bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity among major endemic strains of Leptospira interrogans in China
Authors: He Ping , Sheng Yue-Ying , Shi Yao-Zhou , Jiang Xiu-Gao , Qin Jin-Hong , Zhang Zhi-Ming , Zhao Guo-Ping , Guo Xiao-Kui 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Leptospirosis is a world-widely distributed zoonosis. Humans become infected via exposure to pathogenic Leptospira spp. from contaminated water or soil. The availability of genomic sequences of Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai and serovar Copenhageni opened up opportunities to identify genetic diversity among different pathogenic strains of L. interrogans representing various kinds of serotypes (serogroups and serovars).

Results
Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis was used to compare the gene content of L. interrogans serovar Lai strain Lai with that of other 10 L. interrogans strains prevailed in China and one identified from Brazil using a microarray spotted with 3,528 protein coding sequences (CDSs) of strain Lai. The cutoff ratio of sample/reference (S/R) hybridization for detecting the absence of genes from one tested strain was set by comparing the ratio of S/R hybridization and the in silico sequence similarities of strain Lai and serovar Copenhageni strain Fiocruz L1-130. Among the 11 strains tested, 275 CDSs were found absent from at least one strain. The common backbone of the L. interrogans genome was estimated to contain about 2,917 CDSs. The genes encoding fundamental cellular functions such as translation, energy production and conversion were conserved. While strain-specific genes include those that encode proteins related to either cell surface structures or carbohydrate transport and metabolism. We also found two genomic islands (GIs) in strain Lai containing genes divergently absent in other strains. Because genes encoding proteins with potential pathogenic functions are located within GIs, these elements might contribute to the variations in disease manifestation. Differences in genes involved in O-antigen biosynthesis were also identified for strains belonging to different serogroups, which offers an opportunity for future development of genomic typing tools for serological classification.

Conclusion
CGH analyses for pathogenic leptospiral strains prevailed in China against the L. interrogans serovar Lai strain Lai CDS-spotted microarrays revealed 2,917 common backbone CDSs and strain specific genes encoding proteins mainly related to cell surface structures and carbohydrated transport/metabolism. Of the 275 CDSs considered absent from at least one of the L. interrogans strains tested, most of them were clustered in the rfb gene cluster and two putative genomic islands (GI A and B) in strain Lai. The strain-specific genes detected via this work will provide a knowledge base for further investigating the pathogenesis of L interrogans and/or for the development of effective vaccines and/or diagnostic tools.
A novel technique for measuring variations in DNA copy-number: competitive genomic polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Iwao-Koizumi Kyoko , Maekawa Kazunori , Nakamura Yohko , Saito Sakae , Kawamoto Shoko , Nakagawara Akira , Kato Kikuya 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Changes in genomic copy number occur in many human diseases including cancer. Characterization of these changes is important for both basic understanding and diagnosis of these diseases. Microarrays have recently become the standard technique and are commercially available. However, it is useful to have an affordable technique to complement them.

Results
We describe a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique, termed competitive genomic PCR (CGP). The main characteristic of CGP is that different adaptors are added to the sample and control genomic DNAs after appropriate restriction enzyme digestion. These adaptor-supplemented DNAs are subjected to competitive PCR using an adaptor-primer and a locus-specific primer. The amplified products are then separated according to size differences between the adaptors. CGP eliminates the tedious steps inherent in quantitative PCR and achieves moderate throughput. Assays with different X chromosome numbers showed that it can provide accurate quantification. High-resolution analysis of neuroblastoma cell lines around the MYCN locus revealed novel junctions for amplification, which were not detected by a commercial array.

Conclusion
CGP is a moderate throughput technique for analyzing changes in genomic copy numbers. Because CGP can measure any genomic locus using PCR primers, it is especially useful for detailed analysis of a genomic region of interest.
Discovering multiple transcripts of human hepatocytes using massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS)
Authors: Huang Jian , Hao Pei , Zhang Yun-Li , Deng Fu-Xing , Deng Qing , Hong Yi , Wang Xiao-Wo , Wang Yun , Li Ting-Ting , Zhang Xue-Gong , Li Yi-Xue , Yang Peng-Yuan , Wang Hong-Yang , Han Ze-Guang 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
The liver is the largest human internal organ – it is composed of multiple cell types and plays a vital role in fulfilling the body's metabolic needs and maintaining homeostasis. Of these cell types the hepatocytes, which account for three-quarters of the liver's volume, perform its main functions. To discover the molecular basis of hepatocyte function, we employed Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing (MPSS) to determine the transcriptomic profile of adult human hepatocytes obtained by laser capture microdissection (LCM).

Results
10,279 UniGene clusters, representing 7,475 known genes, were detected in human hepatocytes. In addition, 1,819 unique MPSS signatures matching the antisense strand of 1,605 non-redundant UniGene clusters (such as APOC1, APOC2, APOB and APOH) were highly expressed in hepatocytes.

Conclusion
Apart from a large number of protein-coding genes, some of the antisense transcripts expressed in hepatocytes could play important roles in transcriptional interference via a cis-/trans-regulation mechanism. Our result provided a comprehensively transcriptomic atlas of human hepatocytes using MPSS technique, which could be served as an available resource for an in-depth understanding of human liver biology and diseases.
Dominant inhibition of Fas ligand-mediated apoptosis due to a heterozygous mutation associated with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) Type Ib
Authors: Bi Lilia L , Pan George , Atkinson T Prescott , Zheng Lixin , Dale Janet K , Makris Christopher , Reddy Vishnu , McDonald Jay M , Siegel Richard M , Puck Jennifer M , Lenardo Michael J , Straus Stephen E 
Published: July 2007

AbstractBackground:Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a disorder of lymphocyte homeostasis and immunological tolerance due primarily to genetic defects in Fas (CD95/APO-1;TNFRSF6), a cell surface receptor that regulates apoptosis and its signaling apparatus.Methods:Fas ligand gene mutations from ALPS patients were identified through cDNA and genomic DNA sequencing. Molecular and biochemical assessment of these mutant Fas ligand proteins were carried out by expressing the mutant FasL cDNA in mammalian cells and analysis its effects on Fas-mediated programmed cell death.Results:We found an ALPS patient that harbored a heterozygous A530G mutation in the FasL gene that replaced Arg with Gly at position 156 in the protein's extracellular Fas-binding region. This produced a dominant-interfering FasL protein that bound to the wild-type FasL protein and prevented it from effectively inducing apoptosis.Conclusion:Our data explain how a naturally occurring heterozygous human FasL mutation can dominantly interfere with normal FasL apoptotic function and lead to an ALPS phenotype, designated Type Ib.
Genetic variability in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5in primary liver, gastric and colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Gervasini Guillermo , García-Martín Elena , Ladero José M , Pizarro Rosa , Sastre Javier , Martínez Carmen , García Monserrat , Diaz-Rubio Manuel , Agúndez José AG 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Drug-metabolizing enzymes play a role in chemical carcinogenesis through enzymatic activation of procarcinogens to biologically reactive metabolites. The role of gene polymorphisms of several cytochrome P450 enzymes in digestive cancer risk has been extensively investigated. However, the drug-metabolizing enzymes with the broader substrate specificity, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5, have not been analyzed so far. This study aims to examine associations between common CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 polymorphisms and digestive cancer risk.

Methods
CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genotypes were determined in 574 individuals including 178 patients with primary liver cancer, 82 patients with gastric cancer, 151 patients with colorectal cancer, and 163 healthy individuals.

Results
The variant allele frequencies for patients with liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and healthy controls, respectively, were: CYP3A4*1B, 4.8 % (95% C.I. 2.6–7.0), 3.7 % (0.8–6.6) 4.3% (2.0–6.6) and 4.3% (2.1–6.5); CYP3A5*3, 91.8 % (93.0–97.4), 95.7% (92.6–98.8), 91.7% (88.6–94.8) and 90.8% (87.7–93.9). The association between CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 variant alleles did not significantly differ among patients and controls. No differences in genotypes, allele frequencies, or association between variant alleles were observed with regard to gender, age at diagnosis, tumour site or stage.

Conclusion
Common polymorphisms on CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 genes do not modify the risk of developing digestive cancers in Western Europe.
Relationship of literacy and heart failure in adults with diabetes
Authors: Laramee Ann S , Morris Nancy , Littenberg Benjamin 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Background
Although reading ability may impact educational strategies and management of heart failure (HF), the prevalence of limited literacy in patients with HF is unknown.

Methods
Subjects were drawn from the Vermont Diabetes Information System Field Survey, a cross-sectional study of adults with diabetes in primary care. Participants' self-reported characteristics were subjected to logistic regression to estimate the association of heart failure and literacy while controlling for social and economic factors. The Short Test of Functional Health Literacy was used to measure literacy.

Results
Of 172 subjects with HF and diabetes, 27% had limited literacy compared to 15% of 826 subjects without HF (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.39, 3.02; P < 0.001). Adjusting for age, sex, race, income, marital status and health insurance, HF continued to be significantly associated with limited literacy (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.00, 2.41, P = .05).
After adjusting for education, however, HF was no longer independently associated with literacy (OR 1.31; 95% CI 0.82 – 2.08; P = 0.26).

Conclusion
Over one quarter of diabetic adults with HF have limited literacy. Although this association is no longer statistically significant when adjusted for education, clinicians should be aware that many of their patients have important limitations in dealing with written materials.
Nevoid melanoma of the vagina: report of one case diagnosed on thin layer cytological preparations
Authors: Fulciniti Franco , Ascierto Paolo Antonio , Simeone Ester , Bove Patrizia , Losito Simona , Russo Serena , Gallo Maria Stella , Greggi Stefano 
Published: July 2007

BackgroundPrimary melanoma of the vagina is an extremely rare neoplasm with approximately 250 reported cases in the world literature [1–4]. In its amelanotic variant this lesion may raise several differential diagnostic problems in cytological specimens [5]. In this setting, the usage of thin layer cytopathological techniques (Liquid Based Preparations = LBP) may enhance the diagnostic sensitivity by permitting immunocytochemical study without having to repeat the sampling procedure.The aim of this paper is to describe the cytomorphological presentation of primary vaginal melanoma on LBP since it has not previously been reported up to now, to our knowledge.Case presentationa 79-y-o female complaining of vulvar itching and yellowish vaginal discharge underwent a complete gynaecological evaluation during which a LBP cytological sample was taken from a suspicious whitish mass protruding into the vaginal lumen. A cytopathological diagnosis of amelanotic melanoma was rendered. The mass was radically excised and the patient was treated with α-Interferon.Conclusionamelanotic melanoma may be successfully diagnosed on LBP cytological preparations. Thin layer preparations may enhance the diagnostic cytomorphological clues to its diagnosis and may permit an adequate immunocytochemical characterization of the neoplasm.
Information transfer: what do decision makers want and need from researchers?
Authors: Dobbins Maureen , Rosenbaum Peter , Plews Nancy , Law Mary , Fysh Adam 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to undertake a systematic assessment of the need for research-based information by decision-makers working in community-based organizations. It is part of a more comprehensive knowledge transfer and exchange strategy that seeks to understand both the content required and the format/methods by which such information should be presented.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional telephone survey. Questions covered current practices, research use, and demographic information, as well as preferences for receiving research information. Three types of organizations participated: Children's Treatment Centres of Ontario (CTCs); Ontario Community Care Access Centres (CCACs); and District Health Councils (DHCs). The analysis used descriptive statistics and analyses of variance (ANOVA) to describe and explore variations across organizations.ResultsThe participation rate was 70%. The highest perception of barriers to the use of research information was reported by the CCAC respondents, followed by CTCs and DHCs. The CTCs and DHCs reported greater use of research evidence in planning decisions as compared to the CCACs. Four sources of information transfer were consistently identified. These were websites, health-related research journals, electronic mail, and conferences and workshops. Preferred formats for receiving information were executive summaries, abstracts, and original articles.ConclusionThere were a number of similarities across organization type with respect to perceived barriers to research transfer, as well as the types of activities the organizations engaged in to promote research use in decision-making. These findings support the importance of developing interactive, collaborative knowledge transfer strategies, as well as the need to foster relationships with health care decision-makers, practitioners and policymakers.
Lateral motor column axons execute a ternary trajectory choice between limb and body tissues
Authors: Luria Victor , Laufer Ed 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Background
Neuronal topographic map formation requires appropriate selection of axonal trajectories at intermediate choice points prior to target innervation. Axons of neurons in the spinal cord lateral motor column (LMC), as defined by a transcription factor code, are thought to innervate limb target tissues exclusively. Axons of the medial and lateral LMC divisions appear to execute a binary decision at the base of the limb as they choose between ventral and dorsal limb trajectories. The cellular logic that guides motor axon trajectory choices into non-limb tissues such as the ventral flank remains unclear.

Results
We determined the spinal cord motor column origin of motor nerves that innervate ventral flank tissues at hindlimb level. We found unexpectedly that a subset of medial LMC axons innervates ventral non-limb mesenchyme at hindlimb level, rather than entering ventral limb mesenchyme. We also found that in a conditional BmprIa mutant where all ventral hindlimb mesenchyme is converted to a dorsal identity, all medial LMC axons are redirected into the ventral flank, while lateral LMC axons innervate the bidorsal limb.

Conclusion
We have found that medial LMC neurons innervate both ventral flank and limb targets. While normally only a subset of medial LMC axons innervate the flank, all are capable of doing so. Furthermore, LMC axons execute a ternary, rather than binary, choice at the base of the limb between ventral flank, ventral limb and dorsal limb trajectories. When making this choice, medial and lateral LMC axons exhibit different and asymmetric relative preferences for these three trajectories. These data redefine the LMC as a motor column that innervates both limb and body tissues.
Femoral vein thrombophlebitis and septic pulmonary embolism due to a mixed anaerobic infection including Solobacterium moorei: a case report
Authors: Martin Claire A , Wijesurendra Rohan S , Borland Colin DR , Karas Johannis A 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Primary foci of necrobacillosis infection outside the head and neck are uncommon but have been reported in the urogenital or gastrointestinal tracts. Reports of infection with Solobacterium moorei are rare.

Case presentation
A 37-year-old male intravenous drug user was admitted with pain in his right groin, fever, rigors and vomiting following a recent injection into the right femoral vein. Admission blood cultures grew Fusobacterium nucleatum, Solobacterium moorei and Bacteroides ureolyticus. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous penicillin and metronidazole.

Conclusion
This case report describes an unusual case of femoral thrombophlebitis with septic pulmonary embolism associated with anaerobic organisms in a groin abscess. Solobacterium moorei, though rarely described, may also have clinically significant pathogenic potential.
Expert agreement confirms that negative changes in hand and foot radiographs are a surrogate for repair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: van der Heijde Désirée , Landewé Robert , Boonen Annelies , Einstein Steve , Herborn Gertraud , Rau Rolf , Wassenberg Siegfried , Weissman Barbara N , Winalski Carl S , Sharp John T 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that experts recognize repair of erosions and, if so, to determine which, if any, morphologic features permitted them to recognize the repair. We also tested whether scoring by a standard method detected repair. Seven experienced readers of radiographs in rheumatoid arthritis were presented with 64 sets of single joints-of-interest at two time points, randomized and blinded for the correct sequence. The readers assessed which joint was better, and recorded whether any of six specific features were seen. Two independent readers, experienced in scoring by the van der Heijde-modified Sharp method who were not on the expert panel, then scored the complete films that included the joint-of-interest. The panel agreed very well on which of two joints was better, and, even though they did not know the true sequence, the panel accurately assigned a sequence slightly better than chance alone (58%) but worse than their agreement on which image was 'better or worse' (78%). The readers therefore indirectly assigned repair by choosing the second film as the best. Putative repair features were seen in cases of both repair and progression, and were not discriminatory. Similar results were obtained when the experts were presented with the entire hand or foot containing the joint-of-interest. In the third repair exercise, two independent readers who scored whole hands and feet using a standard method found a mean negative score in 22/60 joints-of-interest. All 22 joints were also scored as repair by the panel. Repair was detected reliably by a majority of the panel on viewing paired images based on a better/worse decision and assigning sequence in a set of images that were blinded for sequence by an independent project manager. In this test set of images, repair was manifested by a reduction in the size of erosion in many cases. Size was one feature that aided the experts to detect repair but cannot be the only one; the experts had to find other features to determine whether a smaller erosion was the first in a sequence of radiographs in a patient with progressive damage or was the second film in a patient exhibiting repair. The change in size of erosion was also picked up by independent readers applying the van der Heijde-modified Sharp scoring method and was reflected in their scores.
A 30 ton biaxial tensile testing machine
Authors: Fessler H , Musson J K 
Published: July 2007

The machine is intended for a flat-plate testpiece, one face of which has to be unobstucted throughout the test. Plates up to 36 in long, 27 in wide, and 3/4 in thick can be accommodated. Hydraulic rams actuated by air-hydraulic pumps exert completely independent tensions on cruciform test pieces through spherical bushes. Satisfactory direct-load readings were obtained form pressure gauges.
Shouldered plates and shats in tension and torsion
Authors: Fessler H , Rogers C C , Stanley P 
Published: July 2007

Room-temperature and frozen-stress photoelastic tests have been carried out to determine the magnitude, position, and extent of the stress concentrations which occur in the blending radii at the junctions of sections of different widths in symmetrical plates subjected to direct loads. An empirical equation has been derived from the flat-plate tests which is also applicable to shafts in tension. Other published data are consisent with the predictions of the empirical equations. Stress concentration factors for shafts in torsion are lower than in tension.
Stress analysis in viscoelastic bodies using finite elements and a correspondence rule with elasticity
Authors: Webber J P H 
Published: July 2007

It is shown how the finite-element displacement method of analysis using an elastic analogy may be applied to problems in plane stress where the material is viscoelastic. The method allows material non-homogeneity to be taken into account, as it might need to be in some thermo-viscoelastic problems. Some numerical results are given, based on the Maxwell body, and these are supported by a short-time creep experiment on a sheet of perspex. The distribution of stress is found to change slightly during this period of time.
Stresses in cylindrical pressure vessels with end closures previously shaped by free explosive forming
Authors: Fessler H , Thorpe T E 
Published: July 2007

The stress analysis of photoelastic models of pressure vessels with drumheads shaped by free explosive forming showed that discontinuities of profile of up to 34° at the drum-knuckle junction are permissible because the resulting peak knuckle stresses are lower than in vessels with equivalent torispherical drumhead. Free explosive forming, by forcing flat plates through ring dies, produces repeatable, approximately torispherical shapes. For annealed mild steel the geometric and explosion parameters have been related to permit prediction of dish shapes. It was found that no size effect existed.
Torispherical drumheads: A limit-pressure and shakedown investigation
Authors: Findlay G E , Moffat D G , Stanley P 
Published: July 2007

Following elastic tests, which have been described in detail elsewhere, further work has been carried out in the plastic range on four full-size mild-steel torispherical drumheads subjected to internal pressure. The work is presented here in two parts. Part 1 contains a review of some previous theoretical numerical and experimental work related to the present study, an account of the test installation and procedure, and a presentation of the complete test results. Data on the initiation and propagation of yield are also included. In Part 2 the variations in maximum head strain and head height with increasing pressure are compared with computer predictions from an existing C.E.G.B. programme; there are some inconsistencies between the numerical and experimental data and the relevant factors are considered in detail. The observed limit pressures and maximum shakedown pressures are compared with independent alternative values from several different sources and the implications of the experimental results in relation to design are discussed.