bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crotalid venom vascular endothelial growth factors has preferential affinity for VEGFR-1
Authors: Chen Yuh-Ling , Hong Tse-Ming , Tsai Shu-Huei , Tsai Inn-Ho 
Published: January 2005

SummaryPm-VEGF, a novel member ofVEGF family from the venom gland of Taiwan habu (Protobothrops mucrosquamatu), is a disulfidelinked homodimer with 119 amino acid residues. Recombinant fusion Pm-VEGF was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified and refolded. Surface plasmon resonance was used to determine its binding kinetics toVEGF-receptors (VEGFR). Relative to human VEGF165, the binding affinity of Pm-VEGF to the VEGFR-1 was 1.7-fold higher while affinity to the VEGFR-2 was 17-fold lower. But it did not bind theVEGFR-3 or neuropilin-1. Pm-VEGF promoted the proliferation and tissue factor production of endothelial cells, the neovascularization in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane, and increased vascular permeability. It also stimulated tissue-factor production and human monocyte chemotaxis, in accord with its specificity for VEGFR-1. Structural comparison among VEGF-proteins from various viper venoms revealed that the two subfamilies of vipers (Crotalinae and Viperinae) have evolved with distinct receptor-specificities for VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, respectively. Discussion on structureactivity relationships of the VEGFs further provided insight into residues important for the receptor-binding and specificities.
Asymptomatic postoperative deep vein thrombosis and the development of postthrombotic syndrome
Authors: Jorgensen Lars N. , Crawford Michael , Wille-Jørgensen Peer 
Published: January 2005

SummaryPerioperative antithrombotic clinical regimens have reduced the incidence of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Long-term effects of asymptomatic postoperative DVT have been studied in a number of clinical trials and the present review describes the clinical significance of asymptomatic postoperative DVT regarding the possible development of postthrombotic syndrome (PTS).We performed a systematic review of reference databases focusing upon studies including patients suspected of having postoperative DVT and reporting subsequent cases of PTS at the end of a well-defined follow-up period. The included studies were stratified according to type of screening method and applied statistics. Over-all evaluation included metaanalyses based upon the Cochrane software package. The overall relative risk of developing PTS was 1.58 (95% confidence intervals: 1.24 – 2.02) in patients suffering from asymptomatic DVT as compared to patients without DVT ( p < 0.0005).In conclusion, asymptomatic postoperative DVT is associated with an increased risk of late development of PTS. The finding emphasizes that postoperative DVT, diagnosed by means of well-defined objective measures, remains the correct scientific endpoint in trials evaluating the efficacy of preoperative antithrombotic treatment regimens.
The factor VIII D1241E polymorphism is associated with decreased factor VIII activity and not with activated protein C resistance levels
Authors: Scanavini Daniela , Legnani Cristina , Lunghi Barbara , Mingozzi Federico , Palareti Gualtiero , Bernardi Francesco 
Published: January 2005

SummaryElevated factor VIII (FVIII) levels are a recognized risk factor for venous thrombosis. Recently, family studies suggested that the G allele of the 3951C/G (D1241E) FVIII polymorphism is associated to lower FVIII activity. We investigated in case-control studies both biological effects (FVIII levels and activated protein C sensitivity ratio) and clinical associations (venous thromboembolism) of the D1241E change. Among 145 healthy and 150 thrombotic women, not carriers of known thrombophilic defects, the 1241E allele was associated with 11% reduced (t-test, P< 0.05) FVIII levels. The effect on activated protein C sensitivity ratio was not statistically significant. Carriership of the 1241E allele, potentially conferring protection from thrombosis, was found in 22.8% of controls and in 15.3% of cases. In an additional cohort of factor V Leiden carriers (n=283), carriership of the 1241E allele was 25.2% among 143 asymptomatic subjects and 17.1% among 140 thrombotic patients. Our data do not indicate a specific interaction with factor V Leiden. These genotype distributions suggest a mild protective effect from venous thrombosis conferred by 1241E FVIII, masked by other genetic and/or environmental components, and detectable only in very large population studies. Our findings point toward the presence of genetic determinant of coagulation factor levels with a biologically significant role, but with a poor predictive value to estimate thrombotic risk beyond established risk factors.
Are Cost Benefits of Anticoagulation for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation Underestimated?
Authors: Miller Paul S.J. , Andersson Fredrik L. , Kalra Lalit 
Published: January 2005

Background and Purpose—Stroke outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) tend to be worse than those in patients without AF. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the cost benefits of anticoagulation for stroke prevention in AF may currently be underestimated by existing economic models that do not distinguish between different stroke outcomes.Methods—A literature review was conducted in 3 areas: (1) studies comparing stroke outcomes in AF and non-AF patients; (2) studies providing long-term cost of stroke estimates; and (3) studies modeling the cost-effectiveness of anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist (eg, warfarin) in AF patients.Results—There is considerable evidence that stroke in AF patients has a worse outcome than in patients without AF, including higher mortality, severity, and recurrence rates, and greater functional impairment and dependency. Estimates of the long-term cost of stroke of different severities were between US $24 991 for a mild stroke over 5 years and US $142 251 for a major ischemic stroke over a lifetime (2004 prices). The cost of a severe ischemic stroke may typically be 3-times that of mild stroke. However, cost-effectiveness models for anticoagulation in patients with AF have used average (not AF-specific) cost-of-stroke data, and most have used stroke severity distributions derived from clinical trials, which may differ from those in clinical practice.Conclusions—Existing economic models underestimate the cost benefits of anticoagulation for stroke prevention because they do not adjust for poorer outcomes associated with cardioembolic strokes.
A geometric morphometric assessment of the 'batagurine process' of testudinoid turtles
Authors: Russell Anthony , Jamniczky Heather 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe batagurine process and associated rearward extension of the pterygoid, putative diagnostic characters of the turtle taxon Bataguridae, are evaluated using geometric morphometrics. Visual examination of 28 testudinoid turtles, representing each of the three clades within the taxon, showed the presence of a possible batagurine process and rearward extension of the pterygoid in the majority of specimens, but identification of the batagurine process sensu stricto was not able to be objectively established. Six landmarks on the palatal surface and sets of semi-landmarks on the basioccipital and pterygoid were digitized on photographs of the ventral surface of each skull for geometric morphometric analysis, and subjected to Generalized Procrustes and Relative Warps Analysis. No significant differences in basioccipital, pterygoid or palate shape between the three taxa were found, and the Relative Warps Analysis of the Procrustes coordinates revealed no separation of taxa on relative warps one or two for any of the data sets. The batagurine process and accompanying posterior extension of the pterygoid are thus of questionable phylogenetic utility in the separation of the Bataguridae from other testudinoid turtles.
Local distribution, habitat use, and diet of two supposed 'species' of the Psammophis 'phillipsi' complex (Serpentes: Colubridae), sympatric in southern Nigeria
Authors: Politano Edoardo , Luiselli Luca , Angelici Francesco , Ude Linda , Akani Godfrey , Eniang Edem 
Published: January 2005

AbstractSnakes of the genus Psammophis are widespread in diverse habitats of west Africa, from dry savannas to moist rainforests. In southern Nigeria, P. phillipsi occurs with two 'forms', one with a divided cloacal shield (CSD) and one with an entire cloacal shield (CSE). These 'forms' were suggested to be possibly distinct species in a recent review by Hughes (1999). However, as no data are available on the variation in natural history, if any, between these two supposed species, we collected data on local distribution and natural history traits of these 'forms' in several localities of southern Nigeria. Out of 32 localities examined, sympatric CSD and CSE specimens occurred in 28.1% of the localities, CSD specimens alone occurred in 68.8%, and CSE specimens alone occurred in 3.1%. At five additional localities, where a higher number of specimens was examined (range 21-41 specimens), CSD specimens were clearly dominant over CSE specimens (on average 88.8% of specimens in each population), independently of the habitat types, and there was no apparent effect of longitude on the frequency of occurrence of CSD specimens. Both 'forms' proved to be habitat generalists (often inhabiting deforested areas and suburbs), and very similar in terms of type of prey eaten (mainly Agama lizards and Mabuya skinks, but also small mammals), and apparently also in terms of micro-habitats used for foraging (clearings into forested zones). Overall, there was no evident difference between these 'forms' in terms of the main ecological traits examined here.
Karyological and osteological data supporting the specific status of Iberolacerta (cyreni) martinezricai (Arribas, 1996)
Authors: Arribas Oscar , Odierna Gaetano 
Published: January 2005

AbstractIberolacerta (cyreni) martinezricai has a karyotype of 2n = 36, all acrocentric macrochromosomes. Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) are interstitially situated on a medium small (MS-type) chromosome, a derived character shared with I. cyreni, which differs in details of W-sex chromosome: W is heteromorphic and heterochromatic in I. cyreni, while it is homomorphic and euchromatic in I. (c.) martinezricai. Osteologically, it is characterized by the presence of a triangular-shaped expansion of the squamosal towards the supratemporal fenestra, and by the presence of seven (instead of six) posterior short ribbed presacral vertebrae. These odd characters probably became fixed in this relic taxon by imbreeding. Its differences and affinities are discussed, proposing a specific status for this taxon.
The taxonomic status of Leptognathus incertus Jan, 1863, with revalidation of Dipsas alternans (Fischer, 1885) (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dipsadinae)
Authors: Passos Paulo , Caramaschi Ulisses , Fernandes Daniel 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe dipsadine snake Leptognathus incertus was originally described from French Guiana and subsequently was restricted to the Atlantic Rain Forest in southeastern and south Brazil. We compare its original description with available data for Leptognathus alternans as well as with species of the genus Dipsas occurring in French Guiana. Leptognathus alternans is revalidated in the combination Dipsas alternans, representing the populations occurring in the Atlantic Rain Forest of southeastern and south Brazil. The neotype of L. alternans is designated and described. The taxonomic status of L. incertus is revised and, in the interest of stabilizing the nomenclature of this species, Dipsas copei is synonymized with L. incertus in the combination Dipsas incerta, corresponding to populations of the Guianan region. The holotype of L. copei is designated as the neotype of L. incertus. A serpente dipsadínea Leptognathus incertus foi descrita originalmente da Guiana Francesa e posteriormente restrita à Floresta Atlântica no sudeste e sul do Brasil. Comparamos sua descrição original com os dados disponíveis de Leptognathus alternans, bem como com espécies do gênero Dipsas que ocorrem na Guiana Francesa. Leptognathus alternans é revalidada sob a combinação Dipsas alternans, representando as populações que ocorrem na Floresta Atlântica do sudeste e sul do Brasil. O neótipo de L. alternans é designado e descrito. O status taxonômico de L. incertus é revisado e, no interesse da estabilização da nomenclatura desta espécie, Dipsas copei é sinonimizada com L. incertus sob a combinação Dipsas incerta, correspondendo às populações da região das Guianas. O holótipo de L. copei é designado como o neótipo de L. incertus.
The Rhetoric and Practice of Self-Determination: A Right of All Peoples or Political Institutions?
Authors: Summers James 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe right of peoples to self-determination occupies a prominent position in a number of key international instruments, like the Human Rights Covenants and the United Nations Charter. Yet, despite this, many questions remain about the right in international law. This article is an analysis of the right which will look at its language in relation to its practical application. Its focus is on self-determination as a rhetoric, which, it is argued, is used to legitimize political activities by presenting those activities in terms of peoples and their self-realization. It will be further argued that as political rhetoric self-determination is most likely to be invoked in the institutions that direct and provide a focus for political life. This produces the paradox in the right. Although the rhetoric of self-determination suggests that peoples and their characteristics provide the basis for political institutions, the right, in fact, seems to be shaped in large part by those institutions. This, in turn, has important implications for how self-determination should be looked at in relation to other legal principles.
The Emerging International Architecture of Indigenous Rights: The Interaction between Global, Regional, and National Dimensions
Authors: van Genugten Willem , Perez-Bustillo Camilo 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe article gives an overview of the current status of human rights and poverty in the context of the contemporary struggles of indigenous peoples. It aims to describe the framework of indigenous rights as constituted by, and constitutive of, the relationship between legal processes at the international, regional and national levels. The article also makes links to broader issues such as the racial, ethnic, linguistic and cultural human rights instruments, as well as to the important linkage to international poverty law. It outlines the current status of international legal protection for indigenous peoples before giving different cases in which these legal mechanisms have been used and questioned at the regional and national levels. The article concludes by arguing that indigenous rights standards play an important role in terms of serving as 'ceilings' or 'floors' between which indigenous movements and supporting NGOs can mobilize and find a legal framework to form their case.
Failure of montelukast to reduce sputum eosinophilia in high-dose corticosteroid-dependent asthma
Authors: Jayaram L. , Duong M. , Pizzichini M. M. M. , Pizzichini E. , Kamada D. , Efthimiadis A. , Hargreave F. E. 
Published: January 2005

Sputum eosinophilia is a sensitive predictor of benefit from corticosteroid treatment. Montelukast is a cysteinyl leukotriene antagonist, which also reduces sputum and blood eosinophils. The present study examined the possibility that montelukast has an added eosinophil-lowering effect in subjects with asthma who are corticosteroid responsive but relatively corticosteroid resistant.A total of 14 clinically stable adults with asthma requiring minimum treatment with a high-dose inhaled steroid or prednisone, with baseline sputum eosinophilia (≥5%), were randomised to receive 4 weeks of 10 mg montelukast or placebo daily in a double-blind crossover trial. The primary outcome was the effect of treatment on the percentage of sputum eosinophils. Secondary outcomes were changes in the blood eosinophil count, symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second, peak expiratory flow and the need for salbutamol.The median (interquartile range,i.e.75th–25th centile) for sputum eosinophils at baseline was 15.7% (22). The effect of adding montelukast was not significantly different from that of placebo, sputum eosinophils being 9.3% (18.9) after montelukast and 11.3% (22.8) after placebo. No difference was detected on secondary outcomes. No crossover interactions were observed.In conclusion, the addition of montelukast to existing high-dose corticosteroid therapy in subjects with asthma with elevated sputum eosinophils does not provide additional attenuation of airway eosinophilia.
A randomised trial to evaluate the self-administered standardised chronic respiratory questionnaire
Authors: Schünemann H. J. , Goldstein R. , Mador M. J. , McKim D. , Stahl E. , Puhan M. , Griffith L. E. , Grant B. , Austin P. , Collins R. , Guyatt G. H. 
Published: January 2005

The original chronic respiratory questionnaire (CRQ), one of the most widely used measures of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in chronic respiratory disease (CRD), is traditionally interviewer administered (IA) and includes an individualised dyspnoea domain. The present authors studied the impact of self-administered (SA) and standardised dyspnoea questions on CRQ measurement properties.In a factorial design multicentre trial, 177 patients with CRD (mean age 67.7 yrs; mean forced expiratory volume in one second per cent predicted 44.6%) were randomised to CRQ-IA (n = 86) or CRQ-SA (n = 91), and to initially complete the standardised or individualised items before and after respiratory rehabilitation.While maintaining validity, the CRQ-SA proved more responsive to changes in HRQL than the CRQ-IA in all domains. Compared with the standardised dyspnoea domain, the individualised dyspnoea domain indicated greater responsiveness. The correlations of baseline scores and change scores with other HRQL instruments indicated good validity of the CRQ-SA.In conclusion, self-administration and standardisation of the chronic respiratory questionnaire maintains validity and responsiveness relative to the interviewer-administered chronic respiratory questionnaire. These results challenge the assumption that interviewer-administered questionnaires are superior to self-administered questionnaires in older patients with chronic respiratory disease.
Neutrophils, interleukin-17A and lung disease
Authors: Lindén A. , Laan M. , Anderson G. P. 
Published: January 2005

It is now established that an excessive and sustained mobilisation of neutrophils is a hallmark of several chronic inflammatory lung disorders, including severe obstructive lung disease. This article reviews evidence that the cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A is a major orchestrator of sustained neutrophilic mobilisation.Current evidence suggests that IL-17A is produced by T-lymphocytes, and that it exerts an orchestrating effect on the accumulation and associated activity of neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar space indirectly, through an induced release of specific cytokines and colony-stimulating factors in resident lung cells.Although the involvement of IL-17A in inflammatory lung disorders is supported by several recent studies, its causative role is still uncertain.However, the unique position of interleukin-17A at the interface between acquired and innate immunity puts this cytokine forward as an important signal for the reinforcement of host defence; it also implies that interleukin-17A may constitute a useful target for pharmacotherapeutic intervention.
Association of clinical features with HLA in chronic pulmonary thromboembolism
Authors: Tanabe N. , Kimura A. , Amano S. , Okada O. , Kasahara Y. , Tatsumi K. , Takahashi M. , Shibata H. , Yasunami M. , Kuriyama T. 
Published: January 2005

The aetiology of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is largely unknown and may be heterogeneous, because there are several ethnic differences in the clinical characteristics of CTEPH. Female predominance and a higher ratio of chronic to acute pulmonary thromboembolism have been reported in Japan as compared with the USA. Because such ethnic differences may be controlled by genetic factors, the current study investigated HLA polymorphisms in Japanese patients with CTEPH.HLA typing by serological and/or DNA typing methods was performed (for HLA-A, B, DPB1, DRB1) in 80 patients and 678 controls, and the association of clinical characteristics with HLA alleles was studied.The frequencies of HLA-B*5201 (40versus24%) and DPB1*0202 (19versus6%) were significantly higher in the patients. HLA-B*5201 positive patients showed a significant female predominance. Total pulmonary vascular resistance and mixed venous oxygen tension were better in the HLA-B*5201 positive patients. In contrast, cardiac index and gas exchange parameters were worse in the HLA-DPB1*0202 positive patients. In the patients carrying HLA-B*5201 and/or -DPB1*0202, the frequency of deep vein thrombosis was significantly lower than the other patients.These observations suggested that both the susceptibility and clinical characteristics of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were controlled in part by the HLA-B and -DPB1 loci.
Duration of RT-PCR positivity in severe acute respiratory syndrome
Authors: Chu C. M. , Leung W. S. , Cheng V. C. C. , Chan K. H. , Lin A. W. N. , Chan V. L. , Lam J. Y. M. , Chan K. S. , Yuen K. Y. 
Published: January 2005

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a highly infectious respiratory infection with a high mortality. The duration of infectivity is unknown. The RT-PCR positivity for SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was followed in 45 virologically confirmed SARS patients.Serial RT-PCRs for SARS-CoV were performed in the nasopharyngeal aspirate, stool and urine of 45 SARS patients who survived until discharge. All patients had at least one site that was positive for SARS-CoV on presentation. Time to RT-PCR conversion was studied in all patients.There were 15 males (33.3%) and 30 females (66.7%), with a mean±sdage of 40.7±14.7 yrs. The median (range) time of RT-PCR conversion was 30 days (2–81). On discharge from the hospital, 18 (40%) remained RT-PCR positive in at least one site. For patients with positive RT-PCR on discharge, the median (range) time to RT-PCR conversion after discharge was 13 days (2–60).A significant proportion of severe acute respiratory syndrome patients remained RT-PCR positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus for a substantial duration after discharge. The clinical significance is unknown and this finding merits further study. It is prudent to advise patients to adhere to strict personal hygiene on discharge until RT-PCR becomes negative.