bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased Telomerase Activity and Decreased Telomere Length in Genital Condylomata Acuminata
Authors: Rahat Michal A , Lahat Nitza , Sharon Avishalom , Gazawi Haifa , Abramovici Haim , Bornstein Jacob 
Published: October 2002

Our objective was to find a possible correlation between telomerase activity, mean telomere length and human papillomavirus (HPV) presence and type in genital condylomata acuminata. Fifteen biopsies from women with genital condylomata acuminata and nine control tissue samples were tested for telomerase activity, mean telomere length, and HPV presence and type. All condylomata exhibited telomerase activity, compared to 78% of the control samples. The mean telomere length of condylomata was significantly (P < 0.002) shorter compared to telomere length in control tissue samples. All condylomata lesions were infected with HPV types 6/11, and more than half had additional infection with HPV 16/18. Mixed HPV 6/11 with 16/18 infection correlated with shorter telomeres than presence of HPV 6/11 alone in the lesions (4.68 ± 0.44 kb vs 4.97 ± 0.57 kb). None of the control tissue samples showed presence of HPV DNA. Telomerase activity may be a marker of proliferation rather than malignancy, whereas the mean telomere length could better serve as a marker for the progression of HPV lesions toward malignancy.
The Cellular Immune System in Female Patients with or without Genital Warts: A Study of Peripheral White Blood Cell Components
Authors: Opaneye Abayomi A 
Published: October 2002

The immune system plays a vital role in the fight against infections. The commonest viral infections treated in the genitourinary medicine (GUM) departments are genital warts. Knowledge about the status of the immune system in these patients may help in their clinical management. This study compares the values of various blood cell components in the peripheral blood of 2 groups of female patients—those with genital warts against those without genital warts. The mean monocyte count was lower among patients with genital warts.
Condom Shape: A Neglected Factor Influencing use and Acceptability?
Authors: Garside Ruth ,   UK Family Planning Research Network, Barnett L , Bateman J , Booker D , Brown S , Cooling H , Cox M , Nash K , Oloto E , Richardson S , Saxty P , Taylor A , Tolcher R , Tupper C 
Published: October 2002

Improving condom acceptability amongst users is one way to enhance efficacy. This study aimed to test whether or not the shape of a condom influenced users’ perceptions of condom acceptability as measured through their ratings of condom comfort, sensitivity and security. Four types of condoms were tested which had 3 different shapes, and one of which also had a small diameter. Participants were recruited at 15 UK Family Planning Research Network Clinics and one Student Health Centre in England and Wales in late 1997. A total of 1193 people initially volunteered to take part and of these 204 men and 251 women completed the trial, giving an overall response rate of 38%. Results suggest that both men and women were able to detect differences in the shapes of the condoms and that differences led to preference for a particular condom type. Similar proportions preferred a straight-sided, a flared and a contoured condom, whilst the smaller, contoured condom was preferred by a minority of respondents. To optimize consistent condom use, providers should consider encouraging users to try a range of condoms to ensure that they are using the one most suitable for them.
What is the potential for formal patient registration in Canadian primary care? The scale of informal registration' in Manitoba
Authors: Menec Verena , Black Charlyn , Roos Noralou , Bogdanovic Bogdan 
Published: October 2002

Objectives: Registration of patients with a physician is increasingly being considered across Canada as part of a reform of the primary health care system. This study aims to determine how much 'informal registration' currently exists; that is, to identify the number/proportion of patients who, given existing utilization patterns, already receive the majority of their care from one practice, in order to assess the potential for formal registration. Methods: Administrative data were used to classify patients ( n = 528 905) as being informally registered with a clinic if they received the majority of their care (75% or more of their total ambulatory visits) from the same practice over a three-year period (1994-1996). The proportion and number of informally registered patients were examined. Results: Substantial variability emerged across practices in the proportion of informally registered patients (15-68%) and the number of informally registered patients per physician (544-1378 patients per full-time equivalent physician). Informal registration was higher among rural practices (60%) than among urban practices (38%). Conclusions: While formal registration of patients with physicians is increasingly being considered in Canada as a means to improve the primary care system, the potential disruption to both patients and physicians in moving towards registration should not be underestimated. The relatively low levels of existing informal registration suggest a need to enhance access by, for example, providing after-hours services.
Identifying barriers to the use of research faced by public health physicians in Norway and developing an intervention to reduce them
Authors: Forsetlund Louise , Bjørndal Arild 
Published: October 2002

Objectives: To explore why public health physicians seldom use research-based information and to develop an intervention to remedy this on the basis of this study, other research literature and suitable theories of information-seeking and professional behaviour change. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using focus groups, observation of individuals and interviews. The setting was Norwegian public health practice; 52 public health physicians from all over Norway participated in the study. Results: We identified several barriers to the use of scientific literature that could be categorised as: psychological variables; environmental variables; and source characteristics. We developed an intervention that attempts to address these barriers, informed by previous research on the effectiveness of interventions to change professional practice and incorporating elements from social cognitive theories and the theory of innovation diffusion. Conclusions: The Norwegian public health physician works in an isolated environment which does not facilitate searching or obtaining scientific information, which does not ask for this information and far less encourages its use as a basis for decision-making. An intervention tailored to reduce some of the barriers to research use may lead to more frequent and extensive use of such information in public health decision-making.
Evaluation of explicit prioritisation for elective surgery: A prospective study
Authors: Derrett Sarah , Paul Charlotte , Herbison Peter , Williams Helen 
Published: October 2002

Objectives To evaluate whether the Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC), used to prioritise access to elective surgery, was associated with: (a) patients’ access to surgery in practice; (b) patients’ level of need; and (c) patients’ ability to benefit from surgery. Patients’ perceptions of the ‘booking system’ for surgery were also explored. Methods Prospective cohort study in New Zealand. Consecutive patients assessed for cataract (n= 101), prostate (n=103) or hip or knee joint replacement (n=137) surgery were interviewed close to the time of their CPAC prioritisation, and then six and 12 months later. Results CPAC scores were associated with access to surgery. There were weak-to-moderate correlations between CPAC scores and disease-specific health status before surgery (need) but almost no correlations with improvement in health status following surgery (ability to benefit). Change in health status was highly correlated with pre-surgery health status. Many patients supported prioritisation according to need, although the impersonal nature of the scoring system and the changing thresholds for surgery distressed some. Conclusions While prioritisation systems for surgery have potential value the CPAC criteria investigated need modification. Ability to benefit should receive increased weight. The impact of an explicit prioritisation system upon the doctor-patient relationship needs to be explored as there is some evidence that it may impede the discussion of the risks and benefits of surgery, and of the treatment preferences of patients.
Developmental changes in responsiveness to parents and unfamiliar adults in a monogamous monkey (Callicebus moloch)
Authors: Mayeaux D.J. , Mason W.A. , Mendoza S.P. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTiti monkeys (Callicebus moloch) are monogamous New World primates that are characteristically found in family‐type groups consisting of a mated adult pair and one or two young. The factors maintaining the small size of these groups are not known. Based on observations of free‐ranging and captive families, parental aggression toward older offspring seems unlikely to play a significant role. Maturing individuals themselves, however, could undergo behavioral changes that weaken ties to their natal group. These might include waning of affiliative relations with parents, or subtle forms of aversion. Independent of such changes, increasing interest in unfamiliar conspecifics could be a factor. We examined these possibilities in the present study by assessing changes in social behavior and social preferences from initial ambulatory independence (6 months) through reproductive maturity (24 months) in a combined cross‐sectional/longitudinal study of 21 captive titi monkeys living with their parents. Responses to both parents and to an unfamiliar adult heterosexual pair, a single unfamiliar adult male, and a single unfamiliar adult female were observed when subjects were given a choice between parents and strangers presented simultaneously or as the only social incentive. Social stimuli were at opposite ends of a 16.8‐m‐long test corridor. Subjects could move freely about the corridor for 5 min with each configuration of social stimuli. They stayed closer to parents than to strangers at all ages. Responsiveness to strangers increased with age and suggested growing ambivalence, particularly toward the male stranger. As they approached 24 months of age, male subjects showed a dramatic increase in the frequency and intensity of agonistic behaviors toward male strangers, behaviors that were rarely directed toward female strangers or parents. Waning of attraction to parents may be less important in dispersal from the natal group than changing reactions to strangers. Am. J. Primatol. 58:71–89, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toward the engineering of minimal living cells
Authors: Luisi Pier Luigi 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe article focuses on the notion of a synthetic or semi‐synthetic minimal cell, defined as a system that has the minimal and sufficient structural conditions for cellular life. It is emphasized that two complementary approaches are in principle possible, defined as “bottom‐up” and “top‐down” approaches. The first one aims at the construction of a minimal cell starting from scratch, and it is argued that a very serious bottle‐neck to this pathway lies in the origination of specific macro‐molecular sequences, as in nature those were constructed most likely by a particular contingent set of conditions. The top‐down approaches utilize extant genes and enzymes, and the work in this case is based on the incorporation of the minimal and sufficient amount of such macromolecules into liposomes, as models for the shell of biological cells. The first phase of this ambitious project foresees the study of conditions under which complex molecular biology reactions takes place in the compartments of liposomes. Examples of these reactions are provided, for example, the production of RNA throughout Q‐beta replicase in a self‐reproducing vesicle system; or PC Reaction in phospholipid vesicles; or even the incorporation of ribosomes in liposomes, with the production of polypeptide chains. The use of giant vesicles is also illustrated. These systems, due to their large size, offer the advantage that by way of special micro‐injection techniques, all sort of biochemical agents can be directly introduced in the compartment; and that the reaction can be followed by optical microscopy. In the final part of the article, the outlook of increasing the complexity of these liposome systems so as to arrive at first semi‐synthetic cells is discussed. Anat Rec 268:208–214, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of collagens
Authors: Exposito Jean‐Yves , Cluzel Caroline , Garrone Robert , Lethias Claire 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe extracellular matrix is often defined as the substance that gives multicellular organisms (from plants to vertebrates) their structural integrity, and is intimately involved in their development. Although the general functions of extracellular matrices are comparable, their compositions are quite distinct. One of the specific components of metazoan extracellular matrices is collagen, which is present in organisms ranging from sponges to humans. By comparing data obtained in diploblastic, protostomic, and deuterostomic animals, we have attempted to trace the evolution of collagens and collagen‐like proteins. Moreover, the collagen story is closely involved with the emergence and evolution of metazoa. The collagen triple helix is one of numerous modules that arose during the metazoan radiation which permit the formation of large multimodular proteins. One of the advantages of this module is its involvement in oligomerization, in which it acts as a structural organizer that is not only relatively resistant to proteases but also permits the creation of multivalent supramolecular networks. Anat Rec 268:302–316, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Discriminating 310‐ from α‐helices: Vibrational and electronic CD and IR absorption study of related Aib‐containing oligopeptides
Authors: D. Silva R. A. Gangani , Yasui Sritana C. , Kubelka Jan , Formaggio Fernando , Crisma Marco , Toniolo Claudio , Keiderling Timothy A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractModel peptides based on ‐(Aib‐Ala)n‐, and (Aib)n‐Leu‐(Aib)2 sequences, which have varying amounts of 310‐helical character, were studied by use of vibrational and electronic circular dichroism (VCD and ECD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopies to test the correlation of spectral response and conformation. The data indicate that these peptides, starting from a length of about four to six residues, predominantly adopt a 310‐helical conformation at room temperature. The longest model peptides, depending on the series, may evidence some α‐helical contribution to the spectra, while the shorter ones, with less than six residues, have much less order. The IR absorption spectra (as supported by theory) showed only small frequency changes between 310‐ and α‐helices. By contrast, solvent effects are a source of much bigger perturbations. The ECD results show that the intensity ratio for the ∼ 222‐nm to ∼ 208‐nm bands, while useful for distinguishing between these two helical types in some sequences, may have a narrower range of application than VCD. However, the VCD data presented here continue to support the proposed discrimination between α‐ and 310‐helices based on qualitative amide I and II bandshape differences. The present study shows the intensities of the 310‐helical amide I (peak‐to‐peak) to its amide II VCD to be of the same order and useful for discriminating them from α‐helices, whose amide I dominates the amide II in intensity. This qualitative result is experimentally independent of the amount of αMe‐substituted residues in the sequence. These experimental VCD results are consistent in detail with theoretical spectral simulations for Ac‐(Ala)8‐NH2, Ac‐(Aib‐Ala)4‐NH2, and Ac‐(Aib)8‐NH2 in 310‐ and α‐helical conformations. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 65: 229–243, 2002
Inhibition of human chorionic gonadotropin β‐subunit modulates the mitogenic effect of c‐myc in human prostate cancer cells
Authors: Devi Gayathri R. , Oldenkamp Jennifer R. , London Carla A. , Iversen Patrick L. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDAmplification of the proto‐oncogene c‐myc has been identified as one of the most common genetic alterations in prostate cancer, thus making it an attractive therapeutic target. However, certain prostate cancer cells are unresponsive to c‐Myc inhibition. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that effective growth inhibition in the refractory cancer cells can be achieved by blocking c‐myc along with a growth factor using a novel phosphorodiamidate morpholino antisense oligomer‐based approach. Human chorionic gonadotropin, a growth factor implicated in neoplasm, causes activation of c‐myc through a G‐protein–coupled pathway of signal transduction.METHODSIn this study, the effect of inhibition of β‐hCG and c‐myc singly or in combination was evaluated in DU145 (RB −/−, p53−/−, androgen‐independent) and LNCaP (Rb+/+, p53 +/+, androgen‐sensitive) human prostate cancer cell lines and in a DU145 subcutaneous xenograft murine model.RESULTSAntisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers directed against β‐hCG and c‐myc caused a specific decrease of the target protein levels. Unlike LNCaP cells, DU145 cell growth was refractory to c‐Myc inhibition. Unresponsiveness to c‐myc inhibition in DU145 cells was overcome by targeting both β‐hCG and c‐myc genes, resulting in potentiation of the antiproliferative effect seen with inhibition of β‐hCG alone.CONCLUSIONSThe inhibition of β‐hCG sensitizes prostate cancer cells to the antiproliferative effects of c‐Myc inhibition, including tumors that are refractory to c‐Myc decrease alone. Prostate 53: 200–210, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Common Promoter Variant in Cyclooxygenase-2 Represses Gene Expression
Authors: Papafili Anastasia , Hill Michael R. , Brull David J. , McAnulty Robin J. , Marshall Richard P. , Humphries Steve E. , Laurent Geoffrey J. 
Published: October 2002

Objective—Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is a key regulatory enzyme in the synthesis of prostanoids associated with trauma and inflammation. We investigated the COX-2 gene for functional variants that may influence susceptibility to disease.Methods and Results—The promoter of COX-2 was screened for variants in healthy subjects by use of polymerase chain reaction-based methods. Promoter activity was investigated by using reporter expression experiments in human lung fibroblasts. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, with measurements of plasma markers linked to COX-2 activity, were genotyped for association studies. A common COX-2 promoter variant, −765G>C, was found and shown to be carried by >25% of a group of healthy UK subjects. The −765C allele had significantly lower promoter activity compared with −765G, basally (28±3% lower,P<0.005) and in serum-stimulated cells (31±2% lower,P<0.005). In patients subjected to coronary artery bypass graft surgery, the magnitude of rise in levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) was strongly genotype dependent. Compared with −765G homozygotes, patients carrying the −765C allele had significantly lower plasma CRP levels at 1 to 4 days after surgery (14% lower at the peak of CRP levels on day 3,P<0.05 for all time points).Conclusions—For several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, −765G>C may influence the variability of response observed.
Life-Course Perspective on Socioeconomic Differences in Carotid Atherosclerosis
Authors: Rosvall Maria , Östergren Per-Olof , Hedblad Bo , Isacsson Sven-Olof , Janzon Lars , Berglund Göran 
Published: October 2002

Objective—Socioeconomic status (SES) in adulthood is known to be related to carotid atherosclerosis. However, few studies have tried to assess its association with SES from a life-course perspective.Methods and Results—We examined the relationship between SES in childhood and in adulthood and carotid atherosclerosis in a general population of Swedish men and women. Carotid stenosis was determined by B-mode ultrasound. Results showed that women whose fathers’ occupations involved unskilled manual labor had higher odds of carotid stenosis than did women whose fathers’ occupations involved high- or medium-level nonmanual labor, even after adjustment for adult occupational status and risk factors (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.8). No such association appeared in men. Furthermore, the impact of life-course SES on atherosclerosis was examined by using an additive measure of one’s combined SES during childhood and adulthood. Among women, the odds of carotid stenosis increased with a rise in exposure to low SES during the life-course (Pfor trend <0.001). In men, no such trend was found.Conclusions—The results indicate that the total life-course exposure to low SES, with contributions from childhood and adulthood, seems to play a role in atherogenesis in women. Such a pattern of association could not be shown in men.
Heritability of Carotid Artery Structure and Function
Authors: North Kari E. , MacCluer Jean W. , Devereux Richard B. , Howard Barbara V. , Welty Thomas K. , Best Lyle G. , Lee Elisa T. , Fabsitz Richard R. , Roman Mary J. 
Published: October 2002

Objective—Alterations in carotid artery structure and function may represent phenotypic measures of vascular disease that contain information beyond that which can be inferred from conventional cardiovascular disease risk assessment. However, apart from their associations with cardiovascular disease risk factors and outcome, the genetic basis of variations in carotid artery structure and function is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the genetic and environmental contributions to carotid artery structure and function in 3 large groups of American Indians.Methods and Results—Approximately 950 men and women, aged ≥18 years, in 32 extended families were examined between 1997 and 1999. By use of a variance component approach and the program Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines, heritabilities for carotid artery structure and function phenotypes were estimated. After accounting for the effects of covariates (sex, age, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, smoking, cholesterol, body surface area, and hypertension), we detected significant heritabilities (given as h2values) for common carotid artery diastolic diameter (h2<0.44), intimal-medial wall thickness (h2<0.21), vascular mass (h2<0.27), arterial stiffness (h2<0.23), and the augmentation index (h2<0.18).Conclusions—These results suggest that the additive effects of genes explain a moderate proportion of the variability of carotid artery structure and function.
Administration of Recombinant P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand Fc Fusion Protein Suppresses Inflammation and Neointimal Formation in Zucker Diabetic Rat Model
Authors: Zhou Zhongmin , Penn Marc S. , Forudi Farhad , Zhou Xiaorong , Tarakji Khaldoun , Topol Eric J. , Lincoff A. Michael , Wang Kai 
Published: October 2002

Objective—P-selectin–mediated leukocyte-endothelium and leukocyte-platelet interaction has been reported after vascular injury and has been correlated with neointimal hyperplasia, but its role in neointimal formation after arterial injury in diabetes has not been described.Methods and Results—Using a Zucker diabetic rat balloon injury model, we examined the role of P-selectin in the vascular inflammatory process and neointimal formation after balloon injury. Immunohistochemistry revealed that P-selectin was intensely expressed and that CD45-positive leukocyte infiltration was significantly increased after arterial injury. A single preprocedural intravenous administration of a recombinant P-selectin–soluble glycoprotein ligand-Ig inhibited CD45-positive leukocyte accumulation and suppressed neointimal formation in the Zucker diabetic rat model.Conclusions—These results suggest that reduction of P-selectin–mediated leukocyte activation with the use of recombinant P-selectin–soluble glycoprotein ligand-Ig decreases the inflammatory response and limits neointimal formation after balloon injury in diabetes.