bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Penetrance estimation of TTR familial amyloid polyneuropathy (type I) in Brazilian families
Authors: Saporta M. A. C. , Zaros C. , Cruz M. W. , André C. , Misrahi M. , Bonaïti‐Pellié C. , Planté‐Bordeneuve V. 
Published: January 2009

Background and purpose:  Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) type I is a severe autosomal dominant inherited neuropathy associated with mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Significant phenotypic variability is seen amongst families with distinct geographic origin, especially regarding penetrance and age of onset. The aim of this study was to estimate the penetrance of FAP in Brazilian families.Methods:  Twenty‐two distinct families were ascertained through genetically confirmed index cases and included in this study. Genealogical and clinical data were obtained from a total of 623 individuals, including 126 affected by FAP. In 15 families, TTR genotyping was performed in all available relatives (n = 86), after informed written consent. Seven families did not consent for genetic testing, but agreed to provide clinical and genealogical data. Penetrance was estimated using a previously described method based on survival analysis and corrected for ascertainment bias.Results:  Mean age of onset in our sample was 34.5 years, with a significant earlier onset in males (31.1 vs. 35.9, P < 0.0001). The penetrance of FAP in our sample was estimated as 83% (95% CI: 66–99) after 60 years.Conclusion:  Our results provide new information on FAP in Brazilian patients and may be helpful in the genetic counseling of this population.
Detection and analysis of Borna disease virus in Chinese patients with neurological disorders
Authors: Li Q. , Wang Z. , Zhu D. , Xu M. , Chen X. , Peng D. , Iwata Y. , Xie P. 
Published: January 2009

Background and purpose:  Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic RNA virus that is known to cause neurological disturbances in various animal species, potentially even humans. However, the association between BDV infection and human neurological disorders remains unclear.Methods:  Between August 2005 and March 2006, 65 patients with neurological disorders were enrolled into our study. The presence of BDV p24 RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was investigated by using nested reverse transcriptase PCR (RT‐PCR) assay.Results:  Borna disease virus p24 RNA was detected from PBMCs in six patients with viral encephalitis by using nested RT‐PCR assay. However, BDV p24 RNA was not detected in patients with multiple sclerosis or peripheral nerve diseases.Conclusion:  There might be possible associations between BDV infection and human viral encephalitis.
The Expression of Iron‐repressible Outer Membrane Proteins in Helicobacter pylori and Its Association with Iron Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Lee Jee Hyun , Choe Yon Ho , Choi Young Ok 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground: Helicobacter pylori infection is known to be a cause of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) that is unresponsive to iron supplements. H. pylori bind iron to a specific receptor by iron‐repressible outer membrane proteins (IROMPs) under conditions of restricted iron.Materials and Methods: We compared the expression of IROMPs from strains of H. pylori under both iron‐restricted and iron‐supplemented conditions to determine the difference between strains with and without IDA. One standard strain, two clinical strains, and three IDA strains were cultured; and then the IROMPs were extracted under iron‐restricted and iron‐supplemented conditions. We used SDS‐PAGE to compare the expression of the IROMPs from each strain.Results:  IROMPs were found in IDA strains under iron‐restricted conditions and their molecular sizes were estimated to be 56, 48, 41, and 37 kDa. In the iron‐repleted media, the IROMPs were no longer present.Conclusion: In the iron‐depleted state, specific H. pylori strains associated with IDA demonstrated an advantage in iron acquisition due to a higher expression of IROMPs. Our results can explain in part why some patients with H. pylori infection are more prone to develop clinical IDA under restricted iron conditions in the host.
Disparities in Alcohol‐Related Problems Among White, Black, and Hispanic Americans
Authors: Mulia Nina , Ye Yu , Greenfield Thomas K. , Zemore Sarah E. 
Published: January 2009

Background:  This study assesses racial/ethnic disparities in negative social consequences of drinking and alcohol dependence symptoms among white, black, and Hispanic Americans. We examine whether and how disparities relate to heavy alcohol consumption and pattern, and the extent to which social disadvantage (poverty, unfair treatment, and racial/ethnic stigma) accounts for observed disparities.Methods:  We analyzed data from the 2005 U.S. National Alcohol Survey, a nationally representative telephone‐based survey of adults ages 18 and older (N = 6,919). Given large racial/ethnic differences in abstinence rates, core analyses were restricted to current drinkers (N = 4,080). Logistic regression was used to assess disparities in alcohol‐related problems at 3 levels of heavy drinking, measured using a composite variable incorporating frequency of heavy episodic drinking, frequency of drunkenness, and maximum amount consumed in a single day. A mediational approach was used to assess the role of social disadvantage.Results:  African American and Hispanic drinkers were significantly more likely than white drinkers to report social consequences of drinking and alcohol dependence symptoms. Even after adjusting for differences in heavy drinking and demographic characteristics, disparities in problems remained. The racial/ethnic gap in alcohol problems was greatest among those reporting little or no heavy drinking, and gradually diminished to nonsignificance at the highest level of heavy drinking. Social disadvantage, particularly in the form of racial/ethnic stigma, appeared to contribute to racial/ethnic differences in problems.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that to eliminate racial/ethnic disparities in alcohol‐related problems, public health efforts must do more than reduce heavy drinking. Future research should address the possibility of drink size underestimation, identify the particular types of problems that disproportionately affect racial/ethnic minorities, and investigate social and cultural determinants of such problems.
Competing Social Movements and Local Political Culture: Voting on Ballot Propositions to Ban Same‐Sex Marriage in the U.S. States*
Authors: Fleischmann Arnold , Moyer Laura 
Published: January 2009

Objective.This article uses social movement theory to explain variation in local support for proposed constitutional amendments to ban same‐sex marriage in 22 states during 2004 and 2006.Methods.The analysis uses OLS regression with county‐level data to explain variation in local support for the amendments.Results.Support for the amendments in both years was positively related to the proportion of a county that was evangelical or Republican, but negatively related to its level of education and proportion of Catholics. Amendment support was positively related in only one year to the percentage of a county's population that was professional, young, black, in female‐headed households, and Mormon. Amendment support was negatively related to the concentration of gay organizations in 2006, but positively related to the presence of mega‐churches in 2006.Conclusions.Community characteristics have a substantial effect on levels of support for same‐sex marriage bans, thus reinforcing the utility of cultural explanations of policy decisions.
Explaining Self‐Employment Success and Failure: Wal‐Mart Versus Starbucks, or Schumpeter Versus Putnam*
Authors: Goetz Stephan J. , Shrestha Sundar S. 
Published: January 2009

Objectives.Two powerful socioeconomic innovations are sweeping the nation, led by Wal‐Mart Stores, Inc. and Starbucks Corp. These innovations both affect and are driven by profound labor market changes, but exactly how they affect self‐employment or entrepreneurship has not been investigated. We examine the independent effects of these phenomena on the returns to self‐employment, which is itself an underresearched topic in labor economics.Methods.We apply spatial econometric analysis to data from more than 3,000 U.S. counties to analyze how big‐boxes and drinking places that facilitate social networking affect self‐employment earnings.Findings.The presence of Wal‐Mart stores is associated with higher returns to self‐employment, whereas the results for coffee shops and drinking places are mixed. A negative interaction effect on earnings emerges when Wal‐Mart stores and drinking places exist in the same county.Conclusions.We confirm both Schumpeter's and Putnam's assertions about the importance of creative destruction and social networking in raising the productivity of entrepreneurs, although the latter effect is not as clear‐cut as the former.
First Names and Crime: Does Unpopularity Spell Trouble?*
Authors: Kalist David E. , Lee Daniel Y. 
Published: January 2009

Objective. We investigate the relationship between first name popularity and juvenile delinquency to test the hypothesis that unpopular names are positively correlated with crime.Methods. To compare the names of juveniles in a state's population with the names of juveniles who received substantiated charges in that state's juvenile justice system, we construct a popularity name index. Regression analysis is used to examine the relationship among names, crime, and socioeconomic background of juveniles.Results. The distribution of first names in the state's population is different from the names of juvenile delinquents. Our results show that unpopular names are positively correlated with juvenile delinquency for both blacks and whites.Conclusions. Unpopular names are likely not the cause of crime but correlated with factors that increase the tendency toward juvenile delinquency, such as a disadvantaged home environment and residence in a county with low socioeconomic status.
Agenda Setting and State Policy Diffusion: The Effects of Media Attention, State Court Decisions, and Policy Learning on Fetal Killing Policy*
Authors: Oakley M. R. 
Published: January 2009

Objectives. This study combines theories on agenda setting, policy innovation, and policy learning to develop an improved model of state policy change. The case of fetal killing policy change in the states is used to develop a model that incorporates national media attention and the decisions of state courts, in addition to policy learning variables that account for the policy changes of neighboring states and the passage of time.Methods. I test the effect of national media attention, decisions by the courts, and the actions of neighboring states on the likelihood that states will change their fetal homicide policies. Using time‐series cross‐sectional data from 1970 to 2002, the model is tested using logistic regression analysis. In addition to testing the theories mentioned above, control variables in the model include citizen and government ideology and the percentage of state residents who are fundamentalist Protestants.Results. Three of the four research hypotheses are supported by the statistical analysis. The results demonstrate that increased media attention to fetal homicide in a given year increases the likelihood that a state will change its policy the next year. Support is also found for the hypothesis that state court decisions will affect policy change. One of the control variables, government liberalism, is also found to decrease the likelihood that states will change their fetal homicide policies.Conclusions. This study lends insight into why states change their policies by including agenda‐setting variables such as media attention and decisions made by the courts. States do react to the actions of the courts by making changes to policies affected by the decisions.
The Structure of Negotiation: Lessons from El Salvador for Contemporary Conflict Resolution
Authors: Pugh Jeffrey 
Published: January 2009

During more than a decade of violent conflict (1980–1992) involving the military, rebel forces, and paramilitary “death squads,” El Salvador suffered some 75,000 casualties, mostly civilians. After three years of negotiations, the government and the largest rebel group signed a historic comprehensive peace accord that brought an end to the war and instituted wide‐reaching political and social reforms. This agreement, and the peace process that produced it, has been widely hailed as a successful example of a negotiated end to civil war. In order to understand the conditions that led to the 1992 Chapultepec Peace Accords ending the war, this article tests ripeness theory in the context of the Salvadoran peace process.This article affirms the validity of theories of ripeness and the mutually hurting stalemate as structural explanations for the initiation of dialogue and notes the role of “indicators of ripeness” in forcing the parties to recognize a hurting stalemate that may already exist. It also proposes several hypothesized explanations for the effectiveness of the Salvadoran negotiations themselves. These explanations include the presence of strong, empowered policy entrepreneurs on both sides with the political will and capability to make credible commitments; the combination of internal and external pressure for a negotiated solution that raised the cost of defection; and the active involvement, based on consent of both parties, of a neutral, empowered, and credible mediator who provided both technical assistance and vigilance to move the process forward. After analyzing the Salvadoran case through this theoretical lens, the article applies the same concepts to contemporary conflict cases such as Iraq and Colombia, discussing how the lessons learned in El Salvador do and do not provide instructive guidance for managing civil conflicts today.
Baboon carboxylesterases 1 and 2: sequences, structures and phylogenetic relationships with human and other primate carboxylesterases
Authors: Holmes Roger S. , Glenn Jeremy P. , VandeBerg John L. , Cox Laura A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground  Carboxylesterase (CES) is predominantly responsible for the detoxification of a wide range of drugs and narcotics, and catalyze several reactions in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism. Studies of the genetic and biochemical properties of primate CES may contribute to an improved understanding of human disease, including atherosclerosis, obesity and drug addiction, for which non‐human primates serve as useful animal models.Methods  We cloned and sequenced baboon CES1 and CES2 and used in vitro and in silico methods to predict protein secondary and tertiary structures, and examined evolutionary relationships for these enzymes with other primate and mouse CES orthologs.Results and Conclusions  We found that baboon CES1 and CES2 proteins retained extensive similarity with human CES1 and CES2, shared key structural features reported for human CES1, and showed family specific sequences consistent with their multimeric and monomeric subunit structures respectively.
The effect of maximum bite force on alveolar bone morphology
Authors: Thongudomporn U , Chongsuvivatwong V , Geater AF 
Published: January 2009

Structured AbstractAuthors –  Thongudomporn U, Chongsuvivatwong V, Geater AFObjectives –  To investigate to what extent maximum bite force contributes to alveolar bone morphology parameters, i.e. alveolar thickness, shape and arch width.Design –  An observational cross‐sectional survey.Setting and Sample Population –  One hundred and fifty one 12‐ to 14‐year‐old students from a secondary school in Hatyai City, Songkhla Province, Thailand.Material and Methods –  Height, weight and maximum bite force of each subject were recorded. Alveolar bone morphology parameters were measured from study models.Results –  Maximum bite force moderately correlated with alveolar thickness and shape (r = 0.31–0.44, p < 0.001), but weakly correlated with arch width (r = 0.03–0.05, p > 0.05). After adjusting for gender and body mass index (BMI), the maximum bite force significantly determined alveolar thickness and shape (p < 0.001), accounting for 10–20% of the variations. Boys were associated with larger posterior arch width (p < 0.01), where BMI was not associated with alveolar bone morphology parameters (p > 0.01) after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing.Conclusion –  Maximum bite force had a selective influence on alveolar thickness and shape, but not on arch width.
In‐vitro evaluation of the corrosion behavior of orthodontic brackets
Authors: Luft S , Keilig L , Jäger A , Bourauel C 
Published: January 2009

Structured AbstractAuthors –  Luft S, Keilig L, Jäger A, Bourauel CObjective –  The number of bracket systems for orthodontic therapy increases significantly. One major concern of newly developed orthodontic devices is aspects of corrosion and biocompatibility.Material and Methods –  In this study, nine bracket systems made of different material and from various design principles were tested with respect to their corrosion behavior. Electrochemical and static immersion tests with subsequent measurement of nickel ion release were performed. In addition surface alterations of the brackets after corrosion were documented by scanning electron microscopy. Studies of corrosion behavior were performed according to the DIN/ISO standard 10271 for corrosion testing of dental materials.Results –  All systems showed traces of corrosion after electrochemical testing. However, after static immersion testing only minor corrosion defects could be documented and the measured nickel ion release was far below critical limits.Conclusions –  All tested systems seem to be biocompatible and applicable for orthodontic therapy. The measured nickel values are far below the daily dietary intake level. A static immersion test combined with the nickel ion release measurement seems to be more relevant for the determination of biocompatibility than the electrochemical testing.
Evolutionary origins of the purinergic signalling system
Authors: Burnstock G. , Verkhratsky A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPurines appear to be the most primitive and widespread chemical messengers in the animal and plant kingdoms. The evidence for purinergic signalling in plants, invertebrates and lower vertebrates is reviewed. Much is based on pharmacological studies, but important recent studies have utilized the techniques of molecular biology and receptors have been cloned and characterized in primitive invertebrates, including the social amoebaDictyosteliumand the platyhelminthSchistosoma, as well as the green algaeOstreococcus, which resemble P2X receptors identified in mammals. This suggests that contrary to earlier speculations, P2X ion channel receptors appeared early in evolution, while G protein‐coupled P1 and P2Y receptors were introduced either at the same time or perhaps even later. The absence of gene coding for P2X receptors in some animal groups [e.g. in some insects, roundworms (Caenorhabditis elegans) and the plantArabidopsis] in contrast to the potent pharmacological actions of nucleotides in the same species, suggests that novel receptors are still to be discovered.
Co‐existence of divergent communities at natural boundaries: spider (Arachnida: Araneae) diversity across an alpine timberline
Authors: MUFF PATRICK , KROPF CHRISTIAN , FRICK HOLGER , NENTWIG WOLFGANG , SCHMIDT‐ENTLING MARTIN H. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract.

Habitat boundaries can contain high biodiversity because they potentially combine species from two habitat types plus additional boundary specialists. However, most research on animal communities is focused on uniform habitats.
Here, we assessed the degree to which the community change at a habitat edge is determined by the broad‐scale spatial transition from one habitat to the other, or by fine‐scale environmental influences. We compared the distribution of ground‐dwelling spider species from open land to forest with the distribution around stand‐alone trees at the boundary, the alpine timberline (Grisons, Switzerland).
Our results showed that spiders were more strongly influenced by local environmental conditions (40% of explained variation) than by the spatial position within the ecotone (24.5% of explained variation, with 15.6% overlap between the two). Spider communities differentiated according to light availability and corresponding changes in the ground vegetation.
Since the small area around a single tree at the studied timberline offered a similar broad spectrum of environmental conditions as the open land and forest together, it provided both habitats for species from the adjoining open land and forest as well as for some possible timberline specialists.
Accordingly, natural habitat boundaries may maintain very contrasting communities by providing a wide range of habitat conditions.
Cooperative conservation efforts to help recover an endangered south Florida butterfly
Authors: DANIELS JARET C. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract.

The Miami blue (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) (Lycaenidae) is a small, brightly coloured butterfly endemic to Florida.
It was once locally common across much of the south Florida mainland south through the Florida Keys to the Dry Tortugas.
Over the last few decades, ever‐expanding urbanisation and the associated loss of coastal habitat have lead to a significant reduction in the taxon's overall geographical distribution and numerical abundance.
The butterfly is currently limited to two small extant populations in the Lower Florida Keys, making it one of the most imperilled insects in North American and warranting a state of Florida listing as endangered.
As part of a large‐scale, model cooperative recovery programme led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the University of Florida, the National Park Service, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, efforts are underway to conserve the butterfly through captive propagation, organism re‐introduction to state and federal lands, and research on the biology, population ecology, genetic diversity, and non‐target impact of mosquito control adulticides.
Safety and Immunogenicity of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Δ
lysA
Δ
panCD
Vaccine in Domestic Cats Infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Zimmerman Dawn M. , Waters W. Ray , Lyashchenko Konstantin P. , Nonnecke Brian J. , Armstrong Douglas L. , Jacobs William R. , Larsen Michelle H. , Egan Erin , Dean Gregg A. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-positive and FIV-negative cats (
n
= 4/group) received 2 × 10
6
CFU
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Δ
lysA
Δ
panCD
intramuscularly. Vaccination elicited antibody responses, albeit at lower levels in FIV-positive cats than in FIV-negative cats. Delayed-type hypersensitivity responses were minimal in both groups. No adverse reactions were found.
Improved Detection of
Histoplasma
Antigenemia following Dissociation of Immune Complexes
Authors: Swartzentruber S. , LeMonte A. , Witt J. , Fuller D. , Davis T. , Hage C. , Connolly P. , Durkin M. , Wheat L. J. 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACT

The sensitivity for detection of
Histoplasma
antigen is lower in serum than in urine. In other antigen assays, treatment of serum at 104°C in the presence of EDTA was required for detection of antigenemia. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of
Histoplasma
antigenemia were examined with or without EDTA heat treatment of the serum using the MVista
Histoplasma
antigen enzyme immunoassay. A total of 94.6% of serum specimens from patients with AIDS and histoplasmosis that were negative untreated were positive after EDTA-heat treatment. Two-thirds of the negative serum specimens from patients with probable histoplasmosis, based upon clinical suspicion and
Histoplasma
antigenuria, were positive after heat treatment. Specificity was 99.0% in controls, including healthy subjects and patients in whom histoplasmosis or blastomycosis, were excluded. Precision and reproducibility were good and excellent, respectively. These findings demonstrate improvement in sensitivity without reduction in specificity, precision, or reproducibility after heat-EDTA treatment.