bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of FcγRIIA and MBL polymorphisms on severe acute respiratory syndrome
Authors: Yuan F. F. , Tanner J. , Chan P. K. S. , Biffin S. , Dyer W. B. , Geczy A. F. , Tang J. W. , Hui D. S. C. , Sung J. J. Y. , Sullivan J. S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPolymorphisms of human Fc γ‐receptor IIA (FcγRIIA) and mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) genes have been associated with susceptibility to or severity of some infectious diseases. In order to investigate whether these genetic factors might influence susceptibility to infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐associated coronavirus (SARS‐Cov) as well as the course and severity of the infection, we evaluated polymorphisms of FcγRIIA and MBL genes in DNA samples from a group of approximately 180 people from Hong Kong who were infected with SARS‐Cov. These included 132 patients who had moderate course of SARS infection (home subgroup), 26 patients with a severe course requiring treatment in an intensive care ward (ICU subgroup) and a subgroup of 22 patients who died from SARS (deceased subgroup). A total of 200 normal blood donors from the same region were used as controls. A significant association was found between the FcγRIIA‐R/R131 genotype and a severe course of SARS, with higher frequency of homozygosity for FcγRIIA‐R/R131 in the ICU subgroup of SARS patients when compared with controls (P = 0.03; odds ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.1–9.1). In comparison with controls, a significant difference in linear trend distribution of FcγRIIA genotypes was seen among the severe SARS patients (ICU and deceased subgroups) without co‐morbidity, and the incidence of FcγRIIA‐H/H131 was lower in these patients as well. There were no significant differences in MBL genotypes and allele frequencies among SARS patients and controls. The study reveals that in addition to age and co‐morbidity, FcγRIIA polymorphism of individuals may also influence outcome after infection with the SARS‐Cov.
Human leukocyte antigen class I and II haplotypes and risk of cervical cancer
Authors: Carreon J. D. , Martin M. P. , Hildesheim A. , Gao X. , Schiffman M. , Herrero R. , Bratti M. C. , Sherman M. E. , Zaino R. J. , Carrington M. , Wang S. S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA) variations may affect immune response to human papillomavirus infection and subsequent cervical neoplasia risk. We investigated the frequency and relationship between HLA‐A‐B and HLA‐A‐B‐DR haplotypes among women with cervical cancer/high‐grade lesions (n = 365) and cytologically normal population controls (n = 681) within three cervical neoplasia studies in the US and Costa Rica. Notable differences in haplotype frequencies were observed; the HLA‐A*01‐B*08 haplotype occurred in >5% of US Caucasians but in <1% of Costa Ricans. The most prevalent HLA‐A*24‐B*40‐DR*04 haplotype in Costa Rica (5%) was found in <1% of US Caucasians. No HLA haplotype was significantly associated with cervical neoplasia, suggesting that individual allele associations reported to date (e.g. HLA‐DR*13) are not likely explained by underlying haplotypes.
Identification of HLA‐A*3101‐restricted cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte response to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) in patients with chronic HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Borghan M. A. , Oka S. , Takiguchi M. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractVirus‐specific cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) responses are critical in the control of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) infections. As several HIV‐1 CTL epitopes restricted to many HLA types are already known, we aimed at identifying the CTL epitopes restricted by HLA‐A*3101 in an effort to expand the epitope repertoire available for the development of potential T cell‐mediated therapeutic measures and protective vaccines. Scanning of HIV‐1 clade B SF2 strain proteins for the presence of peptides containing HLA‐A*3101‐binding motifs revealed 88 nine‐ to 11‐mer peptides that had been synthesized and assayed for binding to HLA‐A*3101 molecules. Peptides with medium to high HLA‐binding affinity were tested for their ability to stimulate a CTL response in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from selected HIV‐1‐infected patients. Two of these binding peptides, Env769–779 (RLRDLLLIAAR) and Nef192–200 (KLAFHHMAR), induced peptide‐specific CTLs in PBMCs from at least two of five HIV‐1‐seropositive individuals. CTL clones specific for the two peptides killed HLA‐A*3101‐expressing target cells infected with HIV‐1 recombinant vaccinia virus, indicating that these peptides were naturally processed HLA‐A*3101‐restricted CTL epitopes. Identification of T‐cell epitopes on HIV‐1 proteins will increase our understanding of the role of CD8+ T cells in HIV‐1 infections and assist in the design of new protective strategies.
A general autoimmunity gene (PTPN22) is not associated with inflammatory bowel disease in a British population
Authors: Prescott N. J. , Fisher S. A. , Onnie C. , Pattni R. , Steer S. , Sanderson J. , Forbes A. , Lewis C. M. , Mathew C. G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA single‐nucleotide polymorphism (C1858T) causing an amino acid substitution (R620W) in the lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase gene PTPN22 has been implicated in type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Graves' disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thus revealing a general role for this gene in autoimmune disease. We investigated the association of the C1858T variant in an additional autoimmune disease population by performing a case‐control study of 514 British individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [294 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 220 with ulcerative colitis (UC)] and 374 normal controls. No significant differences in genotype or allele frequencies were observed between IBD, CD or UC and controls, indicating that PTPN22 does not influence risk of IBD.
Contrasting effects of long distance seed dispersal on genetic diversity during range expansion
Authors: Bialozyt R. , Ziegenhagen B. , Petit R. J. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Currently many attempts are made to reconstruct the colonization history of plant species after the last ice age. A surprising finding is that during the colonization phase genetic diversity did not decrease as much as expected. In this paper we examine whether long distance seed dispersal events could play a role in the unexpected maintenance of genetic diversity during range expansion. This study is based on simulations carried out with a maternally inherited haploid locus using a cellular automaton. The simulations reveal a close relationship between the frequency of long distance seed dispersal events and the amount of genetic diversity preserved during colonization. In particular, when the colonized region is narrow, a complete loss of genetic diversity results from the occurrence of very rare long distance dispersal (LDD) events. We call this phenomenon the ‘embolism effect’. However, slightly higher rates of LDD events reverse this effect, up to the point that diversity is better preserved than in a pure diffusion model. This phenomenon is linked to the reorganization of the genetic structure during colonization and is called the ‘reshuffling effect’.
Variation in synonymous codon use and DNA polymorphism within the Drosophila genome
Authors: Bierne N. , Eyre-walker A. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
A strong negative correlation between the rate of amino-acid substitution and codon usage bias in Drosophila has been attributed to interference between positive selection at nonsynonymous sites and weak selection on codon usage. To further explore this possibility we have investigated polymorphism and divergence at three kinds of sites: synonymous, nonsynonymous and intronic in relation to codon bias in D. melanogaster and D. simulans. We confirmed that protein evolution is one of the main explicative parameters for interlocus codon bias variation (r2∼ 40%). However, intron or synonymous diversities, which could have been expected to be good indicators of local interference [here defined as the additional increase of drift due to selection on tightly linked sites, also called ‘genetic draft’ by Gillespie (2000)] did not covary significantly with codon bias or with protein evolution. Concurrently, levels of polymorphism were reduced in regions of low recombination rates whereas codon bias was not. Finally, while nonsynonymous diversities were very well correlated between species, neither synonymous nor intron diversities observed in D. melanogaster were correlated with those observed in D. simulans. All together, our results suggest that the selective constraint on the protein is a stable component of gene evolution while local interference is not. The pattern of variation in genetic draft along the genome therefore seems to be instable through evolutionary times and should therefore be considered as a minor determinant of codon bias variance. We argue that selective constraints for optimal codon usage are likely to be correlated with selective constraints on the protein, both between codons within a gene, as previously suggested, and also between genes within a genome.
A comparison of methods to estimate cross-environment genetic correlations
Authors: Astles P. A. , Moore A. J. , Preziosi R. F. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Advanced techniques for quantitative genetic parameter estimation may not always be necessary to answer broad genetic questions. However, simpler methods are often biased, and the extent of this determines their usefulness. In this study we compare family mean correlations to least squares and restricted error maximum likelihood (REML) variance component approaches to estimating cross-environment genetic correlations. We analysed empirical data from studies where both types of estimates were made, and from studies in our own laboratories. We found that the agreement between estimates was better when full-sib rather than half-sib estimates of cross-environment genetic correlations were used and when mean family size increased. We also note biases in REML estimation that may be especially important when testing to see if correlations differ from 0 or 1. We conclude that correlations calculated from family means can be used to test for the presence of genetic correlations across environments, which is sufficient for some research questions. Variance component approaches should be used when parameter estimation is the objective, or if the goal is anything other than determining broad patterns.
Differences in Wheat Cultivar Response to N Supply. I: Differences in Grain Yield Formation
Authors: Diekmann F. , Fischbeck G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTwo‐year field trials with winter wheat cultivars Batis and Toronto were conducted in Southern Bavaria, Germany, to investigate the possible causes of cultivar differences in response to N supply varying in total amount and time of application. Cultivar‐related differences in grain yields were observed in treatments with low and medium N supply. High doses of N supply resulted in grain yield adjustment or grain yield advantage for cv. Toronto. The results of this study revealed a consistent, genotypic pattern in response to N fertilization in spite of strong seasonal effects. Systematic modifications in canopy growth rates in response to N supply were of particular relevance and a main factor for differences in tillering intensity resulting in modified stand densities. In the present study, cultivar differences in spike development and interactions with N supply related more to abortion than to initiation processes for number of spikelets and number of flowers per spikelet. High grain density (grains per m2) of cv. Toronto was evident during reproduction stages even under conditions of medium N supply. However, decreased growth rates during the later part of grain filling in combination with low 1000 grain weight, which was barely modified by N fertilization, allowed only partial utilization of this potential. It is assumed that sink limitations were of particular relevance for grain yield development in cv. Toronto, while cv. Batis combined a less intense response to N supply with more stability in the development of grain yield components.
Differences in Wheat Cultivar Response to Nitrogen Supply. II: Differences in N‐Metabolism‐Related Traits
Authors: Diekmann F. , Fischbeck G. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTwo‐year field trials with winter wheat cultivars Batis and Toronto were conducted in Southern Bavaria, Germany, to investigate the possible causes of cultivar differences in response to N supply varying in total amount and time of application. The results revealed cultivar‐related differences in response to N fertilization in all parameters included in this study. Amount and timing of N fertilization was a strong indicator of N uptake into canopies and three phases of cultivar differentiation became apparent. Cultivar differences in N content were most clearly expressed during early growth stages, but distinctive differences in canopy N uptake were observed during later growth stages. Nitrate reductase activity, water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and plant nitrate content varied in response to N supply within cultivar‐specific patterns that included reversals in cultivar ranking during canopy development, and provided additional indications for elevated intensity of N metabolism in cv. Toronto when compared with cv. Batis. Apart from such differences Batis partially compensated for delayed N uptake in earlier phases during the latter part of grain filling, presumably due to differences in root system development. Cultivar differences in regression of tillering, stand density, grains per ear and grain density (grains m−2) on a number of N metabolism‐related parameters have been determined. They contribute considerably to the understanding of cultivar differences in grain yield components, as presented in an earlier communication. For 1000 grain weight, least affected from N supply within each year, large differences between years seemed to relate to differences in WSC content observed between heading and flowering, whereas cultivar differences in the level of grain N content and reaction to N supply were more directly determined by differences in N uptake and remobilization, and possibly enhanced by sink limitations of Toronto in grain size development.
Dietary lutein and fat interact to modify macrophage properties in chicks hatched from carotenoid deplete or replete eggs
Authors: Selvaraj R. K. , Koutsos E. A. , Calvert C. C. , Klasing K. C. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryTwo experiments were conducted to study the interaction between dietary lutein and fat levels in broiler chicks hatched from lutein depleted (Experiment I) and repleted (Experiment II) eggs. In both experiments, a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments resulted in six dietary treatments (fat at 3% and 6% and lutein at 0, 25 and 50 mg/kg feed) that were fed for 23 days to 18 birds per treatment (in three replications). In Experiment I, the anti‐dinitrophenyl‐keyhole‐lympet‐hemocyanin (anti‐DNP‐KLM) serum antibody response at day 22 and macrophage phagocytotic index at day 17 did not differ among treatment groups (p > 0.05). The concavalin A and phytohaemagglutinin‐P lymphocyte proliferation index at day 19 was greater in birds fed 50 mg of lutein and 3% fat than in birds fed all other diets (p < 0.05). Independent of the level of dietary fat, dietary lutein increased macrophage (day 23) nitrite production measured 46 h after in vitro stimulation with LPS (p < 0.05). Among the birds fed lutein at 25 or 50 mg/kg feed, birds fed 3% fat had higher LPS–induced nitrite production compared to the birds fed 6% fat after 46 (p = 0.014) or 70 h (p < 0.001). In Experiment II, macrophage nitrite production was measured at 54 h after LPS stimulation on days 11, 15, 19 and 23. An interaction between dietary lutein and fat levels on nitrite production was observed on day 19 (p = 0.012), where macrophages from birds fed 0 mg lutein and 3% fat had the highest nitrite production (p = 0.012). Macrophages from birds fed lutein at 25 and 50 mg/kg diet and 3% fat had higher (p = 0.012) nitrite production than birds fed 6% fat. Thus, in birds hatched from lutein deplete and replete eggs, modulation of macrophage nitrite production by lutein is dependent on the level of dietary fat.
PQBP‐1 is expressed predominantly in the central nervous system during development
Authors: Qi Yunglong , Hoshino Masataka , Wada Yo‐ichi , Marubuchi Shigeki , Yoshimura Natsue , Kanazawa Ichiro , Shinomiya Ken‐ichi , Okazawa Hitoshi 
Published: September 2005

SummaryMutations of PQBP‐1 (polyglutamine binding protein‐1) have been shown recently to cause human mental retardation accompanied by microcephaly at a high frequency. As a first step towards understanding the molecular basis of this developmental anomaly, we analysed developmental expression of PQBP‐1 by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemsitry and Western blot analysis. Although it had been shown by Northern blot analysis that PQBP‐1 mRNA is expressed in multiple organs in adult mice, our present results revealed that PQBP‐1 mRNA and protein are dominantly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) in embryos and in newborn mice. The mean expression level of PQBP‐1 reaches a peak around birth and is down‐regulated in adulthood. Furthermore, the expression pattern in the CNS changes remarkably following birth. PQBP‐1 mRNA in the cerebral cortex is high in embryos but it rapidly decreases after birth. PQBP‐1 mRNA increases in external and internal granular cell layers of the cerebellum from postnatal day 1 (P1) to P5. In addition, expression in the subventricular zone, where neurogenesis occurs, was high from P5 to adulthood. Collectively, these findings suggest that PQBP‐1 might be involved in neuronal proliferation and/or maturation. These ideas may be relevant to the insufficient growth of brain structure reported in PQBP‐1‐linked human mental retardation.
Life‐threatening hypokalaemia on a low‐carbohydrate diet associated with previously undiagnosed primary hypoaldosteronism
Authors: Advani A. , Taylor R. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackground  Low‐carbohydrate diets are popular and fashionable for weight loss despite lack of evidence about long‐term effects. Many individuals attempting to lose weight have hypertension, especially those with diabetes, and the prevalence of hyperaldosteronism among hypertensive patients is higher than previously recognized. We present a patient with Type 2 diabetes and previously undiagnosed hyperaldosteronism who developed life‐threatening hypokalaemia while following a low‐carbohydrate diet.Case Report  A 60‐year‐old man with diet‐treated Type 2 diabetes and hypertension presented with generalized muscle weakness and serum potassium of 1.9 mmol/l. He had succeeded in losing three and a half stones during the previous 4 months by adhering strictly to a low‐carbohydrate diet. HbA1c was 4.8% and plasma aldosterone:renin ratios were elevated suggestive of increased aldosterone secretion. On a low‐calorie mixed diet serum potassium levels were maintained in the low‐normal range over the following 165 days. The adrenals were normal on CT scanning and blood pressure responded dramatically to the addition of spironolactone on day 212 (125/83 mmHg).Conclusions  The prevalence of primary hyperaldosteronism in the hypertensive population, based on elevation of plasma renin:aldosterone ratio, is approximately 6%. The majority of these people are normokalaemic and remain undiagnosed. However, when carbohydrate intake is restricted such individuals are at increased risk of potentially life‐threatening metabolic derangements.
Data Dependent Endogeneity Correction in Cointegrated Panels*
Authors: Westerlund Joakim 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThis paper examines the small‐sample performance of several information based criteria that can be employed to facilitate data dependent endogeneity correction in estimation of cointegrated panel regressions. The Monte Carlo evidence suggests that the criteria generally perform well but that there are differences of practical importance. In particular, the evidence suggests that, although the estimators of the cointegration vectors generally perform well, the criterion with best small‐sample performance also leads to the best performing estimator.
Towards Improving Medical Care for People with Intellectual Disability Living in the Community: Possibilities of Integrated Care
Authors: Jansen D. E. M. C. , Krol B. , Groothoff J. W. , Post D. 
Published: September 2005

Background  Ongoing deinstitutionalization has resulted in several problems in medical care delivery to people with intellectual disability, such as an increased workload for general practitioners (GPs) and a lack of active co‐ordination and co‐operation between healthcare professionals. A major consequence is the incidence of untreated yet treatable medical conditions. An integrated care approach may provide a means for better co‐ordination and delivery of care. The aim is to review recent integrated care initiatives and their significance for people with intellectual disability.Method  A literature search was conducted to trace relevant literature on integrated care for people with intellectual disability published between 1995 and 2003.Results  Although integrated care appears to offer potential for eliminating fragmentation and discontinuity in medical care for people with intellectual disability and for reducing GP workload, there are few published studies which have evaluated its implementation with people with intellectual disability.Conclusions  Even though the potential advantages of integrated care are well known, the applicability of this approach for people with intellectual disability has still to be demonstrated.
Responses of Female Fire‐Setters with Mild and Borderline Intellectual Disabilities to a Group Intervention
Authors: Taylor John L. , Robertson Alison , Thorne Ian , Belshaw Tracy , Watson Angela 
Published: September 2005

Background  This report describes a cognitive behavioural group intervention for women with mild and borderline intellectual disabilities detained in a secure hospital setting because of their fire‐setting behaviour. The study aimed to examine participants’ motivations for setting fires, their responses to an intervention designed specifically for this group and to monitor their progress over an extended follow‐up period.Methods  A number of fire‐specific and clinical assessments were administered before the intervention started and immediately after it concluded to examine trends in the group data. Detailed case study material was collected in order to describe participants’ engagement in and reactions to the treatment process, and their status at 2‐year follow‐up.Results  The intervention successfully engaged participants in the therapy process, all of whom completed the programme. Scores on measures related to fire‐related treatment targets and clinical measures pertinent to motivations for fire‐setting generally improved following the intervention. There were no reports of participants setting any fires 2 years after the intervention programme was completed.Conclusions  The group intervention appeared to be acceptable and beneficial to study participants. This pilot study needs to be extended into a more robust evaluation of this approach with this group.