bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New prognostic markers revealed by evaluation of genes correlated with clinical parameters in Wilms tumors
Authors: Wittmann Stefanie , Wunder Christina , Zirn Birgit , Furtwängler Rhoikos , Wegert Jenny , Graf Norbert , Gessler Manfred 
Published: February 2008

AbstractCurrent treatment protocols for Wilms tumor achieve 90% cure rates, but relapse risk and side effects from therapy remain challenging. Over the last decade, numerous markers have been proposed for classification and/or prediction of outcome. However, cohort sizes were quite variable and often small. We now provide a large‐scale reassessment by real‐time RT‐PCR of 40 markers in 102 Wilms tumors followed by validation of potentially relevant markers in an independent set of 74 tumors. In the first data set, individual comparison with clinical data combined with adjustment for multiple testing and multivariate analysis revealed potentially relevant alteration of CA9, DKK1, EGR1, HEY2, MYC, MYCN, TERT, TOP2A, TRIM22, and VEGF expression in association with CTNNB1 mutation status, histological risk, response to chemotherapy, metastasis, relapse, or mortality. To further validate these data, potentially relevant genes for specific outcomes were reanalyzed in a second, independent tumor set. Here, univariate analysis confirmed the association of HEY2 with high‐risk tumors and of TRIM22 with mortality. Even where significance levels could not be reached, the direction and extent of differential expression were generally reproducible. Multivariate analysis verified a weak correlation of TOP2A expression with metastasis and of TRIM22 with fatal outcome. Although we could corroborate only some of the previously reported associations of expression changes with clinical parameters, our results indicate that real‐time RT‐PCR analysis can facilitate further classification of Wilms tumor and prediction of outcome to adjust treatment accordingly. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of Bacillus subtilis to enrich isoflavone aglycones in fermented natto
Authors: Wei Que‐King , Chen Tong‐Rong , Chen Jun‐Ting 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND: Natto is a food made by fermenting cooked soybeans with Bacillus subtilis. Soybean isoflavones are reported to provide many health benefits, including oestrogenic effects. However, isoflavone aglycones may be absorbed faster and in higher amounts in the human intestine than their glucosides. This study aimed to investigate the content of isoflavone components in commercial natto products as well as the use of B. subtilis strains to ferment cooked soybeans to produce a high level of isoflavone aglycones in natto.RESULTS: The content and composition of isoflavones in commercial natto products were predominantly (>76%) isoflavone glucosides. Fermentation of cooked soybeans with B. subtilis BCRC 14718 at 37 °C for 48 h was more effective in converting glucosides to aglycones than with other strains of B. subtilis, increasing the proportion of isoflavone aglycones from 12 to 68% of the total isoflavones in the fermented natto. The proportions of the isoflavone aglycones daidzein and genistein in cooked soybeans fermented with B. subtilis BCRC 14718 for 48 h increased from 6 to 54% and from 5 to 13% respectively.CONCLUSION: Bacillus subtilis BCRC 14718 incubated with cooked soybeans produces higher levels of isoflavone aglycones, which may enhance health benefits over traditional fermented natto. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A new space–time energetic formulation for wave propagation analysis in layered media by BEMs
Authors: Aimi A. , Diligenti M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn this paper, considering a Dirichlet–Neumann problem for 1D wave propagation analysis in layered media reformulated in terms of boundary integral equations, we compare two classical weak formulations for the boundary element method with a new space–time energetic formulation. Continuity and coerciveness of the bilinear form corresponding to this last formulation are proved. Several numerical results will be presented, pointing out the numerical properties of the derived linear systems. Instability phenomena arising using one of the classical techniques can be prevented choosing suitable time steps in the discretization phase, of course with a higher computational cost with respect to the new procedure, which appears to be unconditionally stable. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid and sensitive on‐line liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric determination of an ethylene oxide‐DNA adduct, N7‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)guanine, in urine of nonsmokers
Authors: Huang Chih‐Chun Jean , Shih Wei‐Chung , Wu Chia‐Fang , Chen Ming‐Feng , Chen Yi‐Lung , Lin Ying‐Huei , Wu Kuen‐Yuh 
Published: February 2008

AbstractEthylene oxide (EtO) is classified as a known human carcinogen. The formation of EtO‐DNA adducts is considered as an important early event in the EtO carcinogenic process. An isotope‐dilution on‐line solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method was then developed to analyze one of the EtO‐DNA adducts, N7‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)guanine (N7‐HEG), in urine of 46 nonsmokers with excellent accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The merits of this method include small sample volume (only 120 µL urine required), automated sample cleanup, and short total run time (12 minutes per sample). This method demonstrates its high‐throughput capacity for future molecular epidemiology studies on the potential health effects resulting from the low‐dose EtO exposure. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temporal coexistence of dung-dweller and soil-digger dung beetles (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) in contrasting Mediterranean habitats
Authors: Jay-Robert P. , Errouissi F. , Lumaret J.P. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe western part of the Mediterranean basin is a transitional biogeographical region for the distribution of the representatives of the main guilds of dung beetles; towards the south, Aphodiinae (dung-dwellers) become scarce, whereas northwards Scarabaeinae (soil-diggers) progressively disappear. The number of species in local dung beetle assemblages is enhanced by this double faunistic contribution. Annual dung beetle assemblages were sampled in two sub-Mediterranean sites, which differed by 600 m in elevation, in order to determine the phenological dynamics related to the way of using dung (dung-dwellers/Aphodiinae vs. soil-diggers/Scarabaeinae and Geotrupinae). Aphodiids were active all year round, although they were affected by summer drought and, at high elevation, by the length of the cold season. This reduced activity was related to an impoverishment of Aphodiinae and to reduced temporal segregation between species. In contrast, soil-diggers were not active all year round and showed different species assemblages in the two sites. An extension of the activity period of these beetles was observed due to the occurrence of cold resistant species at high elevation. Our results suggested that the occurrence of soil-diggers seemingly did not affect the seasonality of dung-dwellers; their local abundance showed no negative correlation and, most importantly, phenological differences between dung-dwellers were always significantly higher than the seasonal differences between dwellers and diggers.
The sensitivity of catecholamine release to botulinum toxin C1 and E suggests selective targeting of vesicles set into the readily releasable pool
Authors: Stigliani Sara , Raiteri Luca , Fassio Anna , Bonanno Giambattista 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe impact of syntaxin and SNAP‐25 cleavage on [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) and [3H]dopamine ([3H]DA) exocytotic release evoked by different stimuli was studied in superfused rat synaptosomes. The external Ca2+‐dependent K+‐induced [3H]catecholamine overflows were almost totally abolished by botulinum toxin C1 (BoNT/C1), which hydrolyses syntaxin and SNAP‐25, or by botulinum toxin E (BoNT/E), selective for SNAP‐25. BoNT/C1 cleaved 25% of total syntaxin and 40% of SNAP‐25; BoNT/E cleaved 40% of SNAP‐25 but left syntaxin intact. The GABA uptake‐induced releases of [3H]NA and [3H]DA were differentially affected: both toxins blocked the former, dependent on external Ca2+, but not the latter, internal Ca2+‐dependent. BoNT/C1 or BoNT/E only slightly reduced the ionomycin‐evoked [3H]catecholamine release. More precisely, [3H]NA exocytosis induced by ionomycin was sensitive to toxins in the early phase of release but not later. The Ca2+‐independent [3H]NA exocytosis evoked by hypertonic sucrose, thought to release from the readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles, was significantly reduced by BoNT/C1. Pre‐treating synaptosomes with phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate, to increase the RRP, enhanced the sensitivity to BoNT/C1 of [3H]NA release elicited by sucrose or ionomycin. Accordingly, cleavage of syntaxin was augmented by the phorbol‐ester. To conclude, our results suggest that clostridial toxins selectively target exocytosis involving vesicles set into the RRP.
The Alcohol Problem in Finland
Authors: IMMONEN E. J. 
Published: February 2008

Résumé Une meilleure compréhension devrait être crée entre le Monopole de l'Alcool de l'État et le Mouvement Finnois de Tempérance. Au lieu de lutter les uns contre les autres, les membres de ces organisations devraient collaborer pour éclairer le publique sur le problème de l'alcool. L'expérience a montré au Mouvement Finnois de Tempérance qu'une prohibition totale n'est pas possible. Pour que la perspective soit réaliste, le mouvement doit agir vers des solutions partielles. Au lieu d'introduire des lois, il serait plus convenable de bâtir une éthique sociale, d'enseigner et éduquer.ZusammenfassungEs sollte besseres Verständnis zwischen dem staatlichen Alkoholmonopol und der finnischen Temperenzbewegung hergestellt werden. Anstatt sich gegenseitig zu bekämpfen sollten die Mitglieder dieser beiden Organisationen zur Erzielung allgemeiner Aufklärung über das Alkoholproblem zusammenarbeiten. Die finnische Temperenzbewegung machte die Erfahrung, dass ein vollständiges Alkoholverbot einfach unmöglich ist. Wenn ihre Anschauungen realistisch sein sollen, dann muss sie auf eine teilweise Lösung hinarbeiten. Anstatt Gesetze zu erlassen wäre es zweckmässiger, die soziale Ethik auszubauen, zu lehren und zu erziehen.
Array‐CGH reveals hidden gene dose changes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and a normal or failed karyotype by G‐banding
Authors: Kuchinskaya Ekaterina , Heyman Mats , Nordgren Ann , Schoumans Jacqueline , Staaf Johan , Borg Åke , Söderhäll Stefan , Grandér Dan , Nordenskjöld Magnus , Blennow Elisabeth 
Published: February 2008

SummaryA tiling path 33K BAC array was used to study 28 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) who had normal or failed G‐banded karyotypes. Twenty‐two patients (79%) had a total of 135 copy number alterations (CNA) (69 gains and 66 losses); most of these patients showed CNA that were below the resolution of G‐banding. Molecular cytogenetic and array comparative genomic hybridization results enabled the division of B‐precursor ALL patients into five groups: high hyperdiploidy, intrachromosomal amplification of 21q, ETV6/RUNX1 rearrangement, others and no CNA. Apart from a shared deletion of 9p21.3, T‐ALL patients had additional small CNA, with no region in common.
Immunoglobulin G‐mediated regulation of the murine immune response to transfused red blood cells occurs in the absence of active immune suppression: implications for the mechanism of action of anti‐D in the prevention of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn?
Authors: Brinc Davor , Le‐Tien Hoang , Crow Andrew R. , Siragam Vinayakumar , Freedman John , Lazarus Alan H. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAnti‐D has been widely and effectively used in Rhesus blood group D negative mothers for the prevention of haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn; its mechanism of action however, often referred to as antibody‐mediated immune suppression (AMIS), remains largely unresolved. We investigated, in a murine model, whether active immune suppression or clonal deletion mediated by anti‐red blood cell (RBC) immunoglobulin G (IgG) could explain the phenomenon of AMIS. Transfusion of IgG‐opsonized foreign RBCs (i.e. AMIS) strongly attenuated antibody responses compared to transfusion of untreated foreign RBCs. When the AMIS‐mice were subsequently transfused with untreated RBCs, no immune suppression was observed at 5 and 35 days after AMIS induction; in fact, the mice responded to retransfusion with untreated RBCs in a manner that was characteristic of a secondary immune response. When IgG‐opsonized RBCs were transfused concurrently with untreated RBCs, a dose‐dependent reduction of the antibody response was observed. This work suggests that the attenuation of the antibody responsiveness by anti‐RBC IgG is not associated with active immune suppression or clonal deletion at either the T‐cell or B‐cell level; rather, the effect appears more characteristic of B‐cell unresponsiveness to IgG‐opsonized RBCs. These results may have implications for the understanding of the mechanism of action of anti‐D in haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn.
Moving beyond survival: coping behaviours of low‐income single mothers
Authors: SACHS B. , HALL L. A. , PIETRUKOWICZ M. A. 
Published: February 2008

Moving beyond survival: coping behaviours of low‐income single mothers.The purposes of this study were to describe the psychosocial and environmental contexts affecting the lives of low‐income, single mothers and to explore their everyday coping strategies. Nine mothers of preschool children participated in multiple, unstructured and semi‐structured in‐home interviews. Traumatic childhood experiences including death of a parent and abuse contributed to the mothers' depression and to their coping strategies for survival. The women used creative economic survival strategies such as bartering to meet their families' basic needs. Social isolation, downward social comparison, conflict avoidance, and self‐reliance were the emotional self‐protective survival strategies used. Strategies to move up economically and emotionally related to the women's desire for a better life for themselves and their families.
Responses and needs in a changing situation: staff who work with people with learning disability
Authors: SMITH B. , CHEUNG MAN 
Published: February 2008

Responses and needs in a changing situation: staff who work with people with learning disabilityQuestionnaires were sent to residential care staff working with people with learning disability both in hospital and community settings, to explore any changes resulting from implementation of the policy of care in the community. Information was obtained on the current job situation of staff, their opinions on the effect of the policy of care in the community, their training needs, and perceived job prospects for the future. Findings for staff working in a hospital setting are compared with those of staff working in the community and discussed in the context of changing demands and conditions.
Comparison of 15:1, 15:2, and 30:2 Compression‐to‐Ventilation Ratios for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Canine Model of a Simulated, Witnessed Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Hwang Sung Oh , Kim Sun Hyu , Kim Hyun , Jang Yong Soo , Zhao Pei Ge , Lee Kang Hyun , Choi Han Joo , Shin Tae Yong 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectives:  This experimental study compared the effect of compression‐to‐ventilation (CV) ratios of 15:1, 15:2, and 30:2 on hemodynamics and resuscitation outcome in a canine model of a simulated, witnessed ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest.Methods:  Thirty healthy dogs, irrespective of species (mean ± SD, 19.2 ± 2.2 kg), were used in this study. A VF arrest was induced. The dogs received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and were divided into three groups based on the applied CV ratios of 15:1, 15:2, and 30:2. After 1 minute of untreated VF, 4 minutes of basic life support (BLS) was performed. At the end of the 4 minutes, the dogs were defibrillated with an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) efforts were continued for 10 minutes or until restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was attained, whichever came first.Results:  None of the hemodynamic parameters, and arterial oxygen profiles was significantly different between the three groups during BLS‐ and ACLS‐CPR. Eight dogs (80%) from each group achieved ROSC during BLS and ACLS. The survival rate was not different between the three groups. In the 15:1 and 30:2 groups, the number of compressions delivered over 1 minute were significantly greater than in the 15:2 group (73.1 ± 8.1 and 69.0 ± 6.9 to 56.3 ± 6.8; p < 0.01). The time for ventilation during which compressions were stopped at each minute was significantly lower in the 15:1 and 30:2 groups than in the 15:2 group (15.4 ± 3.9 and 17.1 ± 2.7 to 25.2 ± 2.6 sec/min; p < 0.01).Conclusions:  In a canine model of witnessed VF using a simulated scenario, CPR with three CV ratios, 15:1, 15:2, and 30:2, did not result in any differences in hemodynamics, arterial oxygen profiles, and resuscitation outcome among the three groups. CPR with a CV ratio of 15:1 provided comparable chest compressions and shorter pauses for ventilation between each cycle compared to a CV ratio of 30:2.
Availability of Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing in Academic Emergency Departments
Authors: Ehrenkranz Peter D. , Ahn Christina J. , Metlay Joshua P. , Camargo Carlos A. , Holmes William C. , Rothman Richard 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectives:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening of emergency department (ED) patients aged 13 to 64 years. The study objectives were to determine the accessibility of rapid HIV testing in academic EDs, to identify factors that influence an ED’s adoption of testing, and to describe current HIV testing practices.Methods:  Online surveys were sent to EDs affiliated with emergency medicine (EM) residency programs (n = 128), excluding federal hospitals and facilities in U.S. territories. Eighty percent (n = 102) responded. Most e‐mail recipients (n = 121) were Emergency Medicine Network (EMNet) investigators; remaining contacts were obtained from residency‐related Web sites.Results:  Most academic EDs (n = 58; 57%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 47% to 66%) offer rapid HIV testing. Among this group, 26 (45%) allow providers to order tests without restrictions. Of the other 32 EDs, 100% have policies allowing for rapid HIV testing following occupational exposures, but less than 10% have guidelines for testing in other clinical situations. Forty‐seven percent expect to routinely offer HIV testing in the next 2 to 3 years. Only 59% of the EDs that offered rapid tests in any situation could link an HIV‐positive patient to subspecialty care. The facility characteristic most important to availability of rapid HIV testing was the presence of on‐site HIV counselors.Conclusions:  Most academic EDs now offer rapid HIV testing (57%), but few use it in situations other than occupational exposure. Less than half of academic EDs expect to implement CDC guidelines regarding routine screening within the next few years. The authors identified facility characteristics (e.g., counseling, ability to refer) that may influence adoption of rapid HIV testing.
Comparison of Pediatric Emergency Physicians’ and Surgeons’ Evaluation and Diagnosis of Appendicitis
Authors: Kharbanda Anupam B. , Fishman Steven J. , Bachur Richard G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractObjectives:  To compare the interexaminer reliability and ability to predict appendicitis between pediatric emergency physicians (EPs) and senior surgical residents.Methods:  The authors conducted a prospective cohort study of children aged 3 to 18 years of age with signs and symptoms suspicious for appendicitis. Patients were initially examined by a pediatric EP attending and then by a consulting senior surgical resident. Physicians reported the presence or absence of specific historical and physical exam findings and predicted the likelihood the patient had appendicitis. Interexaminer reliability of historical and physical exam findings was compared (kappa statistic). Distributions and median probabilities of appendicitis were calculated for pediatric EP and surgeon predictions.Results:  The authors evaluated 350 patients with acute abdominal pain. Historical questions revealed slight to very good agreement (kappa statistic range 0.33–0.82) between physician types, whereas physical examination findings exhibited poor to fair agreement (range 0.14–0.48). Physicians predicted similar median probabilities of appendicitis for patients who were ultimately diagnosed with appendicitis (75% vs. 70%; p = 0.73) and patients without appendicitis (25% vs. 30%; p = 0.59). For a subset of patients given a ≥ 90% predicted probability of appendicitis, pediatric EPs and senior surgical residents had similar accuracy (80% vs. 79%; p = 0.92). Similarly, among patients with ≤ 10% predicted probability, pediatric EPs were correct in 95% and senior surgical residents correct in 94% of patients (p = 0.63).Conclusions:  Pediatric EPs and senior surgical residents elicit historical findings from patients with suspected appendicitis with a greater degree of similarity than physical examination findings, which exhibit a wide degree of variability. Pediatric EPs and senior surgical residents do not differ in their ability to clinically predict appendicitis. These findings may be helpful in developing institutional management protocols.
Tracking Inner City Substance Users from the Emergency Department: How Many Contacts Does It Take?
Authors: Cunningham Rebecca , Walton Maureen A. , Tripathi Shanti P. , Outman Ryan , Murray Regan , Booth Brenda M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground:  Longitudinal studies of substance users report difficulty in locating and completing 12‐month interviews, which may compromise study validity.Objectives:  This study examined rates and predictors of contact difficulty and in‐person follow‐up completion among patients presenting with cocaine‐related chest pain to an inner‐city emergency department (ED). The authors hypothesize that less staff effort in contacting patients and lower follow‐up rates would bias subsequent substance use analysis by missing those with heavier substance misuse.Methods:  A total of 219 patients aged 19 to 60 years (65% males; 78% African American) with cocaine‐related chest pain were interviewed in the ED and then in person at 3, 6, and 12 months. Demographics, substance use measures, and amount/type of research staff contacts (telephone, letters, home visits, and locating patient during return ED visits) were recorded. Poisson and negative binomial regression analyses were conducted to predict quantity of patient contacts for the 12‐month follow‐up.Results:  Interview completion rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 78, 82, and 80%, respectively. Average contact attempts to obtain each interview were 10 at 3 months (range 3–44), 8 at 6 months (1–31), and 8 at 12 months (1–49); 13% of patients required a home visit to complete the 12‐month interview. Participants requiring more contact attempts by staff were younger and reported more frequent binge drinking at baseline (p < 0.05), but were less likely to meet criteria for substance abuse or dependence (p < 0.5), or to report prior mental health treatment (p < 0.05). Comparisons of parallel regressions predicting contact difficulty based on the entire sample, the low‐effort group, and the difficult‐to‐reach group showed variation in findings.Conclusions:  This study demonstrates that substantial staff effort is required to achieve adequate retention over 12 months of patients with substance misuse. Without these extensive efforts at follow‐up, longitudinal analyses may be biased.