bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genotype Analysis, Using PCR with Type-Specific Primers, of Hepatitis B Virus Isolates from Patients Coinfected with Hepatitis Delta Virus Genotype II from Miyako Island, Japan
Authors: Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Taira Masaaki , Matsumura Hiroshi , Aoki Hiroshi , Mikuni Morio , Kaneko Miki , Shioda Atsuo , Iwaguchi Kayo , Arai Shinobu , Ichijima Sagiri , Iwasaki Hiroko , Tanaka Naohide , Abe Kenji , Arakawa Yasuyuki 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> The aims of this study were to determine the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA-positive patients and to characterize the HBV nucleotide sequences that may be found on a distant island of Japan. <i>Methods:</i> This study included three patients with chronic hepatitis who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; ELISA), HDV antibody (ELISA) and HDV RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The HBV genotype was determined by nested PCR using type-specific primers. The first-round PCR products from two patients were sequenced, followed by an investigation of nucleotide homology. <i>Results:</i> Viruses from all three patients in this study were classified as HBV genotype B. Comparison with HBV isolates from geographically neighboring regions revealed that the two HBV isolates had 97.9–98.6% identity at the nucleotide level to a Chinese isolate, 98.3–98.6% identity to the Okinawa isolate and 98.6–98.8% identity to a Japanese isolate of genotype B. On phylogenetic analysis, the HBV isolates from the two patients were classified as HBV genotype B. The HBV isolates of cases 1 and 3 clustered in the same group as isolates from the Chinese mainland and Japanese mainland, which are geographically near Miyako Island. <i>Conclusion:</i> The HBV isolates coinfected with HDV found on Miyako Island were of genotype B. The PCR method based on genotype-specific primers was useful in determining HBV genotypes.
NT-proANP and BNP in Renovascular and in Severe and Mild Essential Hypertension
Authors: Mussalo Hanna , Vanninen Esko , Ikäheimo Risto , Hartikainen Juha 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> The plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) become increased in hypertension. However, it is unknown what is the effect of the etiology and the severity of hypertension on the plasma concentrations of ANP and BNP. <i>Methods:</i> We examined plasma levels of ANP (measured as N-terminal fragment of proatrial natriuretic peptide; NT-proANP) and BNP in patients having sustained hypertension of different etiology and severity: in patients with renovascular hypertension (RVHT, n = 12), severe essential hypertension (SEHT, n = 37), and mild essential hypertension (MEHT, n = 29). In addition, we studied the diagnostic value of NT-proANP and BNP to discriminate patients with RVHT from patients with essential hypertension. <i>Results:</i> The plasma concentrations of NT-proANP and BNP were higher in the RVHT group (593 ± 80 and 25.0 ± 9.3 pmol/l, respectively) than in the SEHT group (320 ± 33 and 4.7 + 0.6 pmol/l, respectively; p < 0.001 for both), in spite of the similar blood pressure level, and also higher than in the MEHT group (356 ± 30 and 7.0 ± 1.0 pmol/l; p = 0.004 and p = 0.006, respectively). There was no difference in natriuretic peptide levels between the SEHT and MEHT groups. Plasma NT-proANP and BNP correlated positively with aging and serum creatinine concentration and inversely with left ventricular diastolic filling. In addition, NT-proANP correlated positively with systolic blood pressure and BNP with left ventricular mass index. The areas under receiver operating characteristic curves for plasma NT-proANP and BNP to discriminate RVHT patients from patients with essential hypertension were 0.793 and 0.782, respectively. The best cutoff value was 530 pmol/l for NT-proANP, giving a sensitivity of 67% with a specificity of 86%. The cutoff value of 9.8 pmol/l for BNP resulted in a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 90%. <i>Conclusions:</i> Patients with RVHT have higher plasma levels of NT-proANP and BNP than patients with essential hypertension. In addition to the etiology of hypertension, also left ventricular characteristics are important determinants of NT-proANP and BNP concentrations in hypertension. Due to the low sensitivity, NT-proANP and BNP are not suitable as screening tools for RVHT.
Are There Any Differences in Skin Barrier Function, Integrity and Skin Blood Flow between Different Subpopulations of Asians and Caucasians?
Authors: Yosipovitch G. , Goon A.T.J. , Chan Y.H. , Goh C.L. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> There are few studies with a limited number of subjects examining whether there are population differences in skin barrier function between Asian skin and Caucasian skin. <i>Objectives:</i> To study skin barrier function and integrity in different subpopulations of Asian skin: Chinese, Malay, Indian and Caucasian. <i>Methods:</i> Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) were measured at baseline, after tape stripping and during recovery 3 h after stripping. Barrier integrity was assessed by counting the number of tape strippings required to cause an average TEWL of 20 g/m<sup>2</sup>/h. <i>Results: </i> There was no statistically significant difference in basal, poststripping and 3-hour recovery TEWL and LDPI readings between the 4 ethnic groups. Neither was there any statistically significant difference in recovery rate of TEWL and LDPI reading after tape stripping. There was also no difference in barrier integrity between the ethnic groups. All parameters did not differ when skin type was analyzed. Females had a better skin integrity; however, the barrier repair was similar. <i>Conclusion:</i> There is no evidence to support any real difference in skin barrier function between the 4 ethnic groups and the different skin types. Females seem to have a better integrity than males.
IL-4 suppresses osteoclast development and mature osteoclast function by a STAT6-dependent mechanism: irreversible inhibition of the differentiation program activated by RANKL
Authors: Moreno Jose L. , Kaczmarek Michele , Keegan Achsah D. , Tondravi Mehrdad 
Published: April 2003

AbstractNumerous reports have described the effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on bone biology. Previous studies, performed using complex coculture systems, demonstrated the effects of IL-4 on osteoblasts and osteoclasts. To directly test the effect of IL-4 on osteoclasts, we took advantage of a simplified system using recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) as the osteoclast differentiation factor. We analyzed the ability of IL-4 to directly regulate osteoclast differentiation and mature osteoclast function. We found that IL-4 inhibited the differentiation of osteoclasts from bone marrow precursors in an irreversible manner and also inhibited the resorptive capacity of mature osteoclasts. In the presence of IL-4, we detected the appearance of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)–negative multinucleated giant (MNG) cells. Both IL-4 effects were dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). We found that IL-4 suppresses RANK mRNA expression in the developing precursor cells. When RANK was ectopically expressed under the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter in RAW264.7 macrophages, IL-4 treatment did not inhibit osteoclast development. Furthermore, when osteoclastogenesis was induced independently of RANKL by using tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-4 inhibited osteoclast differentiation through a STAT6-dependent mechanism. These results suggest that IL-4 regulates osteoclast development by regulating gene expression, including RANK. We propose that IL-4 irreversibly regulates the lineage commitment of precursor cells by regulating gene expression, resulting in the suppression of osteoclast development and the generation of MNG cells as an alternative pathway of differentiation.
Expression and domain-specific function of GATA-2 during differentiation of the hematopoietic precursor cells in midgestation mouse embryos
Authors: Minegishi Naoko , Suzuki Norio , Yokomizo Tomomasa , Pan Xiaoqing , Fujimoto Tetsuhiro , Takahashi Satoru , Hara Takahiko , Miyajima Atsushi , Nishikawa Shin-ichi , Yamamoto Masayuki 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe aorta-gonads-mesonephros (AGM) region of the mouse embryo has been assigned as the origin of definitive hematopoiesis. The transcription factor GATA-2 has specific but unclarified roles in early hematopoiesis. To elucidate the expression profile of GATA-2, we prepared transgenic mouse lines containing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene driven by GATA-2 gene regulatory elements. We also prepared a mouse line in which GFP reporter sequences were inserted into the endogenous GATA-2 gene. Both mouse mutants expressed GFP in the early hematopoietic tissues. The CD45 antigen, a marker of hematopoietic cells, was expressed in a small fraction of transgene (TG)–derived GFP+ cells. The remaining TG-GFP+/CD45- cells were adherent to plastic and produced CD45+ hematopoietic cells abundantly when cultured in vitro. Exogenous expression of GATA-2 in TG-GFP+/CD45- cells from the AGM region inhibited their differentiation into CD45+ cells. Loss of GATA-2 function through the disruption of the GATA-2 locus enhanced the earlier emergence of CD45+ cells in the yolk sac of the 9.5-day conceptus. These results demonstrated that GATA-2 is expressed in the precursor of hematopoietic cells and works as a gatekeeper to preserve their immaturity. A reduction of GATA-2 expression or activity is required for the differentiation of precursors to hematopoietic cells.
Definitive surgical trauma skills: a new skills course for specialist registrars and consultants in general surgery in the United Kingdom
Authors: Ryan JM , Roberts P 
Published: April 2003

In an era of increasing subspecialization within UK surgical practice, few senior trainees and a diminishing number of consultants feel competent operating outside their chosen specialist eld. General surgery and orthopaedic trainees, however, remain in the front line of trauma management. Subspecialization is, to some degree, affecting training of orthopaedic surgeons; there are some that do not deal with trauma. However, it is in the so-called field of general surgery that subspecialization has had the greatest impact. Many trainees are now more familiar with endoscopic techniques than open laparotomy and, even within the open abdomen, few wish to explore organ systems or regions outside their `zone of comfort’. Trauma, especially that inflicted by rearms, does not respect anatomical or speciality boundaries. This raises the question of how best to train surgeons in the future to manage severe multisystem injury. To manage trauma competently there is a need to master operative skills that cover the whole of the abdominal cavity, including the pelvis and the retroperitoneum. General surgeons should be competent and confident to carry out trauma thoracotomies and able to cope with central and peripheral vascular trauma. Further skills and knowledge are also required: these encompass trauma epidemiology, critical decision making and, not least, a detailed knowledge of surgical anatomy. Knowledge can be most severely tested when dealing with multi-system trauma! There is also a particular need to give military surgeons the competencies required to deal with battlefield trauma, 90% of which is caused by penetrating injury. Military surgeons, by definition, still need to be `generalists’. The Raven department of education at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal Defence Medical College (now the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham), and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Washington, have developed a Definitive Surgical Trauma Skills (DSTS) course to meet this specific training need. This tripartite venture was developed in association with the Societe International de Chirugie (SIC) and the International Association for the Surgery of Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care (IATSIC).
Phase II Study of Pemetrexed With and Without Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 as Front-Line Therapy in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Authors: Scagliotti Giorgio V. , Shin Dong-M. , Kindler Hedy L. , Vasconcelles Michael J. , Keppler Uwe , Manegold Christian , Burris Howard , Gatzemeier Ulrich , Blatter Johannes , Symanowski James T. , Rusthoven James J. 
Published: April 2003

Purpose: This phase II clinical study evaluated the efficacy of pemetrexed for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Patients and Methods: Patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of MPM, chemotherapy-naive measurable lesions, and adequate organ function received pemetrexed (500 mg/m2) intravenously over 10 minutes every 3 weeks. After a protocol change, most patients also received folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation to improve safety. Results: A total of 64 patients were enrolled. Nine (14.1%) of the 64 patients had a partial response. The Kaplan-Meier estimate for median overall survival was 10.7 months. Forty-three patients received vitamin supplementation for all courses of therapy, and 21 patients did not. Seven of the nine responders were vitamin supplemented. The median overall survival was 13.0 months for supplemented patients and 8.0 months for nonsupplemented patients. Vitamin-supplemented patients completed more cycles of therapy than nonsupplemented patients (median, six v two cycles, respectively). Grade 3/4 neutropenia (23.4%) and grade 3/4 leukopenia (18.8%) were the most common laboratory toxicities. Fatigue and febrile neutropenia were the most commonly reported nonlaboratory events (grade 3, 6.3%; grade 4, 0.0% each). The incidence of these toxicities was generally lower in the supplemented patients. Conclusion: Single-agent pemetrexed for MPM resulted in a moderate response rate (14.1%) and median overall survival of 10.7 months. Patients supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B12 tolerated treatment better (less toxicity and more cycles of treatment) and had a 5-month greater median overall survival than nonsupplemented patients. These results indicate that patients with MPM could benefit from single-agent pemetrexed treatment combined with vitamin supplementation.
Simplified modellization of gear micropitting
Authors: Antoine F , Besson J-M 
Published: April 2003

This document gives a simplified method of calculating gear micropitting. The method has been developed by EUROCOPTER. The objective was to provide a model that took into consideration the maximum number of parameters in order to model the different physical phenomena, particularly: an oil-film thickness calculation taking the influence of pressure into consideration a simplified modellization of roughness an estimation of the plastification effect on the roughness overpressure at the contact surface taking into account the combined effects of roughness and oil-film thickness. The elaborated model is presented in an Excel file form. The application program is called APICS (approche du pitting par calculs simplifiés). In order to validate this model, this program has been applied to: An epicyclic gear train of a helicopter. Tests on discs as part of the ASETT European program. Discs are in hardened M50NiL Duplex (surface treatment: carburized and nitrided). Different kinds of surface finishing were proposed. The reference case of discs in 16NCD13 without thermochemical treatment has been also treated. FZG gear benchtests, also as part of the ASETT program. Gears have been manufactured in hardened M50NiL Duplex, with different kinds of surface finishing proposed. The results of the calculations express quite exactly the experimental facts observed on discs and gears for a wide range of studied cases, covering different materials, different kinds of case hardening and different kinds of surface finishing.
Manufacturing to Order with Random Yield and Costly Inspection
Authors: Grosfeld-Nir Abraham , Gerchak Yigal , He Qi-Ming 
Published: April 2003

This study considers a situation where a contractor receives an order that it commits to satisfy in full. The fulfillment of the contract requires manufacturing and inspection. Because the number of defective units within a produced lot is not known in advance, it is possible that after examining the lot, it is learned that the number of conforming units is short of the demand. If so, further manufacturing and inspection are required. Once enough conforming units are found, the inspection terminates, and the remaining uninspected units, as well as all defectives, are scrapped. Whereas previous “multiple production runs” studies implicitly assumed that inspection costs are negligible, we include these costs as a key part of the problem. It turns out that the optimal production lot size depends on the inspection cost. Our model is very general: We provide a framework to calculate the optimal batch and the expected number of inspections for any yield pattern, as well as for any inspection procedure. We also provide results and numerical examples concerning specific yield patterns that are common in practice.
The Social Capital of French and American Managers
Authors: Burt Ronald S. , Hogarth Robin M. , Michaud Claude 
Published: April 2003

Accumulating empirical evidence on American managers shows that social-capital effects on performance are a function of the information and control benefits of bridging structural holes—the disconnections between nonredundant contacts in a network. Is that network form of social capital unique to Americans? France seemed to us a productive site for comparative research because the image from past research is that French managers are more regulated than Americans; more regulated by bureaucratic authority and more regulated by peer pressure, with both amplified by the greater reliance in France on internal labor markets. People comfortable with knowing their place in a chain of bureaucratic control could be uncomfortable with the negotiated control exercised by network entrepreneurs, so the positive association between structural holes and performance in the United States could be negligible or even reversed for French managers.We use network and performance data on two study populations of senior managers, one in France and one in the United States, to describe social capital similarities and differences between the populations. The network form of social capital is similar in the two populations: More successful French managers, like Americans, tend to have networks rich in structural holes. The French and American managers make similar distinctions between kinds of relationships. Relations that bridge structural holes are similarly detached from routine work activities for the French and the Americans. The interesting difference is that social capital develops differently in the two populations. The French managers operate with a less porous social boundary around their firm and associate negative emotions with bridge relations. Reinforcing Aix-en-Provence observations on the significance of adult education for Franco-German differences in organization, we find that exposure to peers in other firms via executive education is for our French managers the only factor positively associated with the social capital of bridge relationships.
Towards A Culturally Sensitive Approach To Organization Structuring: Where Organization Design Meets Organization Development
Authors: Bate Paul , Khan Raza , Pye Annie 
Published: April 2003

This article describes an holistic model of intervention geared to achieving transformational change by interweaving culture and structure through the warp and weft of leadership processes. That is, it brings together organization design and organization development by advocating a culturally sensitive approach to organization structuring. Our emphasis is on process throughout and our thesis is based on empirical evidence. We undertook a lengthy action research project (which we prefer to call “action ethnography”) at a large hospital trust in England. In the process of elaborating this field study, we move from an organization which was seen to be “gridlocked” and to have “lost its steering capacity”, through one which was bringing development and design together by way of pilot projects and transitional structures, to one where collective dialogue and debate finally led to some collective and sensible sensemaking. Exploring this relationship between culture and structure enables us to put people back into design and with them, their meanings, aspirations and assumptions. It also means that we are careful to avoid detailing specific design choices or offering organizational archetypes: this article is primarily about the process issues that surround redesign rather than organization design per se, as indeed any redesign is ultimately highly specific and context-driven. Instead, however, we articulate a four-phase change model, focusing on the delicate processes by which to reframe the culture-structure relationship, enabling an organization to move towards fundamental change.
Crossroads—Conventions: An Interpretation of Deep Structure in Organizations
Authors: Gomez Pierre-Yves , Jones Brittany C. 
Published: April 2003

To describe human action as purely the product of rational calculation leaves unanswered the question of how human beings can act in the absence of any structure for calculating the likely outcome of their actions. If the answer is that they cannot, how can any such structure be stable and comprehensive enough to enable action without becoming either inert or deterministic?In this paper, we seek to understand how free will and social context can interact to produce both structure and action. This is accomplished through the development of a framework based on the notion of convention. Organizations, in this view, are grounded in “effort conventions” of what constitutes “normal” effort at work, that structure the action of those who work within the organization, and in turn reinforce these structures. We show how humans can calculate within a context of socially constructed beliefs, and how these beliefs can evolve, provided that they remain essentially nonjustified and beyond the reach of rational calculation. It is this mix of rational calculation and nonrational beliefs that form the core of our model.We begin by defining the nature of a convention and its properties. We then describe the evolutionary dynamics of conventions, and show that conventions exist in competition with other conventions and evolve over time. Our model of convention is then linked to other notions, advanced in the managerial literature, which point to a kind of ‘deep structure’ that lies at the heart of organizations. We conclude by outlining how this notion can shed new light on the analysis of organizations.