bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Projection, stereotyping, and the perception of chronic medical conditions
Authors: Veazie Peter J. 
Published: June 2007

Objectives: To test the hypotheses that people with chronic medical conditions are more likely than those without chronic medical conditions to project personal characteristics onto the population with chronic medical conditions, and that people without chronic medical conditions are more likely to stereotype those with chronic medical conditions. Methods: The study is a secondary analysis of the 2000 Chronic Illness and Caregiving survey conducted by Harris Interactive Inc. using linear and probit regressions. Results: The hypothesis that persons with chronic medical conditions project their characteristics onto the population of those with chronic medical conditions is strongly supported. The hypothesis that persons without chronic medical conditions stereotype the population of those with chronic medical conditions is weakly supported. Discussion: The findings imply that characterizations of persons with chronic medical conditions vary more among those with chronic medical conditions than among those without, and that those without chronic medical conditions have more homogeneous representations. This difference between those who have chronic medical conditions and those who do not implies a potential for greater variation in support for the particulars of policies addressing chronic medical conditions among those with chronic medical conditions.
On Evangelical Ecclesiology
Authors: Webster John 
Published: June 2007

AbstractEvangelical ecclesiology describes the relation between the gospel and the church, and in particular the way in which the grace of the triune God constitutes the church as the communion of saints. Consequently: (1) The doctrine of the church is shaped by an account of the perfection of God, i.e. the sufficiency and fullness of God’s being and act. This perfection is not inclusive (as in some communion ecclesiologies), but is to be thought of as a movement of grace in which God determines himself for fellowship with his creatures. (2) The visibility of the church (pervasive in modern ecclesiology) is properly a spiritual visibility, which the church has by virtue of the Spirit’s act. The primary visible acts of the church are its attestations of the presence and action of God.
Genetic variants of chemokine receptor CCR7 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome and systemic sclerosis
Authors: Kahlmann Daniel , Davalos-Misslitz Ana Clara Marques , Ohl Lars , Stanke Frauke , Witte Torsten , Förster Reinhold 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
The chemokine receptor CCR7 is a key organizer of the immune system. Gene targeting in mice revealed that Ccr7-deficient animals are severely impaired in the induction of central and peripheral tolerance. Due to these defects, Ccr7-deficient mice spontaneously develop multi-organ autoimmunity showing symptoms similar to those observed in humans suffering from connective tissue autoimmune diseases. However, it is unknown whether mutations of CCR7 are linked to autoimmunity in humans.

Results
DNA samples were collected from 160 patients suffering from connective tissue autoimmune disease (Sjogren's syndrome, n = 40; systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE, n = 20 and systemic sclerosis, n = 100) and 40 health subjects (n = 40). All participants in this study were of German descent. Samples were screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) by sequencing the coding region of the CCR7 gene as well asthe exon flaking intron sites and parts of the regions encoding for the 5'- and 3'-UTR. CCR7 variants were rare. We identified six different sequence variants, which occurred in heterozygosis. The identified SNP were observed at position -60 C/T (observed 1x), +6,476 A/G (7x), +6,555 C/T (15x), +6,560 C/T (6x), +10,440 A/G (3x) and +11,475 C/A (1x). Four of these variants (+6,476 A/G, +6,555 C/T, +6,560 C/T and +10,440 A/G) display allelic frequencies between 1% and 5 % and were present in both patients and control groups. The variants +6,476 A/G, +6,555 C/T, +6,560 C/T are located in the intron 2, while the +10,440 A/G variant corresponds to a silent mutation in exon 3. The variants -60 C/T and +11,475 C/A which are located at the 5'-UTR and 3-UTR respectively, display allelic frequencies below 1%. No correlation between these variants and the autoimmune diseases investigated could be observed. However, reporter gene expression assay demonstrated that the mutation at the -60 C/T position in homozygosis leads to reduced luciferase activity.

Conclusion
These results suggest that variants of CCR7 gene occur at an extremely low frequency in the German population and that neither Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, nor systemic sclerosis are associated with these variants. Nevertheless, the decreased luciferase activity observed in cells transfected with the promoter region bearing the -60 C/T mutation suggests that this CCR7 variant could potentially lead to increased susceptibility to autoimmunity.
New data on robustness of gene expression signatures in leukemia: comparison of three distinct total RNA preparation procedures
Authors: Campo Dell'Orto Marta , Zangrando Andrea , Trentin Luca , Li Rui , Liu Wei-min , te Kronnie Geertruy , Basso Giuseppe , Kohlmann Alexander 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackgroundMicroarray gene expression (MAGE) signatures allow insights into the transcriptional processes of leukemias and may evolve as a molecular diagnostic test. Introduction of MAGE into clinical practice of leukemia diagnosis will require comprehensive assessment of variation due to the methodologies. Here we systematically assessed the impact of three different total RNA isolation procedures on variation in expression data: method A: lysis of mononuclear cells, followed by lysate homogenization and RNA extraction; method B: organic solvent based RNA isolation, and method C: organic solvent based RNA isolation followed by purification.ResultsWe analyzed 27 pediatric acute leukemias representing nine distinct subtypes and show that method A yields better RNA quality, was associated with more differentially expressed genes between leukemia subtypes, demonstrated the lowest degree of variation between experiments, was more reproducible, and was characterized with a higher precision in technical replicates. Unsupervised and supervised analyses grouped leukemias according to lineage and clinical features in all three methods, thus underlining the robustness of MAGE to identify leukemia specific signatures.ConclusionThe signatures in the different subtypes of leukemias, regardless of the different extraction methods used, account for the biggest source of variation in the data. Lysis of mononuclear cells, followed by lysate homogenization and RNA extraction represents the optimum method for robust gene expression data and is thus recommended for obtaining robust classification results in microarray studies in acute leukemias.
Gene discovery for the carcinogenic human liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini
Authors: Laha Thewarach , Pinlaor Porntip , Mulvenna Jason , Sripa Banchob , Sripa Manop , Smout Michael J , Gasser Robin B , Brindley Paul J , Loukas Alex 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) – cancer of the bile ducts – is associated with chronic infection with the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini. Despite being the only eukaryote that is designated as a 'class I carcinogen' by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, little is known about its genome.

Results
Approximately 5,000 randomly selected cDNAs from the adult stage of O. viverrini were characterized and accounted for 1,932 contigs, representing ~14% of the entire transcriptome, and, presently, the largest sequence dataset for any species of liver fluke. Twenty percent of contigs were assigned GO classifications. Abundantly represented protein families included those involved in physiological functions that are essential to parasitism, such as anaerobic respiration, reproduction, detoxification, surface maintenance and feeding. GO assignments were well conserved in relation to other parasitic flukes, however, some categories were over-represented in O. viverrini, such as structural and motor proteins. An assessment of evolutionary relationships showed that O. viverrini was more similar to other parasitic (Clonorchis sinensis and Schistosoma japonicum) than to free-living (Schmidtea mediterranea) flatworms, and 105 sequences had close homologues in both parasitic species but not in S. mediterranea. A total of 164 O. viverrini contigs contained ORFs with signal sequences, many of which were platyhelminth-specific. Examples of convergent evolution between host and parasite secreted/membrane proteins were identified as were homologues of vaccine antigens from other helminths. Finally, ORFs representing secreted proteins with known roles in tumorigenesis were identified, and these might play roles in the pathogenesis of O. viverrini-induced CCA.

Conclusion
This gene discovery effort for O. viverrini should expedite molecular studies of cholangiocarcinogenesis and accelerate research focused on developing new interventions, drugs and vaccines, to control O. viverrini and related flukes.
Genetic relatedness among isolates of Shigella sonnei carrying class 2 integrons in Tehran, Iran, 2002–2003
Authors: Ranjbar Reza , Aleo Aurora , Giammanco Giovanni M , Dionisi Anna Maria , Sadeghifard Nourkhoda , Mammina Caterina 
Published: June 2007

Abstract

Background

Shigella spp. are major cause of diarrhoeal disease in both developing and developed countries. Shigella sonnei is the serogroup of Shigella most frequently responsible for sporadic and epidemic enteritis in developed countries. In recent years the emergence and spread of S. sonnei biotype g carrying class 2 integron have been frequently reported in many countries. Recently, S. sonnei has been reported as the prevalent serogroup of Shigella in Iran.
The present study was carried out to investigate phenotypic and genetic characteristics of Shigella sonnei isolates identified in the years 2002 and 2003 in Tehran, Iran.

Methods
Biotyping, drug susceptibility testing, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and analysis of class 2 integrons have been carried out on 60 S. sonnei isolates, including 57 sporadic isolates from paediatric cases of shigellosis occurring in 2002 and 2003, two sporadic isolates recovered in 1984 and the ATCC 9290 strain.

Results
Biotype g and resistance to streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and tetracycline were exhibited by 54 of the 57 recent isolates. Of the 54 biotype g isolates, 28 exhibited a class 2 integron of 2161 bp, and 24 a class 2 integron of 1371 bp, respectively. Class 2 integrons were not detected in four isolates only, including the two endemic isolates recovered in 1984 and two strains from recent sporadic cases. PFGE divided the strains into eight pulsotypes labeled A to H, three major pulsotypes – A to C – including the large majority of the recent sporadic S. sonnei isolates. Pulsotypes A and C were the most prevalent groups, accounting for 41.6% and 35.0%, respectively, of the isolates under study.

Conclusion
The results suggest that biotype g, class 2 integron carrying S. sonnei are prevalent in our geographic area. S. sonnei isolated in the years 2002 and 2003 could be attributed to a few predominant clusters including, respectively, strains with pulsotypes B and C carrying a 2161 bp class 2 integron, and those having pulsotype A and a 1371 bp class 2 integron. A few epidemic clones are responsible for the apparently endemic occurrence of shigellosis in Tehran, Iran.
Knowledge translation on dementia: a cluster randomized trial to compare a blended learning approach with a "classical" advanced training in GP quality circles
Authors: Vollmar Horst C , Butzlaff Martin E , Lefering Rolf , Rieger Monika A 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Background
Thus far important findings regarding the dementia syndrome have been implemented into patients' medical care only inadequately. A professional training accounting for both, general practitioners' (GP) needs and learning preferences as well as care-relevant aspects could be a major step towards improving medical care. In the WIDA-study, entitled "Knowledge translation on dementia in general practice" two different training concepts are developed, implemented and evaluated. Both concepts are building on an evidence-based, GP-related dementia guideline and communicate the guideline's essential insights.

Methods/Design
Both development and implementation emphasize a procedure that is well-accepted in practice and, thus, can achieve a high degree of external validity. This is particularly guaranteed through the preparation of training material and the fact that general practitioners' quality circles (QC) are addressed. The evaluation of the two training concepts is carried out by comparing two groups of GPs to which several quality circles have been randomly assigned. The primary outcome is the GPs' knowledge gain. Secondary outcomes are designed to indicate the training's potential effects on the GPs' practical actions. In the first training concept (study arm A) GPs participate in a structured case discussion prepared for by internet-based learning material ("blended-learning" approach). The second training concept (study arm B) relies on frontal medical training in the form of a slide presentation and follow-up discussion ("classical" approach).

Discussion
This paper presents the outline of a cluster-randomized trial which has been peer reviewed and support by a national funding organization – Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) – and is approved by an ethics commission. The data collection has started in August 2006 and the results will be published independently of the study's outcome.

Trial Registration
Current Controlled Trials [ISRCTN36550981]
The Role of Adipocytokines in Insulin Resistance in Normal Pregnancy: Visfatin Concentrations in Early Pregnancy Predict Insulin Sensitivity
Authors: Mastorakos George , Valsamakis Georgios , Papatheodorou Dimitrios C , Barlas Ioannis , Margeli Alexandra , Boutsiadis Anastasios , Kouskouni Evangelia , Vitoratos Nikolaos , Papadimitriou Apostolos , Papassotiriou Ioannis , Creatsas George 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Background: Throughout pregnancy maternal adipose tissue is metabolically active, producing adipocytokines involved in the process of insulin resistance. We explored the role of serum adipocytokines, including the newly identified adipocytokine visfatin, in the process of insulin resistance in normal pregnancy.
Methods: We examined 80 pregnant nonobese, nondiabetic white women during the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. All study participants underwent anthropometric measurements, adipocytokine evaluation, and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Homeostasis mathematical model assessment (HOMA-R), insulin sensitivity index (ISI), and indices of β-cell secretion were calculated.
Results: Maternal weight, percentage total body fat, hip circumference, and indices of β-cell secretion increased significantly during the 3 trimesters, and HOMA-R and ISI increased and decreased, respectively, in the 3rd trimester. During early pregnancy, insulin resistance, β-cell secretion, and weight correlated positively with leptin. During the 1st trimester, visfatin correlated negatively with percentage body fat and was the best positive predictor of 2nd trimester ISI. In the 2nd trimester, serum visfatin was the best negative predictor of percentage body fat.
Conclusions: During normal pregnancy of nonobese, nondiabetic women, adipose tissue increases, accompanied by a significant progressive increase of insulin resistance. Visfatin concentrations in the 1st trimester positively predict insulin sensitivity during the 2nd trimester. Body fat mass during 1st trimester of pregnancy is negatively associated with insulin sensitivity during the 2nd trimester and perhaps should be kept under control.
Analytical and Diagnostic Characteristics of 11 2nd- and 3rd-Generation Immunoenzymatic Methods for the Detection of Antibodies to Citrullinated Proteins
Authors: Bizzaro Nicola , Tonutti Elio , Tozzoli Renato , Villalta Danilo 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Background: Measurement of antibodies to citrullinated peptides or proteins (CP) is a new test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We analyzed the analytical characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of commercially available methods.
Methods: We studied 11 commercially available 2nd- and 3rd-generation methods that used various citrullinated antigen substrates: synthetic cyclic peptides, recombinant rat filaggrin, mutated human vimentin, and Epstein–Barr virus- or IgG-derived peptides. We assessed imprecision by measuring samples with low, intermediate, and high concentrations 5 times on each of 5 days. We measured CPs by each of the assays in 100 serum samples from patients with RA and in 202 samples from healthy persons or patients with other autoimmune, viral, or neoplastic diseases.
Results: The between-run imprecision (CV) of the methods was between 0.4% and 22%, and the repeatability (within-run imprecision) was 0.5%–19%. The areas under the ROC curves varied between 0.79 (95% CI, 0.72–0.85) and 0.92 (0.88–0.95). At a fixed specificity of 98.5%, the sensitivities ranged from 41% (95% CI, 31%–51%) to 74% (64%–82%). Sensitivities and specificities varied markedly at the manufacturer’s suggested cutoffs. Most false-positive results were recorded in patients with viral infections. The methods that use the original synthetic cyclic CP gave the best and very similar performances, although these methods use different components in their reagent sets (conjugate, type of substrate, dilution, and washing buffers). This finding shows that the antigenic source is the most important variable in determining the diagnostic accuracy of the methods.
Conclusions: The analytical imprecision and diagnostic accuracies of commercially available methods for the detection of anti-CP antibodies differ. Careful selection of methods is needed.
Preserving the Socket Dimensions With Bone Grafting in Single Sites: An Esthetic Surgical Approach When Planning Delayed Implant Placement
Authors: Irinakis Tassos , Tabesh Moe 
Published: June 2007

AbstractRecent advancements in barrier membranes, bone grafting substitutes, and surgical techniques have led to a predictable arsenal of treatment methods for clinicians who practice implant dentistry. The contemporary clinician is supplied with proven knowledge, substantiated materials, and instrument inventory that allows implant placement in cases that used to be reserved for the specialist in the past because of their complexity. Nowadays, postextraction alveolar ridge maintenance can be a predictable procedure and can certainly aid the clinician in preventing ridge collapse, thereby allowing for implant placement in a position that satisfies esthetics and function. Extraction socket maintenance for future implant therapy does not rule out immediate implant placement but rather provides an additional option when treatment planning implant patients. This article will focus on the concept of extraction socket preservation using regenerative materials. It will describe a technique suggested by the authors to resist bone resorption and soft tissue shrinkage following tooth extraction.
Identification and Characterization of Vitamin A-Storing Cells in Fetal Liver: Implications for Functional Importance of Hepatic Stellate Cells in Liver Development and Hematopoiesis
Authors: Kubota Hiroshi , Yao Hsin-lei , Reid Lola M. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HpSTCs) are major regulators of hepatic fibrogenesis in adults. However, their early development in fetal liver is largely unknown. To characterize fetal HpSTCs in the liver, in which hepatic development and hematopoiesis occur in parallel, we determined the phenotypic characteristics of HpSTCs from rat fetal livers, using a strategy focused on vitamin A. Storage of vitamin A in the cytoplasm is a unique characteristic of HpSTCs, permitting identification of them by vitamin A-specific autofluorescence (vA+) when excited with UV light using flow cytometry. A characteristic vA+ cell population was identified in liver as early as 13 days post coitum; it had a surface phenotype of RT1A− intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1+ vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1+ β3-integrin+. Although nonspecific autofluorescent cells were found with the antigenic profile of RT1A− ICAM-1+ VCAM-1+, they were β3-integrin− and proved to be hepatoblasts, bipotent hepatic parenchymal progenitors. In addition to expression of classic HpSTC markers, the vA+ cells were able to proliferate continuously in a serum-free hormonally defined medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor, which was found to be a key factor for their replication. These results demonstrated that the vA+ cells are fetal HpSTCs with extensive proliferative activity. Furthermore, the vA+ cells strongly express hepatocyte growth factor, stromal-derived factor-1α, and Hlx (homeobox transcription factor), indicating that they play important roles for hepatic development and hematopoiesis. The abilities to isolate and expand fetal HpSTCs enable further investigation into their roles in early liver development and facilitate identification of possibly novel signals of potential relevance for liver diseases.
Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Characterization, Cryopreservation, and Ablation of Spermatogonial Stem Cells in Adult Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Hermann Brian P. , Sukhwani Meena , Lin Chih-Cheng , Sheng Yi , Tomko Jamie , Rodriguez Mario , Shuttleworth Jennifer J. , McFarland David , Hobbs Robin M. , Pandolfi Pier Paolo , Schatten Gerald P. , Orwig Kyle E. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractSpermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are at the foundation of mammalian spermatogenesis. Whereas rare Asingle spermatogonia comprise the rodent SSC pool, primate spermatogenesis arises from more abundant Adark and Apale spermatogonia, and the identity of the stem cell is subject to debate. The fundamental differences between these models highlight the need to investigate the biology of primate SSCs, which have greater relevance to human physiology. The alkylating chemotherapeutic agent, busulfan, ablates spermatogenesis in rodents and causes infertility in humans. We treated adult rhesus macaques with busulfan to gain insights about its effects on SSCs and spermatogenesis. Busulfan treatment caused acute declines in testis volume and sperm counts, indicating a disruption of spermatogenesis. One year following high-dose busulfan treatment, sperm counts remained undetectable, and testes were depleted of germ cells. Similar to rodents, rhesus spermatogonia expressed markers of germ cells (VASA, DAZL) and stem/progenitor spermatogonia (PLZF and GFRα1), and cells expressing these markers were depleted following high-dose busulfan treatment. Furthermore, fresh or cryopreserved germ cells from normal rhesus testes produced colonies of spermatogonia, which persisted as chains on the basement membrane of mouse seminiferous tubules in the primate to nude mouse xenotransplant assay. In contrast, testis cells from animals that received high-dose busulfan produced no colonies. These studies provide basic information about rhesus SSC activity and the impact of busulfan on the stem cell pool. In addition, the germ cell-depleted testis model will enable autologous/homologous transplantation to study stem cell/niche interactions in nonhuman primate testes.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.