bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in encephalitis-associated deaths in the United States
Authors: KHETSURIANI N. , HOLMAN R. C. , LAMONTE-FOWLKES A. C. , SELIK R. M. , ANDERSON L. J. 
Published: August 2006

SUMMARYThe United States national mortality statistics and HIV/AIDS surveillance data were analysed to determine trends in encephalitis-associated deaths and to assess the impact of HIV infection on those deaths during 1979–1998, a period when ICD-9 codes were used for coding deaths in the United States. A total of 25 125 encephalitis deaths were reported; 4779 of them (19%) had concurrent HIV infection. Overall encephalitis death rates remained stable, but they increased for groups where HIV infection was common and declined or remained unchanged for others. For persons without HIV infection, the rates declined in all demographic groups. Encephalitis deaths in HIV-infected persons followed general trends for HIV deaths in the United States. The rates in the HIV-infected population were several hundred- to thousand-fold higher than in the HIV-uninfected population. HIV infection was largely responsible for the lack of overall decline in the considerable mortality associated with encephalitis in the United States during 1979–1998.
Hydrogenogenic CO Conversion in a Moderately Thermophilic (55 °C) Sulfate‐Fed Gas Lift Reactor: Competition for CO‐Derived H2
Authors: Sipma Jan , Lettinga Gatze , Stams Alfons J. M. , Lens Piet N. L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThermophilic (55 °C) sulfate reduction in a gas lift reactor fed with CO gas as the sole electron donor was investigated. The reactor was inoculated with mesophilic granular sludge with a high activity of CO conversion to hydrogen and carbon dioxide at 55 °C. Strong competition for H2 was observed between methanogens and sulfate reducers, while the homoacetogens present consumed only small amounts of H2. The methanogens appeared to be more sensitive to pH and temperature shocks imposed to the reactor, but could not be completely eliminated. The fast growth rates of the methanogens (generation time of 4.5 h) enabled them to recover fast from shocks, and they rapidly consumed more than 90% of the CO‐derived H2. Nevertheless, steep increases in sulfide production in periods with low methane production suggests that once methanogenesis is eliminated, sulfate reduction with CO‐rich gas as electron donor has great potential for thermophilic biodesulfurization.
Urindiagnostik bei nierentransplantierten Patienten
Authors: Bubendorf  , Mihatsch  
Published: August 2006

Die BK-Polyomavirusnephropathie (BKN) ist eine schwerwiegende Komplikation der hochaktiven immunosuppressiven Therapie nach Nierentransplantation. BKN tritt in 5% der Patienten auf und führt in etwa 50% zu einem Transplantatverlust. Der frühzeitige Nachweis einer BKN erlaubt eine rasche Intervention und kann so die Rate von Transplantatverlusten erheblich verringern. Die Urinzytologie – kombiniert mit der BK DNS Analyse im Serum – ist eine einfache, kostengünstige und zuverlässige Methode für die frühzeitige Identifikation von Patienten mit erhöhtem Risiko einer BKN. Ein BK-Virusinfekt führt zu einem Spektrum zytomorphologischer Veränderungen in Tubulusepithelien und Urothelien, die online am virtuellen Mikroskop studiert werden können (http://vmic.unibas.ch/patho/seminar/index.html). Diese BK infizierten Zellen werden auch Decoyzellen («Lockvogelzellen») genannt, weil sie mit Karzinomzellen verwechselt werden können. Daneben liefern morphologische Veränderungen des Urinsediments auch Hinweise auf eine drohende Abstoßungsreaktion. Früher war die Urinuntersuchung bei Patienten mit Nierentransplantation wegen Analgetikanephropathie besonders wichtig. Diese Patienten haben ein stark erhöhtes Risiko für die Entwicklung von Urothelkarzinomen, die sich im Urin nachweisen lassen.
Population density, structure and early growth characteristics of Tarchonanthus camphoratus in a woodland at Naivasha, Kenya
Authors: Kiruki Harun , Njung'e Joseph 
Published: August 2006

AbstractA study on population density, structure, distribution and early growth characteristics of Tarchonanthus camphoratus was carried out on a Tarchonanthus‐dominated woodland. A line plot transect 4 km in length was laid out in a woodland along the altitudinal gradient capturing most of the observed vegetation variation. In total 34, 20 × 20 m plots were evaluated for their horizontal population structure and species composition. In addition, six more plots dominated by Tarchonanthus were monitored for coppice and shoot development for a period of 8 months. Understanding of growth and population characteristics of the dominant species in woodland is necessary for its effective management. Results indicate that the woodland can be delineated into three distinct stands by using cluster analysis based on location and composition. The diameter size class distribution of the woodland follows a reverse J curve, which indicate a normal uneven‐aged forest. Tarchonanthus camphoratus has a high regenerative power after cutting or burning, which indicates its high potential for sustainable management. It was concluded that the woodland could be stratified into distinct stands for management. Permanent sample plots should be established to determine the sustained yield, as size‐class distribution alone is insufficient. A management and utilization schedule based on distinct stands is recommended.
Overexpression of SOCS3 is associated with decreased survival in a cohort of patients with de novo follicular lymphoma
Authors: Krishnadasan Ravitharan , Bifulco Carlo , Kim Julie , Rodov Sofya , Zieske Arthur W. , Vanasse Gary J. 
Published: August 2006

SummaryThe prognostic significance of SOCS3 protein expression was determined in de novo follicular lymphomas (FL) with t(14;18) and bcl‐2 overexpression. Presentation lymph nodes from 82 FL patients for whom clinical information was available were immunohistochemically segregated into SOCS3‐positive (n = 42) or ‐negative (n = 40) cohorts, and overall survival (OS) was analysed. SOCS3‐positive FL patients had a median OS of 10 years compared with 22 years in SOCS3‐negative patients (P = 0·001, log rank test). After adjusting for Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index subgroups, SOCS3 overexpression remained an independent predictor of decreased OS (P < 0·001). These findings suggest that overexpression of SOCS3 may be an independent poor prognostic variable in patients with de novo FL.
JSI‐124 (cucurbitacin I) inhibits Janus kinase‐3/signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 signalling, downregulates nucleophosmin‐anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and induces apoptosis in ALK‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma cells
Authors: Shi Xinzhe , Franko Bevin , Frantz Christine , Amin Hesham M. , Lai Raymond 
Published: August 2006

SummaryJSI‐124 (cucurbitacin I) has been recently described as a specific inhibitor of signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3). As STAT3 activation is pathogenetically important in anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL), we investigated whether JSI‐124 can mediate significant inhibitory effects in this cell type. In two ALK+ ALCL cell lines (Karpas 299 and SU‐DHL‐1), JSI‐124 significantly reduced the number of viable cells to 50% of that of negative controls at a dose of 5–10 μmol/l at 24 h and 1–1·25 μmol/l at 48 h. This decrease in viability was associated with apoptosis, as confirmed by the increase in the subG0/1 fraction, poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase cleavage and expression of active caspase 3. JSI‐124 decreased the phosphorylated‐STAT3 and ‐Janus kinase‐3 (JAK3) levels in a dose‐dependent fashion, and these changes were coupled with significant decreases in several STAT3 downstream targets, including mcl‐1, bcl‐2, bcl‐xL and cyclin D3. Interestingly, JSI‐124 also dramatically decreased the protein levels of JAK3 and nucleophosmin (NPM)‐ALK, and these effects were reversible by MG132. Our data support that JSI‐124 is a potentially useful therapeutic agent for ALK+ ALCL. In addition to its role as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, JSI‐124 appears to be involved in regulating proteosome degradation for proteins such as JAK3 and NPM‐ALK.
Impact of BCR/ABL gene expression on the proliferative rate of different subpopulations of haematopoietic cells in chronic myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Primo Daniel , Flores Juan , Quijano Sandra , Sanchez María Luz , Sarasquete María Eugenia , Del Pino‐Montes Javier , Gaarder Per Ivar , Gonzalez Marcos , Orfao Alberto 
Published: August 2006

SummaryDespite the effects of BCR ABL on cell proliferation, no study has compared the proliferative rate of different haematopoietic cell compartments from chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) with those of normal bone marrow (NBM). We comparatively analysed the cell cycle distribution and BCR/ABL expression in different compartments of BM cells from 15 CML and 11 NBM. Overall, our results showed similar proliferative indices in CML patients and NBM. However, CD34+ myeloid precursors from CML patients displayed an increased proportion of S + G2/M‐phase cells (P = 0·04), while no significant differences were found between CML and NBM for other BM cell subsets analysed. In BM cells separated by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, decreasing levels of BCR/ABL mRNA were found from CD34+/CD38+ myeloid precursors to myeloblasts; BCR/ABL expression increased afterwards with a peak at the myelocyte/metamyelocyte stage, decreasing in the more mature band/neutrophil compartment. Unexpectedly, BCR/ABL gene expression showed an inverse correlation with the proportion of S + G2/M‐phase cells (R = −0·33; P = 0·04). These results suggest that in CML, BCR/ABL expression is associated with an increased proliferation of CD34+ myeloid haematopoietic progenitor cells but not of other more mature myeloid precursors, as confirmed by the observation of an inverse correlation between the amount of BCR/ABL transcripts and the proportion of S + G2/M‐phase cells.
Pleiotropic role of histone deacetylases in the regulation of human adult erythropoiesis
Authors: Yamamura Kentaro , Ohishi Kohshi , Katayama Naoyuki , Yu Zhaocai , Kato Keizo , Masuya Masahiro , Fujieda Atsushi , Sugimoto Yuka , Miyata Eri , Shibasaki Tetsunori , Heike Yuji , Takaue Yoichi , Shiku Hiroshi 
Published: August 2006

SummaryHistone acetylation and deacetylation play fundamental roles in transcriptional regulation. We investigated the role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) in human adult haematopoiesis, using the structurally distinct HDAC inhibitors FK228 (depsipeptide) and Trichostatin A. When CD34+ cells were cultured with interleukin (IL)‐3 or stem cell factor (SCF) + IL‐3, FK228 (0·5 ng/ml) specifically enhanced the generation of immature erythroid cells with a CD36+ glycophorin A (GPA)low phenotype. In semisolid cultures, FK228 promoted the formation of erythroid colonies by CD34+ cells with IL‐3 and SCF + IL‐3. Furthermore, upon exposure to FK228, CD34+ cell‐derived CD36+GPA− cells were induced to form erythroid colonies with IL‐3 alone. Conversely, FK228 inhibited the generation of CD36+GPAhigh relatively mature erythroid cells from CD34+ cells in the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) and SCF + EPO. FK228 suppressed the EPO‐mediated survival of CD36+GPAlow/‐and CD36+GPAhigh cells and induced their apoptosis. Similar effects were observed for trichostatin A in the generation of erythroid cells in IL‐3‐ and EPO‐containing cultures. These data suggest that HDACs negatively regulate the IL‐3‐mediated growth of early erythroid precursors by suppressing their responsiveness to IL‐3, while playing an important role in EPO‐mediated differentiation and survival of erythroid precursors. Our data revealed that HDACs have diverse functions in human adult erythropoiesis.
O‐2 “ARTISTIC” TRIAL: BASELINE DATA
Authors: Desai M. S. , Kitchener H. C. , Bailey A. , Peto J. , Almonte M. , Gilham C. , Sargent A. ,   the Artistic Trial Study Group
Published: August 2006

Objectives:  A randomised trial in screening to improve cytology (ARTISTIC Trial) was set up to evaluate the effectiveness of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing in primary cervical screening.Design:  Women attending the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in Greater Manchester were screened for HPV in addition to routine cytological testing with ThinPrep Liquid‐Based Cytology (LBC). 25 020 women aged 20–64 were screened at entry and 3 years later. Participants were randomised in a 3 : 1 ratio between those whose HPV test result was revealed and acted upon and those in whom it was concealed.Results:  A total of 24 510 women (18 386 revealed and 6124 concealed) had adequate cytology and HPV results. Cytology results at entry were: 87% normal, 11% borderline or mild, 1.1% moderate and 0.6% severe dyskaryosis or worse. Prevalence of HPV decreased sharply with age, from 40% at age 20–24 to 12% at 35–39 and 7% or less above age 50, and increased with cytological grade, from 10% (normal cytology) to 31% (borderline), 70% (mild), 86% (moderate), and 96% (severe or worse). Only 60% of women with severe dyskaryosis showed HPV 16 and / or 18 infection.Conclusion:  The ARTISTIC Trial has provided the largest collection of LBC samples with HPV typing in Greater Manchester population. It has shown that the HPV testing is practicable in routine screening in women aged over 30. HPV 16 and 18 are more predictive for underlying disease, but other HPV types account for 30% of high‐grade disease.
O‐6 RESPECTIVE ROLES OF FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY AND CORE BIOPSY IN DIAGNOSIS OF SYMPTOMATIC BREAST LESIONS
Authors: Poon C. , Kocjan G. 
Published: August 2006

Introduction:  To evaluate and compare the respective roles of fine needle aspiration cytology and core biopsy for diagnosis of symptomatic breast lesions.Methods:  Retrospective study on 589 breast fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) cases and 88 core biopsies (CB) with no associated FNAC, performed between January and December 2004. A computer database was searched for initial results, subsequent investigations and outcomes.Results:  Of the cases that had FNAC performed as an initial investigation, the final diagnosis was reached by FNAC alone in 81.8% of cases. Of these, 59.2% were benign, 6.1% malignant and 2.4% remaining suspicious with 14.1% inadequate samples. There were 31 cases reported as suspicious (C3/C4) on FNAC, of these 14% of C3 and all of C4 were malignant on CB. Of the 86 cases that had both FNAC and CB, CB improved on the FNAC diagnosis of malignancy in 19.8% of cases, half of which were considered inadequate on FNAC. The positive predictive value of malignant cases was 100%, and the negative predictive value 98%. The absolute sensitivity of FNAC in this study was 65% and complete sensitivity 72%. The false negative rate was 8% and false positive rate 0%. The diagnosis of 88 CB without FNAC showed 37.5% to be malignant and 60.2% as benign, with 2.3% as inadequate biopsies.Discussion:  FNAC remains the first line investigation in symptomatic breast lesions. Its best use is in the diagnosis of benign disease which constitutes over two thirds of patients in our practice. In suspicious and clinically malignant lesions, it is complemented by CB which may provide additional information relevant to management. In conclusion, the majority benign findings in our patients who had CB without prior FNAC, does not justify the use of CB as a first line investigation. CB is indicated in cases of inadequate or suboptimal FNAC. The continuous use of suspicious categories (C3/C4) in breast cytology is justified by the subsequent outcomes, both benign and malignant.
O‐13 ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA DETECTED WITH SUREPATH LIQUID BASED CERVICAL CYTOLOGY: COMPARISON WITH CONVENTIONAL CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Authors: Patel C. J. , Ullal A. , Roberts M. , Brady J. , Bulmer J. N. , Wadehra V. 
Published: August 2006

Introduction:  Conventional Pap Smear (CPS) has had little impact on the detection of endometrial carcinoma (MC). Although Liquid Based Cytology (LBC) is replacing CPS in the UK, experience with identification of endometrial cancers with this is limited. A few studies of ThinPrep LBC show promise with reported increased detection rate, but to date, there has been no reported study of detection with SurePath LBC.Aim:  The purpose of this 2‐year retrospective study was to compare the accuracy of the SurePath LBC with that of conventional smear in detecting endometrial cancers.Methods:  Our study group consisted of all SurePath cases of endometrial atypia/carcinoma diagnosed between 1st Jan 2004 and 31st Dec 2005, following 100% conversion of our laboratory to the SurePath system in 2001. Conventional smears reported over a 6‐year period (1993–1998), comprised the control group. Histological follow up was obtained.Results:  Endometrial lesions were reported in 95 (0.07%) of 130352 SurePath LBC smears. These included 70 (0.053%) reports of endometrial atypia, 05 (0.003%) suspicious and 20 (0.015%) diagnostic of endometrial carcinoma. A total of 58 (0.014%) cases of 409495 CPS were diagnosed as endometrial carcinoma. Adequate histological follow up was available in 47 (49.5%) SurePath LBC and 52 (89.6%) conventional cases. In these, the positive predictive value (PPV) for endometrial carcinoma of SurePath LBC was 73.3% compared to 55.4% of CPS. The PPV for endometrial carcinoma of the atypical and suspicious LBC categories was 14.3% and 40% respectively. No categorisation as atypical or suspicious in the conventional study was available for comparison. The sensitivity of the SurePath LBC, calculated from retrograde analysis of histologically diagnosed endometrial cancers during the same period was 40%.Conclusion:  The SurePath LBC is at least an as accurate and sensitive method for detecting endometrial cancer as CPS.
P‐14 CERVICAL DYSPLASIA AND RISK FACTORS IN NORTHERN IRELAND SLE PATIENTS
Authors: McHenry M. T. , Cuschieri K. , Moore C. , Cubie H. A. , Clarke R. , Anderson N. , Bell A. L. 
Published: August 2006

Introduction:  An increased risk of cervical dysplasia has previously been reported in lupus. The role of traditional related risk factors are unclear. Persistent infection with certain genotypes of Human Papilloma Virus termed high risk (HR‐HPV) is considered a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer.Methods:  A total of 141 SLE patients fulfilling the ACR criteria for lupus were enrolled into the study. They were compared to 138 control patients who were due to attend for a routine cervical smear. Each patient completed a cervical cancer risk factor questionnaire. A cervical smear was taken and residual material used to test for the presence of HR‐HPV using a hybridisation microplate assay. Positive samples were then genotyped.Results:

VARIABLE
RR (95% CI)
P value

Ever conceived
2.52 (1.37–4.64)
P = 0.003

>1 sexual partner
3.46 (2.03–5.91)
P < 0.001

Age sexual active
0.98 (0.92–1.04)
NS

Smoking history
1.10 (0.64–1.90)
NS

STD
0.52 (0.20–1.40)
NS

SLE patients in this study had an increased lifetime occurrence of an abnormal cervical smear. Although a similar detection rate of HR‐HPV positivity was found in SLE (15.6%) and control women (17.4%), the mean age of the SLE HPV+ women was 43 years compared with 30 years for the HPV+ controls Co‐ Variate Analysis of traditional risk factorsDiscussion:  Parity and number of sexual partners may be important traditional risk factors. HPV positive SLE patients tend to be older. HR‐HPV may represent an opportunistic infection in these women as in other immunosuppressed disease states. Genotyping results suggest the same HPV types as non‐SLE women and no single type predominated.
P‐17 FREQUENCY OF AFTER‐EFFECTS REPORTED BY WOMEN FOLLOWING A CERVICAL SMEAR TEST
Authors: Cochran C. , Cotton S. C. , Sharp L. , Gray N. M. , Cruickshank M. E. , Smart L. 
Published: August 2006

Introduction:  Few studies have investigated after‐effects experienced by women immediately following a cervical smear test. We report the prevalence of women's self‐reported after‐effects following a smear test and identify factors associated with this.Methods:  The study takes place within TOMBOLA (Trial Of Management of Borderline and Other Low‐grade Abnormal smears), a randomised‐controlled trial, nested within the NHS‐CSPs, comparing alternative follow‐up policies for women with low‐grade abnormal smears. This analysis includes 888 women aged 20–59 years randomised to cytological surveillance (ie 6‐monthly smears in primary care). Five weeks after their first surveillance smear, women completed questionnaires on any after‐effects they had experienced.Results:  30% of women reported one or more after‐effects in the 5 weeks following their smear. 15% of women reported pain, 17% bleeding and 8% discharge. The median time these after‐effects were experienced was 1 day (mean = 2.5 days). The most commonly reported combination of after‐effects were bleeding and pain together (47 women; 18% of those reporting an after‐effect). In multivariate analysis of those reporting any after‐effect, younger women, those with a degree from college/university, women regularly undertaking physical activity and current pill users were significantly more likely to report any after‐effect than were older women, those without a degree, those who were never physically active and women not using the pill. In multivariate analysis of pain, bleeding and discharge separately, different factors were found to be associated with each after‐effect: the results of these analyses will be presented.Discussion:  Almost one‐third of women experience after‐effects following a cervical smear test. Our results could help make the information that women receive prior to a smear test more relevant by, for example, providing guidance on the proportions of women who might experience specific types of after‐effects, and highlighting sub‐groups who might be more (or less) likely to experience them.