bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution in the hypervariable region of the hepatitis C virus in two infants infected by mother‐to‐infant transmission
Authors: Ishii Tsutomu , Ohto Hitoshi , Takeuchi Chikako , Ariga Hiromichi , Hirai Shigeru , Ujiie Niro , Suzuki Hitoshi , Okamoto Hiroaki 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
: There is little data on the evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies in infants infected by mother‐to‐infant transmission during long‐term follow up. The hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the HCV genome was investigated in two mother–infant pairs from birth to 7.6 and 10.2 years, respectively.
Methods
: Ten cDNA clones of HVR1 generated from HCV‐RNA and extracted from serum samples of both pairs were analyzed. The sequences were compared with regard to variability, identity, and hydrophobia profile, and analyzed by phylogenetic studies.
Results
: The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level was high with fluctuation in infant A and almost within the normal range in infant B. Sequence diversity was higher in infant A at 7.6 years than in infant B at 9.3 years (sequence identity with the mothers’; 69.3–70.7% vs 85.3–90.7% for nucleotides, and 48% vs 68–72% for amino acids, respectively). Compared to the first samples, amino acid changes greatly increased in infant A (35.2% at 4.9 years and 52% at 7.6 years), but not in infant B (4% at 5.6 years and 27.5% at 9.3 years). Phylogenetic studies revealed that quasispecies in infant A evolved to a greater extent than that in infant B. Hydrophobia profile analyses revealed that dynamic shifts between hydrophilia and hydrophobia occurred in both infants.
Conclusions
: As in adults, the evolution of HVR1 and variability of quasispecies increased in infants infected through mother‐to‐infant transmission for 10 years after birth. A large episode of ALT elevation suggested the emergence of escape mutants and the evolution of new quasispecies.
Gene transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor reduces bleomycin‐induced pulmonary hypertension in immature rabbits
Authors: Gong Fangqi , Tang Hongfeng , Lin Yumin , Gu Weizhong , Wang Wei , Kang Manli 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
: The purpose of the present paper was to investigate the effect of gene transfer of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on bleomycin (BLM)‐induced pulmonary hypertension in immature rabbits.
Methods
: Immature rabbits (1 month old) were divided into control group (intratracheal injection of normal saline), BLM group (intratracheal injection of BLM), liposome group (intratracheal injection of BLM and liposomes) and the trans‐gene group (intratracheal injection of BLM and DNA−liposome complex). The pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) were measured by microcatheter, the pathological changes and the expression of VEGFmRNA and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA of endothelial cells in pulmonary arteries were evaluated by hematoxylin−eosin (HE) and in situ hybridization.
Results
: The PAP of the BLM and liposome groups were higher than the PAP of the control and trans‐gene groups. The thickness of wall increased and the cavity became narrow, and thickness index and area index increased in mid‐ and small‐sized pulmonary arteries of the BLM and liposome groups. VEGF trans‐gene was able to reduce those changes; the level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells decreased in the BLM and liposome groups. The level of VEGFmRNA expression in the trans‐gene group was higher than that in the BLM and liposome groups, but lower than that in the control group.
Conclusion
: The PAP was elevated, the thickness of wall increased and the cavity became narrow in mid‐ and small‐sized pulmonary arteries, and the level of VEGFmRNA and eNOSmRNA expression in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells decreased in immature rabbits after 2 weeks of intratracheal injection of 4 units/kg BLM. VEGF trans‐gene could reduce those changes.
Psychological evaluation of children with idiopathic constipation and their parents
Authors: Ozokutan Bulent Hayri , Zoroglu Salih , Ceylan Haluk , Ozkan K Ugur 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
: Constipation is one of the most common problems in childhood. In idiopathic constipation it is not possible to identify primary cause in every case. Child behavioral problems and disturbances in parent–child relationships have been cited as causes of constipation. Constipation is a source of anxiety to the child and to the family. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate psychological characteristics of constipated children and their parents.
Methods
: Thirty‐two otherwise healthy children with idiopathic constipation over 4 years old were prospectively evaluated between January 2002 and June 2003. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Symptom Checklist‐90 revised (SCL‐90‐R) were used to assess the psychological profiles of the children and the parents, respectively. Thirty children with inguinal hernia who had no constipation or other problems, and their parents were asked to complete the checklists as controls. The scores of the constipation group were compared statistically with those of the control group.
Results
: In the constipation group there were 19 boys and 13 girls with a mean age of 7.3 years (4–14 years). All the patients responded to medical treatment. Constipated children and their parents were not found to have more behavior problems than the control group (P > 0.05).
Conclusions
: Children with idiopathic constipation and their parents do not show significant behavioral and emotional problems. Their psychological profiles are not different from the general population.
Urinary uracil in female patients with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency
Authors: Sumi Satoshi , Imaeda Masayuki , Ito Tetsuya , Ueta Akihito , Ban Kyoko , Ohkubo Yumiko , Togari Hajime 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
: Female patients with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) show a wide range of clinical severity, from asymptomatic to lethal hyperammonemia. It is important to establish a simple method to distinguish symptomatic from asymptomatic patients.
Methods
: Uracil and orotic acid concentrations were analyzed in three female patients with OTCD at both the hyperammonemia‐attack and interval stages. These concentrations were compared with those in asymptomatic female patients reported previously.
Results
: Uracil concentrations in symptomatic female patients were uniformly higher than those in asymptomatic female patients at both the hyperammonemia‐attack and interval stages.
Conclusion
: Uracil may present a useful index for detecting OTCD female patients who are destined to suffer from hyperammonemia attack. Further data on uracil concentrations are necessary to establish the threshold for distinguishing symptomatic from asymptomatic subjects.
β‐lactam antibiotic resistance in aerobic commensal fecal flora of newborns
Authors: Duman Murat , Abacioglu Hakan , Karaman Meral , Duman Nuray , Özkan Hasan 
Published: May 2005

Abstract
Background
: The purpose of the present paper was to prospectively determine the rate of β‐lactam antibiotic resistance in commensal fecal flora of newborns and the risk factors leading to this colonization.
Methods
: One hundred and eighteen newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) group (n = 38), the neonatal ward group (n = 36), and the control group (n = 44) were enrolled. Three or four stool samples were obtained from each infant, 15 days apart. Bacterial growth in Eozin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar + 10 µg ampicillin/mL was considered to be ampicillin‐resistant bacteria, and antibiotic susceptibility and extended spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBL) production was investigated in those bacteria.
Results
: Colonization with ampicillin‐resistant commensal fecal flora microorganisms was determined in 75.2% of 367 stool samples. Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli were identified in 59% and 41% of the samples, respectively. The lowest rate of ampicillin‐resistant bacterial colonization was determined in the NICU group. Microorganisms producing ESBL were identified in 33.7% of 367 stool samples. Fifty‐one and 73 of ampicillin‐resistant E. coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates were determined to produce ESBL, respectively. There was no difference with respect to colonization with ESBL‐producing microorganisms between the three groups. When risk factors related to colonization with ESBL‐producing microorganisms in stool samples were evaluated through the whole study period, very low birthweight, vaginal delivery, infant antibiotic usage, maternal antibiotic usage, male sex and premature rupture of membranes were determined as risk factors, while feeding with nasogastric tube was identified as a protective factor. When the risk factors related to colonization with ESBL‐producing bacteria in stool samples after discharge from the hospital were evaluated, failure to feed breast milk was determined as the only risk factor.
Conclusions
: To decrease mortality and morbidity due to infection caused by resistant microorganisms colonized in the intestine flora of the infant, protection of normal non‐pathogenic bacterial colonization is important. This can be provided by feeding neonates with breast milk, application of infection control measures efficiently, and limitation of antibiotic usage only to strict clinical indications.
Political and Individual Rationales of Student Mobility: a case‐study of ERASMUS and a French regional scheme for studies abroad
Authors: PAPATSIBA VASSILIKI 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe aim of this article is to analyse political rationales for promoting student mobility in Europe and discuss these in the light of individual experiences of mobile students. Since the creation of the ERASMUS programme in 1987, student mobility in Europe has been the subject of unusual political promotion. More recently, in the context of the Bologna process, the goal of increasing student mobility has been reaffirmed by various higher education actors. Student mobility is thought to be both a component of the European Higher Education Area and one of its outcomes. Beyond this apparent widespread acceptance, we examine, on the one hand, underlying legitimating ideas and rationales that accompanied the institutionalisation of student mobility by the European Commission and a regional French authority. We also discuss the extent to which drives for mobility and outcomes at the individual student level are in line with the political perceptions and expectations of the above‐mentioned institutional actors.
Defining Strategic and Excellence Bases for the Development of Portuguese Higher Education
Authors: ROSA MARIA JOÃO , SARAIVA PEDRO M. , DIZ HENRIQUE 
Published: May 2005

AbstractA self‐assessment model was developed for the Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs) which was based on an empirical study aiming at better understanding their strategic and quality management and innovation practices and tools and on the study of several quality assessment models developed both for HEIs and business organisations. From the results obtained it was possible to conclude that the model can be successfully applied to HEIs as a self‐assessment tool to support their continuous quality improvement efforts.
SELF, SUBJECT, AND CHOSEN SUBJECTION  Rabbinic Ethics and Comparative Possibilities
Authors: Wyn Schofer Jonathan 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTThis paper formulates the categories of “ethics,”“self,” and “subject” for an analysis of classical rabbinic ethics centered on the text, The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan. Early rabbis were concerned with the realms of life that today's scholars describe as ethics and self‐cultivation, yet they had no overarching concepts for either the self/person or for ethics. This analysis, then, cannot rely only upon native rabbinic terminology, but also requires a careful use of contemporary categories. This paper first sets out basic features of Rabbi Nathan and presents appropriate formulations of the relevant scholarly terms. The latter sections address possibilities for employing and revising these categories in descriptive and comparative studies more broadly, first surveying relevant scholarship on Christian, Muslim, and Manichaean sources, and then turning to ancient East Asian sources with a particular focus upon passages in the Zhuangzi.
COMPARATIVE RELIGIOUS ETHICS AND THE PROBLEM OF “HUMAN NATURE”
Authors: Stalnaker Aaron 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTComparative religious ethics is a complicated scholarly endeavor, striving to harmonize intellectual goals that are frequently conceived as quite different, or even intrinsically opposed. Against commonly voiced suspicions of comparative work, this essay argues that descriptive, comparative, and normative interests may support rather than conflict with each other, depending on the comparison in question, and how it is pursued. On the basis of a brief comparison of the early Christian Augustine of Hippo and the early Confucians Mencius and Xunzi on the topic of “human nature,” this paper advocates a particular account of comparative religious ethics, and argues for the complexity of the idea of “human nature.” Different elements of this family of concerns are central to religious ethics generally, and to theories and practices of moral development and personal formation specifically.
WILLIAM AMES'S CALVINIST AMBIGUITY OVER FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE
Authors: Davis James Calvin 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTReformed Christianity's qualified embrace of freedom of conscience is perhaps best represented by William Ames (1576–1633). This essay explores Ames's interpretation of conscience, his understanding of its relationship to natural law, Scripture, and civil authority, and his vacillation on the subject of conscientious freedom. By rooting his interpretation of conscience in natural law, Ames provided a foundation for conscience as an authority whose convictions are binding and worthy of some civil respect and freedom. At the same time, his Puritan worldview ultimately required the deference of conscience to the superior manifestations of divine law in Scripture and civil institutions. As a result, Ames provided raw ingredients for a theological doctrine of freedom of conscience despite his unwillingness to commend the idea himself consistently. In this way, Ames symbolizes an ambiguity on freedom of conscience characteristic of the broader Reformed tradition.
ANTHROPOS AND ETHICS  Categories of Inquiry and Procedures of Comparison
Authors: Lewis Thomas A. , Wyn Schofer Jonathan , Stalnaker Aaron , Berkson Mark A. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACTBuilding on influential work in virtue ethics, this collection of essays examines the categories of self, person, and anthropology as foci for comparative analysis. The papers unite reflections on theory and method with descriptive work that addresses thinkers from the modern West, Christian and Jewish Late Antiquity, early China, and other settings. The introduction sets out central methodological issues that are subsequently taken up in each essay, including the origin of the categories through which comparison proceeds, the status of these categories in the process of comparison, and the goals of comparison. In considering the question of goals, the introduction draws connections between comparative study and historical study within one tradition. Both types of analysis can bridge the gap between historical and normative work by attending to the ways in which the questions a scholar asks—not just the answers found—vary from one context to another.
Management of acute musculoskeletal pain
Authors: SPEARING Natalie , MARCH Lyn , BELLAMY Nicholas , BOGDUK Nikolai , BROOKS Peter M. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThe pain and disability associated with musculoskeletal conditions represent a significant and increasing health burden worldwide. Musculoskeletal conditions of acute onset and short duration occur commonly, affect all age groups, and are usually idiopathic. Successful management of acute pain is paramount if chronic pain conditions are to be avoided.This article focuses on interventions for five areas of acute musculoskeletal pain (acute low back pain, acute thoracic spinal pain, acute neck pain, acute shoulder pain and anterior knee pain). It summarizes the results of a multidisciplinary evidence review recently conducted by the Australian Acute Musculoskeletal Pain Guidelines Group.
A review of pulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: ANWAR A. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractPulmonary involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a recognized complication but not often well described in the literature and also in major medical textbooks. Thus, for most medical practitioners who look after RA patients, pulmonary complications are often missed and not given much attention. This article will review the current literature of pulmonary involvement in RA and to increase awareness of its existence.
Risk factors for stroke among Filipino patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: REYES Candice Marie C. , NAVARRA Sandra V. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractAim:  To describe the risk factors for stroke among Filipino patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Methods:  This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of Filipino patients with SLE seen at the Section of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Osteoporosis of the University of Santo Tomas Hospital from 1998 to 2003. Assessment was made on the presence of known risk factors for stroke including age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, personal or family history of coronary artery disease, family history of stroke, and SLE‐related factors such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and nephrotic syndrome.Results:  Of a total of 449 patients, 25 recorded 26 stroke events during the course of their SLE. Twenty‐four female patients and one male had a mean age at stroke occurrence of 38.08 ± 15.45 SD years, with a mean duration from SLE diagnosis to stroke event of 62.48 ± 54.58 SD months. Infarction was implicated in 19 of 26 (73%) events, four (16%) had transient ischemic attack, two (8%) had intracerebral haemorrhage, and one had amaurosis fugax. Eighteen (72%) had systemic arterial hypertension, three (12%) had diabetes mellitus, and nine (36%) had dyslipidemia. A significant family or personal history was present in eight (32%), and there were no smokers. Twenty‐one patients were on corticosteroid treatment with an average prednisone dose of 13.02 ± 10.95 SD mg/day. Nine (36%) were on immunosuppressive therapy prior to stroke, and two were on hydroxychloroquine. APS was diagnosed in three (12%), four (16%) each had nephrotic syndrome and extra‐CNS vasculitis. Hypocomplementemia was present in six (24%).Conclusion:  Hypertension, dyslipidemia, and family or personal history were the predominant risk factors in this series, although SLE‐related factors also possibly contributed to the occurrence of stroke, particularly in the younger patients.
Cardiac involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: COŞKUN Selçuk , ÖZORAN Kürşat , MERMERCI Bedriye , AYDOǦDU Sinan , KELEŞ Talat 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground and aim:  In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), although the target organ is the synovium, extra‐articular involvement is also seen. All layers of the heart can be inflamed and pericarditis is the most common type of involvement. The frequency of cardiac involvement in patients with RA and its relation with other patient characteristics were analysed in this study.Methods:  One hundred patients with RA were included in the study. Patients were evaluated in terms of their sex, age, disease duration, activity of the disease and history of previous heart disease. Electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography were performed. The cardiac abnormalities, laboratory parameters, disease duration and the age of the patient were separately compared. Student t‐test was used for these comparisons and P < 0.05 was accepted to be statistically significant.Results:  Ages of the patients, 15 of whom were male and 85 were female, varied between 19 and 78 years (mean 50.5 ± 12.7 years). 23% of the patients were RF‐negative and 77% were RF‐positive. The distribution of the patients according to the Steinbrocker's functional classification was as follows: 16 patients (16%) Class I, 55 patients (55%) Class II, 23 patients (23%) Class III and 5 patients (5%) Class IV. ECG abnormalities were found in 7 patients (7%).Echocardiographic abnormality was detected in 67 of the 100 patients (67%) with minimal pericardial effusion in 15 patients (15%), mitral valvular involvement in 26 patients (26%), aortic valve involvement in 24 patients (24%), ascendant aorta dilatation in 7 patients (7%) and diastolic dysfunction in 57 patients (57%).Conclusions:  Cardiovascular system involvement which is an extra‐articular involvement of RA is asymptomatic in most of the patients. Thus, we believe that by a periodical thorough evaluation of patients and aggressive treatment for identified problems can significantly reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with RA.
Is obesity a protective factor for osteoporosis?
Authors: BENER Abdulbari , HAMMOUDEH Mohammed , ZIRIE Mahmoud , HELLER Richard F. 
Published: May 2005

AbstractBackground:  Epidemiological evidence suggests that obesity has effects on bone density. Obese subjects have increased bone density relative to non‐obese subjects yet this relationship is not fully understood. However, the influence of these factors has not been well documented in Arabian Gulf women.Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between obesity and bone mineral density (BMD) as a risk factor for osteoporosis in premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal Qatari women.Methods:  This is a cross‐sectional study, performed during a period from September 2003 to October 2004. A total of 1000 women were targeted for the study, however, only 649 healthy Qatari women aged 20–70 years had given consent and participated in this study. All subjects completed a questionnaire on reproductive and life style factors. Height and weight were measured. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to determine Bone Mineral Density (BMD) of the spine and femur. The main outcome measures were menopausal status, socio‐demographic, obesity and lifestyle factors and BMD measurements.Results:  It is observed from our survey that 27.7% of the studied subjects had osteoporosis/osteopenia. Illiterate subjects were more likely to have low bone mineral density (35%). Walking daily for more than 30 minutes contributed to increase the BMD at spine and femur. Also, doing regular household work for 1–2 h/day also contributed towards high BMD. Multiple regression analysis showed that obesity, educational level and taking multivitamin supplements were strong positive indicators for BMD at spinal sites and for femoral sites, BMD was higher among the obese subjects. Finally, the present study revealed that obesity is a protective factor for osteoporosis.Conclusion:  The study concludes that in a population of Qatari women there is a positive association between obesity and BMD at both spinal and femoral sites. BMD at spine and femur sites were higher in obese group and than the non‐obese group.