bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microsatellite polymorphism and genetic distances between the dog, red fox and arctic fox
Authors: Klukowska J. , Strabel T. , Mackowski M. , Switonski M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThis study compared polymorphism of nine canine‐derived microsatellites (MS) (CPH1, CPH3, CPH6, CPH11, 2004, 2010, 2140, 2168 and 2319) in three species of the family Canidae. The DNA samples of 151 dogs, 53 arctic foxes and 91 red foxes were examined. The canine‐derived primers did not amplify two MS (CPH1 and CPH11) in genome samples of the arctic fox. The most polymorphic MS in the studied species was the one named 2319. For majority of the loci mean allele size was higher in the dog than in two fox species. The genetic distances between the species were estimated using three formulas: DS, Da and (σμ)2. The estimated distances between both fox species were the smallest, while those between the dog and the arctic fox were the largest.
Molecular markers in the LEP gene and reproductive performance of beef cattle
Authors: Almeida S. E. M. , Almeida E. A. , Moraes J. C. F. , Weimer T. A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe present study investigated four restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the leptin gene and five short tandem repeats (STRs) in its vicinity in 160 females from a synthetic beef cattle breed (5/8 Aberdeen Angus and 3/8 Nelore), and evaluated possible associations between these markers and reproductive performance. A high level of genetic diversity was observed, STRs being more variable than RFLPs. Heterozygosities ranged from 0.67 to 0.87 in STRs and from 0.12 to 0.49 in RFLPs, suggesting that the selective process applied to the Brangus‐Ibage cattle had not affected the total genetic diversity expected for crossbreeds. Two alleles (IDVGA51*181 and LEPSau3A1*+) seem to increase calving interval (CI) by about 79 and 81 days, respectively. Therefore, selection against carriers of these mutations could improve CI by at least 2 months, despite the seasonality of the mating period employed here. LEPSau3AI system seems to influence weight at first calving (WFC). Heterozygotes (LEPSau3AI*+/LEPSau3AI*−) had higher WFC than LEPSau3AI*−/LEPSau3AI*− homozygote. Selection for animals with this genotype could result in some advantages for post‐calving recovery. CI and WFC are indirect measurements of reproduction reflecting also animal body conditions, and therefore it is difficult to determine whether or not IDVGA51*181 and LEPSau3A1*+ alleles directly affect the reproductive system. Although further analysis of other herds should be performed to confirm these data, the association of genetic markers with better reproductive performance is a very interesting finding and could be used in marker‐assisted selection to improve reproduction in beef cattle.
The 5′‐promoter and coding region of the macrophage expressed lysozyme encoding‐gene do not reveal variants associated with high serum lytic activity in Polish Black‐and‐White cattle
Authors: Pareek C. S. , Seyfert H.‐M. , Walawski K. , Pareek R. S. , Schwerin M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIn a previous study two bulls were identified in the Polish Black‐and‐White Lowland cattle population that inherited an increased serum lytic activity (LZM+) in a heterozygous fashion. The LZM+ phenotype shows in both half‐sib families a strong co‐segregation with a particular allele of the LysMic microsatellite localized within intron 2 of the immunorelevant macrophage expressed lysozyme encoding‐gene (mLYZ). No trait‐associated mLYZ promoter variant had previously been found. Here, we examine genetic polymorphisms within the entire coding region of this gene by comparative sequence analyses of all four exons in both bulls and two progenies exhibiting low serum lytic activity (LZM0). We found no mutations in the coding sequence of mLYZ gene. However, two single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in introns 2 and 3 of this mLYZ gene at positions 8603 (C/T transition) and 9963 (C/A transversion). A polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was developed to detect the C/T transition in intron 2, creating a polymorphic Sau3A restriction site. The ‘T’‐residue‐harbouring allele segregates with the LZM+ phenotype and is tightly linked to the previously reported diagnostic allele 7 of the LysMic microsatellite. Unaltered DNA sequences in both, promoter and coding region of mLYZ encoding gene in animals with high and low lytic activity indicates that this parameter is influenced by factors other than quantity or quality of the enzyme encoded by this gene.
Genetic structure of eighteen local south European beef cattle breeds by comparative F‐statistics analysis
Authors: Jordana J. , Alexandrino P. , Beja‐Pereira A. , Bessa I. , Cañon J. , Carretero Y. , Dunner S. , Laloë D. , Moazami‐Goudarzi K. , Sanchez A. , Ferrand N. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe genetic structure and relationships among 18 local Southwest European beef cattle breeds (10 from Spain, five from Portugal and three from France) have been inferred from 16 DNA microsatellite loci, by using F‐statistics, for conservation purposes. Level of apparent breed differentiation is considerable and multilocus FST values indicate that around 6.8% of the total genetic variation could be explained by breed differences and the remaining 93.2% by differences among individuals. For countries of origin, the French breeds were those that showed a higher genetic uniformity. All breeds, except the Portuguese breeds Barrosã and Mirandesa, showed a significant heterozygotes deficit. Several factors that could cause this deficit are discussed, and the within‐population inbreeding estimates obtained are compared with those from genealogical data. Gene flow could have played an important role for genetic uniformity in populations of narrow geographical vicinity. Neither isolation by distance and hierarchical structure associated with geography are detected. However, in sight of the obtained results, we suggest the genetic drift as the most important factor of genetic differentiation among the analysed populations. The apparent taxonomic distinctiveness of the breeds could be, in an important way, the result of a random drift, which can affect the genetic distances among populations.
Use of the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae (McIntoch) to control the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)
Authors: Zhang W. Q. , Hassan S. A. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:The parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae accepted all stages of the cabbage aphid Brevicoryne brassicae. The average number of mummies produced per female parasitoid was 42.8. Diaeretiella rapae did not show preference between young (first–second instars) and old (fourth instars) nymphs of the aphid. Nymph aphids younger than 4 days (third instars) produced no offspring after parasitism. The average number of offspring per aphid that was parasitized at day 5–6 (third–fourth instars) and day 7 (adults) were 3.1 and 15.3, respectively, which were much less compared with the aphid that was not parasitized (38.1). The average reproduction period for the aphids that were parasitized at day 5–6 and day 7 were 1.9 and 4.4 days, respectively and that for non‐parasitized aphids was 14.9 days. Cage experiments showed that at the ratio of 1.2 : 1 (six female wasps : five aphid adults), with three releases on day 1, 3 and 6, the percent parasitism of the offspring on day 20 was 88.9%, and the aphids were successfully controlled by the second generation of the released parasitoids. Release of cabbage plants that included both mummies and young aphids in a broccoli field, with a dose of about 2 mummies/m2, resulted in higher percentage of the broccoli plants with mummies in the treated plot compared with the control plot. The percent parasitism of the aphids on broccoli plants in the treated plot was also, with one exception, significantly higher. Seven weeks after the release of the parasitoid, the percentage of the broccoli plants with mummies was 93.3% in the treated plot and 56.7% in the control plot; the percent parasitism of the aphids were 6.7 and 1.4% in the treated and control plots, respectively. These results indicated that one release of the cabbage plants with mummies enhanced the spread of the parasitoid D. rapae and increased parasitism of the aphids in the field. More releases of the parasitoid are needed to control the aphid effectively.
Response of Monochamus (Col., Cerambycidae) and some Buprestidae to flight intercept traps
Authors: de Groot P. , Nott R. W. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:Flight intercept traps of various designs (multiple funnel, panel or crossvane) were tested to determine their effectiveness in capturing Monochamus beetles. The retention of insects in crossvane traps with the collection receptacle left dry, dry with insecticide or partially filled with soapy water, and the efficacy of treating the crossvane panels with a slippery surfactant was investigated. Captures of female (but not male) Monochamus scutellatus scutellatus (Col., Cerambycidae) were significantly higher in custom‐made crossvane traps than two commercially available funnel or panel traps. Male and female M. mutator responded equally to traps of all designs, as did three species of Buprestidae (Buprestris maculativentris, Dicerca tenebrosa and Chalcophora virginiensis). Dry crossvane traps with or without insecticide were less effective than wet traps in retaining insects. Adding a surfactant to increase the slipperiness of the trap panels generally resulted in significantly higher trap catches than untreated traps.
Comparison of outcomes of three different surgical techniques performed for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Kilicarslan Hakan , Guvenal Tevfik , Ayan Semih , Gokce Gokhan , Cetin Ali , Gultekin E Yener 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: The aim was to compare the efficacy of Burch colposuspension, transvaginal four‐corner bladder neck suspension (FCBNS) and the vaginal wall sling (VWS) procedures in patients with stress urinary incontinence.Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 88 patients who underwent Burch colposuspension (n = 20), FCBNS (n = 29) and VWS (n = 39) for stress urinary incontinence. Objective and subjective cure rates at 3 months and annually after the operation were the primary outcome measures.Results: The patients were similar in age, parity, menopausal status, grade of cystocel and preoperative residual urine volumes. Fourteen out of 20 (70%) patients showed improvement in the group undergoing Burch colposuspension, 29 out of 39 (74.4%) patients showed improvement in the FCBNS group, and 28 out of 29 (96.6%) patients showed improvement in the VWS group. The mean length of follow up was 3.8 years (range 3–5).Conclusion: In this study, the VWS procedure had a higher long‐term cure rate of stress urinary incontinence when compared with the Burch colposuspension and the FCBNS procedures.
Diagnostic value of serum prostate‐specific antigen in hemodialysis patients
Authors: SUMURA MASAHIRO , YOKOGI HIROYUKI , BEPPU MASAKO , HONDA HIROSHI 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: The value of serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening was examined to detect prostate cancer in men receiving hemodialysis.Methods: Forty‐one male patients age 60–95 (median age, 70 years) receiving hemodialysis were investigated for PSA levels. We set the cut‐off point at 4 ng/mL (the usual reference range). Digital rectal examination (DRE) and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) of the prostate were performed in patients whose PSA was more than 4 ng/mL and/or who expected further examination of the prostate. When prostate cancer was suspected, biopsy of the prostate was performed. In patients with prostate cancer, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and bone scintigraphy were performed to diagnose the clinical stage.Results: The mean serum level of PSA was 2.10 ± 0.49 ng/mL. In this screening study, four of 41 men required further examinations for prostate cancer. Two of four refused further examinations. The other two were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The incidence of prostate cancer was at least 5% in our hemodialysis patients. One man, whose clinical stage was T2aN0M0, was treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy. Another man, whose clinical stage was T2bN0M0, was treated with luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogue.Conclusion: In our preliminary study, prostate cancer screening with PSA was useful for the early detection of prostate cancer in hemodialysis patients. If possible, DRE and TRUS should be performed in conjunction with PSA tests.
Renal cell carcinoma with hemorrhagic cyst formation in a 4‐year‐old boy
Authors: ADACHI TAKAHISA , NAKATANI TATUYA , MINAMI HIDETOSI , IKEMOTO SINICHI , ESAKI KAZUYOSI , MORIMOTO HIROYUKI , TAKASE TOSIO 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe report on a case of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with hemorrhagic cyst formation in a 4‐year‐old boy. The patient presented with asymptomatic macrohematuria. Abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a left renal complicated cyst, 18 mm in diameter. Renal malignancy was suspected, and left radical nephrectomy was performed. Pathological diagnosis was a complicated cyst filled with bloody clots, with a wall composed of RCC. No metastases to the regional lymph nodes or other organs were found. This is an extremely rare occurrence of such a small RCC that developed a hemorrhagic cyst in a boy of this young age. The boy is being followed‐up without any additional treatment.
Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in a community‐based survey of men in Turkey
Authors: TUNCAY AKI FAZIL , AYGUN CEM , BILIR NAZMI , ERKAN ILHAN , ÖZEN HALUK 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAim: The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), assess the impact of LUTS on quality of life (QOL) and compare the results with recent reports from other population‐based studies.Methods: A total of 266 men participated in the study. The men were stratified into 10‐year age groups between 40 and 79 years. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that included a Turkish translation of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with QOL questions, and void into a uroflowmeter to obtain voided urine volume, peak and mean flow rate.Results: While 14.8% of men had no symptoms (IPSS = 0), 24.9% had moderate to severe symptoms (IPSS> 7). Severity of symptoms increased with age (P= 0.0018). There was a strong relationship between bother score and IPSS (rs= 0.79, P= 0.0001). Fifty‐five percent of moderately symptomatic and 78% of severely symptomatic men reported poor QOL (QOL score ≥ 3). The results of the survey provide a general picture of the symptomatology and urinary flow profiles of elderly men living in Turkey.Conclusion: The prevalence of LUTS in the Turkish community is fairly high, it increases with age and has an impact on QOL that is not negligible.
Leiomyoma of the urinary bladder during pregnancy
Authors: MIZUNO KENTARO , SASAKI SHOICHI , TOZAWA KEIICHI , KOJIMA YOSHIYUKI , HAYASHI YUTARO , KOHRI KENJIRO 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe present a rare case of leiomyoma of the urinary bladder that was diagnosed during pregnancy. To our knowledge, this is the fourth case of its kind to be reported in the literature. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy were useful for making an accurate diagnosis in this case. The diagnosis was confirmed by suprapubic transcutaneous needle biopsy. The tumor was resected approximately 3 years after diagnosis, during which period the patient delivered a normal baby by caesarian section.
Pathological findings of radical prostatectomy specimens in Japanese men diagnosed on single core positive prostate biopsy in eight with a Gleason score less than 4
Authors: MIYAKE HIDEAKI , ONO YOSHIHARU , PARK SOO‐JEON , HARA ISAO , ETO HIROSHI 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground: The objective of the present study was to analyze the pathological findings of radical prostatectomy specimens diagnosed on single core positive prostate biopsy in eight systematic transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)‐guided biopsies with a Gleason score ≤ 4.Methods: Between January 1993 and March 2001, 975 patients underwent TRUS‐guided prostate biopsy, and 32 patients were diagnosed as having prostate cancer based only on one positive core with a Gleason score ≤ 4. In this study, 14 of the 32 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy without any neoadjuvant therapies were enrolled, and the pathological findings of their radical prostatectomy specimens were evaluated.Results: The clinical stage of the 14 patients was T1c in 10 and T2 in four. Cancer was detected in the prostate apex in seven patients, the middle in two, the base of the peripheral zone (PZ) in three, the lateral horn of the PZ in one and the transitional zone (TZ) one. Pathological stage of the 14 patients was pT2a in four, pT2b in six, pT3a in three and pT3b one. Gleason score of the radical prostatectomy specimens in 11 patients was also ≤ 4. Of the 10 patients diagnosed with cT1c, extraprostatic disease was found in only one radical prostatectomy specimen. All three patients whose cancer was detected from the base of the PZ showed pT3 disease. During the median follow‐up period of 47.5 months, all patients were alive with no evidence of disease.Conclusion: The prognosis of patients who were diagnosed with one core positive prostate biopsy with a Gleason score ≤ 4 is generally favorable; however, advanced disease tended to be observed in patients who were diagnosed with cT2a and/or whose cancer was detected from the base of PZ.
Trends in mortality rates for infectious and parasitic diseases in Australia: 1907−1997
Authors: Bi P. , Whitby M. , Walker S. , Parton K. A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims:  To characterize long‐term mortality trends for infectious and parasitic diseases in Australia during the twentieth century, explore influencing factors and provide suggestions to health policy‐makers.Methods:  A descriptive study was conducted. Deaths due to communicable diseases from 1907 to 1997 were tallied, according to the International Classifi­cation of Diseases version 9 (ICD‐9). Trends in infectious disease mortality in overall population and in the 0−4 years age group were examined and standardized by sex. Death rates were also studied for: (i) diarrhoea/enteritis, (ii) pneumonia and all respir­atory diseases and (iii) tuberculosis.Results: There has been a substantial decline in ­mortality from communicable diseases over the study period. The death rate dropped from 258.9 per 100 000 population in 1907 to 7.2 per 100 000 pop­ulation in 1997. Six phases of the decline were observed.Conclusions: A combination of improved living conditions and access to readily available treatments over the twentieth century played an important role in the reduction of infectious disease mortality in Australia. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 152−162)
Humanism and the suffering of the people
Authors: Mackay I. R. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Humanism includes, among its many contexts, the ideal of the universal perfection of health. Procedures for alleviation of disease existed through all epochs of human history, but efficacy was mostly lacking. The prototypic humanism of the Renaissance (ad 1300−1600) scarcely involved the medical ­sciences other than human anatomy. The Enlightenment of the seventeenth century included discovery of the circulation of the blood, and applications of microscopy. Discoveries relevant to medical practice began in the nineteenth century, ushered in by vaccination and the germ theory of disease. This 200‐year period saw a transformation of human health according to the surrogate marker of increased life‐­expectancy. This has been variously attributed to: (i) increased prosperity following the industrial revolution, (ii) efforts of humanistic social and public health reformers and, more recently, (iii) advances in medical science. Yet the beneficiaries remain a minority of the world's population. The nexus between poverty, illness and low life‐expectancy between and within nations is the major challenge for the future. Contemporary science is providing ever‐expanding knowledge on means to achieve the goal of perfection of human health, but the need for humanism is as great as at any previous age. Fortunately, however, the targets are more clearly visible than during the periods of poverty, plagues and pestilence of the past. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 195−202)
Prophylactic nasopharyngeal tube insertion prevents acute hypoxaemia due to upper‐airway obstruction during flexible bronchoscopy
Authors: Chhajed P. N. , Aboyoun C. , Malouf M. A. , Hopkins P. M. , Plit M. , Grunstein R. R. , Glanville A. R. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract Insertion of a nasopharyngeal tube (NT) is a highly effective approach to the management of acute hypox­aemia during flexible bronchoscopy (FB) in lung ­transplant recipients. We noted that lung transplant recipients undergoing FB who had been treated previously with NT insertion had further episodes of oxygen desaturation (<90%), despite supplemental oxygen therapy. Prophylactic NT insertion prevented acute hypoxaemia in the majority of lung transplant recipients, with previously documented FB‐related oxygen desaturation secondary to UAO. Additional jaw support may be needed in some patients with severe upper‐airway obstruction. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 317−318)
Dietary fibre: a roughage guide
Authors: James S. L. , Muir J. G. , Curtis S. L. , Gibson P. R. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract The concept of dietary fibre is a complex one that incorporates the physical and physiological functions of fibre and its effects both systemically and local to the gastro­intestinal tract. Dietary fibre can be usefully classified according to its solubility and fermentability, which allows rational clinical application. Fibres may act in several ways including by gel‐forming effects in the stomach and small intestine, by its fermentation by colonic bacteria, by a ‘mop and sponge’ effect, and via concomitant changes in other aspects of the diet. These actions lead to potentially beneficial effects in the gastro­intestinal tract and systemically, such as lowering serum cholesterol and improving glycaemic control. Dietary fibre has been implicated in multiple clinical situations but, although an extensive literature on putative actions and proposed physiological bases is available, high‐level evidence of efficacy is limited. Nevertheless, encouraging the intake of a high‐fibre diet is likely to have a range of health benefits and physicians are encouraged to follow simple practical guidelines in their everyday practice. (Intern Med J 2003; 33: 291−296)