bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) following a malaria education intervention in Piron, Mali: a control trial with systematic allocation of households
Authors: Rhee Michelle , Sissoko Mahamadou , Perry Sharon , McFarland Willi , Parsonnet Julie , Doumbo Ogobara 
Published: July 2005

Abstract

Background
Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) reduce malaria morbidity and mortality, but use is limited. A barrier to ITN use may be lack of knowledge regarding malaria transmission and prevention. This study is a controlled trial comparing ITN use and malaria knowledge levels between households in Piron, Mali, undertaken in 2003.

Methods
Households received net impregnation services either with or without antecedent education. The main outcome measure was ITN use, defined as impregnation of at least one of the household's existing bednets with insecticide during the study. Knowledge about malaria and prevention practices was assessed pre- and post- educational intervention. Results were analysed by household and by individual.

Results
Forty-nine percent (34/70) of households who received the educational component impregnated their nets in comparison to 35% (22/62) of households who did not (OR = 1.6 CI = 0.8–3.3, P = 0.19). In individual analysis, ITN use was significantly greater in participants who had received the educational intervention (48%) vs. individuals who did not (33%, OR = 1.9, P = 0.012). Knowledge levels about malaria significantly increased for each individual pre- versus post- educational intervention (average change score = 2.13, standard deviation = 1.97, t = -17.78, P < 0.001), although there was no difference found between educational (change score = 2.14) and control groups (change score = 2.12).

Conclusion
It is possible to educate individuals about malaria and to implement net impregnation services with limited resources. Greater accessibility to net-impregnation services is necessary but not sufficient to increase ITN use.
Risk of high blood pressure in salt workers working near salt milling plants: A cross-sectional and interventional study
Authors: Haldiya Kripa Ram , Mathur Murli Lal , Sachdev Raman , Saiyed Habibulla N 
Published: July 2005

Abstract

Background
Workers working close to salt milling plants may inhale salt particles floating in the air, leading to a rise in plasma sodium, which, in turn, may increase the blood pressure and the risk of hypertension.

Methods
To test the above hypothesis, occupational health check-up camps were organized near salt manufacturing units and all workers were invited for a free health examination. The workers who worked with dry salt in the vicinity of salt milling plants were defined as "non-brine workers," while those working in brine pans located far away from milling plants were defined as "brine workers." Blood pressure (BP) was measured during each clinical examination. In all, 474 non-brine workers and 284 brine workers were studied.

Results
Mean systolic blood pressure of non-brine workers (122.1 ± 13.3 mm Hg) was significantly higher than that of brine workers (118.8 ± 12.8 mm Hg, p < 0.01). Mean diastolic blood pressure of non-brine workers (71.5 ± 10.4 mm Hg) was significantly higher than that of brine workers (69.7 ± 9.4 mm Hg, p = 0.02). The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in non-brine workers (12.2%) than in brine workers (7.0%, p = 0.02). Nineteen salt workers were monitored while they used face masks and spectacles, for six days. Systolic, as well as diastolic, blood pressure of these workers began declining on the third day and continued to decline on the fourth day, but remained stationary up to the sixth day. The concentration of salt particles in the breathing zone of these workers was 376 mg/m3 air.

Conclusion
Inhalation of salt particles in non-brine workers may be an occupational cause of increased blood pressure.
A case report: Pavlovian conditioning as a risk factor of heroin 'overdose' death
Authors: Gerevich József , Bácskai Erika , Farkas Lajos , Danics Zoltán 
Published: July 2005

Abstract

Background
The authors present a case illustrating a mechanism leading directly to death which is not rare but has received little attention.

Case presentation
The case was evaluated by autopsy, investigation of morphine concentration in the blood, and clinical data. The heroin dose causing the 'overdose' death of a young man who had previously been treated a number of times for heroin addiction did not differ from his dose of the previous day taken in the accustomed circumstances. The accustomed dose taken in a strange environment caused fatal complications because the conditioned tolerance failed to operate. The concentration of morphine in the blood did not exceed the level measured during earlier treatment.

Conclusion
These results are in line with the data in the literature indicating that morphine concentrations measured in cases of drug-related death do not differ substantially from those measured in cases where the outcome is not fatal. A knowledge of the conditioning mechanism can contribute to prevention of fatal cases of a similar type. The harm reduction approach places great stress on preventive intervention based on data related to drug-related death.
Utility of a thematic network in primary health care: a controlled interventional study in a rural area
Authors: Coma del Corral Maria Jesús , Abaigar Luquín Pedro , Cordero Guevara José , Olea Movilla Angel , Torres Torres Gerardo , Lozano Garcia Javier 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackgroundUniNet is an Internet-based thematic network for a virtual community of users (VCU). It supports a virtual multidisciplinary community for physicians, focused on the improvement of clinical practice. This is a study of the effects of a thematic network such as UniNet on primary care medicine in a rural area, specifically as a platform of communication between specialists at the hospital and doctors in the rural area.MethodsIn order to study the effects of a thematic network such as UniNet on primary care medicine in a rural area, we designed an interventional study that included a control group. The measurements included the number of patient displacements due to disease, number of patient hospital stays and the number of prescriptions of drugs of low therapeutic utility and generic drug prescriptions by doctors. These data were analysed and compared with those of the control center.ResultsOur study showed positive changes in medical practice, reflected in the improvement of the evaluated parameters in the rural health area where the interventional study was carried out, compared with the control area. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of UniNet as a potential medium to improve the quality of medical care in rural areas.ConclusionThe rural doctors had an effective, useful, user-friendly and cheap source of medical information that may have contributed to the improvement observed in the medical quality indices.
PDZ domain-binding motif of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax oncoprotein is essential for the interleukin 2 independent growth induction of a T-cell line
Authors: Tsubata Chikako , Higuchi Masaya , Takahashi Masahiko , Oie Masayasu , Tanaka Yuetsu , Gejyo Fumitake , Fujii Masahiro 
Published: July 2005

Abstract

Background
Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), whereas HTLV type 2 (HTLV-2), is not associated with ATL or any other leukemia. HTLV-1 encodes the transforming gene tax1, whose expression in an interleukin (IL)-2-dependent T-cell line (CTLL-2) induces IL-2-independent growth.

Results
In this study, we demonstrated that IL-2-independent growth induction by Tax1 was abrogated by mutations of the PDZ domain-binding motif (PBM) at the Tax1 C-terminus. HTLV-2 Tax2, which shares 75% amino acid identity with Tax1 but does not have a PBM, was not able to induce IL-2-independent growth of CTLL-2.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that Tax1, through interaction with PDZ domain protein(s) induces IL-2-independent growth, which may be a factor in multi-step leukemogenesis caused by HTLV-1.
High proportion of recurrent germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene in breast and ovarian cancer patients from the Prague area
Authors: Pohlreich Petr , Zikan Michal , Stribrna Jana , Kleibl Zdenek , Janatova Marketa , Kotlas Jaroslav , Zidovska Jana , Novotny Jan , Petruzelka Lubos , Szabo Csilla , Matous Bohuslav 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
Background
Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been shown to account for the majority of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. The purpose of our study was to estimate the incidence and spectrum of pathogenic mutations in BRCA1/2 genes in high-risk Czech families.

Methods
A total of 96 Czech families with recurrent breast and/or ovarian cancer and 55 patients considered to be at high-risk but with no reported family history of cancer were screened for mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes. The entire coding sequence of each gene was analyzed using a combination of the protein truncation test and direct DNA sequencing.

Results
A total of 35 mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes were identified in high-risk families (36.5%). Pathogenic mutations were found in 23.3% of breast cancer families and in 59.4% of families with the occurrence of both breast and ovarian cancer. In addition, four mutations were detected in 31 (12.9%) women with early onset breast cancer. One mutation was detected in seven (14.3%) patients affected with both a primary breast and ovarian cancer and another in three (33.3%) patients with a bilateral breast cancer. A total of 3 mutations in BRCA1 were identified among 14 (21.4%) women with a medullary breast carcinoma. Of 151 analyzed individuals, 35 (23.2%) carried a BRCA1 mutation and 9 (6.0%) a BRCA2 mutation. One novel truncating mutation was found in BRCA1 (c.1747A>T) and two in BRCA2 (c.3939delC and c.5763dupT). The 35 identified BRCA1 mutations comprised 13 different alterations. Three recurrent mutations accounted for 71.4% of unrelated individuals with detected gene alterations. The BRCA1 c.5266dupC (5382insC) was detected in 51.4% of mutation positive women. The mutations c.3700_3704del5 and c.181T>G (300T>G) contributed to 11.4% and 8.6% of pathogenic mutations, respectively. A total of eight different mutations were identified in BRCA2. The novel c.5763dupT mutation, which appeared in two unrelated families, was the only recurrent alteration of the BRCA2 gene identified in this study.

Conclusion
Mutational analysis of BRCA1/2 genes in 151 high-risk patients characterized the spectrum of gene alterations and demonstrated the dominant role of the BRCA1 c.5266dupC allele in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
Recombinant human activated protein C resets thrombin generation in patients with severe sepsis – a case control study
Authors: de Pont Anne-Cornélie JM , Bakhtiari Kamran , Hutten Barbara A , de Jonge Evert , Vroom Margreeth B , Meijers Joost CM , Büller Harry R , Levi Marcel 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
Introduction
Recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) is the first drug for which a reduction of mortality in severe sepsis has been demonstrated. However, the mechanism by which this reduction in mortality is achieved is still not clearly defined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dynamics of the anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrinolytic action of rhAPC in patients with severe sepsis, by comparing rhAPC-treated patients with case controls.

Methods
In this prospectively designed multicenter case control study, 12 patients who were participating in the ENHANCE study, an open-label study of rhAPC in severe sepsis, were treated intravenously with rhAPC at a constant rate of 24 μg/kg/h for a total of 96 h. Twelve controls with severe sepsis matching the inclusion criteria received standard therapy. The treatment was started within 48 h after the onset of organ failure. Blood samples were taken before the start of the infusion and at 4, 8, 24, 48, 96 and 168 h, for determination of parameters of coagulation and inflammation.

Results
Sepsis-induced thrombin generation as measured by thrombin-antithrombin complexes and prothrombin fragment F1+2, was reset by rhAPC within the first 8 h of infusion. The administration of rhAPC did not influence parameters of fibrinolysis and inflammation. There was no difference in outcome or occurrence of serious adverse events between the treatment group and the control group.

Conclusion
Sepsis-induced thrombin generation in severely septic patients is reset by rhAPC within the first 8 h of infusion without influencing parameters of fibrinolysis and inflammation.
TRIBUTE: A Phase III Trial of Erlotinib Hydrochloride (OSI-774) Combined With Carboplatin and Paclitaxel Chemotherapy in Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Herbst Roy S. , Prager Diane , Hermann Robert , Fehrenbacher Lou , Johnson Bruce E. , Sandler Alan , Kris Mark G. , Tran Hai T. , Klein Pam , Li Xin , Ramies David , Johnson David H. , Miller Vincent A. 
Published: July 2005

Purpose Erlotinib is a potent reversible HER1/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor with single-agent activity in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Erlotinib was combined with chemotherapy to determine if it could improve the outcome of patients with NSCLC. Patients and Methods TRIBUTE randomly assigned patients with good performance status and previously untreated advanced (stage IIIB/IV) NSCLC to erlotinib 150 mg/d or placebo combined with up to six cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel, followed by maintenance monotherapy with erlotinib. Random assignment was stratified by stage, weight loss in the previous 6 months, measurable disease, and treatment center. The primary end point was overall survival (OS). Secondary end points included time to progression (TTP), objective response (OR), and duration of response. Results There were 1,059 assessable patients (526 erlotinib; 533 placebo). Median survival for patients treated with erlotinib was 10.6 v 10.5 months for placebo (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.16; P = .95). There was no difference in OR or median TTP. Patients who reported never smoking (72 erlotinib; 44 placebo) experienced improved OS in the erlotinib arm (22.5 v 10.1 months for placebo), though no other prespecified factors showed an advantage in OS with erlotinib. Erlotinib and placebo arms were equivalent in adverse events (except rash and diarrhea). Conclusion Erlotinib with concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel did not confer a survival advantage over carboplatin and paclitaxel alone in patients with previously untreated advanced NSCLC. Never smokers treated with erlotinib and chemotherapy seemed to experience an improvement in survival and will undergo further investigation in future randomized trials.
Patterns of genotoxicity and contaminant exposure: Evidence of genomic instability in the marsh frogs (rana ridibunda) of sumgayit, azerbaijan
Authors: Matson Cole W. , Palatnikov Grigoriy M. , McDonald Thomas J. , Autenrieth Robin L. , Donnelly K.C. , Anderson Todd A. , Canas Jaclyn E. , Islamzadeh Arif , Bickham John W. 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
The wetlands of Sumgayit in the Azerbaijan Republic contain complex mixtures of contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mercury, organochlorine pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Marsh frogs (Rana ridibunda) were collected from several contaminated wetlands within the city as well as from two reference sites outside the city. Sediment samples revealed heterogeneous patterns of PAH and mercury concentrations throughout Sumgayit, with the highest levels occurring east of the Sumgayit River, within the industrial zone. Flow cytometry and micronucleus assay revealed elevated estimates of genetic damage in frogs from the wetlands east of the Sumgayit River compared to frogs from the reference sites. Flow cytometric data showed a significant correlation with sediment mercury concentrations, whereas population micronucleus frequencies were significantly correlated with high-molecular-weight PAHs.
Biodegradation of bisphenol a and disappearance of its estrogenic activity by the green alga Chlorella fusca var. vacuolata
Authors: Hirooka Takashi , Nagase Hiroyasu , Uchida Kotaro , Hiroshige Yuji , Ehara Yoshie , Nishikawa Jun-ichi , Nishihara Tsutomu , Miyamoto Kazuhisa , Hirata Zazumasa 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA) is known as an endocrine disruptor and often is found in landfill leachates. Removal of BPA by green alga, Chlorella fusca, was characterized, because we previously found that various phenols were well removed by this strain, including BPA. Chlorella fusca was able to remove almost all BPA in the concentration range from 10 to 80 μM for 168 h under continuous illumination at 18 W/m2. At the low light intensity of 2 W/m2, 82% of 40 μM BPA was removed, and only 27% was removed in the dark. Moreover, C. fusca could remove 90% of 40 μM BPA under the 8:16-h light:dark condition, which was almost as high as that under the continuous-light condition. The amount of BPA contained in the cells was less than the amount of BPA removed from the medium. Monohydroxybisphenol A was detected as an intermediate of BPA degradation. Moreover, estrogenic activity that originated from BPA in the culture medium also completely disappeared. Based on these results, BPA was finally degraded to compounds having nonestrogenic activity. Therefore, C. fusca can be considered a useful organism to remove BPA from landfill leachates.
Phytotoxicity and phytoaccumulation of trivalent and hexavalent chromium in brake fern
Authors: Su Yi , Han Fengxiang X. , Sridhar B.B. Maruthi , Monts David L. 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
A recently recognized hyperaccumulator plant, Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata), has been found to extract very high concentration of arsenic from arsenic-contaminated soil. Chromium usually is a coexisting contaminant with arsenic in most contaminated soils. The potential application of ferns for phytoremediation of chromium(III)- and chromium(VI)-contaminated soils and their phytotoxicity to ferns has not been studied before. In this study, chromium distribution and phytotoxicity at the plant and cellular levels of brake ferns were studied using chemical analyses and scanning electron microscopy. The results show a higher phytotoxicity of Cr from Cr(VI)-contaminated soil to Chinese brake fern than from Cr(III)-contaminated soil. Phytotoxicity symptoms included significant decreases both in fresh biomass weight and relative water content (RWC), and also in leaf chlorosis during the late stage of growing. At higher concentrations (500 mg/kg Cr[VI] and 1,000 mg/kg Cr[III] addition), plants showed reduction in the number of palisade and spongy parenchyma cells in leaves. Compared with other plant species reported for phytoremediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soil, brake fern took up and accumulated significant amounts of Cr (up to 1,145 mg/kg in shoots and 5,717 mg/kg in roots) and did not die immediately from phytotoxicity. Our study suggests that Chinese brake fern is a potential candidate for phytoremediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated soils, even though plants showed severe phytotoxic symptoms at higher soil Cr concentrations.
Evaluation of adult quail and egg production following exposure to perchlorate-treated water
Authors: Gentles Angella , Surles James , Smith Ernest E. 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
Twenty-three adult female northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) quail were exposed to 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mM ammonium perchlorate (AP) in drinking water for 30 d. Eggs laid in all treatment groups, including control, were collected, dated, given an identification number, and weighed. On day 30 of exposure, 10 birds were euthanized by carbon dioxide asphyxiation. Gross toxicological endpoints and thyroid histology were evaluated in 10 birds. Egg production and accumulation of perchlorate in the eggs (n = 10) and liver (n = 5) were determined. Perchlorate did not affect body or organ weights significantly; however, at 1 mM, AP caused alteration of thyroid gland morphology. Perchlorate did not affect egg production, but significant accumulation was observed in the eggs and livers of exposed birds.
Induction of vitellogenin mRNA in juvenile chinese sturgeon (acipenser sinensis gray) treated with 17β-estradiol and 4-nonylphenol
Authors: Zhang Zhaobin , Hu Jianying , Jin Wei An, Fen , An Lihui , Tao Shu , Chen Jingsheng 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
It has been demonstrated that 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) exerts estrogenic effects in diverse fishes. The present study investigated the effects of 4-NP on Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis Gray) vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression. By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using degenerate primers, a 462-base pair fragment of Chinese sturgeon VTG. corresponding to a 154-amino acid sequence, was amplified and sequenced. This sequence exhibited 152/154 identity to the amino acid sequence of white sturgeon (A. transmontano) VTG. Conventional RT-PCR and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were established and used to study the VTG and β-actin gene expression in the liver of juvenile Chinese sturgeon injected three times with 17β-estradiol (5 mg/kg body wt/week) or 4-NP (10 or 100 mg/kg/week) in the course of three weeks. Significant induction of VTG gene expression was detected in all treated groups, and no VTG mRNA was detected in the control group. The ratio of VTG to β-actin analyzed from the results of quantitative real-time RT-PCR reached 0.041 ± 0.024 (mean ± SD) in the group receiving 10 mg/kg/week of 4-NP and 4.51 ± 1.68 in the group receiving 100 mg/kg/week of 4-NP. Chemical analysis of 4-NP showed that the concentrations of 4-NP in the 10 mg/kg/week group and the 100 mg/kg/week group were 2.78 ± 2.41 and 31.38 ± 0.26 μg/g wet weight, respectively. Compared with the 4-NP concentrations (0.8–1.92 μg/g wet wt) in fish from the Yangtze River, China, a potential hazard exists regarding 4-NP in Chinese sturgeon. These results represent the first indication of the risk of endocrine-disrupting chemicals for Chinese sturgeon.
Effect of coexposure to DDT and manganese on freshwater invertebrates: Pore water from contaminated rivers and laboratory studies
Authors: Mejía-Saavedra Jesús , Sánchez-Armass Sergio , Santos-Medrano Gustavo E. , Gonzáaaalez-Amaro Roberto , Razo-Soto Israel , Rico-Martínez Roberto , Díaz-Barriga Fernando 
Published: July 2005

Abstract
An environmental survey of several rivers of the southern Huasteca area of Mexico revealed high concentrations of manganese (Mn) and the presence of DDT in the sediments and pore water. Therefore, acute (48-h) toxicities of Mn and DDT were assessed both independently and as a combination on 24-h-old neonates of Daphnia magna Strauss and Lecane quadridentata Ehrenberg. Daphnia magna showed high sensitivity to both toxicants, whereas L. quadridentata was highly resistant to DDT and less susceptible to Mn. For D. magna, the Mn and DDT coexposure was significantly more toxic than any of the singly tested compounds. When D. magna was exposed to sediment pore water, no association was found between the Mn content in the samples and the observed toxicity. Preliminary particle analysis of pore water showed different compounds of Mn, which apparently were not in bioavailable form.