bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple query optimization in middleware using query teamwork
Authors: O'Gorman K. , El Abbadi A. , Agrawal D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMultiple concurrent queries occur in many database settings. This paper describes the use of middleware as an optimization tool for such queries. Since common subexpressions derive from common data and the data is usually greatest at the source, the middleware exploits the presence of sharable access patterns to underlying data, especially scans of large portions of tables or indexes, in environments where query queuing or batching is an acceptable approach. The results show that simultaneous queries with such sharable accesses have a tendency to form synchronous groups (teams) which benefit each other through the operation of the disk cache, in effect using it as an implicit pipeline. The middleware exploits this tendency by queuing and scheduling the queries to promote this interaction, using an algorithm designed to promote such teamwork. This is implemented as middleware for use with a commercial database engine. The results include tests using the query mix from the TPC Benchmark™ R, achieving a speed‐up of 2.34 over the default scheduling provided by one database. Other results show that the success depends on the details of the computing environment. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase gene and diabetic retinopathy in Asian Indian patients
Authors: Kumaramanickavel G , Sripriya S , Vellanki RN , Upadyay NK , Badrinath SS , Rajendran V , Sukumar B , Ramprasad VL , Sharma T 
Published: December 2004

Nitric oxide, a signal transduction molecule, when modulated causes various diseases including diabetic retinopathy. In diabetes, allelic polymorphism of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene is associated with retinopathy in the Northern Irish population. In the present study we investigated the Asian Indian population.One hundred and ninety‐nine unrelated Asian Indian patients with 15 or more years of type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups: (a) diabetic retinopathy (DR) and (b) diabetic nonretinopathy (DNR) subjects. In these groups the pentanucleotide microsatellite repeat located 2.5 kb upstream of the transcription start site of the iNOS gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analyzed.Eleven alleles, 175–225 bp, were identified. Allele 210 bp was significantly associated with retinopathy (p = 0.044). Individuals carrying this allele had twice the risk of developing retinopathy compared with those who did not carry this allele [odds ratio (OR) – 2.03; 95% CI 0.96–4.35]. Alleles 200 and 220 bp were also significantly associated with no retinopathy and no serious retinopathy complications, respectively.In the Asian Indian population, allele 210 bp of the iNOS gene is a high‐risk allele for developing retinopathy and alleles 200 and 220 bp protect an individual from developing retinopathy or its complications.
Why are we ‘weighting’? An assessment of a self‐weighting approach to measuring oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: McGrath Colman , Bedi Raman 
Published: December 2004

Abstract  – Objective: To determine whether or not self‐weighting at an item level contributes to the performance of an oral health‐related quality‐of‐life measure.Design: Data were collected in two national surveys conducted a month apart, one using the ‘weighted’ measure and the other an ‘unweighted’ version of the UK oral health‐related quality‐of‐life measure. In addition, sociodemographic and self‐reported oral health status were recorded.Results: The UK oral health‐related quality‐of‐life measure discriminated between groups based on age group (<65, 65 and older) and social class (higher and lower) irrespective of the version of the questionnaire used. Both versions also showed significant associations with self‐reported oral health: denture status (P < 0.01) and number of teeth possessed (P < 0.01). In addition, both versions demonstrated predictive ability in identifying those in prosthetic need (<20 teeth and without recourse to a denture, P < 0.01).Conclusion: Weighting the UK oral health‐related quality‐of‐life instrument does not improve the psychometric properties of the instrument and thus raises questions about the value of self‐weighting at an item level.
Distinguishing fault reactivation from flexural deformation in the distal stratigraphy of the Peripheral Blountian Foreland Basin, southern Appalachians, USA
Authors: Bayona Germán , Thomas William A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractReactivation of intraplate structures and weak zones within the foreland lithosphere disrupt the modelled geometry and pattern of migration of the flexural wave in foreland basins. In the southern Appalachians (USA), the Middle Ordovician unconformity, irregular Middle Ordovician distal foreland deposition and backstepping of Middle–lower Upper Ordovician carbonate strata have been related to migration of the flexural wave. However, integration of stratigraphy, tectonic subsidence history and composition of palinspastically restored distal foreland strata, using a map of subsurface basement structures as reference, allows us to distinguish an early event of inversion from two events of flexural migration. Sections restoring at very short distances outside the boundaries of a former basement graben have the youngest passive‐margin strata preserved beneath Middle Ordovician (∼466 Ma) peritidal to deep lagoonal carbonates with gravel‐size chert clasts. In contrast, sections restoring inside the graben record >470 m of truncation of pre‐Middle Ordovician passive‐margin strata, late onset of deposition (∼456 Ma), and subaerial features in carbonate and siliciclastic strata. The lacuna geometry and early patterns of distal foreland uplift and carbonate deposition indicate that inversion of a basement graben in response to Middle Ordovician convergence, rather than a migrating or semi‐fixed forebulge, was the primary control on the early evolution of the distal foreland. Drowning of the carbonate platform in more proximal settings, northeastward onset of deposition on upthrown blocks, and thick accumulation of carbonates in downthrown blocks record northwestward and northeastward flexural wave migration at the Middle–Late Ordovician boundary. In early Late Ordovician, the overall shoaling of carbonate and siliciclastic depocentres and the rise of tectonic subsidence curves indicate hinterlandward migration of flexural uplift. Both events of flexural migration were accompanied by influx of volcanic ash and synorogenic sediments.
Long‐term survival in multiple myeloma: a Finnish Leukaemia Group study
Authors:   Finnish Leukaemia Group
Published: December 2004

The long‐term survival of 324 multiple myeloma patients treated with conventional chemotherapy (CT) was analysed after at least 10 years follow‐up. The unselected group of myeloma patients 70 years, as representative of the population, was derived from three prospective multicentre trials by the Finnish Leukaemia Group.The median overall survival time (OS) was 49 months. At 10 years, 13% of the patients were alive. The significant single pre‐treatment prognostic factors for long‐term survival were age, Hb, platelet count, serum‐creatinine and proportion of plasma cells in the bone marrow. Staging according to Hb level and plasma cell degree was more useful than that of the Durie and Salmon system in predicting long‐term survival. The first‐line chemotherapy combination and the level of response were unimportant in this respect. A long plateau phase after first response and response to salvage chemotherapy were important prognostic factors. Not only the salvage regimen but also the whole supportive treatment and adequate control of complications throughout the course of the disease are important.
Cytoprotective antioxidant activity of serum albumin and autocrine catalase in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Moran Elizabeth C. , Kamiguti Aura S. , Cawley John C. , Pettitt Andrew R. 
Published: December 2004

Summary. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells are long lived in vivo but undergo spontaneous apoptosis when cultured in vitro. Intriguingly, CLL cells also appear to have a specific susceptibility to oxidative stress – a potent inducer of apoptosis. Here, we show that serum albumin can function as a cytoprotective antioxidant of potential relevance to circulating CLL cells, and that autocrine catalase – a hydrogen peroxide‐inactivating enzyme that may be released extracellularly – can perform a similar role under the crowded conditions that prevail at sites of tissue involvement. Albumin lowered oxidative stress in cultured CLL cells and inhibited spontaneous and reactive oxidant‐induced apoptosis. Maximal effects were observed at a concentration of 10 mg/ml – fourfold lower than that in plasma and twofold higher than that in standard culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. Oxidative stress and spontaneous apoptosis were also decreased by cell crowding and by conditioned medium (CM) from crowded CLL cells, indicating that these processes were subject to autocrine regulation. CLL cells were found to express catalase and release enzyme activity into the culture medium. Exogenous catalase decreased oxidative stress and spontaneous apoptosis, and the anti‐apoptotic effect of CM from crowded CLL cells was abrogated by the specific catalase inhibitor, 3′‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole. Together, these data strongly implicate autocrine catalase as a cytoprotective antioxidant. Oxidative stress in CLL cells was greatly diminished by ruthenium red – an inhibitor of mitochondrial reactive oxidant production – and by the glutathione (GSH) precursor N‐acetylcysteine, suggesting that the GSH peroxidase antioxidant system may be compromised by lack of available substrate. Our findings highlight the importance of endogenous reactive oxidants in regulating CLL‐cell apoptosis, and help to explain why CLL cells survive for prolonged periods in vivo despite their vulnerability to oxidative stress and spontaneous apoptosis when cultured	in vitro.
Prevalence of IgG antibodies to human parvovirus B19 in haemophilia children treated with recombinant factor (F)VIII only or with at least one plasma‐derived FVIII or FIX concentrate: results from the French haemophilia cohort
Authors: Gaboulaud Valérie , Parquet Armelle , Tahiri Cedric , Claeyssens Ségolène , Potard Valérie , Faradji Albert , Peynet Jocelyne , Costagliola Dominique ,   for the Suivi Thérapeutique National des Hémophiles Group
Published: December 2004

Summary. Human parvovirus B19 (B19) has been transmitted by some brands of virally attenuated plasma‐derived factor VIII (FVIII) or IX (FIX) concentrates. To quantify the differences of human parvovirus B19 risk transmission between albumin‐stabilized recombinant factor and plasma‐derived factor, we studied the prevalence of IgG antibodies to B19 (anti‐B19) in 193 haemophiliac children between	1 and 6‐years of age who had previously been treated with albumin‐stabilized recombinant FVIII only (n = 104), and in children previously treated with solvent/detergent high‐purity non‐immunopurified and non‐nanofiltered FVIII or IX concentrates (n = 89). Association between the prevalence of anti‐B19 and the treatment group was analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Age, severity and type of haemophilia, number of cumulative days of exposure to factor VIII or IX, previous history of red blood cells or plasma transfusion were considered as potential confounding variables. A higher prevalence of anti‐B19 was found in children previously treated with solvent/detergent high‐purity non‐immunopurified and non‐nanofiltered FVIII or IX concentrates than in children treated with albumin‐ stabilized recombinant FVIII only (OR: 22·3; CI: 7·9–62·8), independently of the other factors studied.
Clinical relevance of balance between type 1 and type 2 immune responses of lymphocyte subpopulations in aplastic anaemia patients
Authors: Giannakoulas Nikolaos C. , Karakantza Marina , Theodorou Georgios L. , Pagoni Maria , Galanopoulos Athanasios , Kakagianni Theodora , Kouraklis‐Symeonidis Alexandra , Matsouka Panagiota , Maniatis Alice , Zoumbos Nicholas C. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryImmune dysfunction, which leads to the suppression of haemopoiesis by cytokines that are secreted by activated T lymphocytes, is considered to play a key role in the pathogenesis of acquired aplastic anaemia (AAA).We investigated the intracytoplasmic expression of type‐1 [interferon γ (IFN‐γ), interleukin (IL)‐2] and type‐2 (IL‐4, IL‐10) cytokines in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells before and after in vitro activation in 16 patients with AAA and 17 normal controls. Untreated or refractory patients had a significantly higher proportion of unstimulated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that produced IFN‐γ and IL‐2 whereas the IL‐4 and IL‐10 producing T cells did not differ from that of controls, resulting in a shift of IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio towards a type‐1 response. Patients in remission had also increased proportion of IFN‐γ‐producing unstimulated CD4+ and CD8+ cells, with a parallel rise of IL‐4‐ and IL‐10‐producing cells and normal IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio. These data indicate that, in newly diagnosed and refractory patients with AAA, CD4+ cells are polarized towards a type‐1 response that in turn leads to activation of cytotoxic CD8+ cells and finally to haemopoietic stem cell destruction. The type‐1 response persists in patients in remission although this effect is compensated by the increase of IL‐4 and IL‐10 production.
A population based, unselected, consecutive cohort of patients with acquired haemophilia A
Authors: Collins Peter , Macartney Nicola , Davies Richard , Lees Steven , Giddings John , Majer Ray 
Published: December 2004

SummaryPrevious studies in acquired haemophilia A have reported on cohorts of patients referred to specialist centres or were retrospective surveys of specialist centre experience. This may have resulted in the literature representing a more severe group of patients than seen in routine haematological practice. We report on a consecutive, unselected cohort of all patients in south and west Wales who presented with acquired haemophilia A between 1996 and 2002. There were 18 patients, an incidence of 1·34/million/year. Compared with previously reported cohorts our patients were older, with a median age of 70 years, and less likely to have an underlying diagnosis (27%). The bleeding phenotype was less severe, with only 27% having life or limb threatening bleeds and 41% required no haemostatic treatment. One patient died of bleeding, but three died of complications related to immunosuppression. Response to immunosuppression was high compared with other series, with 88% of treated patients attaining an undetectable inhibitor and normal factor VIII level. These data suggest that previously reported cohorts may represent more severely affected patients and, whilst guidelines for treatment based on these assumptions may be valid for severely affected patients, they may not be universally applicable.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in the thalassaemia syndromes
Authors: Borgna‐Pignatti Caterina , Vergine Gianluca , Lombardo Turi , Cappellini Maria Domenica , Cianciulli Paolo , Maggio Aurelio , Renda Disma , Lai Maria Eliana , Mandas Antonella , Forni Gianluca , Piga Antonio , Bisconte Maria Grazia 
Published: December 2004

SummaryHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) frequently complicates hepatic cirrhosis secondary to viral infection or iron overload. Therefore, patients affected by thalassaemia syndromes have a theoretically high risk of developing the tumour. We collected data on patients attending Italian centres for the treatment of thalassaemia. Twenty‐two cases of HCC were identified; 15 were male. At diagnosis, the mean age was 45 ± 11 years and the mean serum ferritin was 1764 ± 1448 μg/l. Eighty‐six percent had been infected by hepatitis C virus. Nineteen of 22 cases were diagnosed after 1993, suggesting that this problem is becoming more frequent with the aging population of thalassaemia patients.
Molecular mimicry by Helicobacter pylori CagA protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori‐associated chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Takahashi Toru , Yujiri Toshiaki , Shinohara Kenji , Inoue Yusuke , Sato Yutaka , Fujii Yasuhiko , Okubo Masashi , Zaitsu Yuzuru , Ariyoshi Koichi , Nakamura Yukinori , Nawata Ryouhei , Oka Yoshitomo , Shirai Mutsunori , Tanizawa Yukio 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe eradication of Helicobacter pylori often leads to platelet recovery in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (cITP). Although this clinical observation suggests the involvement of H. pylori, little is known about the pathogenesis of cITP. We initially examined the effect of H. pylori eradication on platelet counts in 20 adult Japanese cITP patients. Then, using platelet eluates as the probe in immunoblot analyses, we examined the role of molecular mimicry in the pathogenesis of cITP. Helicobacter pylori infection was detected in 75% (15 of 20) of cITP patients. Eradication was achieved in 13 (87%) of the H. pylori‐positive patients, seven (54%) of which showed increased platelet counts within the 4 months following treatment. Completely responsive patients also showed significant declines in platelet‐associated immunoglobulin G (PAIgG) levels. Platelet eluates from 12 (nine H. pylori‐positive and three H. pylori‐negative) patients recognized H. pylori cytotoxin‐associated gene A (CagA) protein, and in three completely responsive patients, levels of anti‐CagA antibody in platelet eluates declined after eradication therapy. Cross‐reactivity between PAIgG and H. pylori CagA protein suggests that molecular mimicry by CagA plays a key role in the pathogenesis of a subset of cITP patients.
FcγRIIB is differentially expressed during B cell maturation and in B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Camilleri‐Broët Sophie , Cassard Lydie , Broët Philippe , Delmer Alain , Touneau Agnès Le , Diebold Jacques , Fridman Wolf Herman , Molina Thierry Jo , Sautès‐Fridman Catherine 
Published: December 2004

SummaryFcγRIIB, a low affinity receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG), is thought to drive negative selection of B cells in germinal centers (GC) by inducing apoptosis upon interaction with immune complexes. Its expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in 22 reactive lymphoid tissues and 112 B‐cell lymphomas. Pre‐GC mantle cells, marginal zone cells and their neoplastic counterparts expressed FcγRIIB. The B chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphomas were also positive. Not detected in GC, FcγRIIB was expressed in 52% of follicular lymphomas and in 20% of diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL). In DLBCL, FcγRIIB expression was linked to transformation (P < 0·001). Re‐analysis of a gene profile data set from the Lymphochip microarrays showed that FcγRIIB expression in the activated B‐like DLBCL subgroup was higher than in the GC‐like one (P < 0·04), and was associated with an adverse prognostic both in univariate (P < 0·003) and in multivariate analysis including the International Prognostic Indicator (IPI) (P < 0·01). Thus these results challenge the potential role of FcγRIIB during B‐cell selection in GC, and suggest a prognostic value of FcγRIIB expression in DLBCL.
Investigating the proximal limit of lymphadenectomy in patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus in the mid-thoracic region
Authors: Vickery C W , Hollowood A D , Barham C P , Hardwick R H , Alderson D 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

Aims
The benefit of extended lymphadenectomy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus is established, but there is little evidence to support this in patients with adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of lymphatic spread of oesophageal adenocarcinomas, and particularly the proximal spread in tumours located in the mid thorax.

Methods
Twenty-six consecutive patients with tumours arising between 29 and 35 cm from the incisor teeth underwent three-stage oesophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy, including nodes in the recurrent laryngeal chains. The proximal extent was measured by endoscopic ultrasonography and confirmed at operation, with division of the lymph node harvest into anatomical sites according to the Japanese classification of oesophageal cancer.

Results
There were 21 men and five women, with a mean age of 64 (range 42–78) years; seven patients were lymph node negative in both the mediastinal and abdominal fields. Six patients had nodal metastases more than 2 cm above the tumour and all had extensive involvement of other nodes at the level of the tumour or below, with 7, 7, 9, 12, 15 and 18 nodes positive. There were no patients in whom nodes above the tumour contained metastases while those at the level or below were clear.

Conclusions
Dissection of proximal lymph nodes along the recurrent laryngeal nerve chains in patients with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus is not warranted. Lymphatic spread above the level of the tumour occurs in association with extensive lymph node involvement elsewhere and removal of proximal nodes from difficult locations is not warranted as a means of improving staging or survival.
Exercise in claudicants is associated with systemic fibrinolysis
Authors: Evans S M , Haggart P C , Ludlam C A , Bradbury A W 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

Background
Claudicants have been shown to mount a potentially harmful systemic inflammatory response to exercise, characterized by vascular endothelial activation and thrombin generation. However, the fibrinolytic response to exercise remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the nature of the fibrinolytic response to exercise in claudicants and normal controls.

Methods
Peripheral venous blood was drawn from 18 claudicants and eight age- and sex-matched controls before, immediately and 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 min after treadmill exercise (Gardner protocol). Claudicants exercised to the point of maximal ischaemic pain and controls to the point of fatigue. Plasma tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) 1 activity were measured by ‘Coaset’ PAI and ‘Coatest’ tPA assays (Chromogenix, Sweden).

Results
There was no significant difference in tPA or PAI-1 activity between the groups at baseline. tPA activity increased significantly immediately after exercise in all claudicants (median (interquartile range) 2·8 (1·6–4·0) versus 5·6 (3·5–7·7) units ml−1; P = 0·003, Wilcoxon test) and remained significantly raised for 10 min. This was accompanied by an immediate significant fall in PAI-1 activity (8·5 (4·3–12·7) versus 8·3 (5·0–11·6) units ml−1; P = 0·04) which normalized by 10 min. Neither tPA activity or PAI-1 levels changed significantly in the control group.

Conclusion
These data indicate that exercise in claudicants is associated with systemic fibrinolysis. The immediacy and short-lived nature of the response suggests that it occurs as a consequence of muscle ischaemia rather than reperfusion.