysis showed significant differences (P < 0.01) between Er : YAG and Nd : YAG laser treatments at the higher frequencies compared with 17% EDTAC. Greater adhesion values were obtained for groups IV and V (Er : YAG laser) and groups VIII and IX (Nd : YAG laser), which were statistically different from groups II and III (Er : YAG laser) and groups VI and VII (Nd : YAG laser). Treatment with only 17% EDTAC had the lowest adhesion values.Conclusions  An increase in frequency, independent of power settings, of the lasers used in this study increased adhesion of an epoxy‐based root canal sealer.
Effect of mineral trioxide aggregate on cytokine production by peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Rezende T. M. B. , Vargas D. L. , Cardoso F. P. , Sobrinho A. P. R. , Vieira L. Q. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAim  To test the effect of two commercial brands of grey mineral trioxide aggregate (ProRoot® and MTA‐Ângelus®) on cytokine production by M1 and M2 inflammatory macrophages.Methodology  M1 (from C57BL/6 mice) and M2 peritoneal inflammatory macrophages (from C57BL/6 IL12p40−/− mice) were obtained and cultured in vitro in the presence of MTA. The cellular viability and the production of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐12 and IL‐10 in response to stimulation with interferon‐γ and Fusobacterium nucleatum or Peptostreptococcus anaerobius were evaluated. Data were analysed by Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis and anova tests.Results  The cements did not interfere with cellular viability or with cytokine production by either type of macrophage. However, M2 macrophages produced higher levels of IL‐10 when stimulated with F. nucleatum than M1 macrophages (P < 0.05).Conclusions  The brands of MTA evaluated did not interfere in the cytokine response by M1 or M2 macrophages to the two bacteria tested. However, a difference in cytokine production between the two types of macrophages was found.
The effect of environmental factors on the distribution of Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis in Tasmania
Authors: Douglas‐Helders M , Nowak B , Butler R 
Published: November 2005

AbstractAquaculture in Tasmania is mostly carried out in estuaries. These estuarine habitats show a great variety and form unique environments in which Neoparamoeba pemaquidensis, the amoebic gill disease (AGD)‐causing protozoan, may or may not survive. Tasmania is divided into two zones, one where AGD is present and one where AGD is absent, but any ecological data to rationalize this distribution is lacking. In in vitro trials N. pemaquidensis strains were exposed to different concentrations of ammonium sulphate, copper sulphate, copper sulphate and tannin, and different Neoparamoeba densities, salinities and temperatures. A trial using field water samples investigated the survival of N. pemaquidensis in waters sourced from AGD‐free and AGD‐positive zones, and water analysis was performed to determine any differences. Significantly decreased protozoan survival was found with exposure to increasing copper sulphate concentrations from 10 to 100 000μm (P < 0.001), salinity of 15‰ (P < 0.001), low Neoparamoeba densities of 625 and 1250 cells mL−1 (P = 0.0005), and water sourced from Macquarie Harbour (P < 0.001). The water chemistry of this AGD‐free zone showed significantly lower dissolved calcium and magnesium concentrations which may contribute to this area being AGD‐free. Understanding of the ecology of N. pemaquidensis will enable better control and prevention strategies for Tasmanian salmon growers.
Modulation of β‐actin, insulin‐like growth factor 1 and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase gene expression during vibriosis of sea bream, Sparus (=Rhabdosargus) sarba Forsskål
Authors: Deane E E , Woo N Y S 
Published: November 2005

AbstractGene expression changes, related to growth regulation, were investigated in silver sea bream, Sparus (=Rhabdosargus) sarba, subjected to vibriosis. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays, transcript levels of β‐actin, insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) were analysed. A tissue‐specific response for β‐actin was found, as transcript levels in the kidney increased during early‐ and mid‐stage vibriosis, but remained unchanged in liver tissue. The gene transcript levels of IGF‐1 were found to decrease in both liver and kidney from an early stage of vibriosis. The gene transcript levels of G6PDH increased at early and mid stages of vibriosis in liver and kidney before decreasing during the late stage of vibriosis. Further studies on G6PDH demonstrated that chemical inhibition of G6PDH in silver sea bream fibroblasts resulted in increased cell death upon exposure to hydrogen peroxide. The results from the present study demonstrate the complexity of growth‐related gene expression events that occur in fish tissues during disease.
Detection of Renibacterium salmoninarum in chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), using quantitative PCR
Authors: Powell M , Overturf K , Hogge C , Johnson K 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assay has been developed to detect varying levels of Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease. This assay allows for the direct enumeration of bacterial DNA or RNA copy number within tissues and body fluids. The assay can be applied non‐lethally and can be used to determine whether R. salmoninarum is transcriptionally active. The presence of R. salmoninarum in kidney tissues from 430 chinook salmon collected from five Idaho Fish and Game operated hatcheries was initially evaluated using the widely employed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with two sets of Kirkegaard and Perry Laboratories polyclonal antibodies, ‘mother batches’ 1 and 2. The same tissue samples were then analysed using the novel QPCR assay and the results compared. At moderate to high levels of infection [optical density (OD > 0.5)], ELISA values and estimated DNA copy number were highly correlated (r2 > 0.80), although correlation to specific antibody batches varied. However, lower ELISA values (OD < 0.5) observed with either antibody batch did not correlate well with the QPCR assay (R2 ≤ 0.43). Negative controls, run concurrently with the PCR assay, did not indicate extraneous DNA contamination in the PCR samples.
Selective acquisition of novel mating type and vegetative incompatibility genes via interspecies gene transfer in the globally invading eukaryote Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi
Authors: PAOLETTI MATHIEU , BUCK KENNETH W. , BRASIER CLIVE M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe Dutch elm disease fungus Ophiostoma novo‐ulmi, which has destroyed billions of elm trees worldwide, originally invaded Europe as a series of clonal populations with a single mating type (MAT‐2) and a single vegetative incompatibility (vic) type. The populations then rapidly became diverse with the appearance of the MAT‐1 type and many vegetative incompatibility types. Here, we have investigated the mechanism using isolates from sites in Portugal at which the rapid evolution of O. novo‐ulmi populations from clonality to heterogeneity was well established. We show by genetic mapping of vic and MAT loci with AFLP markers and by sequence analysis of MAT loci that this diversification was due to selective acquisition by O. novo‐ulmi of the MAT‐1 and vic loci from another species, Ophiostoma ulmi. A global survey showed that interspecies transfer of the MAT‐1 locus occurred on many occasions as O. novo‐ulmi spread across the world. We discuss the possibility that fixation of the MAT‐1 and vic loci occurred in response to spread of deleterious viruses in the originally clonal populations. The process demonstrates the potential of interspecies gene transfer for facilitating rapid adaptation of invasive organisms to a new environment.
Carbon isotope evidence for CAM photosynthesis in the Mesozoic
Authors: Decker John E. , de Wit Maarten J. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractCrassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, a flexible adaptation to water‐stress, has not been shown to occur before the Pleistocene, despite suggestions that CAM first evolved in the Mesozoic or earlier. Here we report on multiple (≥7) positive organic carbon isotope excursions (δ13Corg > −20‰) in Late Triassic and Early Jurassic (c.200 Ma) sedimentary rocks from an arid terrestrial ecosystem in South Africa. These excursions are interpreted as evidence of the episodic dominance of CAM plants in response to heightened aridity in the heartland of Gondwana, and hint at climatic instability in a greenhouse world.
Sex ratio selection and multi-factorial sex determination in the housefly: a dynamic model
Authors: Kozielska M. , Pen I. , Beukeboom L. W. , Weissing F. J. 
Published: November 2005

Abstract
Sex determining (SD) mechanisms are highly variable between different taxonomic groups and appear to change relatively quickly during evolution. Sex ratio selection could be a dominant force causing such changes. We investigate theoretically the effect of sex ratio selection on the dynamics of a multi-factorial SD system. The system considered resembles the naturally occurring three-locus system of the housefly, which allows for male heterogamety, female heterogamety and a variety of other mechanisms. Sex ratio selection is modelled by assuming cost differences in the production of sons and daughters, a scenario leading to a strong sex ratio bias in the absence of constraints imposed by the mechanism of sex determination. We show that, despite of the presumed flexibility of the SD system considered, equilibrium sex ratios never deviate strongly from 1 : 1. Even if daughters are very costly, a male-biased sex ratio can never evolve. If sons are more costly, sex ratio can be slightly female biased but even in case of large cost differences the bias is very small (&lt;10% from 1 : 1). Sex ratio selection can lead to a shift in the SD mechanism, but cannot be the sole cause of complete switches from one SD system to another. In fact, more than one locus remains polymorphic at equilibrium. We discuss our results in the context of evolution of the variable SD mechanism found in natural housefly populations.
Investigation of Senescence in Canine Fibroblasts
Authors: Streit S. , Salomon F. ‐V. , Stahl T. 
Published: November 2005

Introduction and Aims:  Primary and secondary cell cultures of canine dermal fibroblasts were used to test the suitability of several senescence‐linked cellular markers to characterize the chronological age of dogs. In further studies these markers will be used to test the hypothesis that senescence‐linked changes at the cellular level are representative for the observed inverse relationship of body mass and life expectancy in different dog breeds.Methods:  In this study standardized skin samples of Beagles were used to analyse the cell morphology and several senescence‐linked parameters as Cumulative Population Doubling Level, Highest Population Doubling Level, Culture Doubling Time and Life Span Completed to determine the replicative potential of fibroblasts. The samples were divided by the age of the donors into three groups (‘young’, ‘middle’ and ‘old’).Results:  There are notable differences between the replicative potential of young and old Beagles at the cellular level. Preliminary results show that in fibroblast cultures obtained from the young group the highest population doubling level is higher and the culture doubling time is shorter then in cultures of the old group. Cultures from the young and middle‐aged group cannot be distinguished by the measured parameters. For final results the complete statistical analysis of sampled data has to be carried out.Conclusions:  Our results demonstrate a relationship between the chronological age of the skin donor and the replicative potential of the dermal fibroblasts. Therefore cellular senescence‐linked markers could serve as suitable tools to compare the age of individual dogs of different breeds.
Histamine and VIP‐positive Mast Cells in Renal Blood Vessels of Domestic Swine
Authors: Vodenicharov A. , Gulubova M. , Ilieski V. 
Published: November 2005

Introduction:  Histamine and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) are well known biogenic amines (substances), which rapidly elute from the mast cell granules under physiological conditions. They play an important role in the smooth muscle cells motility.Aim:  The aim of the study was to investigate histamine‐ and VIP‐positive mast cells in the wall of pig kidney blood vessels in concern to their role of motility of smooth muscle cells and renal haemodynamics, respectively.Material and Methods:  Extra‐ and intraorgan renal blood vessels taken immediately after slaughtering of eight 6–8 months pigs were studied. Tissue samples were immersion fixed in 0.05 Mcacodylate buffer, pH 7.2, containing 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.2% glutaraldehyde for 5 days at 4°C. After fixation, tissue blocks were rinsed in 30% sucrose in distilled water at 4°C for 1–3 days. Cryostat sections (20–30 μm thick) were prepared and thawed in 0.05 M cacodylate buffer, pH 2, overnight. Immunocytochemical procedure started for free‐floating sections which were incubated in 1.2% hydrogen peroxide in methanol for 30 min, and rinsed in 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4, for 15 min. Afterwards, sections were incubated with the primary antibodies in a dilution of 1:100 (histamine) and in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) 1:1000 for 24 h at room temperature (RT), then rinsed in 0.1 M PBS, pH 7.4. Incubation succeeded: first, with biotinylated anti‐rabbit (histamine) and anti‐mouse VIP antibodies in a dilution of 1:20 for 4 h, and rinses in 0.1 M PBS, pH 7.4, and in 0.05 M tris‐HCl buffer, pH 7.5, for 10 min. Peroxidase activity was localized by using a mixture of 3 mg 3,3’ diaminobenzidine (DAB), in 15 ml 0.005 M Tris‐HCl buffer, pH 7.5, and 36 ml 1 % hydrogen peroxide for 10–20 min. Finally, a rinse in 0.01 M PBS, pH 7.4, was undertaken.Immunochemicals:  The antibodies used were rabbit anti‐histamine (H7403) and rabbit anti‐vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), or (PEPA41) (Sigma, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA).Results and Discussion:  It was established that VIP‐positive mast cells were located in the media and in the adventitia of large arterial vessels and renal vein, as well. Histamine positive mast cells were found mostly in the intima of renal artery and in the other layers of the wall. Both VIP and histamine mast cells were observed next to small arteries and veins in the fat tissue, around extraorgan blood vessels. Our finding suggest to mast cells participation in the smooth muscle cells motility and the maintenance of local homeostasis, as well.