bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GENETIC STUDY: Dopamine receptor genes (DRD2, DRD3 and DRD4) and gene–gene interactions associated with smoking‐related behaviors
Authors: Vandenbergh David J. , O’Connor Richard J. , Grant Michael D. , Jefferson Akilah L. , Vogler George P. , Strasser Andrew A. , Kozlowski Lynn T. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTCigarette smoking, like many addictive behaviors, has a genetic component, and the dopamine D2‐like receptor genes (DRD2, DRD3 and DRD4) are candidates for contributing to these behaviors. Phenotypic information concerning smoking‐related behaviors from a nationally representative sample of research volunteers was analyzed for association with polymorphisms in these genes. Genotype status at the DRD2 intron 2 simple tandem repeat was related to cigarettes per day (P = 0.035) and heaviness of smoking index (P = 0.049). The presence of the glycine allele at the S9G polymorphism of the DRD3 gene was associated with frequency/quantity measures of smoking [log‐transformed time to first cigarette (P = 0.031) and heaviness of smoking index (P = 0.035)]. There was a trend for DRD4 long alleles of the variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism to be associated with reduced severity of three withdrawal symptoms [desire/craving (P = 0.054); anger/irritability (P = 0.10); and trouble sleeping (P = 0.068)]. Interactions between genotypes at all three genes were associated with nervousness (P = 0.020) and trouble sleeping (P = 0.015). An interaction between DRD2 and DRD3 was found for trouble concentrating (P = 0.020). These relationships present possible dopamine‐related responses to nicotine that warrant further study.
Blood donor derived dendritic cells and cytotoxic T cells for specific fusion‐gene adoptive immunotherapy
Authors: Gallagher R. C. J. , Waterfall M. , Samuel K. , Turner M. L. 
Published: February 2007

Background and Objectives  Therapeutic immunological reagents tailored to individual patients have been shown to be a viable treatment strategy for some forms of leukaemia. This work investigates the possibility of using blood donations as a source of leukaemia‐specific immune therapeutics.Materials and Methods  The acute promyelocytic cell line NB4 carrying the PML‐RARα fusion was used as a target for cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) stimulated to recognize the fusion. Stimulation of CTL was by production of dendritic cells pulsed with plasmid vectors containing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐generated sequences of PML‐RARα derived from NB4 cells. PCR primer design included a Kozak consensus sequence to allow correct translation of the nucleic acid into protein. Identification of specific cytotoxicity was by both Granzyme B ELISPOT and by 51Cr‐release assays.Results  Specific CTL activity targeting NB4 cells can be generated from donor‐derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, individual donors appear to respond differently to the length of stimulatory sequence encoded in the vector. Use of an internal methionine in the PML gene, which also satisfies the Kozak rules, allows translation in vitro and, thus, might provide a suitable start site for stimulation using acute promyelocytic leukaemia‐specific sequence.Conclusion  The work presented here suggests that blood donor derived dendritic cells can be used to stimulate leukaemia‐specific CTL from the same donation ex vivo. This would enable the generation of patient‐specific therapeutics from major histocompatibility (MHC)‐matched allogeneic donors. However, different MHC‐matched donors might vary in their response depending on the length of the antigenic sequence.
NEW TYPE OF CASSETTE FOR BIOPSY SAMPLES
Authors: Okada Akiyoshi , Abe Takashi , Kawai Naoki , Mizutani Masayo , Tanabe Jun , Matsumoto Yuko , Noguchi Michihiko , Oka Kazumasa , Tsujimoto Masahiko , Kawano Sunao 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Biopsy samples may be erroneously mixed up during endoscopic examination. Although the conventional cassette which we previously reported was opaque before the fixation, it was not hard to confirm biopsy specimens in the cassette after closing the cover because the cover of conventional cassettes used resin which was not resistant against alcohol and xylene, resulting in non‐transparent resin.Materials:  We developed a new safety cassette for biopsy samples with a transparent cover in collaboration with ANQ (ANQ W‐BioTM; ANQ, Ashiya, Japan), and also developed an original plate that allows confirmation of the number of biopsy specimens.Results:  Using the new cassettes, we can easily confirm the presence and numbers of biopsy specimens without opening the cover. It is not necessary to open the cover until we fix the biopsy specimens with paraffin. With this newly developed cassette, one can prevent the loss of biopsy specimens, as well as mix‐ups, facilitating work efficiency.Conclusion:  We developed the new cassette for biopsy samples during endoscopic examination. With the cassette, we were able to confirm the number of biopsy specimens, and reconfirm them at each phase of processing. This new type of cassette for biopsy samples is useful and convenient in comparison to the conventional cassette.
EXAMINATION OF RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY DYNAMICS DURING EXAMINATION USING A THIN GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPE IN ADVANCED‐AGE SUBJECTS
Authors: Niki Miyako , Nomura Masahiro , Yasuda Mitsugi , Torisu Ryusuke , Ito Susumu 
Published: February 2007

Background:  Endoscopic examination influences cardiovascular hemodynamics. Upper gastrointestinal examinations are currently performed with a thin endoscope. In the present study, respiratory and circulatory dynamics and autonomic nervous activity using a thin endoscope (XP260) or a standard endoscope (XQ240) were investigated.Methods:  The subjects were 25 healthy adults aged less than 60 years (middle‐aged group) and 15 healthy adults aged 60 years or older (advanced‐age group). Percutaneous oxygen saturation, tonometric blood pressure, heart rate, and autonomic nervous activity were evaluated before the examination. After the endoscopic procedure, a questionnaire survey regarding examination‐related stress was conducted.Results:  In the questionnaire survey, the proportion of subjects who answered ‘very stress free’ in the thin endoscope group was significantly higher than that in the standard endoscope group. The low frequency power of blood pressure variability (LFBP), an indicator of sympathetic nervous activity, was significantly lower during the thin endoscopic procedure than during the standard endoscopic procedure. Moreover, the ratio of low frequency power to high frequency power of heart rate variability (LFRR/HFRR), an indicator of sympathetic nervous activity, was significantly lower during thin endoscopic procedure than during the standard endoscopic procedure. The maximum rates of change in the LFBP and HFRR powers in the advanced‐age group using thin and standard endoscopic procedures were significantly lower than in the middle‐aged group.Conclusions:  The findings, although not in cross‐over study, suggest that a thin endoscope has a less marked influence on circulatory kinetics. Gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations using a thin endoscope might reduce complications related to endoscopic screening examinations in advanced‐age subjects.
Lymphatic vessel density, microvessel density and lymphangiogenic growth factor expression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Duff S. E. , Jeziorska M. , Kumar S. , Haboubi N. , Sherlock D. , O'Dwyer S. T. , Jayson G. C. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective  Microvessel density (MVD) has been studied as a prognostic marker in human cancers. Quantification of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) is now possible by using new antibodies. Expression of the lymphangiogenic growth factors, VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D, is associated with poorer clinicopathological outcomes in various tumours. The aim of this study was to quantify LVD and MVD in colorectal cancer, determine the relationship between LVD, MVD and clinicopathological variables and examine the relationship between LVD and tumour expression of VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D.Method  Thirty primary colorectal cancers were immunostained for CD34, lymph vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor‐1 (LYVE‐1), VEGF‐A and VEGF‐D using standard techniques. LVD and MVD were determined by Chalkley grid counting. Tumours were assessed for the presence or absence of LYVE‐1 positive lymphatics at different areas within the tumour and the tumour was scored for VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D immunostaining intensity at the invading tumour edge. Non‐parametric tests were used for statistical analysis and a P‐value of <0.05 was taken as significant.Results  Lymph vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor‐1 was an excellent lymphatic vessel marker. Within normal bowel wall, lymphatic vessels were found rarely in the superficial colonic mucosa, but were numerous in the submucosa and muscularis propria. In the majority of tumours, lymphatic vessels were located in the peri‐tumoural area, intra‐tumoural vessels were sparse and tended to be narrow with closed lumina. At the invading tumour edge, VEGF‐C expression was higher (P = 0.028) and VEGF‐D expression lower (P = 0.011), in tumours in which lymphatic vessels were present. No significant differences between LVD and any clinicopathological variable or route of metastasis were identified.Conclusion  Lymphatic vessel density and MVD can be quantified in colorectal carcinoma using immunohistochemical techniques. The balance between expression of VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D at the invading tumour edge may enhance lymphatic metastasis, by promoting tumour lymphangiogenesis or by activation of pre‐existing lymphatic vessels. No relationship was identified between LVD and clinicopathological variables.
Modified lateral orbitotomy for vision‐sparing excision of a zygomatic mucocele in a dog
Authors: Bartoe Joshua T. , Brightman Alan H. , Davidson Harriet J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA 1‐year‐old Shar Pei presented for recent‐onset exophthalmos and right peri‐ocular facial swelling. Physical examination revealed the facial mass was of soft‐tissue consistency and nonpainful to the dog. Due to inability to retropulse the globe during ophthalmologic examination, it was suspected the mass had impinged into the orbit, resulting in rostral displacement of the globe. Anatomic location suggested the lesion was probably associated with the zygomatic salivary gland. Fine‐needle aspiration and subsequent cytological evaluation of fluid extracted from the facial mass was consistent with a diagnosis of zygomatic mucocele. Computed tomography imaging confirmed a single fluid‐filled mass was resulting in both the facial distention and the exophthalmos. A modified, lateral orbitotomy surgical approach was selected for excision of the lesion to provide ventral exposure to the orbit, while minimizing trauma to the globe and supporting structures. Histopathology of the excised lesion confirmed a diagnosis of zygomatic mucocele. This case demonstrates utilization of a modified lateral orbitotomy for effective surgical management of a zygomatic mucocele in a dog, with preservation of vision and absence of any significant postoperative complications.
Assessment of bacterial contamination of three multidose ophthalmic solutions
Authors: Betbeze Caroline M. , Stiles Jean , Krohne Sheryl G. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractObjective To investigate the frequency of bacterial contamination of multidose proparacaine hydrochloride, tropicamide, and eyewash bottles used in veterinary ophthalmology examination rooms during normal operating procedures.Methods Three representative bottles each of proparacaine hydrochloride, tropicamide, and purified water eye wash were opened at the same time, numbered, and placed into small animal examination rooms. Doctors, students and technicians who were using the solutions were blinded to the study. Aerobic cultures were obtained at the time of opening (time 0), at 1 week (time 1), and at 2 weeks after opening (time 2) the bottles. The sites cultured included a drop of each solution, the inside of the bottle cap, the tip of the bottle, and the bottle threads and medication residue found in these threads.Results Aerobic cultures of tropicamide and proparacaine had no growth of bacteria from any of the evaluated sites.Staphylococcus epidermidiswas cultured from the tip of one bottle of eye wash after 1 week.Conclusions We conclude that proparacaine, tropicamide, and eyewash solutions used in veterinary examination rooms are adequately preserved for use in ophthalmic examination. They have a low level of bacterial contamination 1 or 2 weeks after opening when used and stored according to the recommendations of the product manufacturers and previous studies.
Assessing the prevalence, monitoring and management of chronic kidney disease in patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes in general practice
Authors: New J. P. , Middleton R. J. , Klebe B. , Farmer C. K. T. , De Lusignan S. , Stevens P. E. , O'Donoghue D. J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAims  To compare rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with diabetes and management of risk factors compared with people without diabetes using general practice computer records, and to assess the utility of serum creatinine and albuminuria as markers of impaired renal function.Methods  The simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation was used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and stage of CKD. Further data were extracted to assess how effectively impaired renal function was being identified and how well potentially modifiable risk factors were being managed. The setting was 17 practices in Surrey, Kent and Greater Manchester (2003–2004). Participants were all patients with serum creatinine (SCr) recorded.Results  Of the total population of 162 113, 5072 were recorded as having a diagnosis of diabetes, giving a prevalence of 3.1%. Of patients with diabetes, 31% had clinically significant CKD (defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2; CKD stages 3–5) compared with 6.9% of those without diabetes. Only 33% of patients with diabetes at CKD stage 3 had serum creatinine > 120 µmol/l. Of patients with diabetes with eGFR < 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, 63% had normoalbuminuria. Considering those with eGFR 30–60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, 42% of people with diabetes were on an ACE inhibitor compared with 25% of those without diabetes; 32% of patients with diabetes who had any record of micro‐ or macroalbuminuria at CKD stage 3 were taking an ACE inhibitor. Of people with diabetes and hypertension (BP > 140/80 mmHg), 26% were not prescribed any hypertensive medication, regardless of level of CKD.Conclusions  CKD is common in people with diabetes living in the community in the UK. The study found a similar rate of stage 3–5 CKD to that found previously in the USA. Currently used measures of renal function fail to identify CKD as effectively as eGFR. Risk factors for CKD and its progression are suboptimally managed.
Effects of financial constraints on corporate policies in Australia
Authors: Chang Xin , Tan Tek Jun , Wong George , Zhang Hongfeng 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe jointly study the impact of financial constraints on Australian companies’ investment decisions and demand for liquidity. By examining a large sample of Australian firms over the period 1990–2003, we find that financial constraints not only reduce the sensitivity of investment to the availability of internal funds, but also increase the responsiveness of cash holdings to internally generated cash flows. Further analysis shows that the impact of financial constraints varies across different cash flow states; that is, financial constraints have a small effect on corporate investment and cash policies when cash flows are positive. In contrast, the severity of constraints is high in negative cash flow years in which the cost disadvantage of external finance coincides with deteriorating operating performance.
EASY CASES AND VALUE INCOMMENSURABILITY
Authors: Grimm Stephen R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSeveral critics have denied value incommensurability – or the claim, roughly, that there is no common measure in terms of which values can be weighed – on the basis of what we might call the argument from easy cases. Although the argument from easy cases is quite popular, what is much less often discussed is what exactly the argument entails – in other words, what sort of further commitments the argument generates. Suppose we grant that easy cases point to the existence of a common measure. How then should we think about this common measure? What is its scope? How widely does it range? I attempt to clarify these questions and in the process evaluate the force of the argument from easy cases.
PRISONER'S MISTRUST
Authors: Kelly Erin I. , McPherson Lionel K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe standard, non‐repeated prisoner's dilemma poses no true dilemma about rationality, we argue. What the prisoners ought rationally to do, unless they are selfless, depends on the relationship of trust that they have or lack with one another. This helps to diffuse the apparent conflict between individual and collective rationality. If the prisoners have reason to trust one another, pursuing a joint strategy would be rational for them. In the absence of trust, pursuing an individual strategy would be rational. The solution that is supposed to be puzzling – because each prisoner confessing is worse for both than the alternative on which both remain silent – is simply the rational solution for persons who have no reason to trust one another. Philosophers have been misled by the apparent availability of the better alternative. Collective rationality is not relevant for persons who do not stand in a trusting relationship. When they do, there is no unresolved conflict between their individual and collective points of view.1
HOW TO ANALYSE SUBSTANCE: A REPLY TO SCHNIEDER
Authors: Hoffman Joshua , Rosenkrantz Gary S. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn a recent issue of this journal, Benjamin Schnieder has presented an objection to the account of individual substance that we have developed and put to various uses in our works on metaphysics. According to Schnieder's objection, our proposal to analyse this notion of substantiality suffers from a special kind of circularity. In this paper, we give two replies to Schnieder's objection. The first is that a successful analysis is not, in fact, required to avoid the sort of circularity about which Schnieder complains. The second is that our analysis does not involve the alleged circularity.
Delusional parasitosis in dermatological practice
Authors: Szepietowski JC , Salomon J , Hrehorów E , Pacan P , Zalewska A , Sysa‐Jȩdrzejowska A 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground  The accurate incidence of delusional parasitosis (DP) is difficult to assess. The aim of this study was to analyse the frequency of DP treated by dermatologists, and to evaluate the treatment modalities they applied.Material and methods  A specially designed questionnaire was distributed to 172 dermatologists. A total of 118 doctors responded (68.6% of all subjects). The dermatologists were asked to answer questions concerning demographic data of the respondents and the frequency of DP observed in their everyday practice. Finally, methods of treatment used by the dermatologists to help patients suffering from DP were evaluated.Results  During the whole working period the majority of dermatologists participating in the survey (84.7%) had seen at least one patient with DP in their practice. About one‐third of the respondents (33%) had seen one or two cases of DP during the past 5 years, and 28% of the doctors treated from three to five such patients. Twenty‐three per cent of dermatologists declared that they had diagnosed no cases of DP during the past 5 years. The rest of our respondents had seen more than five cases of DP during the past 5 years, and 7% of the doctors reported seeing more than 10 patients with DP within this period. Almost 20% of the dermatologists were currently treating a patient with DP. Our data show that 40.7% of the respondents always ask and 28.8% often ask for a psychiatric opinion about their patients with DP. More experienced dermatologists statistically more frequently (P < 0.05) obtained a psychiatric opinion about their patients. Only a small group of dermatologists (15.3%) use their own pharmacological treatment. If they do so, they first use sedatives and anxiety‐relieving drugs.Conclusion  DP is a quite common disorder, however not all dermatologists are sufficiently prepared to treat it. There is an urgent need for training on the dermatological approach to psychodermatoses.
Activities of Z‐ajoene against tumour and viral spreading in vitro
Authors: Terrasson Jerome , Xu Bo , Li Min , Allart Sophie , Davignon Jean‐Luc , Zhang Li‐he , Wang Kui , Davrinche Christian 
Published: February 2007

Abstract Z‐ajoene is a garlic‐derived compound with known anti‐tumour properties. This report argues in favour of pro‐apoptotic and cell cycle blockage activities of Z‐ajoene on various cell lines involving activation of the p53‐family gene products, p53, p63 and p73, at indicated doses. According to its known anti‐proteasome activity, Z‐ajoene induced a downregulation of MHC‐class I expression at the surface of treated cells but did not impair their recognition by CD8+ T cells. We further demonstrated a new activity of Z‐ajoene against human cytomegalovirus spreading in vitro that was mediated by an increased number of apoptotic cells after infection. Altogether our data point at the ubiquitous efficiency of Z‐ajoene as a new compound to fight against cancers of various origins including those that put up viruses.
The comparative clinical performance of a new polyhexamethylene biguanide‐ vs a polyquad‐based contact lens care regime with two silicone hydrogel contact lenses
Authors: Santodomingo‐Rubido Jacinto 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPurpose:  To compare the clinical performance of a new polyhexamethylene‐biguanide (PHMB)‐ vs a polyquad‐based contact lens care regime with two silicone hydrogel contact lenses.Methods:  This study was a randomised, controlled and investigator‐masked (to the lens regimen) clinical study where the clinical performance of two multipurpose contact lens solutions was compared at a single site. Forty‐one existing contact lens wearers were recruited and fitted randomly with either galyfilcon A or lotrafilcon A contact lenses. Subjects wore the same lens type for a period of 2 months but used a different care regime (PHMB‐ and polyquad‐based) in a crossover manner, each for a period of 1 month. The primary outcome measure was the difference in corneal staining. Corneal staining was graded in five different locations: central, superior, inferior, temporal and nasal. Measurements of conjunctival redness, limbal redness, conjunctival staining and papillary conjunctivitis were also carried out throughout the study. Biomicroscopic measures were graded using the Efron grading scales. A variety of symptoms were also measured using a visual analogue scale.Results:  There was no statistically significant difference in overall corneal staining between lens types (p = 0.16) or care regimens (p = 0.60). Central corneal staining was significantly greater for the polyquad‐based care regimen when compared with the PHMB‐based care regimen (p = 0.04). Lotrafilcon A lenses showed greater superior corneal staining (p = 0.0004) and papillary conjunctivitis (p = 0.02), and lower comfort on insertion (p = 0.03) when compared with galyfilcon A lenses regardless of the care regime used. There were no statistically significant differences in the other biomicrosopic signs and symptoms between the lens types and the care regimes.Conclusions:  Both care regimes performed in a similar clinical manner and are valid for use with the two silicone hydrogel contact lenses used in this study.