bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nursing Home Staff Delivery of Oral Liquid Nutritional Supplements to Residents at Risk for Unintentional Weight Loss
Authors: Simmons Sandra F. , Patel Ashish V. 
Published: September 2006

OBJECTIVES: To describe nursing home (NH) staff delivery of oral liquid nutritional supplements to residents with an order to receive supplementation.DESIGN: Descriptive.SETTING: Six skilled NHs.PARTICIPANTS: One hundred thirty‐two long‐stay residents.MEASUREMENTS: Research staff conducted direct observations for 2 days during and between meals and documented NH staff delivery of supplements, amount consumed (fluid ounces), and amount of assistance (minutes) provided by staff to encourage consumption.RESULTS: Eighty‐eight percent had an order to receive a supplement one to three times daily (mode=3); 12% had an order to receive a supplement four to six times daily. Fewer than 10% received the supplement consistent with their orders during the 2 observation days. On average, NH staff provided a supplement less than once per participant per day during or between meals. When a supplement was provided, residents consumed an average±standard deviation of 4.91±2.19 fluid ounces during meals with 6.16±7.46 minutes of staff assistance and 3.98±2.60 fluid ounces between meals with less than 1 minute of staff assistance. Participants with orders that specified time of delivery received the supplement at a significantly higher frequency between meals.CONCLUSION: Oral liquid nutritional supplements are not provided consistent with orders in NH practice. Staff spends little time promoting supplement consumption during or between meals. The specificity of the order related to time of delivery may influence when and how often supplements are provided to residents.
The Economics of Insurance Intermediaries
Authors: Cummins J. David , Doherty Neil A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis article analyzes the economic functions of independent insurance intermediaries (brokers and independent agents), focusing on the commercial property–casualty insurance market. The article investigates the functions performed by intermediaries, the competitiveness of the market, the compensation arrangements for intermediaries, and the process by which policies are placed with insurers. Insurance intermediaries are essentially market makers who match the insurance needs of policyholders with insurers who have the capability of meeting those needs. Intermediary compensation comprises premium‐based commissions, expressed as a percentage of the premium paid, and contingent commissions based on the profitability, persistency, and/or volume of the business placed with the insurer. Empirical evidence is provided that premium‐based and contingent commissions are passed on to policyholders in the premium. However, contingent commissions can enhance competitive bidding by aligning the insurer's and the intermediary's interests. This alignment of interests gives insurers more confidence in the selection of risks and thus helps to break the “winner's curse” and encourages insurers to bid more aggressively. Independent intermediaries also help markets operate more efficiently by reducing the information asymmetries between insurers and buyers that can cause adverse selection.
A Comparison of Neural Network, Statistical Methods, and Variable Choice for Life Insurers' Financial Distress Prediction
Authors: Brockett Patrick L. , Golden Linda L. , Jang Jaeho , Yang Chuanhou 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study examines the effect of the statistical/mathematical model selected and the variable set considered on the ability to identify financially troubled life insurers. Models considered are two artificial neural network methods (back‐propagation and learning vector quantization (LVQ)) and two more standard statistical methods (multiple discriminant analysis and logistic regression analysis). The variable sets considered are the insurance regulatory information system (IRIS) variables, the financial analysis solvency tracking (FAST) variables, and Texas early warning information system (EWIS) variables, and a data set consisting of twenty‐two variables selected by us in conjunction with the research staff at TDI and a review of the insolvency prediction literature. The results show that the back‐propagation (BP) and LVQ outperform the traditional statistical approaches for all four variable sets with a consistent superiority across the two different evaluation criteria (total misclassification cost and resubstitution risk criteria), and that the twenty‐two variables and the Texas EWIS variable sets are more efficient than the IRIS and the FAST variable sets for identification of financially troubled life insurers in most comparisons.
Vaccines with the MF59 Adjuvant Do Not Stimulate Antibody Responses against Squalene
Authors: Del Giudice Giuseppe , Fragapane Elena , Bugarini Roberto , Hora Maninder , Henriksson Thomas , Palla Emanuela , O'Hagan Derek , Donnelly John , Rappuoli Rino , Podda Audino 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT
Squalene is a naturally occurring oil which has been used in the development of vaccine adjuvants, such as the oil-in-water emulsion MF59. In past years, by use of noncontrolled and nonvalidated assays, a claim was made that antisqualene antibodies were detectable in the sera of individuals with the so-called Gulf War syndrome. Using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the quantitation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against squalene, we demonstrated that antisqualene antibodies are frequently detectable at very low titers in the sera of subjects who were never immunized with vaccines containing squalene. More importantly, vaccination with a subunit influenza vaccine with the MF59 adjuvant neither induced antisqualene antibodies nor enhanced preexisting antisqualene antibody titers. In conclusion, antisqualene antibodies are not increased by immunization with vaccines with the MF59 adjuvant. These data extend the safety profile of the MF59 emulsion adjuvant.
Mapping the Pathways to StaphylococcalPathogenesis by Comparative Secretomics
Authors: Sibbald M. J. J.B. , Ziebandt A. K. , Engelmann S. , Hecker M. , de Jong A. , Harmsen H. J. M. , Raangs G. C. , Stokroos I. , Arends J. P. , Dubois J. Y. F. , van Dijl J. M. 
Published: September 2006

SUMMARY

The gram-positive bacterium
Staphylococcus aureus
is a
frequent component of the human microbial flora that can turn into a
dangerous pathogen. As such, this organism is capable of infecting
almost every tissue and organ system in the human body. It does so by
actively exporting a variety of virulence factors to the cell surface
and extracellular milieu. Upon reaching their respective destinations,
these virulence factors have pivotal roles in the colonization and
subversion of the human host. It is therefore of major importance to
obtain a clear understanding of the protein transport pathways that are
active in
S. aureus
. The present review aims to provide a
state-of-the-art roadmap of staphylococcal secretomes, which include
both protein transport pathways and the extracytoplasmic proteins of
these organisms. Specifically, an overview is presented of the exported
virulence factors, pathways for protein transport, signals for cellular
protein retention or secretion, and the exoproteomes of different
S. aureus
isolates. The focus is on
S. aureus
, but
comparisons with
Staphylococcus epidermidis
and other
gram-positive bacteria, such as
Bacillus subtilis
, are
included where appropriate. Importantly, the results of genomic and
proteomic studies on
S. aureus
secretomes are integrated
through a comparative “secretomics” approach, resulting
in the first definition of the core and variant secretomes of this
bacterium. While the core secretome seems to be largely employed for
general housekeeping functions which are necessary to thrive in
particular niches provided by the human host, the variant secretome
seems to contain the “gadgets” that
S. aureus
needs to conquer these well-protected
niches.
A Fungal Family of Transcriptional Regulators: the Zinc Cluster Proteins
Authors: MacPherson Sarah , Larochelle Marc , Turcotte Bernard 
Published: September 2006

SUMMARYThe trace element zinc is required for proper functioning of a large number of proteins, including various enzymes. However, most zinc-containing proteins are transcription factors capable of binding DNA and are named zinc finger proteins. They form one of the largest families of transcriptional regulators and are categorized into various classes according to zinc-binding motifs. This review focuses on one class of zinc finger proteins called zinc cluster (or binuclear) proteins. Members of this family are exclusively fungal and possess the well-conserved motif CysX2CysX6CysX5-12CysX2CysX6-8Cys. The cysteine residues bind to two zinc atoms, which coordinate folding of the domain involved in DNA recognition. The first- and best-studied zinc cluster protein is Gal4p, a transcriptional activator of genes involved in the catabolism of galactose in the budding yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Since the discovery of Gal4p, many other zinc cluster proteins have been characterized; they function in a wide range of processes, including primary and secondary metabolism and meiosis. Other roles include regulation of genes involved in the stress response as well as pleiotropic drug resistance, as demonstrated in budding yeast and in human fungal pathogens. With the number of characterized zinc cluster proteins growing rapidly, it is becoming more and more apparent that they are important regulators of fungal physiology.
Epigenetic Gene Regulation in the Bacterial World
Authors: Casadesús Josep , Low David 
Published: September 2006

SUMMARYLike many eukaryotes, bacteria make widespread use of postreplicative DNA methylation for the epigenetic control of DNA-protein interactions. Unlike eukaryotes, however, bacteria use DNA adenine methylation (rather than DNA cytosine methylation) as an epigenetic signal. DNA adenine methylation plays roles in the virulence of diverse pathogens of humans and livestock animals, including pathogenicEscherichia coli,Salmonella, Vibrio, Yersinia, Haemophilus, andBrucella. InAlphaproteobacteria, methylation of adenine at GANTC sites by the CcrM methylase regulates the cell cycle and couples gene transcription to DNA replication. InGammaproteobacteria, adenine methylation at GATC sites by the Dam methylase provides signals for DNA replication, chromosome segregation, mismatch repair, packaging of bacteriophage genomes, transposase activity, and regulation of gene expression. Transcriptional repression by Dam methylation appears to be more common than transcriptional activation. Certain promoters are active only during the hemimethylation interval that follows DNA replication; repression is restored when the newly synthesized DNA strand is methylated. In theE. coligenome, however, methylation of specific GATC sites can be blocked by cognate DNA binding proteins. Blockage of GATC methylation beyond cell division permits transmission of DNA methylation patterns to daughter cells and can give rise to distinct epigenetic states, each propagated by a positive feedback loop. Switching between alternative DNA methylation patterns can split clonal bacterial populations into epigenetic lineages in a manner reminiscent of eukaryotic cell differentiation. Inheritance of self-propagating DNA methylation patterns governs phase variation in theE. coli papoperon, theagn43gene, and other loci encoding virulence-related cell surface functions.
Association of a novel regulatory polymorphism (−938C>A) in the BCL2 gene promoter with disease progression and survival in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Nückel Holger , Frey Ulrich H. , Bau Maja , Sellmann Ludger , Stanelle Jens , Dürig Jan , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Dührsen Ulrich , Siffert Winfried 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Bcl-2 plays a key role in the regulation of apoptosis. We investigated the role of a novel regulatory single-nucleotide polymorphism (−938C>A) in the inhibitory P2 BCL2 promoter in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL). The −938C allele displayed significantly increased BCL2 promoter activity and binding of nuclear proteins compared with the A allele. Concomitantly, Bcl-2 protein expression in B cells from CLL patients carrying the −938 AA genotype was significantly increased compared with CC genotypes. Genotype distribution between 123 CLL patients (42 AA, 55 AC, 26 CC) and 120 genotyped healthy controls (36 AA, 63 AC, 21 CC) was not significantly different, suggesting that genotypes of this polymorphism do not increase the susceptibility for B-CLL. However, median time from first diagnosis to initiation of chemotherapy and median overall survival were significantly shorter in patients with −938AA genotype (38 and 199 months, respectively) compared with AC/CC genotypes (120 and 321 months, respectively; P = .008 and P = .003, respectively). Multivariable Cox regression identified the BCL2−938AA genotype as an independent prognostic factor for the time to first treatment (hazard ratio [HR] 1.9; P = .034) together with disease stage at diagnosis (HR 2.5; P = .004) and ZAP-70 status (HR 3.0; P = .001). The BCL2−938AA genotype is associated with increased Bcl-2 expression and a novel unfavorable genetic marker in patients with B-CLL.
Genetic analysis of the GRIK2modifier effect in Huntington's disease
Authors: Zeng Wenqi , Gillis Tammy , Hakky Michael , Djoussé Luc , Myers Richard H , MacDonald Marcy E , Gusella James F 
Published: September 2006

Abstract

Background
In Huntington's disease (HD), age at neurological onset is inversely correlated with the length of the CAG trinucleotide repeat mutation, but can be modified by genetic factors beyond the HD gene. Association of a relatively infrequent 16 TAA allele of a trinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the GRIK2 3'UTR with earlier than expected age at neurological onset has been suggested to reflect linkage disequilibrium with a functional polymorphism in GRIK2 or an adjacent gene.

Results
We have tested this hypothesis by sequencing all GRIK2 exons, the exon-flanking sequences and 3'UTR in several individuals who were crucial to demonstrating the modifier effect, as they showed much earlier age at neurological onset than would be expected from the length of their HD CAG mutation. Though ten known SNPs were detected, no sequence variants were found in coding or adjacent sequence that could explain the modifier effect by linkage disequilibrium with the 16 TAA allele. Haplotype analysis using microsatellites, known SNPs and new variants discovered in the 3'UTR argues against a common ancestral origin for the 16 TAA repeat alleles in these individuals.

Conclusion
These data suggest that the modifier effect is actually due to the TAA repeat itself, possibly via a functional consequence on the GRIK2 mRNA.
Magnetic resonance mammography in the evaluation of recurrence at the prior lumpectomy site after conservative surgery and radiotherapy
Authors: Preda Lorenzo , Villa Gaetano , Rizzo Stefania , Bazzi Luca , Origgi Daniela , Cassano Enrico , Bellomi Massimo 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
Introduction
The aim was to assess the value of magnetic resonance mammography (MRM) in the detection of recurrent breast cancer on the prior lumpectomy site in patients with previous conservative surgery and radiotherapy.

Methods
Between April 1999 and July 2003, 93 consecutive patients with breast cancer treated with conservative surgery and radiotherapy underwent MRM, when a malignant lesion on the site of lumpectomy was suspected by ultrasound and/or mammography. MRM scans were evaluated by morphological and dynamic characteristics. MRM diagnosis was compared with histology or with a 36-month imaging follow-up. Enhancing areas independent of the prior lumpectomy site, incidentally detected during the MRM, were also evaluated.

Results
MRM findings were compared with histology in 29 patients and with a 36-month follow-up in 64 patients. MRM showed 90% sensitivity, 91.6% specificity, 56.3% positive predictive value and 98.7% negative predictive value for detection of recurrence on the surgical scar. MRM detected 13 lesions remote from the scar. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of MRM for detection of breast malignancy were 93.8%, 90%, 62.5% and 98.8%, respectively.

Conclusion
MRM is a sensitive method to differentiate recurrence from post-treatment changes at the prior lumpectomy site after conservative surgery and radiation therapy. The high negative predictive value of this technique can avoid unnecessary biopsies or surgical treatments.
Medial orbital blow‐out fracture: A case report
Authors: Maisel Robert H. , Acomb Thomas E. , Cantrell Robert W. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA case report of orbital blow‐out fracture with medial rectus muscle entrapment is described. Over one‐third of the patients with blow‐out fractures of the orbital floor also sustain medial wall injury. Five previous case reports of medial entrapment are reviewed. The mechanism of injury is hydraulic, and the medial muscle incarceration in the fracture may produce an orbital retraction syndrome. Exploratory surgery is recommended through an external orbito‐ethmoid approach.
Verbal Memory and IQ in Children who Undergo Focal Resection for Intractable Epilepsy:A Clinical Review
Authors: Lah Suncica Sunny , Joy Pamela , Bakker Kathleen , Miller Laurie 
Published: September 2006

AbstractPrevious studies have indicated an increased likelihood of intellectual and memory impairments in children with epilepsy. It has been argued that early surgical intervention in children with intractable seizures might be advantageous to their development. We conducted a retrospective review of pre- and postoperative IQ and verbal memory scores in 16 paediatric patients who underwent temporal (N= 10) or extra-temporal (N= 6) focal surgery for epilepsy. Patients with an extratemporal seizure focus performed significantly worse than patients with a temporal lobe seizure focus on Full Scale IQ and Verbal IQ before surgery. Postoperatively a statistically significant decline in verbal memory, but not in any of the IQ indices was noticed in the extratemporal group. Individual outcome analyses revealed a significant decline in verbal memory in 22% of temporal lobectomy and 60% of extratemporal cases. Our review suggests that verbal memory but not IQ is vulnerable to postoperative decline in children who undergo focal extratemporal surgery for intractable epilepsy. The findings raise the possibility that extratemporal regions play a role in anterograde memory in children. Given the small number of subjects in this study, further investigations into the cognitive effects of paediatric surgical intervention are recommended.
Neuropsychological Outcomes of Children Treated for Posterior Fossa Tumours:A Review
Authors: Stargatt Robyn , Anderson Vicki , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe posterior fossa region of the brain is a frequent site for tumour development in children, with over half of all childhood tumours occurring at this site. The principal brain structure implicated at this site is the cerebellum. Children treated for posterior fossa tumours can have a wide range of neurological and psychosocial problems. This paper describes the literature to date that addresses the neuropsychological impact of tumour and treatment in children with posterior fossa tumours. This paper reviews the literature on the causes of morbidity in this group. It discusses the recent research on the role of the cerebellum in outcomes and the studies that identify variables that interact with radiation effects.
Regulation of an Unexploited Brown Trout Population in Spruce Creek, Pennsylvania
Authors: Carline Robert F. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to describe the annual variations in the density of an unexploited population of lotic brown troutSalmo truttathat has been censused annually for 19 years and to explore the importance of density‐independent and density‐dependent processes in regulating population size. Brown trout density and indices of stream discharge and water temperature were related to annual variations in natural mortality, recruitment, and growth. Annual mortality of age‐1 and older (age‐1+) brown trout ranged from 0.30 to 0.75 and was best explained by discharge during spring and by brown trout density. Recruitment to age 1 varied fivefold. Density of age‐1 brown trout was inversely related to spawner density and positively related to discharge during the fall spawning period. The median length of age‐1 brown trout was positively related to discharge during summer and fall. Relative weight was inversely related to the density of age‐2+ brown trout. The interactive effects of discharge and brown trout density accounted for most of the annual variation in mortality, recruitment, and growth during the first year of life. Annual trends in the abundance of age‐1+ brown trout were largely dictated by natural mortality.
A Mutation in RYK is a Genetic Factor for Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Watanabe Akira , Akita Sadanori , Tin Nguyen Thi Duc , Natsume Nagato , Nakano Yoko , Niikawa Norio , Uchiyama Takeshi , Yoshiura Koh-ichiro 
Published: September 2006

Objective The RYK, EPHB2, and EPHB3 genes are attractive candidates for cleft lip and/or palate and cleft palate only pathogenesis. Both the Ryk-deficient mouse and Ephb2/Ephb3 (genes for interaction molecules with RYK) double-mutant mouse show cleft palate. Setting Mutation searches for RYK, EPHB2, and EPHB3 were carried out in a large number of Japanese and Vietnamese patients with cleft lip and/or palate and cleft palate only. Case-control study and transmission disequilibrium tests were performed also, using three single nucleotide polymorphisms within a linkage disequilibrium block in RYK. Seven haplotypes were constructed from the single nucleotide polymorphisms. Results A missense mutation, 1355G>A (Y452C), in RYK was identified in one Vietnamese patient with cleft lip and/or palate. This mutation was not found among 1646 Vietnamese, Japanese, and Caucasians, including 354 cleft lip and/ or palate and cleft palate only patients. Colony formation assay using NIH3T3 cells transfected with mutant cDNA revealed that mutant RYK had significantly reduced protein activity, compared with those with wild-type RYK, implying that the transformation ability of RYK is depleted by this mutation. Although a case-control study and transmission disequilibrium tests on three individual single nucleotide polymorphisms provided no evidence for association with oral clefts, a case-control study on one rare haplotype suggested a positive association in Japanese patients with cleft lip and/or palate and cleft palate only. No mutations in EPHB2 and EPHB3 were found in any patients examined. Conclusion The findings suggested that a missense mutation, 1355G>A, and one rare single nucleotide polymorphisms haplotype may play a role in the development of cleft lip and/or palate in the Vietnamese, and cleft lip and/ or palate and cleft palate only in the Japanese.