bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allelic Association and Recombination Hotspots in the Mucin Gene (MUC) Complex on Chromosome 11p15.5
Authors: Rousseau K. , Byrne C. , Griesinger G. , Leung A. , Chung A. , Hill A. S. , Swallow D. M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryA family of four highly polymorphic genes encoding secreted gel forming mucins is located in the middle of a recombination rich region of the short arm of chromosome 11 (11p15.5; tel MUC6‐MUC2‐MUC5AC‐MUC5B cen; approx. 400 kb). These genes are of interest as risk factors for inflammatory diseases of the epithelia, and we have for example reported association of a VNTR polymorphism of the major mucin domain of MUC2 with asthma, despite the fact that MUC2 is not a major respiratory mucin. To understand the significance of this and other mucin gene associations it is important to describe the patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) across this chromosomal region, which is still incomplete on HapMap and the UCSC Golden Path sequence. Our previous studies on the 40 core CEPH families provided direct evidence for several recombination events within the immediate region of the gene complex. This study examines these recombination events in more detail, and also the patterns of LD across the gene complex. We refine the location of the breakpoints, and the combined data suggest two probable recombination hotspots. Three breakpoints are located between MUC6 and MUC2: there is no association between MUC6 and MUC2, and the data collected here, combined with that publicly available, maps a hotspot to a region of 4 kb. The other recombinants map between MUC2 and intron 8 of MUC5B. Relatively strong LD is detected between MUC2 and MUC5AC, and although 10/70 of the chromosomes tested shared a common haplotype, which extends from MUC2 to MUC5B, statistically significant association was not detected between MUC2 and the markers tested in MUC5B. We discuss the possibility that the previously reported association between MUC2 and asthma is most likely attributable to association with functional variation in MUC5AC, which encodes one of the two major mucins expressed in both healthy and diseased airways.
Localized Cutaneous Cryptococcus albidus Infection in a 14‐Year‐Old Boy on Etanercept Therapy
Authors: Hoang Jeannine Koay , Burruss Jyoti 
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Immune‐modulating medications, such as the tumor necrosis factor‐α inhibitors, are establishing a niche in the dermatologic therapeutic armamentarium as novel, effective, and relatively safe alternatives in the treatment of numerous inflammatory dermatoses. The benefits of anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α inhibitor therapy are well known. However, these agents are also associated with an increased risk of infectious complications—most commonly granulomatous infections with mycobacteria and fungi.We present a teenaged boy with localized, cutaneous Cryptococcus albidus infection on the scalp which occurred after he began etanercept for refractory psoriasis. The infection resolved after a course of fluconazole. This is the second report of localized, cutaneous C. albidus infection, but the first occurring in association with etanercept therapy. Our patient's findings remind us that extra vigilance is imperative in monitoring patients on immunosuppressive regimens and that any persistent, nonhealing lesion in these patients should prompt evaluation for potential infection, not only from common and typical pathogens but also from more unusual, atypical ones.
Prophylactic red blood cell exchange for prevention of severe immune hemolysis in minor ABO‐mismatched allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation after reduced‐intensity conditioning
Authors: Worel Nina , Greinix Hildegard T. , Supper Volker , Leitner Gerda , Mitterbauer Margit , Rabitsch Werner , Fischer Gottfried , Rosenmayr Agathe , Höcker Paul , Kalhs Peter 
Published: May 2007

BACKGROUND: Delayed severe immune hemolysis due to donor‐derived passenger lymphocytes is observed in minor and/or bidirectional ABO‐mismatched transplants, especially after reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC). The incidence is reported in up to 30 percent of patients and can result in multiorgan failure (MOF) and death.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A first group of 32 patients (historical control) underwent RIC followed by allogeneic hematopoietic peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation at our institution. In 5 of 10 patients with a minor and/or bidirectional ABO‐mismatched graft, severe immune hemolysis was observed, leading to death in 3 of them. Therefore, we initiated a protocol with prophylactic red blood cell (RBC) exchange in minor and/or bidirectional ABO mismatch of a second group of patients (study group) and investigated the incidence of hemolysis, transplant‐related mortality (TRM), and overall survival (OS) and compared these data with the historical control group. Twenty‐two of 80 patients in the study group had a minor and/or bidirectional ABO‐mismatched donor.RESULTS: In 20 patients, a prophylactic RBC exchange was performed. Three patients showed mild to moderate citrate reactions, and in 1 patient the procedure had to be stopped because of hypotension. Eighteen of 20 patients engrafted uneventfully, 1 patient rejected his graft, and another 1 showed signs of mild hemolysis. In the minor and/or bidirectional ABO‐mismatched setting patients in the study group had a lower risk for TRM at 1 year compared to patients in the historical control group (16% vs. 53%, p < 0.05) and a better 1‐year OS (65% vs. 40%, p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: RBC exchange is a safe procedure, reducing the incidence of delayed severe immune hemolysis and thus the risk of TRM in minor and/or bidirectional ABO‐mismatched cases.
The consequences of temporary deferral on future whole blood donation
Authors: Custer Brian , Chinn Artina , Hirschler Nora V. , Busch Michael P. , Murphy Edward L. 
Published: May 2007

BACKGROUND:The consequences of temporary deferral are not well understood. This study sought to investigate blood donor return after deferral expiration.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:A retrospective cohort analysis of allogeneic whole‐blood donation was conducted. All deferred donors and a random sample of eligible donors were identified from the year 2000, with subsequent blood center visits through December 2005 captured. Stratified results are reported as the percentage returning, rates of return, and time to return. Measures of statistical association and Cox regression modeling are reported.RESULTS:For first‐time (FT) donors, 25 percent of temporarily deferred donors returned during the 5‐year follow‐up period compared to 47 percent of eligible donors (p < 0.0001); for repeat donors, 81 and 86 percent of deferred and eligible donors returned, respectively (p < 0.0001). Depending on the deferral category, 14 to 31 percent of FT and 58 to 90 percent of repeat donors returned. Rates (per year) of successful donation during the follow‐up period were 0.09 for index‐deferred FT donors, 0.28 for eligible FT donors, 1.0 for deferred repeat donors, and 1.45 for eligible repeat donors. Multivariate modeling indicated that in addition to deferral, age, sex, race, and education were associated with return in both FT and repeat donors.CONCLUSION:The effects of deferral were more pronounced than expected, affecting both FT and repeat donors. For FT donors, the type and duration of deferral, while important, were not as relevant as hypothesized because so few returned, suggesting the need to develop appropriate interventions to recapture those donors likely to be eligible.
Improved Survival Associated with Prophylactic Implantable Defibrillators in Elderly Patients with Prior Myocardial Infarction and Depressed Ventricular Function: A MADIT‐II Substudy
Authors: HUANG DAVID T. , SESSELBERG HENRY W. , McNITT SCOTT , NOYES KATIA , ANDREWS MARK L. , HALL W. JACKSON , DICK ANDREW , DAUBERT JAMES P. , ZAREBA WOJCIECH , MOSS ARTHUR J. ,   for the MADIT‐II Research Group
Published: May 2007

Introduction:We aim to evaluate the mortality benefit from defibrillator therapy in eligible elderly patients. Effective primary prevention of sudden cardiac death with implantable cardioverter defibrillators is well demonstrated in patients with coronary disease and depressed ventricular function.Methods and Results:Among 1,232 patients enrolled with prior infarct and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤0.30, 204 were ≥75 years old. Of these 204 patients, 121 underwent defibrillator implant. Relative to the younger patients, those ≥75 years had a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation, elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN), widened QRS, and lower use of beta‐blockers and HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors. Relevant clinical covariates were similar in elderly patients randomized to conventional and defibrillator therapy. The hazard ratio for the mortality risk in patients ≥75 years assigned to defibrillator implant compared with those in conventional therapy was 0.56 (95 confidence interval 0.29–1.08; P = 0.08) after a mean follow‐up of 17.2 months. Comparatively, the hazard ratio in patients <75 years assigned to defibrillator implant was 0.63 (0.45–0.88; P = 0.01) after 20.8 months. Elderly patients had similar reductions in quality of life (QoL) regardless of treatment randomization. Scores through Health Utilities Index Mark III (HUI) Questionnaire changes from baseline to 1 year were −0.22 for patients with conventional therapy versus −0.20 for patients with ICD, and −0.36 versus −0.27 at 2 years, respectively (P = NS).Conclusion:The implantable defibrillator is associated with an equivalent reduction of mortality in elderly and younger patients, with no compromise in the QoL in the older age subjects.
The α‐amylase inhibitor acarbose does not affect the parasitoidVenturia canescenswhen incorporated into the diet of its hostEphestia kuehniella
Authors: Kaufnerová Jana , Munzbergová Zuzana , Jarošík Vojtěch , Hubert Jan 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAmylase inhibitors (AIs) are suitable candidates for protecting plants and their products from attacks by herbivorous and granivorous insects. However, detailed studies of the suppressive effects of AIs on target and non‐target insects are necessary before their application in post‐harvest protection. To address this issue, laboratory bioassays were used to test the effect of the non‐proteinaceous inhibitor acarbose on a stored product pest, the flour mothEphestia kuehniella(Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and its parasitoidVenturia canescens(Gravenhorst) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Two sublethal concentrations (0.001 and 0.0001%, wt/wt) of acarbose were incorporated into the diet of parasitized and unparasitized larvae ofE. kuehniella.Development time and fresh body weight of the larvae, together with the size of the wasps, were compared for insects reared on acarbose‐treated and control diets. On the diet containing 0.001% acarbose, the developmental time was longer and relative weight gains of theE. kuehniellalarvae were lower, but the weight of the larvae prior to pupation was similar to that of the control. The acarbose did not have a suppressive effect on the parasitoidV. canescens; in fact the wasps that emerged from the hosts reared on a diet containing 0.0001% acarbose were on average larger and heavier than the controls. These results demonstrate that it might be possible to enhance the control of stored product pests by using both biological control and AIs.
Testing ant predation on the coffee berry borer in shaded and sun coffee plantations in Colombia
Authors: Armbrecht Inge , Gallego Maria Cristina 
Published: May 2007

AbstractSoil‐dwelling ants, many of which are generalist predators, are more diverse in shaded than in sun coffee plantations without trees. We compared ant predation on the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in three shaded and three sun coffee plantations in Apía, Colombia, in both the wet and the dry seasons. We found that H. hampei adults exposed to ants for 5 days suffered higher removal in shaded plantations and in the wet season. In the laboratory, we observed that ants killed 74–99% of H. hampei adults over the course of 5 days. Ants appear to be important predators of H. hampei, particularly in shaded coffee plantations and in the wet season.
Therapeutic Options for Digital Ulcers in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Chung Lorinda 
Published: May 2007

SummaryDigital ulcers (DU) affect up to half of all patients with systemic sclerosis at some point during their disease.These lesions are extremely painful, heal slowly, and lead to substantial disability. DU arise from recurrent ischemic injury and microtrauma. Treatments for DU include non‐pharmacologic modalities such as avoiding cold,stress,and trauma,as well as smoking cessation.Possible pharmacologic therapies for the prevention of DU include vasodilating agents to treat Raynaud phenomenon, statins, and oral agents used in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors). The treatment of existing DU includes hydrocolloid occlusion, wound care, pain control, antibiotics, and the use of vasodilating medications. Intravenous or subcutaneous prostacyclins and digital or cervical sympathectomy should be considered for severe cases.
Concept Comparison of Caring and Social Support
Authors: Finfgeld‐Connett Deborah 
Published: May 2007

PURPOSE. To explicate the similarities and differences between the concepts of caring and social support.METHODS. Qualitative concept comparison.FINDINGS. Similarities and/or subtle and substantive differences exist between caring and social support. Both concepts are characterized as dynamic interpersonal processes that involve sensitivity. Caring appears to lie within the purview of expert nurse providers, while social support is located primarily within the domain of lay providers. Social support is perfunctory and focused, whereas caring encounters are more intimate and holistic. Caring results in improved mental well‐being for both recipients and providers, while improvements in mental health are limited to social support recipients. Unlike social support, physical well‐being is an outcome of caring.CONCLUSIONS. Caring and social support share common attributes and outcomes; however, they appear to be different processes that predominately exist in separate domains. Caring appears to reside within the professional paradigm of nursing, while social support exists primarily within the sphere of lay providers.IMPLICATIONS. Nurses are encouraged to develop and use well‐delineated conceptual frameworks to guide practice and research.
In vivo transfection of C/EBP‐α gene could ameliorate CCL4‐induced hepatic fibrosis in mice
Authors: Mei Shuang , Wang Xueqing , Zhang Jinsheng , Qian Jin , Ji Juling 
Published: May 2007

Aim:  Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a key role in liver fibrosis. CCAAT/enhancer‐binding proteins‐alpha (C/EBP‐α) can inhibit HSCs activation in vitro, as described in our previous study. However, little is known about the in vivo effect of C/EBP‐α gene in hepatic fibrosis.Methods:  Male BALB/c mice were injected by hydrodynamic protocol with pIRES2‐EGFP‐C/EBPα expression vector from the first to the fourth week (early intervention) or from the ninth to the 12th week (late intervention) after CCl4 injection, respectively. Successful transfection of vector and the expression of C/EBP‐α were confirmed with the appearance of green fluorescence in liver cells, immunohistochemical staining and the western blot.Results:  High expression of C/EBP‐α gene in liver cells, especially in non‐parenchymal cells, could reduce the content of collagens by 82.5% and 72.3% (Sirius red staining + image analysis) and the content of hydroxyproline by 56.3% and 51.6%, respectively, in the early and late intervention experiments.Conclusion:  It is evident that exogenous C/EBP‐α gene has an early and late intervention role in mice liver fibrosis.
Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis: A preliminary report
Authors: Torisu Yuichi , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Masahiro , Hosaka Tetsuya , Sezaki Hitomi , Akuta Norio , Kawamura Yusuke , Yatsuji Hiromi , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Arase Yasuji , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: May 2007

Aim: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been reported to increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinogenesis in chronic liver diseases. This study aims to elucidate whether DM is an independent risk factor for the appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.Methods: Forty‐seven patients with alcoholic cirrhosis were retrospectively observed for a median of 6.8 years. The patients showed a history of heavy alcohol intake of 500 kg or more until the diagnosis of cirrhosis, and no patients had hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B virus DNA measured by nested polymerase chain reaction, or antihepatitis C virus.Results: During the observation period, HCC developed in nine patients (19.1%). Cumulative appearance rates of HCC were 10.5%, 23.8% and 33.3% at the end of the fifth, 10th and 15th years, respectively. When they were divided into two groups according to the association of diabetes, carcinogenesis rates in patients with (n = 11) and without (n = 36) DM, cumulative carcinogenesis rates were 32.7% and 3.2% at the end of fifth year, 32.7% and 20.2% at the tenth year, and 66.3% and 20.2% at the 15th year, respectively. Crude carcinogenesis rate in the patient with DM was significantly higher than that of patients without DM (P = 0.0034). Multivariate analysis disclosed a higher age (hazard ratio 28.1,P = 0.007), and association of DM (hazard ratio 21.7,P = 0.006) significantly affected future carcinogenesis rate.Conclusion: DM seemed to be an independent risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis in the cohort study of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Free Vibrations of a Rotating Inclined Beam
Authors: Lee Sen Yung , Sheu Jer Jia 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBy utilizing the Hamilton principle and the consistent linearization of the fully nonlinear beam theory, two coupled governing differential equations for a rotating inclined beam are derived. Both the extensional deformation and the Coriolis force effect are considered. It is shown that the vibration system can be considered as the superposition of a static subsystem and a dynamic subsystem. The method of Frobenius is used to establish the exact series solutions of the system. Several frequency relations that provide general qualitative relations between the natural frequencies and the physical parameters are revealed without numerical analysis. Finally, numerical results are given to illustrate the general qualitative relations and the influence of the physical parameters on the natural frequencies of the dynamic system.
Does deep water running reduce exercise-induced breast discomfort?
Authors: McGhee Deirdre E , Power Bruce M , Steele Julie R 
Published: May 2007

Aim:To establish whether exercise-induced vertical breast displacement and discomfort in women with large breasts were reduced during deep water running compared to treadmill running.Methods:Sixteen women (mean age  = 32 years, range 19–43 years; mean mass  = 74.1 kg, range 61–114 kg; mean height  = 1.7 m, range 1.61–1.74 m), who were professionally sized to wear a C+ bra cup, were recruited as representative of women with large breasts. After extensive familiarisation, vertical breast motion of the participants was quantified as they ran at a self-selected stride rate on a treadmill and in 2.4 m deep water. Immediately after running, the subjects rated their breast discomfort and breast pain (visual analogue scale) and their perceived exertion (Borg scale). Breast discomfort, breast pain, perceived exertion, vertical breast displacement and vertical breast velocity were compared between the two experimental conditions.Results:Exercise-induced breast discomfort was significantly less and perceived exertion was significantly greater during deep water running relative to treadmill running. Although there was no significant between-condition difference in vertical breast displacement, mean peak vertical breast velocity was significantly (p<0.05) less during deep water (upward mean (SD): 29.7 (14.0) cm.s−1; downward: 31.1 (17.0) cm.s−1) compared to treadmill running (upward mean (SD): 81.4 (21.7) cm.s−1; downward: 100.0 (25.0) cm.s−1).Conclusion:Deep water running was perceived as a more strenuous but comfortable exercise mode for women with large breasts. Increased comfort was attributed to reduced vertical breast velocity rather than reduced vertical breast displacement.
Papaya shoot tip associated endophytic bacteria isolated from in vitro cultures and host–endophyte interaction in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Thomas Pious , Kumari Sima , Swarna Ganiga K. , Gowda T.K.S. 
Published: May 2007

Fourteen distinct bacterial clones were isolated from surface-sterilized shoot tips (~1 cm) of papaya (Carica papaya L. ‘Surya’) planted on Murashige and Skoog (MS)-based papaya culture medium (23/50 nos.) during the 2–4 week period following in vitro culturing. These isolates were ascribed to six Gram-negative genera, namely Pantoea ( P. ananatis ), Enterobacter ( E. cloacae ), Brevundimonas ( B. aurantiaca ), Sphingomonas , Methylobacterium ( M. rhodesianum ), and Agrobacterium ( A. tumefaciens ) or two Gram-positive genera, Microbacterium ( M. esteraromaticum ) and Bacillus ( B. benzoevorans ) based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Pantoea ananatis was the most frequently isolated organism (70% of the cultures) followed by B. benzoevorans (13%), while others were isolated from single stocks. Bacteria-harboring in vitro cultures often showed a single organism. Pantoea, Enterobacter, and Agrobacterium spp. grew actively on MS-based normal papaya medium, while Microbacterium, Brevundimonas, Bacillus, Sphingomonas, and Methylobacterium spp. failed to grow in the absence of host tissue. Supplying MS medium with tissue extract enhanced the growth of all the organisms in a dose-dependent manner, indicating reliance of the endophyte on its host. Inoculation of papaya seeds with the endophytes (20 h at OD550 = 0.5) led to delayed germination or slow seedling growth initially. However, the inhibition was overcome by 3 months and the seedlings inoculated with Pantoea, Microbacterium, or Sphingomonas spp. displayed significantly better root and shoot growths.
Detection of the Escherichia coli pathogenic geneeaewith three real-time polymerase chain reaction methods
Authors: McCrea Joanne  Karen , Liu Chenyi , Ng Lai-King , Wang Gehua 
Published: May 2007

Several real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods are currently available to rapidly detect the presence of a specific DNA sequence. When used for detection of pathogenic organisms, the turnaround time for PCR-based methods is much lower than for traditional culture techniques. This study compared the sensitivity of three real-time PCR methods when detecting the Escherichia coli pathogenic gene eae to determine which method is most effective in identifying very low levels of the organism. The three methods were used to detect the eae gene over a range of DNA concentrations. The differences in sensitivity were statistically significant (p < 0.05), and SYBR Green I PCR was found to have the lowest detection limit of the three; LUX primers had the highest detection limit. Therefore, using a defined DNA concentration for detecting the eae gene, SYBR Green I is the best alternative.