bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Severe Thiamine Deficiency in Sheep with Acute Ruminal Lactic Acidosis
Authors: Karapinar T. , Dabak M. , Kizil O. , Balikci E. 
Published: December 2008

Background: Thiamine status of ruminants is adversely affected in acidic rumen conditions. However, there have been limited published case study data related to thiamine deficiency of ruminants with acute ruminal lactic acidosis (ARLA).Hypothesis: Thiamine deficiency would occur in sheep with ARLA.Animals: Thirteen Ak‐Karaman (white Karaman) sheep with ARLA, aged 1 year (ARLA group) and 10 healthy Ak‐Karaman sheep, aged 1 year (control group) were used.Methods: After clinical examination, rumen fluid samples of all sheep were obtained with a stomach tube and examined immediately. Blood samples were taken from a jugular vein of the sheep. Erythrocytic transketolase enzyme activity and hence thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) effect were determined according to Clausen's method.Results: History revealed that all sheep in the ARLA group had accidentally consumed excessive amounts of cracked barley. During clinical examination of the ARLA group, disturbed general condition, engorged scleral vessels, moderate to severe dehydration, and ruminal atony were recorded in the sheep. The results of the ruminal fluid analyses of the ARLA group demonstrated characteristics of ARLA. The results of clinical and ruminal fluid examination of control group were normal. The mean TPP effect (%) in the ARLA group (109 ± 28) was significantly higher than in the control group (22.2 ± 3.7) (P < .001).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The present study revealed that severe thiamine deficiency occurred in sheep with ARLA. This result indicates that thiamine administration to sheep suffering from acute ruminal acidosis caused by overconsumption of readily fermentable carbohydrates could be beneficial in alleviating thiamine deficiency caused by ruminal acidosis.
The Amount of Hepatocyte Turnover That Occurred during Resolution of Transient Hepadnavirus Infections Was Lower When Virus Replication Was Inhibited with Entecavir
Authors: Mason William S. , Xu Chunxiao , Low Huey Chi , Saputelli Jeffry , Aldrich Carol E. , Scougall Catherine , Grosse Arend , Colonno Richard , Litwin Sam , Jilbert Allison R. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Transient hepadnavirus infections can involve spread of virus to the entire hepatocyte population. In this situation hepatocytes present following recovery are derived from infected hepatocytes. During virus clearance antiviral cytokines are thought to block virus replication and formation of new covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the viral transcriptional template. It remains unclear if existing cccDNA is eliminated noncytolytically or if hepatocyte death and proliferation, to compensate for killing of some of the infected hepatocytes, are needed to remove cccDNA from surviving infected hepatocytes. Interpreting the relationship between hepatocyte death and cccDNA elimination requires knowing both the amount of hepatocyte turnover and whether cccDNA synthesis is effectively blocked during the period of immune destruction of infected hepatocytes. We have addressed these questions by asking if treatment of woodchucks with the nucleoside analog inhibitor of viral DNA synthesis entecavir (ETV) reduced hepatocyte turnover during clearance of transient woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infections. To estimate hepatocyte turnover, complexity analysis was carried out on virus-cell DNA junctions created by integration of WHV and present following recovery in the livers of WHV-infected control or ETV-treated woodchucks. We estimated that, on average, 2.2 to 4.8 times less hepatocyte turnover occurred during immune clearance in the ETV-treated woodchucks. Computer modeling of the complexity data suggests that mechanisms in addition to hepatocyte death were responsible for elimination of cccDNA during recovery from transient infections.
Cyclophilin A Levels Dictate Infection Efficiency of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Capsid Escape Mutants A92E and G94D
Authors: Ylinen Laura M. J. , Schaller Torsten , Price Amanda , Fletcher Adam J. , Noursadeghi Mahdad , James Leo C. , Towers Greg J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
Cyclophilin A (CypA) is an important human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cofactor in human cells. HIV-1 A92E and G94D capsid escape mutants arise during CypA inhibition and in certain cell lines are dependent on CypA inhibition. Here we show that dependence on CypA inhibition is due to high CypA levels. Restricted HIV-1 is stable, and remarkably, restriction is augmented by arresting cell division. Nuclear entry is not inhibited. We propose that high CypA levels and capsid mutations combine to disturb uncoating, leading to poor infectivity, particularly in arrested cells. Our data suggest a role for CypA in uncoating the core of HIV-1 to facilitate integration.
Use of Massively Parallel Ultradeep Pyrosequencing To Characterize the Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus in Drug-Resistant and Drug-Naive Patients and To Detect Minor Variants in Reverse Transcriptase and Hepatitis B S Antigen
Authors: Solmone Mariacarmela , Vincenti Donatella , Prosperi Mattia Carlo Felice , Bruselles Alessandro , Ippolito Giuseppe , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTDirect population sequencing and reverse hybridization (line probe assay [LiPA])-based methods are the most common methods for detecting hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug resistance mutations, although only mutations present in viral quasispecies with a prevalence of ≥20% can be detected by sequencing, and only known mutations are detected by LiPA. Massively parallel ultradeep pyrosequencing (UDPS; GS FLX platform) was used to analyze HBV quasispecies in reverse transcriptase (RT) and hepatitis B S antigen (HBsAg) from five drug-naive patients and eight drug-resistant patients. Eight primer pairs were used to obtain partially overlapping amplicons, covering the RT gene from codons 1 to 288 and the complete overlapping HBsAg sequence. A 1% mutation frequency was selected as the cutoff based on an error rate estimated on plasmid DNA. This technology enabled simultaneous analysis of between 2,852 and 18,016 clonally amplified fragments from each patient. The results indicate that UDPS has a relative sensitivity much higher than both direct sequencing and LiPA. In addition, the UDPS results are quantitative, allowing establishment of the relative frequency of both known mutations and novel substitutions. Some of the detected RT substitutions led to changes also in HBsAg. On the whole, genotype D presented a higher heterogeneity than genotype A. Considering the high quantity of information that can be provided by a single test from one patient, the short turnaround time, the information on substitution frequency, and the detection of rare variants, there are strong advantages conferred by UDPS, and the new method could play a relevant role in the clinical management of HBV infection and therapy.
Uncorrected or untreated vision problems and occupational injuries among the adolescent and adult population in Australia
Authors: Lam L T 
Published: December 2008

Objective:To investigate the relationship between uncorrected or untreated vision problems and occupational injuries in the adolescent and adult population in Australia.Design:National Health Survey conducted via personal interviews with a stratified random sample.Setting:Population-based.Subjects:Individuals selected from the total population aged 15 or older.Exposure measures:Information on uncorrected or untreated vision problems was collected by personal interview via responses to screening questions.Main outcome measures:Information on occupational injuries also collected via personal interview.Results:After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds of occupational injury increased by ∼60% (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.11 to 2.24) for those who had any uncorrected or untreated vision problems, and by 3½ times (OR = 3.52, 95% CI = 1.64 to 7.55) for those with untreated macular degeneration compared with healthy subjects.Conclusions:Uncorrected or untreated vision problems, particularly macular degeneration, significantly increased the risk of occupational injury. Vision examination should be recommended and implemented regularly for all workers.
Are injuries spatially related? Join–count spatial autocorrelation for small-area injury analysis
Authors: Bell N , Schuurman N , Hameed S M 
Published: December 2008

Objective:To present a geographic information systems (GIS) method for exploring the spatial pattern of injuries and to demonstrate the utility of using this method in conjunction with classic ecological models of injury patterns.Design:Profiles of patients’ socioeconomic status (SES) were constructed by linking their postal code of residence to the census dissemination area that encompassed its location. Data were then integrated into a GIS, enabling the analysis of neighborhood contiguity and SES on incidence of injury.Setting:Data for this analysis (2001–2006) were obtained from the British Columbia Trauma Registry. Neighborhood SES was calculated using the Vancouver Area Neighborhood Deprivation Index. Spatial analysis was conducted using a join–count spatial autocorrelation algorithm.Patients:Male and female patients over the age of 18 and hospitalized from severe injury (Injury Severity Score >12) resulting from an assault or intentional self-harm and included in the British Columbia Trauma Registry were analyzed.Results:Male patients injured by assault and who resided in adjoining census areas were observed 1.3 to 5 times more often than would be expected under a random spatial pattern. Adjoining neighborhood clustering was less visible for residential patterns of patients hospitalized with injuries sustained from self-harm. A social gradient in assault injury rates existed separately for men and neighborhood SES, but less than would be expected when stratified by age, gender, and neighborhood. No social gradient between intentional injury from self-harm and neighborhood SES was observed.Conclusions:This study demonstrates the added utility of integrating GIS technology into injury prevention research. Crucial information on the associated social and environmental influences of intentional injury patterns may be under-recognized if a spatial analysis is not also conducted. The join–count spatial autocorrelation is an ideal approach for investigating the interconnectedness of injury patterns that are rare and occur in only a small percentage of the population.
Response to a Steady Poleward Outflow. Part II: Oscillations and Eddies
Authors: Durland Theodore S. , Spall Michael A. , Pedlosky Joseph 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
A conceptually simple model is presented for predicting the amplitude and periodicity of eddies generated by a steady poleward outflow in a 1½-layer β-plane formulation. The prediction model is rooted in linear quasigeostrophic dynamics but is capable of predicting the amplitude of the β plume generated by outflows in the nonlinear range. Oscillations in the plume amplitude are seen to represent a near-zero group velocity response to an adjustment process that can be traced back to linear dynamics. When the plume-amplitude oscillations become large enough so that the coherent β plume is replaced by a robust eddy field, the eddy amplitude is still constrained by the plume-amplitude prediction model. The eddy periodicity remains close to that of the predictable, near-zero group-velocity linear oscillations.
Striking similarities between the patterns of variability in the model and observations south of Indonesia’s Lombok Strait suggest that the processes investigated in this study may play an important role in the generation of the observed eddy field of the Indo-Australian Basin.
A profile of the belief system and attitudes to end-of-life decisions of senior clinicians working in a National Health Service Hospital in the United Kingdom
Authors: Pugh EJ , Song R , Whittaker V , Blenkinsopp J 
Published: December 2008

There is evidence from outside the United Kingdom to show that physicians’ religious beliefs influence their decision making at the end of life. This UK study explores the belief system of consultants, nurse key workers and specialist registrars and their attitudes to decisions which commonly must be taken when caring for individuals who are dying. All consultants ( N = 119), nurse key workers ( N = 36) and specialist registrars ( N = 44) working in an acute hospital in the north-east of England were asked to complete a postal questionnaire. In all, 65% of consultants, 67% of nurse key workers and 41% of specialist registrars responded. Results showed that consultants’ religion and belief systems differed from those of nurses and the population they served. Consultants and nurses had statistically significant differences in their attitudes to common end of life decisions with consultants more likely to continue hydration and not withdraw treatment. Nurses were more sympathetic to the idea of physician-assisted suicide for unbearable suffering. This study shows the variability in belief system and attitudes to end of life decision making both within and between clinical groups. This may have practical implications for the clinical care given and the place of care. The personal belief system of consultants was not shown to affect their overall attitudes to withdrawing life-sustaining treatment or physician-assisted suicide.
Comparison between familial and sporadic systemic lupus erythematosus in Kuwaiti patients
Authors: Abutiban F , Mokkaddam K , Ameen E , Moussa M , Alsaeid K 
Published: December 2008

To validate the use of multiplex case families in studying the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we investigated the pattern of familial SLE in relation to sporadic SLE in the highly consanguineous Kuwaiti population. We sought to determine whether familial and sporadic SLEs have the same clinical and serological features. We compared 21 cases of familial SLE in 21 families with 42 non-familial SLE controls matched for age, sex and duration of disease. Twenty-one families, in which the diagnosis of SLE was verified in at least two relatives, were included in the study. The diagnosis was made according to the revised 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria. There were no significant differences in clinical features or serological manifestations between familial SLE cases and their matched controls. However, our results showed that the frequency of La/SSB antibodies was higher in the sporadic group ( P = 0.048), although this was not significant after application of Bonferroni’s correction for the number of comparisons. Familial cases of SLE were more likely to present at younger age of 20 years and sporadic cases at 26 years ( P = 0.006). The prevalence of familial SLE was 27.4%. We have found that familial and sporadic cases of SLE are broadly similar, and it is justified to include multiple case families in genetic studies.
The Role of Complement Inhibition in PNH
Authors: Hillmen Peter 
Published: December 2008

AbstractParoxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, chronic, debilitating, acquired disorder that most frequently presents in early adulthood and usually continues throughout the life of a patient. PNH results in the death of approximately half of affected individuals, mainly through thrombotic complications, and until recently had no specific therapy. In 2007 eculizumab, an anti-complement antibody targeting the C5 complement component was approved for PNH by both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). Eculizumab is very effective in the treatment of intravascular hemolysis and all its sequelae, which include most of the symptoms and complications of PNH. Eculizumab has revolutionized our approach to hemolytic PNH and as it markedly reduces the principal complications of PNH, namely thrombosis and renal failure, should have a significant impact on survival. However, the development of eculizumab presents new challenges in PNH, such as how to avoid complications of therapy, how to overcome some of the problems associated with treatment and who to select for treatment, as only a proportion of patients with a PNH clone will benefit. This article will review the evidence behind the use of eculizumab in PNH, the effect it will have on the complications of the disease, the most appropriate selection of patients for therapy, the optimal management and the potential complications of the therapy.
The Anemia of Inflammation/Malignancy: Mechanisms and Management
Authors: Adamson John W. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractAnemia is a common complication in patients with inflammatory diseases of many kinds, including cancer. The mechanisms that have captured the most attention include cytokine-mediated changes in both the production of and the response to erythropoietin (Epo), as well as important alterations in iron metabolism. The last is brought about by the relatively recently recognized peptide hormone, hepcidin. The availability of recombinant human Epo and its derivatives (known by class as Erythropoietic Stimulating Agents, ESAs) has dramatically changed anemia management in patients with cancer but, in the process, has raised as many issues as have been answered. This chapter reviews the mechanisms resulting in anemia in inflammation, including cancer, and focuses on the controversies around management with the ESAs and the adjuvant use of iron in anemia management.
Thrombophilia in Children: Who to Test, How, When, and Why?
Authors: Raffini Leslie 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThrombosis and thrombotic risk factors in children are receiving increased attention, and pediatric hematologists frequently are asked to evaluate children with symptomatic thrombosis, or asymptomatic children who have relatives affected with either thrombosis or thrombophilia. The clinical utility of thrombophilia testing has become increasingly debated, both in adults and children. Children with thrombosis are a heterogeneous group, and it is unlikely that a single approach to testing or treatment is optimal or desirable. A causative role of inherited prothrombotic defects in many pediatric thrombotic events, particularly catheter-related thrombosis, has not been established. Pediatric patients most likely to benefit from thrombophilia testing include adolescents with spontaneous thrombosis and teenage females with a known positive family history who are making choices about contraception. Recent data suggest that some inherited thrombophilic defects are associated with a higher risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism in children, though optimal management of these patients has yet to be determined. The decision to perform thrombophilia testing in asymptomatic patients with a family history should be made on an individual basis after discussion with the family. Given that the field of pediatric thrombosis continues to evolve, and the settings in which many of these events occur are unique to childhood, prospective longitudinal analyses of such patients to determine outcome and response to treatment as well as the impact of known thrombophilic states on these outcomes are clearly needed.
New Anticoagulants in Children
Authors: Young Guy 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThromboembolic complications are increasing in children and the use of anticoagulation has seen a dramatic increase despite the lack of randomized clinical trials. The most widely used agents in children are heparin, low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH), and warfarin. These agents, however, have significant limitations that are exaggerated in children. Novel anticoagulants such as direct thrombin inhibitors and the selective factor Xa inhibitor, fondaparinux, have been approved for use in adults and have properties that suggest they may be safer and more efficacious than the standard agents; however, until recently, publications using these agents in children were limited to case reports. Recently, clinical trials for two direct thrombin inhibitors, bivalirudin and argatroban, have been completed and a clinical trial of fondaparinux is under way. This review will compare the standard agents with the novel agents and briefly review the results of the clinical trials.
Pathobiology and Molecular Profiling of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: de Leval Laurence , Gaulard Philippe 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPeripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of rare diseases, usually manifesting clinical aggressiveness. Although important novel insights into the pathobiology of nodal PTCL have been gained recently from molecular profiling studies and clinico-pathological analyses, the pathogenetic molecular lesions remain to be deciphered for most entities. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) comprises CD4+ CXCL13+ neoplastic cells displaying overlapping immunophenotypical and molecular features with normal follicular helper T cells. This derivation might account for the presence of a prominent non-neoplastic component in AITL tissues and the clinical manifestations of the disease reflective of an immunological dysfunction. ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), defined by ALK gene translocation with various gene partners, is composed of CD30+ ALK+ cells with a cytotoxic phenotype and usually carries a good prognosis. ALK– ALCL, now considered as a distinct disease entity, is morphologically and immunophenotypically similar to ALK+ ALCL, except for ALK expression, but has distinctive molecular features. PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS), the largest PTCL category, which is derived from activated CD4+ (or CD8+) T cells, is markedly heterogeneous, including at the molecular level. Gene expression profiling approaches have identified novel biomarkers of potential therapeutic interest, and suggest the existence of molecularly distinct PTCL, NOS subgroups.
Prognosis and Primary Therapy in Peripheral T-Cell Lymphomas
Authors: Savage Kerry J. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPeripheral NK/T-cell neoplasms are an uncommon group of diseases that show distinct racial and geographic variation. The prognostic significance of the T-cell phenotype has been clearly defined in recent studies by using modern lymphoma classification systems. However, within this heterogenous group of neoplasms, some have a more favorable prognosis, such as ALK-positive anaplastic large-cell leukemia (ALCL) and primary cutaneous ALCL, and some have ultimately fatal courses with standard chemotherapy programs (e.g., hepatosplenic γδ T-cell lymphomas). Further, unlike the benefits observed with CHOP chemotherapy in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL), other than ALK-positive ALCL, are relatively chemoresistant to this regimen. Given disease rarity and biological heterogeneity, advances in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment have lagged behind DLBCL. Recently, however, studies are emerging that focus specifically on PTCLs with the ultimate goal of better understanding disease biology and developing more effective therapies.