bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of the MTHFR Gene Polymorphisms with Efficacy and Toxicity of Methotrexate in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Ganeva Margarita , Stefanov Stefan , Teltcharova-Mihaylovska Albena , Tzveova Reni , Kaneva Radka , Saraeva Radoslava , Temelkova Katya 
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene might be related to the prediction of toxicity and efficacy of methotrexate (MTX) in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in clinical practice.
Sixty-three patients (50 girls and 13 boys) fulfilling the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria for JIA were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups – those undergoing treatment with MTX monotherapy and putative optimal response ($$n = 28$$), and those with poor response to therapy with MTX and therefore shifted to treatment with MTX and a biological agent ($$n = 35$$). DNA for SNP analysis was automatically isolated from whole blood through chemagic Magnetic Separation Module I instrument (PerkinElmer chemagen Technologie GmbH, Baesweiler, Germany). The following SNPs in MTHFR gene – 677C>T (rs1801133) and 1298A>C (rs1801131) – were analyzed using High Resolution Melt (HRM) analysis. A real-time PCR (RotorGene 6000, Qiagen, USA) was performed for amplification of DNA prior to HRM analysis.
We did not find any significant difference in the distribution of genotype ($$\chi2 = 1.04$$; df $$= 2/\chi2 = 0.60$$; df = 2) and allele ($$\chi2 = 0.11$$; df = $$1/\chi 2 = 0.03$$; df = 1) frequencies of polymorphisms C677T and A1298C between the two groups. Adverse events (nausea, dizziness, headache, hepatotoxicity) due to MTX were noted among four of the patients. It was found that all of the patients who experienced side effects of the treatment carry the allelic variant C677T (three CT heterozygotes and one TT homozygote). The variant allele A1298C was found in one of these four patients.
We did not find any significant association between the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of MTHFR and the efficacy and toxicity of methotrexate.
A retrospective study investigating the clinical significance of body mass index in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Bai Yuanzhen , Gong Guanwen , Aierken Reziya , Liu Xingyu , Cheng Wei , Guan Junjie , Jiang Zhiwei 
Published: January 2024

Background
Acute pancreatitis is an unpredictable and potentially fatal condition for which no definitive cure is currently available. Our research focused on exploring the connection between body mass index, a frequently overlooked risk factor, and both the onset and progression of acute pancreatitis.

Material/Methods
A total of 247 patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to Jiangsu Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. After screening, 117 patients with complete height and body weight data were selected for detailed assessment. Additionally, 85 individuals who underwent physical examinations at our hospital during this period were compiled to create a control group. The study received ethical approval from the ethics committee of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Ref: No.2022NL-114-02) and was conducted in accordance with the China Good Clinical Practice in Research guidelines.

Results
A significant difference in body mass index (BMI) was observed between the healthy group and acute pancreatitis (AP) patients (p < 0.05), with a more pronounced disparity noted in cases of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (p < 0.01). A potential risk for AP was identified at a BMI greater than 23.56 kg/m2 (AUC = 0.6086, p < 0.05). Being in the obese stage I (95%CI, [1.11–1.84]) or having a BMI below 25.4 kg/m2 (95%CI, [1.82–6.48]) are identified as risk factors for adverse AP progression. Moreover, BMI effectively predicts the onset of acute edematous pancreatitis and acute necrotizing pancreatitis (AUC = 0.7893, p < 0.001, cut-off value = 25.88 kg/m2). A higher BMI correlates with increased recurrence rates within a short timeframe (r = 0.7532, p < 0.01).

Conclusions
Elevated BMI is a risk factor for both the occurrence and progression of AP, and underweight status may similarly contribute to poor disease outcomes. BMI is crucial for risk prediction and stratification in AP and warrants ongoing monitoring and consideration.
Profitability adjustment patterns in international food and consumer products industries
Authors: Acheampong Yvonne J. , Epperson James E. , Park Timothy A. , Gunter Lewell F. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe study encompasses an analysis of the variation in speeds of profitability adjustment and accounting bias by developed country and firm size for two important agribusiness industries. Evidence of speeds of profitability adjustment and accounting bias varying by firm size was found in the beverage and tobacco industry and by country in the food and consumer products industry. This suggests that the competitive pressures of integrated international markets are less of a factor in the food and consumer products industry [EconLit citations: L100, L150, L660]. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 31–43, 2004.
Evaluating the economic effectiveness of pathogen reduction technologies in cattle slaughter plants
Authors: Malcolm Scott A. , Narrod Clare A. , Roberts Tanya , Ollinger Michael 
Published: January 2004

AbstractIncreasing risk and costs from food‐borne illness has led food‐processing firms to intensify pathogen reduction efforts. Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is one system for evaluating which hazards need to be controlled and where in the production process they can be controlled. Firms may choose among many competing technologies that differ in cost and effectiveness at controlling pathogen growth. To evaluate a firm's pathogen control options, a probabilistic risk analysis model based on typical slaughterhouse practices is linked to a decision model to evaluate the cost effectiveness of seven combinations of pathogen‐reducing technologies. The likely comparative advantage of different strategies for large vs. small slaughterhouses is examined. Risk is compared for two cases with the same mean risk to illustrate the importance of correct model specification. The report concludes with a discussion of the institutional barriers and incomplete markets that affect the adoption and development of more effective pathogen reduction technologies. [EconLit citations: Q180, O300, L510]. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 109–123, 2004.
Do U.S. marketing orders have much market power? An examination of the Almond Board of California
Authors: Crespi John M. , Chacón‐Cascante Adriana 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis review tests the conventional wisdom that U.S. marketing orders act as profit‐maximizing cartels. It analyzes the marketing order for U.S. almonds in both the domestic and export markets. Such a case study is relevant to all U.S. marketing orders because the size and scope of the U.S. almond industry and the authority granted to a board of producers by the almond marketing order would seem to be conducive to profit‐maximizing cartel behavior. Nevertheless, the authors find that the market power exerted by the Almond Board of California is significantly less than would be expected from a profit‐maximizing cartel. [EconLit citations: L120, L430]. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 1–15, 2004.
Managing international trade of food products: A survey of German and Australian companies
Authors: Fischer Christian 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe major obstacles encountered in the management of international marketing are higher transaction costs and risks relative to home market business activities. More specifically, for food products there are six main problem areas, which arise from the literature: (1) education and training of export staff (including foreign language skills and knowledge of foreign business partners' mentality); (2) trade fair activities; (3) special food product logistics and marketing problems; (4) trade terms, export documentation and billing, and foreign exchange risk management; (5) provision of foreign market information; and (6) government assistance. Results from a questionnaire‐based survey of companies from Germany and Australia engaging in exporting and/or importing of food products suggest that staff education/training and logistics are the most important factors affecting success in international markets. Implications of this study are that agribusinesses must give special attention to staff recruitment and training and to the mastering of food product logistics if they want to compete successfully internationally. [EconLit citations: F140, Q130, Q170]. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Agribusiness 20: 61–80, 2004.
Tooth cementum annulation for age estimation: Results from a large known‐age validation study
Authors: Wittwer‐Backofen Ursula , Gampe Jutta , Vaupel James W. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractRecent research indicates that tooth‐cementum annulations (TCA) may be used more reliably than other morphological or histological traits of the adult skeleton to estimate age. Until now, however, confidence intervals for age estimated by this method have not been available for paleodemographic and forensic applications. The present study addresses this problem. Based on a large known‐age sample, age estimates by TCA were conducted in a blind study involving 363 teeth. Tooth‐root cross sections were made using a refined preparation technique. Improved digital graphic procedures and enhancement strategies were used to produce digital images with a specially adapted software package. This resulted in high concordance between the TCA age estimates and chronological age. Assessment of the method's accuracy, as expressed by 95% confidence intervals, showed that error bounds for age estimates do not exceed 2.5 years. Sex differences, intraindividual correlations, and the effects of periodontal disease were studied. None of these indicators had a quantitative effect on the number of TCA bands when the proposed methodological standard was followed. We conclude that the TCA technique is a reliable method for estimating a subject's age from cementum annulations. Am J Phys Anthropol 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting long bone loading from cross‐sectional geometry
Authors: Lieberman Daniel E. , Polk John D. , Demes Brigitte 
Published: January 2004

AbstractLong bone loading histories are commonly evaluated using a beam model by calculating cross‐sectional second moments of areas (SMAs). Without in vivo strain data, SMA analyses commonly make two explicit or implicit assumptions. First, while it has long been known that axial compression superimposed on bending shifts neutral axes away from cross‐sectional area centroids, most analyses assume that cross‐sectional properties calculated through the area centroid approximate cross‐sectional strength. Second, the orientation of maximum bending rigidity is often assumed to reflect the orientation of peak or habitual bending forces the bone experiences. These assumptions are tested in sheep in which rosette strain gauges mounted at three locations around the tibia and metatarsal midshafts measured in vivo strains during treadmill running at 1.5 m/sec. Calculated normal strain distributions confirm that the neutral axis of bending does not run through the midshaft centroid. In these animals, orientations of the principal centroidal axes around which maximum SMAs (Imax) are calculated are not in the same planes in which the bones experienced bending. Cross‐sectional properties calculated using centroidal axes have substantial differences in magnitude (up to 55%) but high correlations in pattern compared to cross‐sectional properties calculated around experimentally determined neutral axes. Thus interindividual comparisons of cross‐sectional properties calculated from centroidal axes may be useful in terms of pattern, but are subject to high errors in terms of absolute values. In addition, cross‐sectional properties do not necessarily provide reliable data on the orientations of loads to which bones are subjected. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measuring ligand‐protein binding using NMR diffusion experiments
Authors: Lucas Laura H. , Larive Cynthia K. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractCharacterization of ligand‐protein interactions is important because many biologically important processes are mediated by the binding of a small molecule to an enzyme or cell‐surface receptor. Pulsed‐field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG‐NMR) spectroscopy measurements of diffusion coefficients permit noninvasive, quantitative analysis of binding over a broad range of dissociation constants and ligand:protein concentration ratios. An arsenal of specific and selective PFG‐NMR methods has been developed by exploiting differential behaviors of small molecule ligands and macromolecular proteins. A discussion of several PFG‐NMR methods and their relevant applications reveals the analytical value of using PFG‐NMR diffusion measurements for studying ligand‐protein binding. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 20A: 24–41, 2004.
A comprehensive discussion of HSQC and HMQC pulse sequences
Authors: Mandal Pravat K. , Majumdar Ananya 
Published: January 2004

AbstractMuch of the progress in NMR applications over the last decade has stemmed from the development of proton‐detected, heteronuclear multidimensional spectroscopy. The basic building blocks of the multitude of double and triple resonance experiments available today are the heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC) and heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC) experiments. The goal of this article is to provide a comprehensive, pedagogical description of these two pulse sequences, with the aid of product operator formalism. Building from basic principles, constant‐time experiments, sensitivity‐enhanced techniques and the role of pulsed‐field gradients for coherence transfer pathway selection are explained in detail. This article is intended to be used as a primer for students and researchers seeking a firm theoretical understanding of the fundamental tools of modern NMR pulse sequences. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 20A: 1–23, 2004
Calculations of chemical shieldings: Theory and applications
Authors: Facelli Julio C. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis article presents a discussion of the origin of the chemical shieldings, which is followed by a rigorous derivation of quantum mechanical formula for their exact calculation and a discussion of the necessary approximations that make these calculations feasible. Comprehensive information on the resources, software and hardware needed for the calculations is given followed by several examples of actual quantum chemical calculations of chemical shieldings. These examples are used to demonstrate how accurate shielding calculations can be used to help the NMR practitioner to solve practical chemical and structural problems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 20A: 42–69, 2004.
Resolving the enigma of early coastal settlement in the Hawaiian Islands: The stratigraphic sequence of the Wainiha Beach Site in Kaua'i
Authors: Carson Mike T. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractArchaeological excavation has documented stratified cultural deposits at the Wainiha Beach Site in Kaua'i (Hawaiian Islands), beginning with the occupation of a residential structure dated around A.D. 1030–1400. After about A.D. 1400, the excavated area contains abundant evidence of widespread repeated temporary activities ending in the post‐Contact era (post‐A.D. 1778). The presence of an early permanent residence followed by a later period of temporary activities opposes conventional understanding of a trend from temporary to permanent occupation in similar sites in the Hawaiian Islands. The complete stratigraphic sequence is disclosed here, with reference to formation processes and depositional context of eight major strata documented in a controlled excavation 0.95 m deep. Various human activities (such as digging pits, trampling, etc.) and periodic natural high‐energy events (such as tsunami) appear to have altered the upper portions of underlying deposits. Large sections of the earliest human occupation layer were obliterated, and successive episodes of short‐lived activities created numerous inconsistencies in the stratigraphy. These results have important implications for interpreting the cultural sequence not only at Wainiha but also at other rather enigmatic beach sites in the Hawaiian Islands and elsewhere. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coastal paleogeography and human land use at Tecolote Canyon, southern California, U.S.A.
Authors: Vellanoweth René L. , Erlandson Jon M. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractA buried archaeological site at Tecolote Canyon provides an ideal case study for relating past human land use patterns to changes in coastal paleogeography. Postglacial sea level transgression, erosion, and other marine and fluvial processes form the context for examining two deeply buried archaeological components excavated at CA‐SBA‐72. Archaeological shellfish assemblages provide proxy data for evaluating the evolution of local marine environments. Pismo clams dominate shellfish assemblages dated to 5800 cal yr B.P., suggesting the presence of a broad and sandy, high‐energy beach environment. At 5500 cal yr B.P., the almost exclusive use of California mussels by humans signals the development of rocky intertidal habitats. During the late Holocene, estuarine species dominate the marine mollusk assemblages at CA‐SBA‐72, reflecting the development of local estuarine conditions or trade with nearby Goleta Slough villages. The buried components at Tecolote Canyon appear to have served as temporary camps for shellfish harvesting and processing. While general changes in coastal paleogeography and human subsistence have been reconstructed for the Santa Barbara Coast, high resolution ecological data from Tecolote Canyon suggest that Native peoples also adapted to localized and shorter‐term shifts in intertidal habitats, changes not evident in most larger or more disturbed surface sites in the region. Linking these changes with shifts in human land use patterns highlights the interaction between humans and a dynamic coastal system. These data demonstrate the importance of small, buried sites in understanding the full spectrum of human subsistence and settlement choices and local environmental change. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reference distributions for complement proteins C3 and C4: A practical, simple and clinically relevant approach in a large cohort
Authors: Ritchie Robert F. , Palomaki Glenn E. , Neveux Louis M. , Navolotskaia Olga , Ledue Thomas B. , Craig Wendy Y. 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThe two serum proteins of the complement cascade in the highest concentrations, C3 and C4, respond to various conditions in much the same manner as do other positive acute‐phase proteins. A major difference is that they are relatively sluggish in response to cytokine drive, requiring several days rather than hours to be detectably elevated by serial measurements. As with other acute‐phase proteins, there are many processes that up‐ or down‐regulate synthesis, including infection or inflammation, hepatic failure, and immune‐complex formation. Clinicians may find it difficult to distinguish among these processes, because they often occur simultaneously. The situation is further complicated by genetic polymorphism, with rare instances of markedly reduced synthesis and circulating levels, and consequent vulnerability to infection. C3 and C4 are measured for clinical purposes to help define certain rheumatic and immunologically mediated renal diseases. Interpreting the measured blood levels of these two components requires one to consider the intensity of the inflammatory drive, the timing of the suspected clinical process, the production of complement‐consuming immune complexes, and the possible existence of benign circumstances. In this fifth article in a series, reference ranges for serum levels of two complement proteins (C3 and C4) are examined. The study is based on a cohort of over 55,000 Caucasian individuals from northern New England, who were tested in our laboratory in 1994–1999. Measurements were standardized against certified reference material (CRM) 470/reference preparation for proteins in human serum (RPPHS), and analyzed using a previously described statistical approach. Individuals with unequivocal laboratory evidence of inflammation (C‐reactive protein of 10 mg/L or higher) were excluded. Our results show that the levels of C3 and C4 change little during life and between the sexes, except that they increase slightly and then fall after age 20 in males and at about age 45 in females. When values were expressed as multiples of the age‐ and gender‐specific median levels, the resulting distributions fitted a log‐Gaussian distribution well over a broad range. When patient data are normalized in this manner, the distribution parameters can be used to assign a centile corresponding to an individual's measurement, thus simplifying interpretation. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:1–8, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow cytometric study of neutrophilic granulopoiesis in normal bone marrow using an expanded panel of antibodies: Correlation with morphologic assessments
Authors: Elghetany M. Tarek , Ge Yimin , Patel Jyoti , Martinez Joe , Uhrova Hanna 
Published: January 2004

AbstractFlow cytometry studies of surface markers of neutrophils have been performed mostly on peripheral blood, and for a limited spectrum of diseases. Studying maturation defects on developing neutrophils in the bone marrow (BM) may be helpful in BM diseases, such as myelodysplastic syndromes and Shwachman‐Diamond syndrome. We applied an expanded panel of antibodies to examine normal maturation patterns in 26 control samples of BM together with microscopic correlation. Promyelocytes correlated well with the CD24− and CD11b− populations, and metamyelocytes correlated well with the CD16+ population (intermediate positivity). An excellent correlation was also identified between the sum of bands and segmented neutrophils and each of the following: CD16++ (strong positivity), CD35+, CD87+, and CD64−. Although visually identified segmented neutrophils paralleled CD10 positivity, there was an appreciable difference between both methods. We conclude that neutrophilic granulocyte maturation in the BM is accompanied by a change in surface antigens that reflects certain stages of development. A successful strategy for detecting maturation defects is to include several antibodies that are known to be expressed or absent at the same stage of maturation, such as CD16, CD35, CD64, and CD87. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:36–41, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methods to detect antifibrillarin antibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc): A comparison
Authors: García Josefina Huerta , Osuna Monica Delgado , Castrejon Filiberto Martinez , Enriquez Laura Guzman , Reyes Pedro A. , Hermosillo J. Jesus Cortes 
Published: January 2004

AbstractAutoantibodies against nucleolar antigens are common in systemic sclerosis (SSc). They include autoantibodies against fibrillarin (Fb), which are serological markers for SSc. Fb is associated with the evolutionally‐conserved box C/D of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs). We compared indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), Western blot (WB), and immunoprecipitation (IPP) of total small RNAs assays to determine which of these techniques is most specific for the detection of snoRNPs. We also examined the frequency and specificity of autoantibodies from SSc patients to snoRNAs, snRNAs, and scRNAs, and concluded that 1) IIF can not determine autoantibody specificity against Fb, 2) 36% of SSc sera were false‐negative by WB, and 3) by IPP, anti‐Fb autoantibodies from SSc patients can bind U3, U8, U13, U15, and U22 snoRNAs. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:19–26, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.