bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic structure in the coral‐reef‐associated Banggai cardinalfish, Pterapogon kauderni
Authors: HOFFMAN ERIC A. , KOLM NICLAS , BERGLUND ANDERS , ARGUELLO J. ROMAN , JONES ADAM G. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractIn this study, we used 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci to show that oceanic distances as small as 2–5 km are sufficient to produce high levels of population genetic structure (multilocus FST as high as 0.22) in the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), a heavily exploited reef fish lacking a pelagic larval dispersal phase. Global FST among all populations, separated by a maximum distance of 203 km, was 0.18 (RST = 0.35). Moreover, two lines of evidence suggest that estimates of FST may actually underestimate the true level of genetic structure. First, within‐locus FST values were consistently close to the theoretical maximum set by the average within‐population heterozygosity. Second, the allele size permutation test showed that RST values were significantly larger than FST values, indicating that populations have been isolated long enough for mutation to have played a role in generating allelic variation among populations. The high level of microspatial structure observed in this marine fish indicates that life history traits such as lack of pelagic larval phase and a good homing ability do indeed play a role in shaping population genetic structure in the marine realm.
F‐statistics under alternation of sexual and asexual reproduction: a model and data from schistosomes (platyhelminth parasites)
Authors: PRUGNOLLE FRANCK , ROZE DENIS , THÉRON ANDRÉ , DE MEEÛS THIERRY 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAccurate inferences on population genetics data require a sound underlying theoretical null model. Nearly nothing is known about the gene dynamics of organisms with complex life cycles precluding any biological interpretation of population genetics parameters. In this article, we used an infinite island model to derive the expectations of those parameters for the life cycle of a dioecious organism obligatorily alternating sexual and asexual reproductions as it is the case for schistosomes (plathyhelminth parasites). This model allowed us to investigate the effects of the degree of mixing among individuals coming from different subpopulations at each new generation (represented in the model by the migration rates before and after clonal reproductions) and the variance in the reproductive success of individuals during the clonal phase. We also consider the effects of different migration rates and degrees of clonal reproductive skew between male and female individuals. Results show that the variance in the reproductive success of clones is very important in shaping the distribution of the genetic variability both within and among subpopulations. Thus, higher variance in the reproductive success of clones generates heterozygous excesses within subpopulations and also increases genetic differentiation between them. Migration occurring before and after asexual reproduction has different effects on the patterns of FIS and FST. When males and females display different degrees of reproductive skew or migration rates, we observe differences in their respective population genetic structure. While results of the model apply to any organism alternating sexual and clonal reproductions (e.g. all parasitic trematodes, many plants, and all aphididae), we finally confront some of these theoretical expectations to empirical data from Schistosoma mansoni infecting Rattus rattus in Guadeloupe.
Phylogeography of an east Australian wet‐forest bird, the satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), derived from mtDNA, and its relationship to morphology
Authors: NICHOLLS J. A. , AUSTIN J. J. 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAustralian wet forests have undergone a contraction in range since the mid‐Tertiary, resulting in a fragmented distribution along the east Australian coast incorporating several biogeographical barriers. Variation in mitochondrial DNA and morphology within the satin bowerbird was used to examine biogeographical structure throughout almost the entire geographical extent of these wet forest fragments. We used several genetic analysis techniques, nested clade and barrier analyses, that use patterns inherent in the data to describe the spatial structuring. We also examined the validity of the two previously described satin bowerbird subspecies that are separated by well‐defined biogeographical barriers and tested existing hypotheses that propose divergence occurs within each subspecies across two other barriers, the Black Mountain corridor and the Hunter Valley. Our data showed that the two subspecies were genetically and morphologically divergent. The northern subspecies, found in the Wet Tropics region of Queensland, showed little divergence across the Black Mountain corridor, a barrier found to be significant in other Wet Tropics species. Biogeographical structure was found through southeastern Australia; three geographically isolated populations showed genetic differentiation, although minimal divergence was found across the proposed Hunter Valley barrier. A novel barrier was found separating inland and coastal populations in southern New South Wales. Little morphological divergence was observed within subspecies, bar a trend for birds to be larger in the more southerly parts of the species’ range. The results from both novel and well‐established genetic analyses were similar, providing greater confidence in the conclusions about spatial divergence and supporting the validity of these new techniques.
Soluble cellular adhesion molecules, selectins, VEGF and endothelin‐1 in patients with Wuchereria bancrofti infection and association with clinical status
Authors: Esterre P. , Plichart C. , Huin‐Blondey M. O. , Nguyen L. N. 
Published: April 2005

SUMMARY Lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito‐transmitted disease commonly known as Bancroftian filariasis, is characterized by debilitating pathology linked to the progression of lymphoedema to a chronic state of elephantiasis. We performed longitudinal measurements of endothelial adhesion and angiogenic molecules in 63 Polynesian patients living in an hyperendemic focus of Wuchereria bancrofti. Decreased serum concentrations of soluble (s‐) L selectin (CD62L) were noticed in sera of of patients with chronic conditions (hydrocele and elephantiasis). Chyluria was associated with increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, whereas elephantiasis presented a high endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) profile. By contrast, increased serum concentrations of soluble intercellular (sICAM‐1, CD54), but not of vascular cell (sVCAM‐1, CD106), adhesion molecules were observed in sera of patients with bacterial lymphangitis used as controls. These trends are consistent with the increased permeability of vascular structures, a major clinical feature observed in acute lymphatic pathology (of bacterial or filarial origin), and of fundamental differences in the pathogenesis of hydrocele and elephantiasis. Using markers correlated with the clinical status (high ET‐1 and VEGF levels for elephantiasis and chyluria, respectively; low CD62L levels for hydrocoele and elephantiasis) it should be possible to monitor disease progression in lymphatic filariasis.
PD‐L2+ dendritic cells and PD‐1+ CD4+ T cells in schistosomiasis correlate with morbidity
Authors: Colley D. G. , Sasser L. E. , Reed A. M. 
Published: April 2005

SUMMARY Dendritic cells (DC) are critical antigen‐presenting cells for the induction and control of immune responses. PD‐L2 (B7‐DC) is a regulatory ligand on subpopulations of DC, and binds to the co‐regulatory receptor PD‐1, present on some activated T lymphocytes, leading to down‐regulation. We now show that very early during experimental schistosomiasis (by 5 weeks) a significantly higher proportion of splenic CD11c+/B220– DC express PD‐L2, and by 6 weeks after infection a higher proportion of splenic CD4 T cells express PD‐1. In this CBA/J mouse/Schistosoma mansoni chronic infection model we have shown that most mice develop moderate morbidity (Moderate Splenomegaly Syndrome, MSS), while some parallel‐infected mice express different immune characteristics and die or develop severe morbidity (Hypersplenomegaly Syndrome, HSS). We now report a positive correlation between the proportion of splenic CD11c+/B220– DC that express PD‐L2 and showing MSS. In contrast, there is an inverse correlation between the proportion of splenic CD3+/CD4+ T lymphocytes that express PD‐1 and showing MSS. The data demonstrate that schistosomes can induce sustained elevated percentages of PD‐L2‐expressing, B220–negative DC. Furthermore, when this potentially immunoregulatory environment occurs chronically, infected mice are most likely to have developed MSS, expressing moderate morbidity.
Cytochemical Ca2+ Distribution in Activated Discoglossus pictus Eggs: A Gradient in the Predetermined Site of Fertilization
Authors: Gualtieri Roberto , Campanella Chiara , Andreuccetti Piero 
Published: April 2005

The K‐pyroantimonate/OsO4 (PA) cytochemical method coupled with EGTA and X‐ray microanalytical controls has been used to localize Ca2+ at egg activation in Discoglossus pictus eggs. The results show that: 1) the PA method is able to selectively localize Ca2+ pools mobilized by activating stimuli; 2) the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) elements located in the animal dimple region, i.e. in the predetermined site of fertilization, are the first egg components labeled by precipitates; 3) a decreasing gradient of precipitates is present from the center beyond the boundaries of the dimple region; 4) precipitates are lacking in the remainder of the egg even at late times after activation.The possibilities are discussed that a) SER is the major Ca2+‐releasing store at activation in Discoglossus, and b) the observed gradient of pyroantimonate‐detected Ca2+ reflects an ionic Ca2+ gradient.
Relationships between Presence of the Eye Cup and Maintenance of Lens‐Forming Capacity in Larval Xenopus laevis
Authors: Bosco Luigi , Filoni Sergio 
Published: April 2005

The lentectomized eye of larval Xenopus laevis can regenerate a lens by a process of lens‐transdifferentiation of the cornea and pericorneal epidermis. These tissues can form the lens only when they become in direct communication with the environment of the vitreous chamber (neural retina) indicating that the eye cup plays a fundamental role in this process.In this work the role of the eye cup in the maintainance of the lens‐forming capacity of the cornea and pericorneal epidermis was studied by allowing these tissues to cover the enucleated orbit for different periods, and then implanting them into the vitreous chamber of the contralateral eye. Under these experimental conditions the maintainance of the lens‐forming capacity of the cornea and pericorneal epidermis showed no significant correlation with the time from enucleation to implantation.
Causes of increased mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma in high incidence country: Taiwan experience
Authors: JAN CHYI‐FENG , CHEN CHIEN‐JEN , CHEN HSIU‐HSI 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground: Since 1991, a rapid rise in mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been observed in Taiwan in subjects aged ≥20 years. The aim of the present study was to assess whether poor survival or excess incident cases pertaining to a cohort effect or a time‐period effect accounted for such a rise.Methods: A total of 41 150 deaths and 51 201 incident HCC patients (International Classification of Diseases = 155.0) aged 20–79 years between 1985 and 1998 were studied. Trends in HCC mortality rates were divided into two groups: annual case‐fatality rates and HCC incidence rates by age. Poisson regression was used to distinguish a cohort effect from a time‐period effect on the incidence of HCC.Results: Subjects aged >50 years after 1991 had the greatest risk of death (relative risk [RR] = 11.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.0–11.7). Annual case‐fatality rates declined from 1.6 in 1985 to 0.84 in 1998, whereas there was a remarkable increase in incidence, particularly from 1991 onward, in the >50‐year‐olds. It was found that subjects aged >50 years who were born before 1944 were the group most susceptible to HCC (RR = 9.3; 95%CI: 9.1–9.5).Conclusion: Increased incidence, particularly in individuals over 50, rather than poor survival, accounts for the rapid rise in mortality from HCC.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Association of fulminant non‐A non‐B hepatitis with homozygosity for HLA A1‐B8‐DR3
Authors: GOW PAUL , HATHAWAY MARK , GUNSON BRIDGET , HEWARD JOANNE , MUTIMER DAVID 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground:  For the majority of cases of acute liver failure in western Europe and North America an etiology cannot be defined. The condition is most often called fulminant non‐A, non‐B (NANB) hepatitis. Features such as female preponderance and presence of serum autoantibodies suggest a possible autoimmune basis. The aim of the present paper was to examine a possible human leukocyte antigen (HLA) association with fulminant NANB hepatitis.Methods:  HLA A, B, and DR data of 55 adult Caucasian fulminant NANB patients were compared with those of 1449 local Caucasian controls.Results:  In Caucasian patients, homozygosity (but not heterozygosity) for the alleles A1, B8, and DR3 were associated with fulminant NANB hepatitis (Pcorrected = 0.02, <0.00001 and 0.002, respectively). Greatest relative risk (RR) was associated with homozygosity for the A1‐B8‐DR3 haplotype (P < 0.00001; RR: 12.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.7–22.3). HLA DR8 was also associated with development of the syndrome (RR: 4.2; 95%CI: 1.6–9.2).Conclusions:  Homozygosity for the HLA haplotype A1‐B8‐DR3 confers susceptibility to the development of fulminant NANB hepatitis. This observation may imply a role for the immune response genes (which are flanked by HLA B and DR) in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.
Clonality analysis of multiple hepatocellular carcinomas by loss of heterozygosity pattern determined by chromosomes 16q and 13q
Authors: LIN YA‐WEN , LEE HSUAN‐SHU , CHEN CHIEN‐HUNG , HUANG GUAN‐TARN , LEE PO‐HUANG , SHEU JIN‐CHUAN 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground and Aim: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 16q and 13q, associated with tumor development, is frequently found in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In light of this, an attempt was made to use the LOH pattern determined by microsatellite markers on 16q and 13q to discriminate clonality.Methods: In an effort to locate the LOH region more precisely and select the appropriate markers, LOH studies on 88 HCC using a panel of 35 microsatellite markers on 16q were carried out. Nine independent regions of frequent LOH were defined. In combination with a previous study of deletion mapping of 13q by the same authors, 12 markers on 16q and 13q were selected and polymerase chain reaction amplification, from microdissection‐extracted DNA, was used to allelotype microsatellite polymorphism as an indication of clonality.Results: Two patterns of LOH were observed. In pattern A, in 8 of 16 (50%) patients, the LOH pattern of the first tumor was preserved in the second sample, with some tumors also showing additional LOH. In these patients, the original and second tumors are presumed to arise from the same original clone with or without progressive accumulation of LOH. In pattern B (8 of 16, 50%), LOH seen in the first tumor was not preserved in the second or recurrent tumors, as evidenced by retention of heterozygosity compared with the first tumor.Conclusion: The data suggest that the second tumor might have arisen from another independent clone. Moreover, this approach also provides a more sensitive and specific strategy to determine whether multiple or recurrent tumors are derived from the same or a different clone.
Changing trends in peptic ulcer prevalence in a tertiary care setting in the Philippines: A seven‐year study
Authors: WONG STEPHEN N , SOLLANO JOSE D , CHAN MELCHOR M , CARPIO RAMON E , TADY CELINA S , ISMAEL ALBERT E , JUDAN‐RUIZ ESTELITA A , ANG VICTORIO N , GO JOHNNY T , LIM VICTORIANO Y , PEREZ JESUS Y , ALVAREZ SOL Z 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The declining global prevalence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) might be because of the decreasing prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of PUD during a 7‐year period and to investigate its relationship with the prevalence of Hp infection during the same period.Methods:  All upper gastrointestinal endoscopies carried out at Santo Tomas Hospital in Manila from January 1996 to December 2002 were evaluated. Endoscopies reporting gastric ulcers (GU) and duodenal ulcers (DU) with Hp status were analyzed.Results:  A total of 15 341 endoscopies were evaluated. Overall, 2600 (16.95%) GU and 1575 (10.27%) DU were identified. There was a decreasing trend in the prevalence of GU (P < 0.0001) and DU (P < 0.0001) during the study period. Overall PUD prevalence declined from 35.87% in 1996 to 18.80% in 2002. This decline was seen for both GU and DU (20.05 vs 14.34%, and 15.83 vs 7.02%, respectively). The prevalence of Hp infection decreased significantly from 1996 to 2002 for both GU and DU (68.13 vs 33.48%, P < 0.0001; and 76.67 vs 36.50%, P < 0.0001, respectively). The decrease in Hp prevalence was significantly related to the decrease in ulcer prevalence (r = 0.97, P = 0.0004 for GU; r = 0.89, P = 0.0079 for DU; and r = 0.92, P = 0.0035 for all PUD). The prevalence of bleeding secondary to PUD remained stable during the 7‐year period (P = 0.87).Conclusions:  During the 7‐year period, there was a significant decline in the prevalence of PUD. This decline in PUD prevalence was associated with a corresponding decrease in Hp prevalence.
Symptomatic portal system thrombosis in soldiers due to extended stay at extreme altitude
Authors: ANAND ANIL C , SAHA ANUPAM , SETH AVNISH K , CHOPRA GURVINDER S , NAIR VELU , SHARMA VIVEK 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground:  With induction of Indian Army to heights over 5000 m above mean sealevel (MSL), several new complications of long‐term stay at extreme altitude have come to light. The authors’ experience with soldiers who developed symptomatic portal system thrombosis (SPST) is described here.Methods:  Clinical data were prospectively collected between April 1998 and April 2003, on all patients hospitalized for SPST from high‐altitude areas (HAA, >3000 m above MSL) and those from non‐high‐altitude areas (NHAA). Site of thrombosis was confirmed by imaging and included splenic, portal, superior mesenteric, or inferior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Patients were investigated to rule out known predisposing factors and prothrombotic conditions.Results:  A total of 37 cases of SPST were seen during the study period, of which 26 were from HAA. Mean age of cases from HAA was 27 ± 4.6 years and all were male. Mean stay at high altitude was 11.7 ± 6.2 months. First symptom was pain in abdomen in almost all the cases, later followed by gastrointestinal bleeding and fever in 14 each, and vomiting in 19. Clinical examination showed ascites (81%), splenomegaly (76.9%), and hepatomegaly (69.2%). Diagnosis was made by imaging scans (23 cases) and on surgery in three cases. A known prothrombotic state was detected in five cases from HAA and in eight cases from NHAA (P ≤ 0.01). Ultrasound Doppler scan picked up collaterals as early as 12–45 days after onset of symptoms.Conclusions:  Extended stay at HAA may be a risk factor for development of symptomatic portal system thrombosis.
Altered expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor‐2 and endostatin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: UEMATSU SHUJI , HIGASHI TOSHIHIRO , NOUSO KAZUHIRO , KARIYAMA KAZUYA , NAKAMURA SHIN‐ICHIRO , SUZUKI MAYUMI , NAKATSUKASA HARUSHIGE , KOBAYASHI YOSHIYUKI , HANAFUSA TADASHI , TSUJI TAKAO , SHIRATORI YASUSHI 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground: Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in humans is characterized by hypervascularity. In the present study, the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) and endostatin were analyzed in patients with chronic liver disease to clarify the effect of these major angiogenic factors.Methods: Serum concentrations of VEGF, FGF‐2 and endostatin in 24 patients with HCC, 16 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 13 healthy volunteers were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of VEGF in 21 surgically resected HCC samples was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and that of VEGF isoforms in 15 HCC samples was assessed by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR).Results: Serum VEGF, FGF‐2 and endostatin concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with HCC compared with healthy volunteers; but there was no significant difference between patients with HCC and those with non‐HCC liver disease. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that VEGF protein was strongly expressed in both well‐differentiated HCC cells and non‐cancerous hepatocytes, whereas in moderately and poorly differentiated HCC the expression was stronger in the endothelial cells (EC) lining intratumor vessels than in the cancer cells. On RT‐PCR for VEGF isoforms it was found that VEGF‐121, VEGF‐165 and VEGF‐189 were expressed in all but one of the HCC samples and in all corresponding non‐HCC samples.Conclusions: The results suggest that VEGF, FGF‐2, and endostatin concentrations are elevated prior to the emergence of HCC and that the distribution of VEGF changes dynamically during the development of HCC.
Evaluation of predictive value of CLIP, Okuda, TNM and JIS staging systems for hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing surgery
Authors: HUANG YI‐HSIANG , CHEN CHIEN‐HUNG , CHANG TING‐TSUNG , CHEN SHINN‐CHERNG , WANG SHEN‐YUNG , LEE HSUAN‐SHU , LIN PIN‐WEN , HUANG GUAN‐TARN , SHEU JIN‐CHUAN , TSAI HONG‐MING , LEE PUI‐CHING , CHAU GAR‐YANG , LUI WING‐YIU , LEE SHOU‐DONG , WU JAW‐CHING 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground: An accurate staging system is required to assess hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in order to benefit from hepatic resection before surgery. Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score was considered to be better than the Okuda staging system to predict survival. Japan Integrated Staging Score (JIS score) includes tumor, nodes, metastases (TNM) stage and Child–Pugh grade as a new staging system for HCC. The purpose of the present paper was to compare the CLIP, Okuda, TNM and JIS staging systems for HCC patients undergoing surgery.Methods: From 1991 to 1995, 599 patients undergoing hepatic resection for HCC from four medical centers in Taiwan were evaluated. All patients were classified by Okuda, CLIP, TNM and JIS systems. Factors associated survivals were analyzed.Results: There was no statistical difference in survival between CLIP 0 and 1 patients, or among CLIP 2–4 patients. The prognostic validation of the Okuda and CLIP scoring systems in discriminating survival in HCC patients undergoing surgery was not satisfied. The TNM system was successful in predicting survival for HCC patients undergoing surgery. The JIS score could also differentiate survivals for those patients except for JIS 3. By multivariate analysis, age ≥60 years old, serum albumin <3.5 g/dL, tumor size >5 cm and TNM stage were associated with survival.Conclusion: Both the Okuda and CLIP systems are not superior to TNM staging for HCC patients who undergo surgical resection. Whether JIS score is feasible for those patients with advanced HCC needs further evaluation.