bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of macrovascular disease amongst type 2 diabetic patients detected by targeted screening and patients newly diagnosed in general practice: the Hoorn Screening Study
Authors: Spijkerman A. M. W. , Henry R. M. A. , Dekker J. M. , Nijpels G. , Kostense P. J. , Kors J. A. , Ruwaard D. , Stehouwer C. D. A. , Bouter L. M. , Heine R. J. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract.Objectives.  Screening for type 2 diabetes has been recommended and targeted screening might be an efficient way to screen. The aim was to investigate whether diabetic patients identified by a targeted screening procedure differ from newly diagnosed diabetic patients in general practice with regard to the prevalence of macrovascular complications.Design.  Cross‐sectional population‐based study.Setting.  Population study, primary care.Subjects.  Diabetic patients identified by a population‐based targeted screening procedure (SDM patients), consisting of a screening questionnaire and a fasting capillary glucose measurement followed by diagnostic testing, were compared with newly diagnosed diabetic patients in general practice (GPDM patients). Ischaemic heart disease and prior myocardial infarction were assessed by ECG recording. Peripheral arterial disease was assessed by the ankle‐arm index. Intima‐media thickness of the right common carotid artery was measured with ultrasound.Results.  A total of 195 SDM patients and 60 GPDM patients participated in the medical examination. The prevalence of MI was 13.3% (95% CI 9.3–18.8%) and 3.4% (1.0–11.7%) in SDM patients and GPDM patients respectively. The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease was 39.5% (95% CI 32.9–46.5%) in SDM patients and 24.1% (15.0–36.5%) in GPDM patients. The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease was similar in both groups: 10.6% (95% CI 6.9–15.9%) and 10.2% (4.7–20.5%) respectively. Mean intima‐media thickness was 0.85 mm (±0.17) in SDM patients and 0.90 mm (±0.20) in GPDM patients. The difference in intima‐media thickness was not statistically significant.Conclusions.  Targeted screening identified patients with a prevalence of macrovascular complications similar to that of patients detected in general practice, but with a lower degree of hyperglycaemia.
Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolaemia: normalization of plasma LDL cholesterol by ezetimibe in combination with statin treatment
Authors: Lind S. , Olsson A. G. , Eriksson M. , Rudling M. , Eggertsen G. , Angelin B. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract.Background.  Severe hereditary hypercholesterolaemia is most frequently due to familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), caused by mutations in the LDL receptor (LDLR) gene. However, a phenotype very similar to FH may also be caused by defects in other genes like the genes for apolipoprotein (apo) B‐100 or autosomal recessive hypercholesterolaemia (ARH).Subject.  An 8‐year‐old male of Lebanese origin was diagnosed with severe hypercholesterolaemia and extensive cutaneous and tendon xanthomas. Plasma LDL cholesterol before treatment was 17 mmol L−1, whilst parents and both siblings had normal levels.Diagnosis.  Degradation of 125I‐labelled LDL in blood lymphocytes was reduced, but not abolished. Sequencing analysis of the LDLR and apoB‐100 genes were negative, whilst a splice acceptor mutation in intron 1 (IVS 1 –1G>C) was detected in the ARH gene. The patient was homozygous for the mutation, whilst the parents were heterozygous. These findings were in agreement with a diagnosis of ARH.Treatment and clinical course.  Monthly LDL apheresis and atorvastatin 120 mg daily reduced LDL cholesterol preapheresis level to 4.8 mmol L−1. When ezetimibe was given 10 mg day−1 in combination with rosuvastatin 80 mg day−1, LDL cholesterol was further lowered to 1.6 mmol L−1, which made apheresis unnecessary. Cutaneous and tendon xanthomas disappeared completely and the intima‐media thickness of the common carotid arteries decreased. At age 23 he developed a small myocardial infarction.Conclusion.  ARH should be considered in cases of severe hypercholesterolaemia with a pattern of recessive inheritance. Combination therapy with high‐dose statin and ezetimibe seems to be the treatment of choice in ARH and may reduce or eliminate the need for LDL apheresis treatment.
Oxidized low‐density lipoprotein in plasma is a prognostic marker of subclinical atherosclerosis development in clinically healthy men
Authors: Wallenfeldt K. , Fagerberg B. , Wikstrand J. , Hulthe J. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract.Objective.  To investigate the association between plasma oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (OxLDL) and the progress of clinically silent atherosclerosis, as measured by ultrasound in the carotid arteries.Design.  Prospective, observational study with more than 3 years of follow‐up.Setting.  One‐centre study at university hospital.Material and methods.  The subjects (n = 326) were obtained by stratified sampling from a population sample of men who were 58 years old at baseline. Carotid artery intima‐media thickness (IMT) was measured bilaterally by high‐resolution B‐mode ultrasound at baseline and after follow‐up. Plasma OxLDL cholesterol concentrations and conventional cardiovascular risk factors were measured at study entry. Automated measurements of IMT were performed. Plaque occurrence and size were assessed (plaque status). Plasma OxLDL at entry was measured by a specific monoclonal antibody, mAb‐4E6.Results.  OxLDL at entry, but not LDL cholesterol, was associated with the number and size of plaques at follow‐up (P = 0.008), also after adjustment for plaque status at entry (P = 0.033). The plasma OxLDL concentration at entry was associated with change in carotid artery IMT (r = 0.17; P = 0.002) and in a stepwise multiple regression analysis this association remained after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors (P = 0.005).Conclusions.  These results provide new information, supporting the concept that circulating OxLDL was associated with the silent phase of atherosclerosis progression in clinically healthy men independently of conventional risk factors.
Inflammatory markers and heart rate variability in women with coronary heart disease
Authors: Janszky I. , Ericson M. , Lekander M. , Blom M. , Buhlin K. , Georgiades A. , Ahnve S. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract.Purpose.  Both heart rate variability (HRV) and inflammatory markers are carrying prognostic information in coronary heart disease (CHD), however, we know of no studies examining their relation in CHD. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the association between HRV and inflammatory activity, as reflected by the levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) and C‐reactive protein (CRP).Subjects and methods.  Consecutive women patients who survived hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction, and/or underwent a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or a coronary artery bypass grafting were included and evaluated in a stable condition 1 year after the index events. An ambulatory 24‐h ECG was recorded during normal activities. SDNN index (mean of the standard deviations of all normal to normal intervals for all 5‐min segments of the entire recording) and the following frequency domain parameters were assessed: total power, high frequency (HF) power, low frequency (LF) power and very low frequency (VLF) power. Levels of high‐sensitivity CRP were measured by nephelometry, IL‐6 and IL‐1ra concentrations were determined by enzyme immunoassay.Results.  Levels of IL‐6 showed an inverse relation with HRV measures even after controlling for potential confounding factors. The P‐values were 0.02, 0.04, 0.01, 0.03, 0.18 for the multivariate association with SDDN index, total power, VLF power, LF power and HF power respectively. In contrast, the inverse relationship between HRV measures and CRP or IL‐1ra levels were weak and nonsignificant. Correlation coefficients for the relationship between IL‐6 and HRV measures were both uni‐ and multivariately higher than for the relationship between HRV measures and any other factors evaluated in this study.Conclusion.  Concentration of IL‐6 showed a negative, independent association with HRV in women with CHD. Thus, increased inflammatory activity, as reflected by IL‐6 levels, may represent a new auxiliary mechanism linking decreased HRV to poor prognosis in CHD.
Diagnosing heart failure in aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Kupari M. , Turto H. , Lommi J. 
Published: October 2004

Abstract.Objective.  In aortic valve stenosis (AS), heart failure (HF) omens a high risk of death and is an indication for prompt valve replacement. We studied whether its detection can be facilitated by measuring plasma N‐terminal B‐type natriuretic peptide (Nt‐BNP) or by estimating pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) using echocardiography.Design and setting.  A cross‐sectional cohort study in a university hospital.Subjects and methods.  We studied 137 consecutive adult patients referred to our unit for invasive evaluation of isolated AS. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization, measurement of plasma Nt‐BNP and estimation of PCWP by Doppler echocardiography of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities. The final diagnosis of HF was based on the combined criteria of dyspnoea on ordinary effort and PCWP >14 mmHg at cardiac catheterization. The performance of Nt‐BNP and the PCWP estimate in the detection of HF were studied using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Results.  Totally 42 patients had HF. A cardiologist's clinical diagnosis of HF had high specificity (94%) but poor sensitivity (66%). With an optimized cut‐off point, plasma Nt‐BNP had moderate sensitivity (77%) and specificity (79%) for HF; the ROC area was 0.83. The echocardiographic PCWP estimate classified 90% of patients correctly as having normal or truly elevated (>14 mmHg) PCWP. Its sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of HF were 80 and 95% respectively; the ROC area was 0.88. With a cut‐off point of 12 mmHg, the sensitivity of the PCWP estimate was 85% and specificity, 88%.Conclusion.  The recognition of HF in patients with AS can be improved by estimating PCWP using Doppler echocardiography of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities.
An analysis of plant–aphid interactions by different microarray hybridization strategies
Authors: VOELCKEL C. , WEISSER W. W. , BALDWIN I. T. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractAphids have long been considered ‘stealthy’ herbivores that subvert a plant's induced defenses and manipulate its source‐sink signaling, but these hypotheses are largely untested at a transcriptional level. We analysed gene expression in native tobacco plants (Nicotiana attenuata) infested with Myzus nicotianae aphids, without resorting to the use of clip‐cages, with a cDNA microarray containing 240 defense‐related N. attenuata genes. Using a hybridization scheme (‘ratio analysis’ and ‘state analysis’) broadly applicable in two‐factor analyses, we examined how the aphids influenced source–sink relationships and determined if their feeding preference, apart from benefiting from the sink strength of young leaves, was associated with the expression of known plant defense genes. In contrast to the responses elicited by attack from tissue‐feeding lepidopteran larvae and mesophyll‐sucking insects, attack from phloem‐feeding aphids elicited only weak responses. Similar to other herbivores, M. nicotianae feeding increased the expression of trypsin protease inhibitors (TPI), lipoxygenase, and xyloglucan‐endotransglycosylase genes, and decreased small RUBISCO subunit and ubiquitin carrier protein transcripts. Aphid‐specific changes included the up‐regulation of glutamate synthase and the down‐regulation of a germin‐like protein. Aphids preferentially settled on younger leaves, which expressed more hydroperoxide lyase and TPI than did older leaves, suggesting that these genes, which mediate the synthesis of compounds reported to be toxic for aphids in other plant systems, are either not under transcriptional control or not important in this system. By identifying aphid‐responsive genes, we have made a first step in identifying the ‘genes that matter’ in plant–aphid interactions.
Estimating pairwise relatedness from dominant genetic markers
Authors: WANG J. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractKnowledge of the genetic relatedness between a pair of individuals is important in many research areas of quantitative genetics, conservation genetics, evolution and ecology. Many estimators have been developed to estimate such pairwise relatedness (r) using codominant markers, such as microsatellites and enzymes. In contrast, only two estimators are proposed to use dominant markers, such as random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), in relatedness inference. They are both biased estimators, and their statistical properties and robustness to the sampling errors in allele frequency have not been investigated. In this short paper, I propose two new pairwise relatedness estimators for dominant markers, and compare them in precision, accuracy and robustness to sampling with the two previous estimators using simulations. It was found that the new estimator based on the least squares approach is unbiased when allele frequencies are known or estimated from a sample without correcting for sampling effects. It has, however, a low precision and as a result, an intermediate overall performance among the four estimators in terms of the mean squared deviation (MSD) of estimates from actual values of r. The new estimator based on a similarity index is slightly biased but has generally the lowest MSD among the four estimators compared, regardless of the number of loci, type of actual relationships, allele frequencies known or estimated from samples. Simulations also show that the confidence intervals estimated by bootstrapping are appropriate for different estimators provided that the number of loci used in the estimation is not small.
Molecular and ecological evidence for small‐scale isolation by distance in an endangered damselfly,Coenagrion mercuriale
Authors: WATTS P. C. , ROUQUETTE J. R. , SACCHERI I. J. , KEMP S. J. , THOMPSON D. J. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractCoenagrion mercuriale(Charpentier) (Odonata: Zygoptera) is one of Europe's most threatened damselflies and is listed in the European Habitats directive. We combined an intensive mark‐release‐recapture (MRR) study with a microsatellite‐based genetic analysis forC. mercurialefrom the Itchen Valley, UK, as part of an effort to understand the dispersal characteristics of this protected species. MRR data indicate that adult damselflies are highly sedentary, with only a low frequency of interpatch movement that is predominantly to neighbouring sites. This restricted dispersal leads to significant genetic differentiation throughout most of the Itchen Valley, except between areas of continuous habitat, and isolation by distance (IBD), even though the core populations are separated by less than 10 km. An urban area separating some sites had a strong effect on the spatial genetic structure. Average pairwise relatedness between individual damselflies is positive at short distances, reflecting fine‐scale genetic clustering and IBD both within‐ and between‐habitat patches. Damselflies from a fragmented habitat have higher average kinship than those from a large continuous population, probably because of poorer dispersal and localized breeding in the former. Although indirect estimates of gene flow must be interpreted with caution, it is encouraging that our results indicate that the spatial pattern of genetic variation matches closely with that expected from direct observations of movement. These data are further discussed with respect to possible barriers to dispersal within the study site and the ecology and conservation ofC. mercuriale. To our knowledge, this is the first report of fine‐scale genetic structuring in any zygopteran species.
Conservation genetics and demographic history of the endangered Cape Fear shiner (Notropis mekistocholas)
Authors: SAILLANT E. , PATTON J. C. , ROSS K. E. , GOLD J. R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe examined allelic variation at 22 nuclear‐encoded markers (21 microsatellites and one anonymous locus) and mitochondrial (mt)DNA in two geographical samples of the endangered cyprinid fish Notropis mekistocholas (Cape Fear shiner). Genetic diversity was relatively high in comparison to other endangered vertebrates, and there was no evidence of small population effects despite the low abundance reported for the species. Significant heterogeneity (following Bonferroni correction) in allele distribution at three microsatellites and in haplotype distribution in mtDNA was detected between the two localities. This heterogeneity may be due to reduced gene flow caused by a dam built in the early 1900s. Bayesian coalescent analysis of microsatellite variation indicated that effective population size of Cape Fear shiners has declined in recent times (11–25 435 years ago, with highest posterior probabilities between 126 and 2007 years ago) by one–two orders of magnitude, consistent with the observed decline in abundance of the species. A decline in effective size was not indicated by analysis of mtDNA, where sequence polymorphism appeared to carry the signature of an older expansion phase that dated to the Pleistocene (∼12 700 > 1 million years ago). Cape Fear shiners thus appear to have undergone an expansion phase following a glacial cycle but to have declined significantly in more recent times. These results suggest that rapidly evolving markers such as microsatellites may constitute a suitable tool when inferring recent demographic dynamics of populations.
Past and present patterns of connectivity among populations of four cryptic species of freshwater musselsVelesuniospp. (Hyriidae) in central Australia
Authors: HUGHES JANE , BAKER ANDREW M. , BARTLETT CHRISTOPHER , BUNN STUART , GOUDKAMP KATRINA , SOMERVILLE JEMMA 
Published: October 2004

AbstractWe examined genetic structure and levels of connectivity among subpopulations within each of four cryptic species belonging to the freshwater mussel genusVelesunio. We used allozymes and a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidase I gene to examine genetic variation in populations from isolated waterholes, belonging to four major inland drainages in eastern Australia. Based on evidence from other invertebrates in the region we predicted that, in each species, we would find evidence of historical connectivity among populations from different drainages. This was clearly not the case, as for the two species that occurred in more than one drainage there was evidence of both current and past restriction to gene flow. Moreover, given the potential for extensive dispersal of these mussels through the river systems during flood times via their fish hosts, we predicted low levels of genetic variation among populations from waterholes in the same drainage. Contrary to our expectations, all four species showed some evidence of restricted gene flow among waterholes within drainages. This suggests that either (a) mussel larvae are not produced during flood times, when their fish hosts would be free to move between waterholes, or (b) mussel larvae are attached to their hosts at these times, but the fish movement is limited between waterholes.
No suggestion of hybridization between the vulnerable black‐faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) and the common impala (A. m. melampus) in Etosha National Park, Namibia
Authors: LORENZEN ELINE D. , SIEGISMUND HANS R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThere are two recognized subspecies of impala in sub‐Saharan Africa: the common impala (Aepyceros melampus melampus) — widespread in southern and east Africa — and the vulnerable black‐faced impala (A. m. petersi) — found naturally in only a small enclave in southwest Africa. The Etosha National Park (NP) in Namibia harbours the largest and only protected‐area population of black‐faced impala, numbering some 1500 individuals. Due to translocations of the exotic common impala to commercial farms in Namibia during the past decades, the black‐faced impala in Etosha is faced with the potentially serious threat of hybridization posed by secondary contact with the common impala inhabiting bordering farms. Using eight microsatellite DNA markers, we analysed 127 black‐faced impala individuals from the five subpopulations in Etosha NP, to determine the degree, if any, of hybridization within the park. We found that (a) the black‐faced impala were highly genetically differentiated from the common impala (pairwise θ‐values ranged from 0.18 to 0.39 between subspecies; overall value = 0.27) and (b) black‐faced samples showed high levels of genetic variability [average expected heterozygosity (HE) = 0.61 ± 0.01 SE], although not as high as that observed in the common impala (averageHE = 0.69 ± 0.02 SE). (c) No hybridization between the subspecies in Etosha was suggested. A Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach revealed clear distinction of individuals into groups according to their subspecies of origin, with a zero level of ‘genetic admixture’ among subspecies.
Recent habitat fragmentation due to roads can lead to significant genetic differentiation in an abundant flightless ground beetle
Authors: KELLER I. , NENTWIG W. , LARGIADÈR C. R. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractAlthough habitat fragmentation is suspected to pose a major threat to biodiversity, its impact on abundant invertebrate species has been little investigated. We assessed the genetic population structure of the flightless ground beetleAbax parallelepipedusin a forest fragmented by two main roads and a highway using five microsatellite loci. We detected low levels of genetic differentiation, which was concordant with the high population densities of 632–1707 individuals/ha estimated with a mark–recapture method. A Mantel test detected a highly significant increase of pairwiseFST‐values with the number of roads between sampling locations. As expected, the most pronounced effect of the isolation due to roads was observed in the sample from the smallest fragment (highway exit loop), which was differentiated significantly from most other locations. However, no signs of a recent bottleneck or a loss of genetic variability were detected in this population, indicating a still relatively large effective population size (Ne). Computer simulations confirmed that the observedFST‐values were indeed compatible with aNeof a few hundred individuals in this fragment, assuming strong or absolute isolation since the construction of the roads. We discuss the implications of our findings for the conservation of abundant but poorly dispersing species in fragmented habitats.