bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Retinol, alpha‐tocopherol, and lipids in four species of adult captive pinnipeds
Authors: Mazzaro Lisa M. , Lawrence Dunn J. , Furr Harold C. , Clark Richard M. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe sera of adult aquarium‐held pinnipeds from four species (family Phocidae: harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus); family Otariidae: northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)) were analyzed for vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and fatty acids. Each subject animal was healthy at the time of blood collection, was fasted for at least 12 hr prior to sampling, and was maintained on a constant diet and supplement regime throughout the study. Retinol values for the four species ranged from 0.16 to 0.92 μg/mL, with the lowest concentrations seen in the harbor seals and the highest in the northern fur seals. Vitamin E values ranged from 10.55 to 43.58 μg/mL, with northern fur seals showing the highest and gray seals the lowest levels. Vitamin E/lipid ratios (cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, and total lipids) were also examined. A significant correlation was seen between vitamin E and total lipids (P<0.05) and phospholipid (P<0.01). Statistical analysis of the retinol, tocopherol, triglyceride, and phospholipid levels showed significant differences between phocid and otariid seals. Otariids had significantly lower tocopherol and phospholipid values (19.36 μg/mL, 4.29 mg/mL) and the phocids had significantly lower retinol and triglyceride levels (0.29 μg/mL, 124 mg/dL). There was no significant difference in serum cholesterol. Zoo Biol 22:83–96, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Annual reproductive activity of Caiman crocodilus fuscus in captivity
Authors: Guerrero Sandra M. , Calderón Martha L. , de Pérez Gloria R. , Ramírez‐Pinilla M. Patricia 
Published: April 2003

AbstractWe describe the gonadal and abdominal fat storage cycles for a population of Caiman crocodilus fuscus kept in captivity at a breeding farm. The reproductive cycles of males and females are clearly seasonal. Vitellogenic follicles were observed in females year‐round; however, the follicular growth that produces the preovulatory follicles for the breeding season occurs in November–May (most of the dry season to the beginning of the rainy season). These months correspond with the presence of physiologically reproductive males. Oviposition takes place during the wet season (April–August) and the births occur at the end of this season (September–November). Fat storage was not related to reproductive activity, and did not vary by month or between sexes. Although environmental and hormonal conditions have been improved for these captive animals, they maintain a strongly seasonal reproductive cycle, historically fixed to oviposit in the most favorable period for nest construction and hatching during the rainy season. Zoo Biol 22:121–133, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential inhibition of fracture healing by non‐selective and cyclooxygenase‐2 selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs
Authors: Gerstenfeld Louis C. , Thiede Mark , Seibert Karen , Mielke Cindy , Phippard Deborah , Svagr Bohus , Cullinane Dennis , Einhorn Thomas A. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractNon‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) specifically inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) activity and are widely used as anti‐arthritics, post‐surgical analgesics, and for the relief of acute musculoskeletal pain. Recent studies suggest that non‐specific NSAIDs, which inhibit both COX‐1 and COX‐2 isoforms, delay bone healing. The objectives of this study were 2‐fold; first, to measure the relative changes in the normal expression of COX‐1 and COX‐2 mRNAs over a 42 day period of fracture healing and second, to compare the effects of a commonly used non‐specific NSAID, ketorolac, with a COX‐2 specific NSAID, Parecoxib (a pro‐drug of valdecoxib), on this process. Simple, closed, transverse fractures were generated in femora of male Sprague‐Dawley rats weighing approximately 450 g each. Total RNA was prepared from the calluses obtained prior to fracture and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 35 and 42 days post‐fracture and levels of COX‐1 and COX‐2 mRNA were measured using real time PCR. While the relative levels of COX‐1 mRNA remained constant over a 21‐day period, COX‐2 mRNA levels showed peak expression during the first 14 days of healing and returned to basal levels by day 21. Mechanical properties of the calluses were then assessed at 21 and 35 days post‐fracture in untreated animals and animals treated with either ketorolac or high or low dose parecoxib. At both 21 and 35 days after fracture, calluses in the group treated with the ketorolac showed a significant reduction in mechanical strength and stiffness when compared with controls (p < 0.05). At the 21‐day time point, calluses of the parecoxib treated animals showed a lower mean mechanical strength than controls, but the inhibition was not statistically significant. Based on physical analysis of the bones, 3 of 12 (25%) of the ketorolac‐treated and 1 of 12 (8%) of the high dose parecoxib‐treated animals showed failure to unite their fractures by 21 days, while all fractures in both groups showed union by 35 days. Histological analysis at 21 days showed that the calluses in the ketorolac‐treated group contained substantial amounts of residual cartilage while neither the control nor the parecoxib‐treated animals showed comparable amounts of cartilage at this stage. These results demonstrate that ketorolac and parecoxib delay fracture healing in this model, but in this study daily administration of ketorolac, a non‐selective COX inhibitor had a greater affect on this process. They further demonstrate that a COX‐2 selective NSAID, such as parecoxib (valdecoxib), has only a small effect on delaying fracture healing even at doses that are known to fully inhibit prostaglandin production. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Introducing a new recruitment approach to sample collection for genetic association studies in opioid dependence
Authors: Franke Petra , Wendel Birgit , Knapp Michael , Schwab Sibylle G. , Neef Daniela , Maier Wolfgang , Wildenauer Dieter B. , Hoehe Margret R. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractObjective. –In a modified case–control association study we tested the assumption that two polymorphisms (A118G in exon 1 and IVS2+31 in intron 2) of the human μ-opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) confer susceptibility to opioid dependence.Methods. –In contrast to classical case–control studies both groups, opioid dependent cases and non-opioid dependent controls were recruited from individuals who have had access to drugs including opioids and who had been sentenced for violation of the “Dangerous Drugs Act” in Germany.Results. –For the two allelic variants of OPRM1 under study we did not find evidence for association with opioid dependence.Conclusions. –Despite absence of association we think that this recruitment approach introduced here, is useful since it putatively offers a more adequate matching for case–control association studies of opioid dependent individuals.
Is multidisciplinary care of heart failure cost‐beneficial when combined with optimal medical care?
Authors: Ledwidge Mark , Barry Michael , Cahill John , Ryan Enda , Maurer Brian , Ryder Mary , Travers Bronagh , Timmons Lorna , McDonald Ken 
Published: April 2003

AbstractBackground:Multidisciplinary care (MDC) of heart failure (HF) can significantly reduce rates of unplanned hospitalisation, the major cost component of HF care.Aims:This prospective, randomised, controlled study examines the cost‐benefits of MDC of HF in the setting of optimal medical care.Methods:98 NYHA class IV HF patients (mean age 70.8±10.5 years) were randomised to MDC (n=51) or routine care (RC; n=47) of HF. A direct intervention cost was calculated from contact time (scheduled and unscheduled) spent by the MDC team. Unplanned hospitalisation costs for HF were calculated at a daily rate of €242. Outcomes were determined in monetary terms, i.e. the cost of the service per hospitalisation prevented and net costs/savings at 3 months.Results:The direct intervention cost of the MDC team was €5860, with an average cost per patient of €113 (95% Cl: 97–128). At 3 months, there were a total of 12 unplanned HF readmissions in the RC group (25.5% rate, 195 days) compared to 2 in the MDC group (3.9% rate, 17 days). The number needed to treat to prevent one hospitalisation for HF was 6 over 3 months. The cost of the service per hospitalisation prevented was €586. The intervention produced a net cost saving of €37,216 for 51 patients treated over 3 months. Sensitivity analyses using 50% variation in costs and lower relative risk reductions confirmed the cost‐benefits of the intervention.Conclusion:MDC of HF remains cost‐beneficial when combined with optimal, medical care. The significant clinical and cost‐benefits suggest that this intensive approach to MDC and medical management should become the standard of care for HF.
Are General Practitioners Willing and Able to Provide Genetic Services for Common Diseases?
Authors: Suchard Marc A. , Yudkin Patricia , Sinsheimer Janet S. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractPrimary care in the United Kingdom has been advocated as an optimal location for the provision of genetic services for common diseases. Little, however, is known about general practitioners' own views toward this suggestion or the possible demand for such services from patients. To assess general practitioners' attitudes to providing genetic services for common diseases, and to estimate the demand from patients for these services, we used a single‐page postal questionnaire survey of all 359 general practitioners registered with the Oxfordshire Health Authority; 339 (94%) responded. These physicians reported that a mean 4.1 patients (95% CI, 3.3–4.9) out of every 1,000 consulting them were concerned about their own risk of a common disease associated with a diagnosis in a family member. Half of the general practitioners (95% CI, 45–56%) counseled about genetics in the last year.A majority of general practitioners accept the need to provide genetic services, but far fewer are competent to do so. Although 60% (95% CI, 55–65%) believed they should be involved with genetic screening for common diseases, only 29% (95% CI, 24–34%) felt sufficiently prepared to take family histories and draw pedigrees, and only 15% (95% CI, 11–19%) felt sufficiently prepared to counsel patients about their genetic test results. Given the necessary training and information, 63% (95% CI, 58–68%) and 64% (95% CI, 59–69%) were willing to provide these services. Even with training and information, not all would be willing to provide these services, and lack of time may be a major deterrent. “Practice‐enabling” strategies, such as computerized aids in genetics, may be useful.
Social Contexts: Transcending Their Power and Their Fragility
Authors: Moos Rudolf H. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractFor more than four decades, my colleagues and I have examined how social contexts and individuals influence each other. To provide a perspective on this work, I describe some lessons we have learned: situational influence exemplifies both the power and fragility of social contexts; common aspects of settings underlie their power, for better and for worse; individuals' health and well‐being is affected by powerful forces in eight domains; and intervention programs are powerful settings that encompass risks as well as rewards. I then note some unresolved questions, such as how to balance the risks and rewards of powerful environments, how to better understand the interplay between individuals and the social contexts they select and create, how to learn from the fact that many people overcome the power of traumatic social contexts, and how to apply our knowledge to balance the risks and rewards of individual and community contexts.
Use of Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis To Identify Medically Important
Candida
spp., Including
C
.
dubliniensis
Authors: Borst A. , Theelen B. , Reinders E. , Boekhout T. , Fluit A. C. , Savelkoul P. H. M. 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

Non-
C
andida albicans Candida
species are increasingly being isolated. These species show differences in levels of resistance to antimycotic agents and mortality. Therefore, it is important to be able to correctly identify the causative organism to the species level. Identification of
C
.
dubliniensis
in particular remains problematic due to the high degree of phenotypic similarity between this species and
C. albicans
. The use of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis as an identification method for medically important
Candida
species was investigated. Our results show very clear differences among medically important
Candida
species. Furthermore, when screening a large collection of clinical isolates previously identified on CHROMagar as
C
.
albicans
, we found a misidentification rate of 6%. AFLP analysis is universally applicable, and the patterns can easily be stored in a general, accessible database. Therefore, AFLP might prove to be a reliable method for the identification of medically important
Candida
species.
Presence and Characterization of Extraintestinal Pathogenic
Escherichia coli
Virulence Genes in F165-Positive
E. coli
Strains Isolated from Diseased Calves and Pigs
Authors: Dezfulian Hojabr , Batisson Isabelle , Fairbrother John M. , Lau Peter C. K. , Nassar Atef , Szatmari George , Harel Josée 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

The virulence genotype profile and presence of a pathogenicity island(s) (PAI) were studied in 18 strains of F165-positive
Escherichia coli
originally isolated from diseased calves or piglets. On the basis of their adhesion phenotypes and genotypes, these extraintestinal pathogenic strains were classified into three groups. The F165 fimbrial complex consists of at least two serologically and genetically distinct fimbriae: F165
1
and F165
2
. F165
1
is encoded by the
foo
operon (
pap
-like), and F165
2
is encoded by
fot
(
sfa
related). Strains in group 1 were
foo
and
fot
positive, strains in group 2 were
foo
and
afa
positive, and strains in group 3 were
foo
positive only. The strains were tested for the presence of virulence genes found mainly in extraintestinal pathogenic
E. coli
(ExPEC) strains. Although all the strains were positive for the
papA
variant encoding F11 fimbriae
incD
,
traT
, and
papC
, the prevalence of virulence genes commonly found in PAIs associated with ExPEC strains was highly variable, with strains of group 2 harboring most of the virulence genes tested.
papG
allele III was detected in all strains in group 1 and in one strain in group 3. All other strains were negative for the known alleles encoding PapG adhesins. The association of virulence genes with tRNA genes was characterized in these strains by using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and DNA hybridization. The insertion site of the
foo
operon was found at the
pheU
tRNA locus in 16 of the 18 strains and at the
selC
tRNA locus in the other 2 strains. Furthermore, 8 of the 18 strains harbored a high-pathogenicity island which was inserted in either the
asnT
or the
asnV
/
U
tRNA locus. These results suggest the presence of one or more PAIs in septicemic strains from animals and the association of the
foo
operon with at least one of these islands. F165-positive strains share certain virulence traits with ExPEC, and most of them are pathogenic in piglets, as tested in experimental infections.
Characterization of Clinical Isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
from Italy by the BD Phoenix Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Detection Method
Authors: Sanguinetti Maurizio , Posteraro Brunella , Spanu Teresa , Ciccaglione Daniela , Romano Lucio , Fiori Barbara , Nicoletti Giuseppe , Zanetti Stefania , Fadda Giovanni 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

Production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) is an important mechanism of β-lactam resistance in
Enterobacteriaceae
. Identification of ESBLs based on phenotypic tests is the strategy most commonly used in clinical microbiology laboratories. The Phoenix ESBL test (BD Diagnostic Systems, Sparks, Md.) is a recently developed automated system for detection of ESBL-producing gram-negative bacteria. An algorithm based on phenotypic responses to a panel of cephalosporins (ceftazidime plus clavulanic acid, ceftazidime, cefotaxime plus clavulanic acid, cefpodoxime, and ceftriaxone plus clavulanic acid) was used to test 510 clinical isolates of
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Klebsiella oxytoca
,
Proteus mirabilis
,
Providencia stuartii
,
Morganella morganii
,
Enterobacter aerogenes
,
Enterobacter cloacae
,
Serratia marcescens
,
Citrobacter freundii
, and
Citrobacter koseri
. Of these isolates, 319 were identified as ESBL producers, and the remaining 191 were identified as non-ESBL producers based on the results of current phenotypic tests. Combined use of isoelectric focusing, PCR, and/or DNA sequencing demonstrated that 288 isolates possessed

bla
TEM-1

- and/or

bla
SHV-1

-derived genes, and 28 had a

bla
CTX-M

gene. Among the 191 non-ESBL-producing isolates, 77 isolates produced an AmpC-type enzyme, 110 isolates possessed TEM-1, TEM-2, or SHV-1 β-lactamases, and the remaining four isolates (all
K. oxytoca
strains) hyperproduced K1 chromosomal β-lactamase. The Phoenix ESBL test system gave positive results for all the 319 ESBL-producing isolates and also for two of the four K1-hyperproducing isolates of
K. oxytoca
. Compared with the phenotypic tests and molecular analyses, the Phoenix system displayed 100% sensitivity and 98.9% specificity. These findings suggest that the Phoenix ESBL test can be a rapid and reliable method for laboratory detection of ESBL resistance in gram-negative bacteria.
Accuracy of the TRUGENEHIV-1Genotyping Kit
Authors: Grant Robert M. , Kuritzkes Daniel R. , Johnson Victoria A. , Mellors John W. , Sullivan John L. , Swanstrom Ronald , D'Aquila Richard T. , Van Gorder Mark , Holodniy Mark , Lloyd, Robert M. , Reid Caroline , Morgan Gillian F. , Winslow Dean L. 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACTDrug resistance and poor virological responses are associated with well-characterized mutations in the viral reading frames that encode the proteins that are targeted by currently available antiretroviral drugs. An integrated system was developed that includes target gene amplification, DNA sequencing chemistry (TRUGENEHIV-1Genotyping Kit), and hardware and interpretative software (the OpenGene DNA Sequencing System) for detection of mutations in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease and reverse transcriptase sequences. The integrated system incorporates reverse transcription-PCR from extracted HIV-1 RNA, a coupled amplification and sequencing step (CLIP), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, semiautomated analysis of data, and generation of an interpretative report. To assess the accuracy and robustness of the assay system, 270 coded plasma specimens derived from nine patients were sent to six laboratories for blinded analysis. All specimens contained HIV-1 subtype B viruses. Results of 270 independent assays were compared to “gold standard” consensus sequences of the virus populations determined by sequence analysis of 16 to 20 clones of viral DNA amplicons derived from two independent PCRs using primers not used in the kit. The accuracy of the integrated system for nucleotide base identification was 98.7%, and the accuracy for codon identification at 54 sites associated with drug resistance was 97.6%. In a separate analysis of plasma spiked with infectious molecular clones, the assay reproducibly detected all 72 different drug resistance mutations that were evaluated. There were no significant differences in accuracy between laboratories, between technologists, between kit lots, or between days. This integrated assay system for the detection of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations has a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility in several laboratories.
Analysis of Molecular Epidemiology of Chilean
Salmonella enterica
Serotype Enteritidis Isolates by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis and Bacteriophage Typing
Authors: Fernandez Jorge , Fica Alberto , Ebensperger German , Calfullan Hector , Prat Soledad , Fernandez Alda , Alexandre Marcela , Heitmann Ingrid 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

Human
Salmonella enterica
serotype Enteritidis infections emerged in Chile in 1994.
S. enterica
serotype Enteritidis phage type 1 isolates predominated in the north, and phage type 4 isolates predominated in the central and southern regions. A study was planned to characterize this epidemic using the best discriminatory typing technique. Research involved 441
S. enterica
serotype Enteritidis isolates, including clinical preepidemic samples (
n
= 74; 1975 to 1993) and epidemic (
n
= 199), food (
n
= 72), poultry (
n
= 57), and some Latin American (
n
= 39) isolates. The best method was selected based on a sample of preepidemic isolates, analyzing the discriminatory power (DP) obtained by phage typing and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and pulsed-field gel electophoresis (PFGE) analysis. The highest DP was associated with
Bln
I PFGE-bacteriophage typing analysis (0.993). A total of 38
Bln
I patterns (B patterns) were identified before the epidemic period, 19 since 1994, and only 4 in both periods. Two major clusters were identified by phylogenetic analysis, and the predominant B patterns clustered in the same branch. Combined analysis revealed that specific B pattern-phage type combinations (subtypes) disappeared before 1994, that different genotypes associated with
S. enterica
serotype Enteritidis phage type 4 had been observed since 1988, and that strain diversity increased before the expansion of
S. enterica
serotype Enteritidis in 1994. Predominant subtype B3-phage type 4 was associated with the central and southern regions, and subtype B38-phage type 1 was associated with the north (
P
< 0.0001). Food and poultry isolates matched the predominant
S. enterica
serotype Enteritidis subtypes, but isolates identified in neighboring countries (Peru and Bolivia) did not match
S. enterica
serotype Enteritidis subtypes identified in the north of Chile. The results of this work demonstrate that genetic diversity, replacement, and expansion of specific
S. enterica
serotype Enteritidis subtypes were associated with epidemic changes.
New Filamentous Fungus
Sagenomella chlamydospora
Responsible for a Disseminated Infection in a Dog
Authors: Gené Josepa , Blanco José L. , Cano Josep , García Marta E. , Guarro Josep 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

A filamentous fungus that caused a fatal systemic infection in a dog has been identified as the new species
Sagenomella chlamydospora
. When the case was initially reported, the fungus was identified as
Paecilomyces
sp. This study emphasizes how difficult can be the identification of the causative agent of an infection when an uncommon microorganism is involved. This is the first time that this genus has been involved in animal infections, including humans.
Quantitative Detection of
Chlamydia psittaci
and
C. pecorum
by High-Sensitivity Real-Time PCR Reveals High Prevalence of Vaginal Infection in Cattle
Authors: DeGraves Fred J. , Gao Dongya , Hehnen Hans-Robert , Schlapp Tobias , Kaltenboeck Bernhard 
Published: April 2003

ABSTRACT

Bovine vaginal cytobrush specimens were analyzed for the presence of
Chlamydia
spp. by a high-sensitivity, high-specificity quantitative PCR. The 53% prevalence of low-level
Chlamydia psittaci
and
C. pecorum
genital infection detected in virgin heifers suggests predominantely extragenital transmission of
Chlamydia
in cattle and conforms to the high seroprevalence of anti-
Chlamydia
antibodies.