bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Attitudes and knowledge of colorectal cancer and screening in Hong Kong: A population‐based study
Authors: WONG BENJAMIN CY , CHAN ANNIE OO , WONG WAI M , HUI WAI M , KUNG HSIANG F , LAM SHIU K 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackground:  Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third of all cancer mortalities in Hong Kong. CRC screening can reduce mortality. However, participation in the CRC screening program depends on the knowledge and attitude of the population. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge and attitude towards CRC screening in the Hong Kong population.Methods:  One thousand and thirty‐three patients were interviewed by telephone survey. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed by using questionnaires.Results:  Only 8.9% of the respondents were able to mention that CRC was the second commonest cancer cause of death; 4.5% believed they would have a higher chance of developing CRC as compared to other cancers, and 7.4% could mention one of the screening methods. Approximately half (50.3%) were unable to identify any available screening venue. Approximately one‐third (29.5%) indicated that they would definitely join a free CRC screening program, but the percentage dropped to 7.9% when a paid screening program was offered. Some (30.4%) of the respondents had the wrong impression that they did not require CRC screening because they were asymptomatic. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictor for participating in free screening was the concern level of getting CRC, while that for a paid screening program was a positive family history of CRC and the concern level. The concern level was dependent on a positive family history and knowledge of CRC.Conclusion:  The general population in Hong Kong had deficient knowledge of CRC and screening. Education on the impact of CRC and beneficial effects of CRC screening should be offered before launching a CRC screening program.
Hepatitis C virus‐NS3P in relation to p53, p21waf, mdm2, p21‐ras and c‐erbB2 in hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: BAHNASSI ABEER A , ZEKRI ABDEL‐RAHMAN N , EL‐HOUSSINI SOUMAYA , MOKHTAR NADIA M , ABDEL‐AZIZ ASRAF O , SHERIF GHADA M , EL‐MISHAD ABLA M , KHALED HUSSEIN M 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackground:  The non‐structural protein 3 (NS3P) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome was linked to the neoplastic transformation of normal hepatocytes in chronically infected patients. However, the exact mechanisms involved in this process are unidentified yet, especially in the Egyptian population where the commonest type is genotype 4.Methods:  We investigated 32 HCV reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases and 18 morphologically normal hepatic tissues distant to tumors (MNT) for the correlation between HCV‐NS3P, p53, p21waf, mdm2, p21ras and c‐erbB2 and DNA content by immunohistochemistry and image analysis.Results:  The NS3P expression was lower in HCC (65.6%) than in MNT (94.4%) patients. The expression level of studied genes in HCC was: p53 (56.25%), p21waf (43.7%), mdm2 (59.4%), p21‐ras (73.3%) and c‐erbB2 (75%). Whereas in MNT, it was 22.2, 61.1, 44.4, 41.2 and 77.8%, respectively. The NS3P expression showed a significant correlation with the presence of cirrhosis, chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and tumor grade (P < 0.05). c‐erbB2 overexpression and p21waf loss were higher in MNT than in HCC patients, however, this did not reach a statistically significant level. There was a statistically significant correlation between NS3P, c‐erbB2 and p21waf (P < 0.01). There was also a significant correlation between p21waf loss and CAH (P = 0.01) as well as between mdm2, c‐erbB2 and cirrhosis (P = 0.025 and 0.001) in HCC cases. There was a statistically significant difference in the ploidy status between HCC and MNT, but there was no significant relationship between the ploidy status and other clinicopathological features.Conclusion:  The carcinogenic effect of NS3P is probably exerted at an early stage of HCC possibly through a pathway involving c‐erbB2 and p21waf alterations. In contrast, p53, p21ras and mdm2 alterations are late events in hepatocarcinogenesis and are usually associated with an aggressive phenotype.
Assessing genetic susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy
Authors: TANAKA NOBUE , BABAZONO TETSUYA 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY:  Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease. Studies indicate both environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. In particular, epidemiological evidence shows a familial clustering of nephropathy in siblings with diabetes, supporting an important role of genetic susceptibility in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.A common approach in genetic research is assessment of candidate gene polymorphisms using case‐control analysis; a number of studies have evaluated predictable candidate genes for diabetic nephropathy. In contrast, only a few studies have used a whole genome approach, such as scanning of micro‐satellite markers, in the assessment of genetic susceptibility to diabetic nephropathy. A whole genome linkage analysis using families of Pima Indians showed susceptibility loci for diabetic nephropathy on chromosome 3, 7, and 20. Another linkage analysis using discordant sib‐pairs of Caucasian families with type 1 diabetes identified a critical area on chromosome 3q. However, these results have been inconclusive and further investigation is required.Recently, a genome‐wide, case‐control analysis identifying susceptibility genes for diabetic nephropathy was performed. As a result, a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon 23 of the solute carrier family 12 (sodium‐chloride cotransporter) member 3 gene was found to be strongly associated with diabetic nephropathy. Although further assessment of this polymorphism is needed, this strategy offers great promise in the identification of genetic factors predisposing patients to diabetic nephropathy. Identification of genetic susceptibility markers may offer new hope in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Phosphorus availability mediates plasticity in life‐history traits and predator–prey interactions in Daphnia
Authors: Jeyasingh Punidan D. , Weider Lawrence J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe analysed growth plasticity of two Daphnia pulex clones under low‐phosphorus (LP) and high phosphorus (HP) conditions, in the presence of Chaoborus kairomones to examine how food quality (P‐availability) might impact life‐history responses and vulnerability to predation. Overall, clone 1 grew faster, and was larger at maturity. Under HP, both clones responded to kairomones by increasing growth, age and size at maturity, and decreasing fecundity. Under LP, both clones suffered reduced growth, and fecundity. However, the magnitude of response to kairomones depended on a clone by P‐availability interaction. Chaoborus presented a 1 : 1 clonal mixture under HP or LP, consumed more individuals under LP. Moreover, fewer clone 1 individuals were consumed. Studying the effects of P‐availability on life histories, and predator–prey interactions may help us understand the mechanisms generating and maintaining plasticity, as well as influencing genotypic diversity and microevolutionary processes in natural populations.
Rapid evolution and the convergence of ecological and evolutionary time
Authors: Hairston Nelson G. , Ellner Stephen P. , Geber Monica A. , Yoshida Takehito , Fox Jennifer A. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractRecent studies have documented rates of evolution of ecologically important phenotypes sufficiently fast that they have the potential to impact the outcome of ecological interactions while they are underway. Observations of this type go against accepted wisdom that ecological and evolutionary dynamics occur at very different time scales. While some authors have evaluated the rapidity of a measured evolutionary rate by comparing it to the overall distribution of measured evolutionary rates, we believe that ecologists are mainly interested in rapid evolution because of its potential to impinge on ecological processes. We therefore propose that rapid evolution be defined as a genetic change occurring rapidly enough to have a measurable impact on simultaneous ecological change. Using this definition we propose a framework for decomposing rates of ecological change into components driven by simultaneous evolutionary change and by change in a non‐evolutionary factor (e.g. density dependent population dynamics, abiotic environmental change). Evolution is judged to be rapid in this ecological context if its contribution to ecological change is large relative to the contribution of other factors. We provide a worked example of this approach based on a theoretical predator–prey interaction [Abrams, P. & Matsuda, H. (1997). Evolution, 51, 1740], and find that in this system the impact of prey evolution on predator per capita growth rate is 63% that of internal ecological dynamics. We then propose analytical methods for measuring these contributions in field situations, and apply them to two long‐term data sets for which suitable ecological and evolutionary data exist. For both data sets relatively high rates of evolutionary change have been found when measured as character change in standard deviations per generation (haldanes). For Darwin's finches evolving in response to fluctuating rainfall [Grant, P.R. & Grant, B.R. (2002). Science, 296, 707], we estimate that evolutionary change has been more rapid than ecological change by a factor of 2.2. For a population of freshwater copepods whose life history evolves in response to fluctuating fish predation [Hairston, N.G. Jr & Dillon, T.A. (1990). Evolution, 44, 1796], we find that evolutionary change has been about one quarter the rate of ecological change – less than in the finch example, but nevertheless substantial. These analyses support the view that in order to understand temporal dynamics in ecological processes it is critical to consider the extent to which the attributes of the system under investigation are simultaneously changing as a result of rapid evolution.
Diversity of phage integrases in Enterobacteriaceae: development of markers for environmental analysis of temperate phages
Authors: Balding Claire , Bromley Stephen A. , Pickup Roger W. , Saunders Jon R. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryViruses are the most abundant biological entities in aquatic systems. Temperate bacteriophages have enormous influences on microbial diversity, genetic exchange and bacterial population dynamics. However, development of molecular tools for their detection in the environment has been problematic. The integrase gene is used here as a molecular marker to analyse the diversity of temperate bacteriophages in a population of freshwater bacteria. Interrogation of the GenBank database revealed 32 non‐cryptic enteric phage integrase sequences, leading to the development of a suite of 11 degenerate primer sets specific to the extant sequences elucidated. Application of these primer sets to enterobacterial isolates recovered from a freshwater pond and the temperate phages induced from them revealed a number of diverse integrase genes, including novel integrase‐like sequences not represented in the databases. This highlights the potential of utilizing the integrase gene family as a marker for phage diversity.
Exploring the diversity of myxobacteria in a soil niche by myxobacteria‐specific primers and probes
Authors: Wu Zhi‐Hong , Jiang De‐Ming , Li Peng , Li Yue‐Zhong 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe diversity of myxobacteria in a soil niche was explored using culture‐dependent and ‐independent methods. Conventional cultivation for bacteriolytic myxobacteria produced six types of myxobacteria, which were identified as two Myxococcus spp., two Corallococcus spp., a Cystobacter sp. and a Nannocysts sp. Hybridization analysis of the soil bacterial 16S rRNA gene library with myxobacteria‐specific probes revealed that myxobacteria accounted for less than 1% in the bacterial community. A Cystobacterineae 16S rRNA genes‐rich library was further established from the soil DNA by polymerase chain reaction amplification with a Cystobacterineae‐specific primer combined with a universal bacterial primer. Screening of the special library using Cystobacterineae‐ and Sorangineae‐specific probes produced approximately 45% and 3% positive signals respectively. Sixty‐four positive clones were randomly selected for sequencing. Except three repeats, the sequences were diverse ranging from 0.3% to 21.3%, and homologous with the known myxobacteria at 77.6–99.8%, including 57 in Cystobacterineae, one close to Nannocystis and three much more distant from the known myxobacteria. The sequences in the Cystobacterineae can further be divided into at least 12 groups, of which most were unreported. The results suggest that myxobacteria in nature are much more diverse than were ever known, even in one soil niche.
Distribution, phylogenetic diversity and physiological characteristics of epsilon‐Proteobacteria in a deep‐sea hydrothermal field
Authors: Nakagawa Satoshi , Takai Ken , Inagaki Fumio , Hirayama Hisako , Nunoura Takuro , Horikoshi Koki , Sako Yoshihiko 
Published: September 2005

SummaryEpsilon‐Proteobacteria is increasingly recognized as an ecologically significant group of bacteria, particularly in deep‐sea hydrothermal environments. In this study, we studied the spatial distribution, diversity and physiological characteristics of the epsilon‐Proteobacteria in various microbial habitats in the vicinity of a deep‐sea hydrothermal vent occurring in the Iheya North field in the Mid‐Okinawa Trough, by using culture‐dependent and ‐independent approaches. The habitats studied were inside and outside hydrothermal plume, and annelid polychaete tubes. In addition, we deployed colonization devices near the vent emission. The polychaete tubes harboured physiologically and phylogenetically diverse microbial community. The in situ samplers were predominantly colonized by epsilon‐Proteobacteria. Energy metabolism of epsilon‐Proteobacteria isolates was highly versatile. Tree topology generated from the metabolic traits was significantly different (P = 0.000) from that of 16S rRNA tree, indicating current 16S rRNA gene‐based analyses do not provide sufficient information to infer the physiological characteristics of epsilon‐Proteobacteria. Nevertheless, culturability of epsilon‐Proteobacteria in various microbial habitats differed among the phylogenetic subgroups. Members of Sulfurimonas were characterized by the robust culturability, and the other phylogenetic subgroups appeared to lose culturability in seawater, probably because of the sensitivity to oxygen. These results provide new insight into the ecophysiological characteristics of the deep‐sea hydrothermal vent epsilon‐Proteobacteria, which has never been assessed by comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA genes.
Archaeal diversity along a soil salinity gradient prone to disturbance
Authors: Walsh David A. , Papke R. Thane , Doolittle W. Ford 
Published: September 2005

SummaryWe employed a cultivation‐independent approach to examine archaeal diversity along a transient soil salinity gradient at Salt Spring in British Columbia, Canada that is routinely eroded due to heavy, recurrent rainfall. Archaeal 16S rRNA gene libraries were created using DNA extracted from three soil samples collected along this gradient. Statistical comparisons indicated similar archaeal richness across sites but, a significant shift in archaeal community composition along the salinity gradient. Seven distinct phylogenetic groups were represented in soil libraries. Haloarchaea were the most commonly sampled group. Other 16S rRNA sequences were related to uncultured Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota or halophilic methanogens. Haloarchaeal diversity was remarkably high in soil of elevated salinity compared with previously characterized haloarchaeal communities. Salt Spring haloarchaea were not closely related to known low‐salt adapted/tolerant species, suggesting they may be frequently faced with local mortality as a result of frequent declines in soil salinity. We speculate that ecosystem disturbance – in the form of salinity fluctuations – is one mechanism for maintaining a diverse community of haloarchaea at Salt Spring.
Implementation of national diabetes retinal screening programme is associated with a lower proportion of patients referred to ophthalmology
Authors: Leese G. P. , Morris A. D. , Swaminathan K. , Petrie J. R. , Sinharay R. , Ellingford A. , Taylor A. , Jung R. T. , Newton R. W. , Ellis J. D. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAims  To examine the impact of a new national retinal screening programme on screening attendance, technical quality of images, and referrals to the ophthalmology clinic.Methods  Results from the previous ad hoc retinal screening service were compared with data from the first year of the new Scottish Diabetes Retinal Screening Programme in Dundee, which was administered according to criteria recommended by the Health Technology Board Scotland.Results  Of 5150 patients invited for screening, 10.3% of patients did not attend. Overall, 4574 patients underwent single‐field digital retinal photography and 25.4% required mydriasis for an adequate image. After screening, 1.9 and 90.5% were recalled for repeat photography at 6 months and 1 year, respectively, whilst 4.6% were ungradable and 3.0% were referred to the ophthalmology clinic. Compared with the last 18 months of the previous scheme, with the new programme a smaller proportion of patients were referred to ophthalmology (3.0 vs. 5.9%; P < 0.001, difference 2.9%: 95% confidence interval 2.1–3.7%). Moreover, the attendance was higher (89 vs. 82%; P < 0.01) and there were fewer ungradable images (4.6 vs. 7.1%; P < 0.001).Conclusions  Introduction of a systematic retinal screening programme can reduce the proportion of patients referred to the ophthalmology clinic, and use ophthalmology services more efficiently.
Clustering of protective factors for glucose intolerance and insulin resistance: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Perry I. J. , Villegas R. , Salim A. , Flynn A. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAims  A cluster of interrelated factors: a body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2, moderate exercise and alcohol intake, non‐smoking and a favourable dietary pattern has been linked with markedly reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of a similar low‐risk group in a sample of middle‐aged Irish men and women, and determine whether this cluster is associated with a reduced risk of glucose intolerance (IFG and Type 2 diabetes according to ADA/WHO criteria) and insulin resistance [homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score in upper quartile of distribution].Methods  A cross‐sectional study involving a stratified random sample of 1018 general practice patients, aged 50–69 years. We defined a low‐risk group based on the following variables: BMI < 25 kg/m2; waist–hip ratio < 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men; never smoking status; participation in medium to high level of physical activity; light drinking (3.5–7 units of alcohol per week) and a ‘prudent’ dietary pattern. Valid data were available for glucose tolerance status and HOMA score and all exposure variables from 684 and 671 participants, respectively.Results  A total of 7.5% of participants had none of the ‘protective factors’, 24.9% had one, 31.0% two, 23.3% three, 10.0% four, 3.0% five and 0.3% had six protective factors. In multivariate analyses the odds ratios for insulin resistance were 0.59, 0.48, 0.14 and 0.04 in persons with one, two, three and four or more low‐risk factors, respectively, relative to those with none. Similar linear inverse trends were observed for glucose intolerance.Conclusions  The findings are consistent with an inverse linear relation between a cluster of core protective, lifestyle‐related factors and the prevalence of both glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.
Increased field resistance to Tilletia caries provided by a specific antifungal virus gene in genetically engineered wheat
Authors: Schlaich Thomas , Urbaniak Bartosz M. , Malgras Nicole , Ehler Elisabeth , Birrer Christof , Meier Lukas , Sautter Christof 
Published: September 2005

SummaryThe field performance of a viral gene in two Swiss wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties showed 10% increased fungal resistance against Tilletia caries (stinking smut). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of improved resistance against any fungus in the field achieved by genetic engineering in wheat. The genetically modified wheat lines previously showed a c. 30% decrease in symptoms of T. caries in the glasshouse (Clausen, M., Kräuter, R., Schachermayr, G., Potrykus, I. and Sautter, C. (2000) Antifungal activity of a virally encoded gene in transgenic wheat. Nat. Biotechnol. 18, 446–449), depending on the fungal strain inoculated. A glasshouse experiment run in parallel to the field test, and using the same collection of T. caries, gave the same results. In a dose–response experiment with isolated fungal strains, in which the infection pressure was varied via the spore concentration, the transgene behaved as a quantitative resistance gene and shifted the S‐shaped dose–response curve towards higher resistance. The transgene was shown to be highly specific for fungi of the order Ustilaginales. Tests of the transgene using cell cultures of eukaryotes, including hamster and human, showed no significant side‐effects with respect to biosafety. Endogenous pathogen‐related genes were also activated on fungal infection in the presence of the kp4 transgene.
ALTARPIECES AND AGENCY: THE ALTARPIECE OF THE SOCIETY OF THE PURIFICATION AND ITS ‘INVISIBLE SKEIN OF RELATIONS’
Authors: O'Malley Michelle 
Published: September 2005

To consider the Renaissance altarpiece as an active social force, this article draws on ideas concerning the efficacy of works of art articulated by Alfred Gell in his compelling book Art and Agency (1998). Considering as a case study the altarpiece depicting the Virgin enthroned with saints and angels, commissioned by the Florentine Confraternity of the Purification in 1461 and painted by Benozzo Gozzoli, the text investigates the network of relationships that generated the work, including the confraternity's association with the Virgin, the Medici family, the convent of the Observant Dominicans, the citizens of Florence and the painters Fra Angelico and Benozzo Gozzoli. The essay argues that Renaissance altarpieces played a dynamic and practical role in the social life of the period. Moreover, it contends that altarpieces themselves were causal in the creation of works of art, and links this analysis to the problem of interpreting altarpieces that were made to be pictorially similar to an already existing work. Michelle O'Malley is the Director of the Office for Research Support in the School of Humanities at the University of Sussex; previously she was the Head of Education for Exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts, London. Her published work includes The Business of Art: Contracts and the Commissioning Process in Renaissance Italy (Yale University Press, forthcoming 2005) and The Material Renaissance, co‐edited with Evelyn Welch (Manchester University Press, forthcoming 2007). She is currently working on issues of valuing and pricing, focusing on the career of Pietro Perugino. Her interest in questions of agency is related to this topic.