bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence of HHV-8, CMV, and EBV among the general population in Ghana, West Africa
Authors: Adjei Andrew A , Armah Henry B , Gbagbo Foster , Boamah Isaac , Adu-Gyamfi Clement , Asare Isaac 
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Background
Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are prevalent in Africa, but less common elsewhere and the modes of transmission are still subject to debate. Generally, they rarely cause disease in the immunocompetent host but are highly oncogenic when associated with immunosuppression. Although the high prevalence of HHV-8, CMV and EBV has been well documented in Africa, such data are sparse from Ghana.

Methods
Serum samples from 3275 HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors and 250 HIV-AIDS patients were tested for antibodies specific for HHV-8, CMV and EBV by IgG ELISA assays. Differences in seropositivity rates by gender and age were evaluated using the Chi-square test with Yates correction.

Results
Of the 3275 HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors tested, 2573 (78.6%) were males and 702 (21.4%) were females, with ages ranging from 18 to 65 years (median 32.6; mean 31.2; mode 30). Of the 250 HIV-AIDS patients tested, 140 (56%) were males and 110 (44%) were females, with ages ranging from 17 to 64 years (median 30.8; mean 30.3; mode 28). Among the HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors, overall seroprevalence of HHV-8, CMV and EBV was 23.7%, 77.6% and 20.0%, respectively. Among the HIV-AIDS patients, overall seroprevalence of HHV-8, CMV and EBV was 65.6%, 59.2% and 87.2%, respectively. The seroprevalence of HHV-8 (p < 0.005) and EBV (p < 0.001) was statistically significantly higher in HIV-AIDS patients compared to HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.24) between CMV seroprevalence in HIV-AIDS patients and HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors. Age and gender were not independent determinants (p > 0.05) for all three infections among HIV-seronegative healthy blood donors and HIV-AIDS patients in Ghana.

Conclusion
The results presented herein indicate that HHV-8, CMV and EBV infections are hyperendemic in both HIV-seronegative and HIV-seropositive Ghanaians, and suggest primarily a horizontal route of transmission of these three viral infections in Ghana.
Dry season ecology of Anopheles gambiae complex mosquitoes in The Gambia
Authors: Jawara Musa , Pinder Margaret , Drakeley Chris J , Nwakanma Davis C , Jallow Ebrima , Bogh Claus , Lindsay Steve W , Conway David J 
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Background
Malaria in The Gambia is highly seasonal, with transmission occurring as Anopheles gambiae s.l. populations expand during and immediately after a single annual rainy season that lasts from June to October. There has been very limited investigation of the ecology of vectors during the dry season, when numbers are very limited and distributions may be restricted.

Methods
Weekly adult mosquito collections (pyrethrum spray, light trap, and search collections from rooms, as well as light trap collections from animal shelters, abandoned wells and grain stores), and artificial sentinel breeding site surveys were performed in four villages near the upper tidal and partially saline part of the Gambia River in the last four months of an annual dry season (March to June). Mosquito species were identified by morphological and DNA analysis, and ELISA assays were performed to test for Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites and human blood meal components.

Results
Adults of An. gambiae s.l. were collected throughout the period, numbers increasing towards the end of the dry season when humidity was increasing. Adult collections were dominated by An. melas (86%), with An. gambiae s.s. (10%) and An. arabiensis (3%) also present throughout. Most females collected in room search and spray collections contained blood meals, but most from light traps were unfed. None of the females tested (n = 1709) contained sporozoites. Larvae (mostly An. gambiae s.s.) were recovered from artificial sentinel breeding sites in the two villages that had freshwater pools. These two villages had the highest proportions of An. gambiae s.s. adults, and experienced the most substantial increase in proportions of An. gambiae s.s. after the onset of rains.

Conclusion
During the dry season population minimum, An. melas was the predominant vector species, but differences among villages in availability of fresh-water breeding sites correlate with egg laying activity and relative numbers of An. gambiae s.s. adults, and with the increase in this species immediately after the beginning of the rains. Local variation in dry season vector persistence is thus likely to influence spatial heterogeneity of transmission intensity in the early part of the rainy season.
Is it possible to identify patient's sex when reading blinded illness narratives? An experimental study about gender bias
Authors: Andersson Jenny , Salander Pär , Brandstetter-Hiltunen Marie , Knutsson Emma , Hamberg Katarina 
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Background
In many diseases men and women, for no apparent medical reason, are not offered the same investigations and treatment in health care. This may be due to staff's stereotypical preconceptions about men and women, i.e., gender bias. In the clinical situation it is difficult to know whether gender differences in management reflect physicians' gender bias or male and female patients' different needs or different ways of expressing their needs. To shed some light on these possibilities this study investigated to what extent it was possible to identify patients' sex when reading their blinded illness narratives, i.e., do male and female patients express themselves differently enough to be recognised as men and women without being categorised on beforehand?

Methods
Eighty-one authentic letters about being diseased by cancer were blinded regarding sex and read by 130 students of medicine and psychology. For each letter the participants were asked to give the author's sex and to explain their choice. The success rates were analysed statistically. To illuminate the participants' reasoning the explanations of four letters were analysed qualitatively.

Results
The patient's sex was correctly identified in 62% of the cases, with significantly higher rates in male narratives. There were no differences between male and female participants. In the qualitative analysis the choice of a male writer was explained by: a short letter; formal language; a focus on facts and a lack of emotions. In contrast the reasons for the choice of a woman were: a long letter; vivid language; mention of emotions and interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, the same expressions were interpreted differently depending on whether the participant believed the writer to be male or female.

Conclusion
It was possible to detect gender differences in the blinded illness narratives. The students' explanations for their choice of sex agreed with common gender stereotypes implying that such stereotypes correspond, at least on a group level, to differences in male and female patients' illness descriptions. However, it was also obvious that preconceptions about gender obstructed and biased the interpretations, a finding with implications for the understanding of gender bias in clinical practice.
Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura presenting with syncope episodes when coughing
Authors: Santambrogio Luigi , Nosotti Mario , Palleschi Alessandro , Rosso Lorenzo , Tosi Davide , De Simone Matilde , Ciulla Michele M , Maggioni Marco , Cioffi Ugo 
Published: August 2008

Abstract

Background
Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura is a rarely encountered clinical entity which may have different clinical pictures. Although the majority of these neoplasms have a benign course, the malignant form has also been reported.

Case presentation
We herein describe a case of 72 year-old man with head, facial, and thoracic traumas caused by neurally-mediated situational syncope when coughing. The diagnostic work-up including chest x-ray, CT and PET, revealed a large solitary mass of the left hemithorax. Radical surgical resection of the mass was performed through a left lateral thoracotomy and completed with a wedge resection of the lingula. Hystological examination of the surgical specimen showed an encapsulated mass measuring 12 × 11.5 × 6 cm consistent with a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. It's surgical removal definitively resolved the neurologic manifestations. The patient had no postoperative complications. At two years follow-up the patient is free from recurrence and without clinical manifestations.

Conclusion
In our case its resection definitively resolved the episodes of situational syncope due, in our opinion, to the large thoracic mass compressing the phrenic nerve
Tobacco use induces anti-apoptotic, proliferative patterns of gene expression in circulating leukocytes of Caucasian males
Authors: Charles Peter C , Alder Brian D , Hilliard Eleanor G , Schisler Jonathan C , Lineberger Robert E , Parker Joel S , Mapara Sabeen , Wu Samuel S , Portbury Andrea , Patterson Cam , Stouffer George A 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgroundStrong epidemiologic evidence correlates tobacco use with a variety of serious adverse health effects, but the biological mechanisms that produce these effects remain elusive.ResultsWe analyzed gene transcription data to identify expression spectra related to tobacco use in circulating leukocytes of 67 Caucasian male subjects. Levels of cotinine, a nicotine metabolite, were used as a surrogate marker for tobacco exposure. Significance Analysis of Microarray and Gene Set Analysis identified 109 genes in 16 gene sets whose transcription levels were differentially regulated by nicotine exposure. We subsequently analyzed this gene set by hyperclustering, a technique that allows the data to be clustered by both expression ratio and gene annotation (e.g. Gene Ontologies).ConclusionOur results demonstrate that tobacco use affects transcription of groups of genes that are involved in proliferation and apoptosis in circulating leukocytes. These transcriptional effects include arepertoireof transcriptional changes likely to increase the incidence of neoplasia through an altered expression of genes associated with transcription and signaling, interferon responses and repression of apoptotic pathways.
Welcome to Journal of Foot and Ankle Research: a new open access journal for foot health professionals
Authors: Menz Hylton B , Potter Mike J , Borthwick Alan M , Landorf Karl B 
Published: August 2008

AbstractJournal of Foot and Ankle Research (JFAR) is a new, open access, peer‐reviewed online journal that encompasses all aspects of policy, organisation, delivery and clinical practice related to the assessment, diagnosis, prevention and management of foot and ankle disorders. JFAR will cover a wide range of clinical subject areas, including diabetology, paediatrics, sports medicine, gerontology and geriatrics, foot surgery, physical therapy, dermatology, wound management, radiology, biomechanics and bioengineering, orthotics and prosthetics, as well the broad areas of epidemiology, policy, organisation and delivery of services related to foot and ankle care. The journal encourages submission from all health professionals who manage lower limb conditions, including podiatrists, nurses, physical therapists and physiotherapists, orthopaedists, manual therapists, medical specialists and general medical practitioners, as well as health service researchers concerned with foot and ankle care. All manuscripts will undergo open peer review, and all accepted manuscripts will be freely available on‐line using the open access platform of BioMed Central.
Predictors of podiatry utilisation in Australia: the North West Adelaide Health Study
Authors: Menz Hylton B , Gill Tiffany K , Taylor Anne W , Hill Catherine L 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackgroundFoot problems are highly prevalent in the community; however no large population‐based studies have examined the characteristics of those who do and do not access podiatry services in Australia. The aim of this study was to explore patterns of podiatry utilisation in a population‐based sample of people aged 18 years and over living in the northwest region of Adelaide, South Australia.MethodsThe North West Adelaide Health Study is a representative longitudinal cohort study of 4,060 people randomly selected and recruited by telephone interview. The interview included questions regarding healthcare service utilisation in the past year. Data were also collected on education, income and major medical conditions.ResultsOverall, 9.5% of the total sample and 17.7% of those who reported foot pain had attended a podiatrist in the past year. Participants who had accessed podiatry treatment were more likely to be female, be aged over 45 years, be obese, and have major chronic medical conditions (osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure). Those who reported foot pain but had not accessed a podiatrist were more likely to be male and be aged 20 to 34 years.ConclusionOnly a small proportion of people who report foot pain have accessed podiatry services in the past year. There is a need to further promote podiatry services to the general community, particularly to men and younger people.
An unusual cause of spontaneous bleeding in the intensive care unit – mastocytosis: a case report
Authors: Koenig Martial , Morel Jérôme , Reynaud Jacqueline , Varvat Cécile , Cathébras Pascal 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
We report the case of a 39-year old male patient who presented with anaphylactoid shock and diffuse bleeding with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time at the emergency room. The diagnosis of aggressive mastocytosis was suspected and then confirmed by raised tryptase level and mastocytic infiltration of the bone marrow. The outcome was favorable with supportive measures, antihistamine drugs, and imatinib mesylate.
Ultrasound and MR-imaging in preoperative evaluation of two rare cases of scar endometriosis
Authors: Pados George , Tympanidis John , Zafrakas Menelaos , Athanatos Dimitrios , Bontis John N 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Scar or incisional endometriosis is a rare, often misdiagnosed, pathologic condition of the abdominal wall. Two cases of incisional endometriosis are presented. Both patients presented with atypical cyclic pain and palpable nodules on scars of previous cesarean sections. In both cases, the mass was totally excised, after accurate preoperative evaluation with 2-D ultrasound, power Doppler and MRI. Microscopic examination confirmed the preoperatively presumed diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis. In cases of suspected scar endometriosis, preoperative diagnostic imaging is valuable in determining the extent of disease, thus enhancing accurate and total excision.
Global transcriptome analysis reveals circadian regulation of key pathways in plant growth and development
Authors: Covington Michael F , Maloof Julin N , Straume Marty , Kay Steve A , Harmer Stacey L 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Background
As nonmotile organisms, plants must rapidly adapt to ever-changing environmental conditions, including those caused by daily light/dark cycles. One important mechanism for anticipating and preparing for such predictable changes is the circadian clock. Nearly all organisms have circadian oscillators that, when they are in phase with the Earth's rotation, provide a competitive advantage. In order to understand how circadian clocks benefit plants, it is necessary to identify the pathways and processes that are clock controlled.

Results
We have integrated information from multiple circadian microarray experiments performed on Arabidopsis thaliana in order to better estimate the fraction of the plant transcriptome that is circadian regulated. Analyzing the promoters of clock-controlled genes, we identified circadian clock regulatory elements correlated with phase-specific transcript accumulation. We have also identified several physiological pathways enriched for clock-regulated changes in transcript abundance, suggesting they may be modulated by the circadian clock.

Conclusion
Our analysis suggests that transcript abundance of roughly one-third of expressed A. thaliana genes is circadian regulated. We found four promoter elements, enriched in the promoters of genes with four discrete phases, which may contribute to the time-of-day specific changes in the transcript abundance of these genes. Clock-regulated genes are over-represented among all of the classical plant hormone and multiple stress response pathways, suggesting that all of these pathways are influenced by the circadian clock. Further exploration of the links between the clock and these pathways will lead to a better understanding of how the circadian clock affects plant growth and leads to improved fitness.
Multicenter Study Using Paraffin-Embedded Tumor Tissue Testing PITX2 DNA Methylation As a Marker for Outcome Prediction in Tamoxifen-Treated, Node-Negative Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Harbeck Nadia , Nimmrich Inko , Hartmann Arndt , Ross Jeffrey S. , Cufer Tanja , Grützmann Robert , Kristiansen Glen , Paradiso Angelo , Hartmann Oliver , Margossian Astrid , Martens John , Schwope Ina , Lukas Antje , Müller Volkmar , Milde-Langosch Karin , Nährig Jörg , Foekens John , Maier Sabine , Schmitt Manfred , Lesche Ralf 
Published: August 2008

Purpose We recently reported DNA methylation of the paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 2 (PITX2) gene to be strongly correlated with increased risk of recurrence in node-negative, hormone receptor–positive, tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients using fresh frozen specimens. Aims of the present study were to establish determination of PITX2 methylation for routine analysis in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast cancer tissue and to test PITX2 DNA methylation as a biomarker for outcome prediction in an independent patient cohort. Patients and Methods Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology was validated for FFPE tissue by comparing methylation measurements in FFPE specimens with those in fresh frozen specimens from the same tumor. The impact of PITX2 methylation on time to distant metastasis was then evaluated in FFPE specimens from hormone receptor–positive, node-negative breast cancer patients (n = 399, adjuvant tamoxifen monotherapy). Results Reproducibility of the PCR assay in replicate measurements (rs ≥ 0.95; n = 150) and concordant measurements between fresh frozen and FFPE tissues (rs = 0.81; n = 89) were demonstrated. In a multivariate model, PITX2 methylation added significant information (hazard ratio = 2.35; 95% CI, 1.20 to 4.60) to established prognostic factors (tumor size, grade, and age). Conclusion PITX2 methylation can be reliably assessed by real-time PCR technology in FFPE tissue. Together with our earlier studies, we have accumulated substantial evidence that PITX2 methylation analysis holds promise as a practical assay for routine clinical use to predict outcome in node-negative, tamoxifen-treated breast cancer, which might allow, based on future validation studies, the identification of low-risk patients who may be treated by tamoxifen alone.
Analysis of Herpes Zoster Events Among Bortezomib-Treated Patients in the Phase III APEX Study
Authors: Chanan-Khan Asher , Sonneveld Pieter , Schuster Michael W. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Facon Thierry , Harousseau Jean-Luc , Ben-Yehuda Dina , Lonial Sagar , Goldschmidt Hartmut , Reece Donna , Neuwirth Rachel , Anderson Kenneth C. , Richardson Paul G. 
Published: August 2008

Purpose The aim of this subset analysis was to determine if bortezomib treatment is associated with increased incidence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and Methods Incidence of herpes zoster was evaluated in 663 patients with relapsed MM from the phase III APEX trial comparing single-agent bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone. Results Bortezomib was associated with a significantly higher incidence of herpes zoster compared with dexamethasone treatment (13%, 42 of 331 v 5%, 15 of 332; P = .0002). Most herpes zoster infections were grade 1/2; incidences of grade 3/4 events (1.8% v 1.5%) and infections considered serious adverse events (1.5% v 0.9%) were similar between treatment arms, and no herpes zoster–related deaths occurred. Neither the time to onset of the herpes event nor the patients’ absolute lymphocyte counts at baseline differed significantly between arms. VZV reactivation was the only herpes viral event noted to be significantly elevated in the bortezomib treatment group compared with the dexamethasone treatment group (P = .0002). The incidence of non–VZV-related herpes viral infections was comparable between arms. No additional risk factors for herpes zoster reactivation were identified. Conclusion Further studies are needed to explain these observations and their implications; however, for patients treated with bortezomib or bortezomib-containing regimens, the risk of VZV reactivation should be monitored and routine use of antiviral prophylaxis considered.
Reviews
Authors: Hogg Russell , Smallbone Stephen 
Published: August 2008

JV Barry — A Life; By Mark Finnane (with the assistance of John Myrtle); (2007) Sydney: UNSW Press, xiv + 322 pp, ISBN 978 086840 845 3 Writing Reports for Court: A Practical Guide for Psychologists Working in Forensic Contexts; by Jack White, Andrew Day and Louisa Hackett; 2007; Australian Academic Press; 198 pages, ISBN 9781875378807
Regulation of cathepsin K activity by hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Godat Emmanuel , Hervé-Grépinet Virginie , Veillard Florian , Lecaille Fabien , Belghazi Maya , Brömme Dieter , Lalmanach Gilles 
Published: August 2008

Abstract
Although cysteine cathepsins, including cathepsin K, are sensitive to oxidation, proteolytically active forms are found at inflammatory sites. Regulation of cathepsin K activity was analyzed in the presence of H2O2 to gain an insight into these puzzling observations. H2O2 impaired processing of procathepsin K and inactivated its mature form in a time- and dose-dependent mode. However, as a result of the formation of a sulfenic acid, as confirmed by trapping in the presence of 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazol, approximately one-third of its initial activity was restored by dithiothreitol. This incomplete inactivation may partially explain why active cysteine cathepsins are still found during acute lung inflammation.
Glutaminyl cyclases from animals and plants: a case of functionally convergent protein evolution
Authors: Schilling Stephan , Wasternack Claus , Demuth Hans-Ulrich 
Published: August 2008

AbstractSeveral mammalian peptide hormones and proteins from plant and animal origin contain an N-terminal pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) residue. Frequently, the moiety is important in exerting biological function in either mediating interaction with receptors or stabilizing against N-terminal degradation. Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) were isolated from different plants and animals catalyzing pGlu formation. The recent resolution of the 3D structures ofCarica papayaand human QCs clearly supports different evolutionary origins of the proteins, which is also reflected by different enzymatic mechanisms. The broad substrate specificity is revealed by the heterogeneity of physiological substrates of plant and animal QCs, including cytokines, matrix proteins and pathogenesis-related proteins. Moreover, recent evidence also suggests human QC as a catalyst of pGlu formation at the N-terminus of amyloid peptides, which contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Obviously, owing to its biophysical properties, the function of pGlu in plant and animal proteins is very similar in terms of stabilizing or mediating protein and peptide structure. It is possible that the requirement for catalysis of pGlu formation under physiological conditions may have triggered separate evolution of QCs in plants and animals.