bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
False Positive Mammograms and Detection Controlled Estimation
Authors: Kleit Andrew N. , Ruiz James F. 
Published: August 2003

Objective. To investigate the causes of false positive in mammograms.Data Sources. Secondary data collected from extracts from computerized medical records from 1999 from five thousand patients at a single hospital in a medium‐sized Southern city.Study Design. Retrospective analysis of electronic medical data on screening and diagnostic mammograms. Detection‐controlled estimation (DCE) was used to compare the efficacy of alternative readers of mammogram films. Analysis was also conducted on follow‐up exams of women who tested positive in the first stage of investigation. Key variables included whether the patient had had a prior mammogram, age of the patient, and identifiers for the individual physicians.Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Hospital maintains electronic medical records (EMR) on all patients. Extracts were performed on this EMR system under the guidance of clinical expertise. Data were collected for all women who had mammograms in 1999. Random samples were employed for screening mammograms, and all data was used for diagnostic mammograms.Principal Findings. Study results imply that access to a previous mammogram greatly reduces the incidence of false positives readings. This has important consequences for benefit‐cost, and cost‐effectiveness analysis of mammography. Were previous mammograms always available, the results imply the number of false positives would decrease by at least half. The results here also indicate that there is no reason to believe this decrease in false positive would be accompanied by an increase in the number of false negatives. Other attributes also affected the number of false positives. Mondays and Wednesdays appear to be more prone to false positives than the other days in the week. There is also some disparity in false positive outcomes among the five physicians studied. With respect to detection‐controlled estimation, the results are mixed. With follow‐up data, the DCE estimator appears to generate reasonable, robust results. Without follow‐up data, however, the DCE estimator is far less precise.Conclusions. Study results imply that access to a previous mammogram reduces by at least half the incidence of false positives readings. This has important consequences for benefit‐cost, and cost‐effectiveness analysis of mammography.
Passive Immunization with Neutralizing Antibodies Interrupts the Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Life Cycle
Authors: Mpandi M. , Otten L. A. , Lavanchy C. , Acha-Orbea H. , Finke D. 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACTMouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) infects the host via mucosal surfaces and exploits the host immune system for systemic spread and chronic infection. We have tested a neutralizing rat monoclonal antibody specific for the retroviral envelope glycoprotein gp52 for its efficiency in preventing acute and chronic mucosal and systemic infection. The antibody completely inhibits the superantigen response and chronic viral infection following systemic or nasal infection. Surprisingly however, the antibody only partially inhibits the early infection of antigen-presenting cells in the draining lymph node. Despite this initially inefficient protection from infection, superantigen-specific B- and T-cell responses and systemic viral spread are abolished, leading to complete clearance of the retroviral infection and hence interruption of the viral life cycle. In conclusion, systemic neutralizing monoclonal antibodies can provide an efficient protection against chronic retroviral amplification and persistence.
Silent Point Mutation in an Avian Retrovirus RNA Processing Element Promotes c-
myb
-Associated Short-Latency Lymphomas
Authors: Polony Tatjana S. , Bowers Sandra J. , Neiman Paul E. , Beemon Karen L. 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACT

The avian leukosis virus ΔLR-9 causes a high frequency of B-cell lymphomas within weeks after injection into 10-day-old chicken embryos. These lymphomas result from proviral integrations into the oncogene c-
myb
. In contrast, LR-9, which lacks the 42-nucleotide
gag
gene deletion of ΔLR-9, does not cause a high frequency of c-
myb
-associated short-latency lymphomas. Although viral replication rates and spliced
env
mRNA levels were found to be similar for both viruses, ΔLR-9 exhibited an increase in readthrough transcription compared to LR-9. The ΔLR-9 deletion is located in the region of the
gag
gene corresponding to the matrix (MA) protein as well as in the negative regulator of splicing (NRS) element. To test whether disruption of the NRS or of the MA protein was responsible for inducing short-latency lymphomas, we generated viruses with NRS point mutations that maintained the wild-type Gag amino acid sequence. One of the mutant viruses induced an even higher incidence than ΔLR-9 of short-latency lymphomas with viral integrations into c-
myb
. Thus, we propose that disruption of the NRS sequence promotes readthrough transcription and splicing to the downstream
myb
gene, causing overexpression of a slightly truncated Myb protein, which induces short-latency tumors.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus/Human Herpesvirus 8 Transcriptional Activator Rta Is an Oligomeric DNA-Binding Protein That Interacts with Tandem Arrays of Phased A/T-Trinucleotide Motifs
Authors: Liao Wei , Tang Yong , Kuo Yu-liang , Liu Bao-Ying , Xu Chi-Jie , Giam Chou-Zen 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACT

Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV)/human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) encodes an immediate early transcriptional activator, Rta, which mediates viral reactivation from latency and lytic viral replication. Here we report the purification and characterizations of HHV-8 Rta and its interaction with Rta-responsive DNA elements. The Rta response element (RtaRE) in the promoter of the KSHV/HHV-8 K8 open reading frame was mapped to a 47-bp sequence (RtaRE1) and a 60-bp sequence (RtaRE2) upstream of the TATA motif. A comparison of the K8 RtaREs with other viral RtaREs revealed a pattern of multiple A/T triplets spaced with a periodicity of 10 or 20 bp. Substitutions of the in-phase A/T trinucleotides of the RtaRE1 with G/C bases greatly diminished Rta responsiveness and Rta binding. By contrast, base substitutions in an out-of-phase A/T-trinucleotide sequence had no effect. Importantly, multimers of (A/T)
3
N
7
and N
5
(A/T)
5
N
6
(A/T)
4
motifs supported a strong Rta response in a copy number-dependent manner. No specific sequence motifs in the spacer regions could be discerned. Potent Rta response, however, was obtained with phased A/T trinucleotides with 7-bp spacers of arbitrary sequences with high G/C content. Lengthening of the phased A/T motifs or lowering of the G/C content of the spacers resulted in a reduction in Rta response. Finally,
Escherichia coli
-derived Rta is an oligomer of 440 kDa in molecular size and binds RtaRE as an oligomer. These results support a model of Rta transactivation wherein the subunits of the Rta oligomer make multiple contacts with a tandem array of phased A/T triplets in the configuration of (A/T)
3
(G/C)
7
repeats.
Involvement of the Matrix and Nucleocapsid Domains of the Bovine Leukemia Virus Gag Polyprotein Precursor in Viral RNA Packaging
Authors: Wang Huating , Norris Kendra M. , Mansky Louis M. 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACT
The RNA packaging process for retroviruses involves a recognition event of the genome-length viral RNA by the viral Gag polyprotein precursor (PrGag), an important step in particle morphogenesis. The mechanism underlying this genome recognition event for most retroviruses is thought to involve an interaction between the nucleocapsid (NC) domain of PrGag and stable RNA secondary structures that form the RNA packaging signal. Presently, there is limited information regarding PrGag-RNA interactions involved in RNA packaging for the deltaretroviruses, which include bovine leukemia virus (BLV) and human T-cell leukemia virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and -2, respectively). To address this, alanine-scanning mutagenesis of BLV PrGag was done with a virus-like particle (VLP) system. As predicted, mutagenesis of conserved basic residues as well as residues of the zinc finger domains in the BLV NC domain of PrGag revealed residues that led to a reduction in viral RNA packaging. Interestingly, when conserved basic residues in the BLV MA domain of PrGag were mutated to alanine or glycine, but not when mutated to another basic residue, reductions in viral RNA packaging were also observed. The ability of PrGag to be targeted to the cell membrane was not affected by these mutations in MA, indicating that PrGag membrane targeting was not associated with the reduction in RNA packaging. These observations indicate that these basic residues in the MA domain of PrGag influence RNA packaging, without influencing Gag membrane localization. It was further observed that (i) a MA/NC double mutant had a more severe RNA packaging defect than either mutant alone, and (ii) RNA packaging was not found to be associated with transient localization of Gag in the nucleus. In summary, this report provides the first direct evidence for the involvement of both the BLV MA and NC domains of PrGag in viral RNA packaging.
Murid Herpesvirus 4 Strain 68 M2 Protein Is a B-Cell-Associated Antigen Important for Latency but Not Lymphocytosis
Authors: Macrae Alastair I. , Usherwood Edward J. , Husain S. Mazher , Flaño Emilio , Kim In-Jeong , Woodland David L. , Nash Anthony A. , Blackman Marcia A. , Sample Jeffery T. , Stewart James P. 
Published: August 2003

ABSTRACTThis work describes analyses of the function of the murid herpesvirus 4 strain 68 (MHV-68)M2gene. A frameshift mutation was made in theM2open reading frame that caused premature termination of translation of M2 after amino acid residue 90. TheM2mutant showed no defect in productive replication in vitro or in lungs after infection of mice. Likewise, the characteristic transient increase in spleen cell number, Vβ4 T-cell-receptor-positive CD8+T-cell mononucleosis, and establishment of latency were unaffected. However, theM2mutant virus was defective in its ability to cause the transient sharp rise in latently infected cells normally seen in the spleen after infection of mice. We also demonstrate that expression ofM2is restricted to B cells in the spleen and thatM2encodes a 30-kDa protein localizing predominantly in the cytoplasm and plasma membrane of B cells.
A preliminary investigation into bacterial contamination of Welsh emergency ambulances
Authors: Nigam Y , Cutter J 
Published: September 2003

Objectives:The objective of this regional study across Wales was to perform a preliminary examination of Welsh emergency vehicles to determine levels of bacterial contamination.Methods:Specific sites within emergency vehicles were swabbed, before and after vehicle cleaning, over a 12 month period, on a monthly basis. All swabs were sent to pathology laboratories for culturing and analysis.Results:Results showed that most sites within emergency vehicles across Wales were contaminated with a range of bacterial species before vehicle cleaning. After vehicle cleaning, many sites in vehicles were still contaminated, and some sites that were previously uncontaminated, became freshly contaminated as a result of cleaning methods used.Conclusions:The authors conclude that the Welsh emergency vehicles examined exhibited an unacceptable level of bacterial contamination. This finding should be carefully considered and all attempts must be made to tackle the problem of vehicle cleanliness and infection control.
Urogenital infections in women: can probiotics help?
Authors: Reid G , Bruce A W 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Urogenital infections not caused by sexual transmission, namely yeast vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infection remain a major medical problem in terms of the number of women afflicted each year. Although antimicrobial therapy is generally effective at eradicating these infections, there is still a high incidence of recurrence. The patient’s quality of life is affected and many women become frustrated by the cycle of repeated antimicrobial agents whose effectiveness is diminishing due to increasing development of microbial resistance. There is good clinical evidence to show that the intestinal and urogenital microbial flora have a central role in maintaining both the health and wellbeing of humans. Furthermore, the use of “good bacteria” to replace or augment bacterial populations is gradually achieving scientific acceptance. This application is termed probiotics: “live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. The role of the intestinal, vaginal, and urethral flora and probiotics in urogenital health will be the focus of this review.
Primary care management of carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Burke F D , Ellis J , McKenna H , Bradley M J 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Carpal tunnel syndrome of mild to moderate severity can often be effectively treated in a primary care environment. Workplace task modification and wrist splints can reduce or defer referral to hospital for surgical decompression. Nerve and tendon gliding exercises may also be of benefit. Steroid injections to the mouth of the carpal tunnel are particularly useful for symptomatic women in the third trimester of pregnancy. However inadvertent neural injection may cause disabling chronic pain. Referral to a minority of practitioners trained in the technique would ensure sufficient patient numbers to maintain skill levels.
Is there an epidemic of HIV/AIDS among heterosexuals in the USA?
Authors: Haverkos H W , Chung R C , Norville Perez L C 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, reports HIV infections and AIDS cases in the United States biannually. Trends in the distribution of HIV/AIDS cases according to sex, race or ethnic group, and various categories of exposure to HIV were analysed. The groups in which there were the greatest percentage increases over time were the group with heterosexual contact and the group for whom the risk factors were not reported or identified. The CDC should be encouraged to provide additional information regarding sexual and drug-using behaviours of those patients listed as “undetermined”.
Regional survey of temporary transvenous pacing procedures and complications
Authors: Betts T R 
Published: September 2003

Abstract

Objective
A prospective regional survey was carried out to describe the current practice of temporary transvenous pacing in five hospitals in the Wessex region and identify factors that predispose to complications.

Methods
Data were collected on patient characteristics, pacing indication and setting, operator grade, training, experience and supervision, venous access, procedure time, duration of pacing, complications, and eventual outcome.

Results
A total of 144 procedures were performed on 111 patients (age 75 (12) years). Median procedure time was 30 (1–150) min. Trainees performed 129 (91.5%) procedures. The senior physician present was a cardiologist/cardiology trainee for 65/144 (45.1%), and had experience of &gt;20 procedures for 81/144 (57.9%). Venous access was by the subclavian in 52 (46.8%), internal jugular in 37 (33.3%) and femoral in 22 (19.8%), requiring multiple stabs or multiple sites in 41(33.1%). Pacing wires remained in place for a median of 2 (0.04–20) days.
Overall procedure times were shorter for cardiologists/cardiology trainees (24[1–90] v 45[10–150] min, p&lt;0.0001), and experienced physicians (30[1–150] v 40[10–120] min, p&lt;0.01). There were 50 complications in 46/144 (31.9%) procedures, affecting 31/111 (27.9%) patients. Immediate complications were less common with experienced physicians (1/81 v 5/59, p&lt;0.05). Infection occurred more often with wires left in situ for &gt;48 hours (17/86 v 2/55, p&lt;0.01) and with longer procedure times (55[8–150] v 30[1–120] min, p&lt;0.005). No factors predicted displacement, which occurred at a median time of 1 (0.04–8) day. Complications delayed permanent pacemaker insertion in 19/63 (22.9%) patients.

Conclusions
Temporary pacemaker insertion is performed by physicians with variable experience and training. The presence of an experienced cardiologist/cardiology trainee and decreasing the time that pacing wires remain in situ may reduce complications.
How to Optimize Physicians’ Communication Skills in Cancer Care: Results of a Randomized Study Assessing the Usefulness of Posttraining Consolidation Workshops
Authors: Razavi Darius , Merckaert Isabelle , Marchal Serge , Libert Yves , Conradt Sandrine , Boniver Jacques , Etienne Anne-Marie , Fontaine Ovide , Janne Pascal , Klastersky Jean , Reynaert Christine , Scalliet Pierre , Slachmuylder Jean-Louis , Delvaux Nicole 
Published: August 2003

Purpose: Although there is wide recognition of the usefulness of improving physicians’ communication skills, no studies have yet assessed the efficacy of post-training consolidation workshops. This study aims to assess the efficacy of six 3-hour consolidation workshops conducted after a 2.5-day basic training program. Methods: Physicians, after attending the basic training program, were randomly assigned to consolidation workshops or to a waiting list. Training efficacy was assessed through simulated and actual patient interviews that were audiotaped at baseline and after consolidation workshops for the consolidation-workshop group, and approximately 5 months after the end of basic training for the waiting-list group. Communication skills were assessed according to the Cancer Research Campaign Workshop Evaluation Manual. Patients’ perceptions of communication skills improvement were assessed using a 14-item questionnaire. Results: Sixty-three physicians completed the training program. Communication skills improved significantly more in the consolidation-workshop group compared with the waiting-list group. In simulated interviews, group-by-time repeated measures analysis of variance showed a significant increase in open and open directive questions (P = .014) and utterances alerting patients to reality (P = .049), as well as a significant decrease in premature reassurance (P = .042). In actual patient interviews, results revealed a significant increase in acknowledgments (P = .022) and empathic statements (P = .009), in educated guesses (P = .041), and in negotiations (P = .008). Patients interacting with physicians who benefited from consolidation workshops reported higher scores concerning their physicians’ understanding of their disease (P = .004). Conclusion: Consolidation workshops further improve a communication skills training program’s efficacy and facilitate the transfer of acquired skills to clinical practice.
Efficient Diastereodifferentiating E-Z Photoisomerization of Cyclooctene Tethered to Intramolecular Sensitizer through Optically Active Pentane-2,4-diyl Unit
Authors: Sugimura Takashi , Shimizu Hitoshi , Umemoto Shin’ichi , Tsuneishi Hiroshi , Hakushi Tadao , Inoue Yoshihisa , Tai Akira 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Photolysis of a tethered cyclooctene (E)-4, in which the sensitizer benzoate is connected to the olefin moiety through a chiral 2,4-pentanediol tether, afforded the Z/E ratios up to 0.8 and the diastereomeric excess of 33% at −65 °C, while the terephthalate analogue (E)-5 gave higher de of 44% at the same temperature.
Allenylmethylsilane Derivative as a Synthetic Equivalent of 1,2,3-Butatriene: Synthesis and Reactions of Di-exo-methylenecyclobutanes and -cyclobutenes
Authors: Hojo Makoto , Murakami Chikara , Nakamura Shinya , Hosomi Akira 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
2-Methoxyallenylmethylsilane reacts with alkenes and alkynes in a [2+2] cycloaddition mode to give cyclobutanes and cyclobutenes, respectively. Cycloadducts are converted to di-exo-methylene compounds through 1,2-elimination of the methoxy and silyl groups. These di-exo-methylenecyclobutanes and -cyclobutenes react with alkenes and 1,3-dienes to afford fused bi- and tricyclic compounds.
Synthesis of Hyperbranched Aromatic Polyamide by Direct Polycondensation Method
Authors: Haba Osamu , Tajima Hiroyuki , Ueda Mitsuru , Nagahata Ritsuko 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
A hyperbranched aromatic polyamide was prepared from 5-aminoisophthalic acid by the direct polycondensation method using diphenyl (2,3-dihydro-2-thioxo-3-benzoxazolyl)phosphonate (DBOP) as a condensing agent. The resulting polymer was further reacted with p-anisidine to give methoxy-end-capped polymer (3). IR spectrum of 3 indicates the end-capping was achieved completely. MALDI-TOF MS spectrum of 3 indicates presence of no side-reaction. Number average molecular weight of 3 could be determined by its 1H NMR spectrum and was 1800.
Substituent Effect on the cis-trans Photoisomerization of trans,trans,trans-1,6-Diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatrienes
Authors: Sonoda Yoriko , Morii Hisayuki , Sakuragi Masako , Suzuki Yasuzo 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Quantum yield of trans,trans,trans→cis,trans,trans photoisomerization of p,p′-disubstituted 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene increased as the polarity of substituents increased, regardless of their electron-withdrawing or donating nature. On the contrary, quantum yield of trans,trans,trans→trans,cis,trans isomerization increased with increasing the electron-donating nature of substituents.
Effects of Cl Ions upon Combustion of Particulate on TiO2-supported CuO Catalysts
Authors: Imada Yasunori , Kakuta Noriyoshi , Ueno Akifumi , Yoshida Kiyohide 
Published: September 2003

Abstract
Combustion of diesel particulate on titania-supported copper oxide was enhanced when it was prepared from copper chloride. This was ascribed to chlorine ions still remaining in the catalyst, since the catalyst prepared from copper nitrate showed a poor activity for combustion. It was also found that the high activity was elongated by an addition of KCl into the catalyst prepared from copper chloride.
Monitoring of a second‐order reaction by electronic absorption spectroscopy using combined chemometric and kinetic models
Authors: Thurston Tom J. , Brereton Richard G. , Foord Dan J. , Escott Richard E. A. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis paper reports the application of 11 methods for obtaining kinetic constants from a second‐order reaction, that between phenylhydrazine and benzophenone. In this type of reaction the number of absorbing species is lower than the number of steps in the reaction minus one, resulting in a rank‐deficient response matrix. The methods used include traditional univariate curve fitting, classical least squares using previously recorded pure spectra, alternating least squares methods with both kinetic and non‐negativity constraints, and target‐testing methods using principal component scores. An additional recently proposed method based on difference spectra is also examined, suitable for any single‐step closed reaction. The methods that performed best were difference spectra, kinetically constrained alternating least squares, and target‐testing approaches. Limitations of the traditional methods are described. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A framework for sequential multiblock component methods
Authors: Smilde Age K. , Westerhuis Johan A. , de Jong Sijmen 
Published: August 2003

AbstractMultiblock or multiset methods are starting to be used in chemistry and biology to study complex data sets. In chemometrics, sequential multiblock methods are popular; that is, methods that calculate one component at a time and use deflation for finding the next component. In this paper a framework is provided for sequential multiblock methods, including hierarchical PCA (HPCA; two versions), consensus PCA (CPCA; two versions) and generalized PCA (GPCA). Properties of the methods are derived and characteristics of the methods are discussed. All this is illustrated with a real five‐block example from chromatography. The only methods with clear optimization criteria are GPCA and one version of CPCA. Of these, GPCA is shown to give inferior results compared with CPCA. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.