bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrocardiographic Characteristics of Fasciculoventricular Pathways
Authors: OH SEIL , CHOI YUN‐SHIK , CHOI EUE‐KEUN , KIM HYO‐SOO , SOHN DAE‐WON , OH BYUNG‐HEE , LEE MYOUNG‐MOOK , PARK YOUNG‐BAE 
Published: January 2005

Introduction: Fasciculoventricular (FV) pathways are rare variants of preexcitation, and their ECGs may be misinterpreted as Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome with anteroseptal accessory pathways (WPW‐AS). We analyzed the electrocardiographic characteristics of the patients with FV pathways to find out the different findings from WPW‐AS.
Methods and Results: Five patients with FV pathways and four patients with WPW‐AS who underwent electrophysiologic studies were evaluated. Intervals and amplitudes of each wave and QRS morphologies were analyzed in standard 12‐lead ECGs of these patients by two independent cardiologists without the information of the electrophysiologic findings. PR intervals were longer in FV pathways (122 ± 11.0 vs 83 ± 21 ms, FV pathways vs WPW‐AS, P = 0.017). In lead V1, narrower width of R waves (25 ± 6 vs 45 ± 13 ms, P = 0.037) and smaller amplitude of S waves (12.8 ± 8.3 vs 26.6 ± 7.4 mm, P = 0.037) were observed in FV pathways. The polarity of delta waves in V1 was flat or negative in contrast with the cases of WPW‐AS in which the polarity was positive. Three of five patients had notching in the descending limb of S waves in V1, which was not observed in WPW‐AS.
Conclusion: FV pathways have different ECG characteristics from WPW‐AS in PR interval and morphology of QRS complexes in lead V1 of the standard 12‐lead ECG.
Safety of the Blood Supply in Latin America
Authors: Schmunis Gabriel A. , Cruz Jose R. 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARYAppropriate selection of donors, use of sensitive screening tests, and the application of a mandatory quality assurance system are essential to maintain the safety of the blood supply. Laws, decrees, norms, and/or regulations covering most of these aspects of blood transfusion exist in 16 of the 17 countries in Latin America that are the subject of this review. In 17 countries, there is an information system that, although still incomplete (there are no official reports on adverse events and incidents), allows us to establish progress made on the status of the blood supply since 1993. Most advances originated in increased screening coverage for infectious diseases and better quality assurance. However, in 2001 to 2002, tainted blood may have caused infections in 12 of the 17 countries; no country reached the number of donors considered adequate, i.e., 5% of the population, to avoid blood shortages, or decreased significantly the number of blood banks, although larger blood banks are more efficient and take advantage of economies of scale. In those years, paid donors still existed in four countries and replacement donors made up >75% of the blood donors in another eight countries. In addition, countries did not report the number of voluntary donors who were repeat donors, i.e., the healthiest category. In spite of progress made, more improvements are needed.
Mechanical Transmission of Human Protozoan Parasites by Insects
Authors: Graczyk Thaddeus K. , Knight Ronald , Tamang Leena 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARY
The filthy breeding habits, feeding mechanisms, and indiscriminate travel between filth and food make some groups of synanthropic insects such as nonbiting flies and cockroaches efficient vectors of human enteric protozoan parasites. Twenty-one species of filth flies have been listed by regulatory agencies concerned with sanitation and public health as causative agents of gastrointestinal diseases based on synanthropy, endophily, communicative behavior, and strong attraction to filth and human food. Outbreaks and cases of food-borne diarrheal diseases in urban and rural areas are closely related to the seasonal increase in abundance of filth flies, and enforced fly control is closely related to reductions in the occurrence of such diseases. Mechanical transmission of human parasites by nonbiting flies and epidemiological involvement of other synanthropic insects in human food-borne diseases have not received adequate scientific attention.
Combination Treatment of Invasive Fungal Infections
Authors: Mukherjee Pranab K. , Sheehan Daniel J. , Hitchcock Christopher A. , Ghannoum Mahmoud A. 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARYThe persistence of high morbidity and mortality from systemic fungal infections despite the availability of novel antifungals points to the need for effective treatment strategies. Treatment of invasive fungal infections is often hampered by drug toxicity, tolerability, and specificity issues, and added complications often arise due to the lack of diagnostic tests and to treatment complexities. Combination therapy has been suggested as a possible approach to improve treatment outcome. In this article, we undertake a historical review of studies of combination therapy and also focus on recent studies involving newly approved antifungal agents. The limitations surrounding antifungal combinations include nonuniform interpretation criteria, inability to predict the likelihood of clinical success, strain variability, and variations in pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic properties of antifungals used in combination. The issue of antagonism between polyenes and azoles is beginning to be addressed, but data regarding other drug combinations are not adequate for us to draw definite conclusions. However, recent data have identified potentially useful combinations. Standardization of assay methods and adoption of common interpretive criteria are essential to avoid discrepancies between different in vitro studies. Larger clinical trials are needed to assess whether combination therapy improves survival and treatment outcome in the most seriously debilitated patients afflicted with life-threatening fungal infections.
Preventing Varicella-Zoster Disease
Authors: Hambleton Sophie , Gershon Anne A. 
Published: January 2005

SUMMARY
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the cause of chickenpox and shingles, is a pathogen in retreat following the introduction of mass vaccination in the United States in 1995. The live attenuated Oka vaccine, which is safe and immunogenic, gives good protection against both varicella and zoster in the short to medium term. It has undoubtedly been highly effective to date in reducing all forms of varicella, especially severe disease. However, the huge pool of latent wild-type virus in the population represents a continuing threat. Both the biology and the epidemiology of VZV disease suggest that new vaccination strategies will be required over time.
CONTINUOUS RAMSEY THEORY ON POLISH SPACES AND COVERING THE PLANE BY FUNCTIONS
Authors: GESCHKE STEFAN , GOLDSTERN MARTIN , KOJMAN MENACHEM 
Published: January 2005

We investigate the Ramsey theory of continuous graph-structures on complete, separable metric spaces and apply the results to the problem of covering a plane by functions. Let the homogeneity number[Formula: see text] of a pair-coloring c:[X]2→2 be the number of c-homogeneous subsets of X needed to cover X. We isolate two continuous pair-colorings on the Cantor space 2ω, c min and c max , which satisfy [Formula: see text] and prove: Theorem. (1) For every Polish space X and every continuous pair-coloringc:[X]2→2with[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] (2) There is a model of set theory in which[Formula: see text]and[Formula: see text]. The consistency of [Formula: see text] and of [Formula: see text] follows from [20]. We prove that [Formula: see text] is equal to the covering number of (2ω)2 by graphs of Lipschitz functions and their reflections on the diagonal. An iteration of an optimal forcing notion associated to c min gives: Theorem. There is a model of set theory in which (1) ℝ2 is coverable byℵ1graphs and reflections of graphs of continuous real functions; (2) ℝ2 is not coverable byℵ1graphs and reflections of graphs of Lipschitz real functions. Figure 1.1 in the introduction summarizes the ZFC results in Part I of the paper. The independence results in Part II show that any two rows in Fig. 1.1 can be separated if one excludes [Formula: see text] from row (3).
Tumor necrosis factor-α–dependent expression of phosphodiesterase 2: role in endothelial hyperpermeability
Authors: Seybold Joachim , Thomas Dirk , Witzenrath Martin , Boral Şengül , Hocke Andreas C. , Bürger Alexander , Hatzelmann Armin , Tenor Hermann , Schudt Christian , Krüll Matthias , Schütte Hartwig , Hippenstiel Stefan , Suttorp Norbert 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe pleiotropic cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and thrombin lead to increased endothelial permeability in sepsis. Numerous studies demonstrated the significance of intracellular cyclic nucleotides for the maintenance of endothelial barrier function. Actions of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are terminated by distinct cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). We hypothesized that TNF-α could regulate PDE activity in endothelial cells, thereby impairing endothelial barrier function. In cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we found a dramatic increase of PDE2 activity following TNF-α stimulation, while PDE3 and PDE4 activities remained unchanged. Significant PDE activities other than PDE2, PDE3, and PDE4 were not detected. TNF-α increased PDE2 expression in a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)–dependent manner. Endothelial barrier function was investigated in HUVECs and in isolated mice lungs. Selective PDE2 up-regulation sensitized HUVECs toward the permeability-increasing agent thrombin. In isolated mice lungs, we demonstrated that PDE2 inhibition was effective in preventing thrombin-induced lung edema, as shown with a reduction in both lung wet-to-dry ratio and albumin flux from the vascular to bronchoalveolar compartment. Our findings suggest that TNF-α–mediated up-regulation of PDE2 may destabilize endothelial barrier function in sepsis. Inhibition of PDE2 is therefore of potential therapeutic interest in sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Flt3 tandem duplication mutations cooperate with Wnt signaling in leukemic signal transduction
Authors: Tickenbrock Lara , Schwäble Joachim , Wiedehage Markus , Steffen Björn , Sargin Bülent , Choudhary Chunaram , Brandts Christian , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Serve Hubert 
Published: January 2005

AbstractActivating Flt3 mutations occur in about 30% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), often as in-frame internal tandem duplication (ITD) at the juxtamembrane domain of the receptor. These mutations transform hematopoietic cell lines and primary mouse bone marrow. Here, we analyzed the interaction between oncogenic Flt3-ITD mutations and the Wingless-type (Wnt) signaling pathway in the myeloid progenitor cell line 32D. Microarray analyses revealed higher mRNA expression of Frizzled-4, a receptor for Wnt ligands in 32D/Flt3-ITD cells. Findings were verified by quantitative realtime reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and on the protein level. Compared with 32D/Flt3-WT (wild-type) cells, 32D/Flt3-ITD cells also showed greatly enhanced β-catenin protein levels, irrespective of their exposure to Wnt3a, a ligand inducing the canonical Wnt signal transduction pathway. In addition, 5 of 7 AML samples with Flt3-ITD mutations expressed high β-catenin protein levels, whereas patients with wild-type Flt3 did not. Also, Flt3-ITD induced enhanced T-cell factor (TCF)–dependent transcriptional activity and the induction of the Wnt target gene c-myc. In the presence of Flt3-WT or Flt3-ITD signaling, Wnt3a slightly increased 32D cell proliferation. However, transfection experiments with dominant-negative (dn) TCF4 revealed a strong dependence of Flt3-ITD–mediated clonogenic growth on TCF activity. Taken together, our results indicate that Flt3-ITD and Wnt-dependent signaling pathways synergize in myeloid transformation.
The threshold of gp130-dependent STAT3 signaling is critical for normal regulation of hematopoiesis
Authors: Jenkins Brendan J. , Roberts Andrew W. , Najdovska Meri , Grail Dianne , Ernst Matthias 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine family plays an important role in regulating cellular responses during hematopoiesis. We report here that mice homozygous for a knock-in mutation in the IL-6 cytokine family receptor signaling subunit glycoprotein (gp) 130 (gp130Y757F/Y757F) that leads to gp130-dependent signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 1/3 hyperactivation develop a broad spectrum of hematopoietic abnormalities, including splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and thrombocytosis. To determine whether STAT3 hyperactivation was responsible for the perturbed hematopoiesis in gp130Y757F/Y757F mice, we generated gp130Y757F/Y757F mice on a Stat3 heterozygous (Stat3+/-) background to specifically reduce gp130-dependent activation of STAT3, but not STAT1. Normal hematopoiesis was observed in gp130Y757F/Y757F:Stat3+/- bone marrow and spleen, with no evidence of the splenomegaly and thrombocytosis displayed by gp130Y757F/Y757F mice. The perturbed cellular composition of thymus and lymph nodes in gp130Y757F/Y757F mice was also alleviated in gp130Y757F/Y757F: Stat3+/- mice. Furthermore, we show that hematopoietic cells from gp130Y757F/Y757F mice exhibited increased survival and proliferation in response to IL-6 family cytokines. Collectively, these data provide genetic evidence that gp130-dependent STAT3 hyperactivation during hematopoiesis has pathological consequences affecting multiple organs, and therefore identify the threshold of STAT3 signaling elicited by IL-6 family cytokines as a critical determinant for hematopoietic homeostasis.
Cyclic nucleotide binding proteins in the Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa genomes
Authors: Bridges Dave , Fraser Marie E , Moorhead Greg BG 
Published: January 2005

Abstract
Background
Cyclic nucleotides are ubiquitous intracellular messengers. Until recently, the roles of cyclic nucleotides in plant cells have proven difficult to uncover. With an understanding of the protein domains which can bind cyclic nucleotides (CNB and GAF domains) we scanned the completed genomes of the higher plants Arabidopsis thaliana (mustard weed) and Oryza sativa (rice) for the effectors of these signalling molecules.

Results
Our analysis found that several ion channels and a class of thioesterases constitute the possible cyclic nucleotide binding proteins in plants. Contrary to some reports, we found no biochemical or bioinformatic evidence for a plant cyclic nucleotide regulated protein kinase, suggesting that cyclic nucleotide functions in plants have evolved differently than in mammals.

Conclusion
This paper provides a molecular framework for the discussion of cyclic nucleotide function in plants, and resolves a longstanding debate about the presence of a cyclic nucleotide dependent kinase in plants.
The association of spatial T wave axis deviation with incident coronary events. The ARIC cohort
Authors: Vaidean Georgeta D , Rautaharju Pentti M , Prineas Ronald J , Whitsel Eric A , Chambless Lloyd E , Folsom Aaron R , Rosamond Wayne D , Zhang Zhu-Ming , Crow Richard S , Heiss Gerardo 
Published: January 2005

Abstract
Background
Although current evidence suggests that the spatial T wave axis captures important information about ventricular repolarization abnormalities, there are only a few and discordant epidemiologic studies addressing the ability of the spatial T wave axis to predict coronary heart disease (CHD) occurrence.

Methods
This prospective study analyzed data from 12,256 middle-aged African American and white men and women, from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC). Following a standardized protocol, resting standard 12-lead, 10-second electrocardiograms were digitized and analyzed with the Marquette GE program. The median follow-up time was 12.1 years; incident coronary heart disease comprised fatal and non-fatal CHD events.

Results
The incidence rate of CHD was 4.26, 4.18, 4.28 and 5.62 per 1000 person-years respectively, across the spatial T wave axis quartiles. Among women for every 10 degrees increase in the spatial T wave axis deviation, there was an estimated increase in the risk of CHD of 1.16 (95% CI 1.04–1.28). After adjustment for age, height, weight, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, QRS axis and minor T wave abnormalities, this hazard rate ratio for women fell to 1.03 (0.92–1.14). The corresponding crude and adjusted hazard ratios for men were 1.05 (95% CI 0.96–1.15) and 0.95 (0.86–1.04) respectively.

Conclusions
In conclusion, this prospective, population-based, bi-ethnic study of men and women free of coronary heart disease at baseline shows that spatial T wave axis deviation is not associated with incident coronary events during long-term follow up. It is doubtful that spatial T wave axis deviation would add benefit in the prediction of CHD events above and beyond the current traditional risk factors.
Psychological distress among Bam earthquake survivors in Iran: a population-based study
Authors: Montazeri Ali , Baradaran Hamid , Omidvari Sepideh , Azin Seyed Ali , Ebadi Mehdi , Garmaroudi Gholamreza , Harirchi Amir Mahmood , Shariati Mohammad 
Published: January 2005

Abstract
Background
An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck the city of Bam in Iran on the 26th of December 2003 at 5.26 A.M. It was devastating, and left over 40,000 dead and around 30,000 injured. The profound tragedy of thousands killed has caused emotional and psychological trauma for tens of thousands of people who have survived. A study was carried out to assess psychological distress among Bam earthquake survivors and factors associated with severe mental health in those who survived the tragedy.

Methods
This was a population-based study measuring psychological distress among the survivors of Bam earthquake in Iran. Using a multi-stage stratified sampling method a random sample of individuals aged 15 years and over living in Bam were interviewed. Psychological distress was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).

Results
In all 916 survivors were interviewed. The mean age of the respondents was 32.9 years (SD = 12.4), mostly were males (53%), married (66%) and had secondary school education (50%). Forty-one percent reported they lost 3 to 5 members of their family in the earthquake. In addition the findings showed that 58% of the respondents suffered from severe mental health as measured by the GHQ-12 and this was three times higher than reported psychological distress among the general population. There were significant differences between sub-groups of the study sample with regard to their psychological distress. The results of the logistic regression analysis also indicated that female gender; lower education, unemployment, and loss of family members were associated with severe psychological distress among earthquake victims.

Conclusion
The study findings indicated that the amount of psychological distress among earthquake survivors was high and there is an urgent need to deliver mental health care to disaster victims in local medical settings and to reduce negative health impacts of the earthquake adequate psychological counseling is needed for those who survived the tragedy.
Arthritis imaging using a near-infrared fluorescence folate-targeted probe
Authors: Chen Wei-Tsung , Mahmood Umar , Weissleder Ralph , Tung Ching-Hsuan 
Published: January 2005

AbstractA recently developed near-infrared fluorescence-labeled folate probe (NIR2-folate) was tested for in vivo imaging of arthritis using a lipopolysaccharide intra-articular injection model and a KRN transgenic mice serum induction mouse model. In the lipopolysaccharide injection model, the fluorescence signal intensity of NIR2-folate (n = 12) and of free NIR2 (n = 5) was compared between lipopolysaccharide-treated and control joints. The fluorescence signal intensity of the NIR2-folate probe at the inflammatory joints was found to be significantly higher than the control normal joints (up to 2.3-fold, P < 0.001). The NIR2-free dye injection group showed a persistent lower enhancement ratio than the NIR2-folate probe injection group. Excessive folic acid was also given to demonstrate a competitive effect with the NIR2-folate. In the KRN serum transfer model (n = 4), NIR2-folate was applied at different time points after serum transfer, and the inflamed joints could be detected as early as 30 hours after arthritogenic antibody transfer (1.8-fold increase in signal intensity). Fluorescence microscopy, histology, and immunohistochemistry validated the optical imaging results. We conclude that in vivo arthritis detection was feasible using a folate-targeted near-infrared fluorescence probe. This receptor-targeted imaging method may facilitate improved arthritis diagnosis and early assessment of the disease progress by providing an in vivo characterization of active macrophage status in inflammatory joint diseases.
Accelerated evolution associated with genome reduction in a free-living prokaryote
Authors: Dufresne Alexis , Garczarek Laurence , Partensky Frédéric 
Published: January 2005

Abstract
Background
Three complete genomes of Prochlorococcus species, the smallest and most abundant photosynthetic organism in the ocean, have recently been published. Comparative genome analyses reveal that genome shrinkage has occurred within this genus, associated with a sharp reduction in G+C content. As all examples of genome reduction characterized so far have been restricted to endosymbionts or pathogens, with a host-dependent lifestyle, the observed genome reduction in Prochlorococcus is the first documented example of such a process in a free-living organism.

Results
Our results clearly indicate that genome reduction has been accompanied by an increased rate of protein evolution in P. marinus SS120 that is even more pronounced in P. marinus MED4. This acceleration has affected every functional category of protein-coding genes. In contrast, the 16S rRNA gene seems to have evolved clock-like in this genus. We observed that MED4 and SS120 have lost several DNA-repair genes, the absence of which could be related to the mutational bias and the acceleration of amino-acid substitution.

Conclusions
We have examined the evolutionary mechanisms involved in this process, which are different from those known from host-dependent organisms. Indeed, most substitutions that have occurred in Prochlorococcus have to be selectively neutral, as the large size of populations imposes low genetic drift and strong purifying selection. We assume that the major driving force behind genome reduction within the Prochlorococcus radiation has been a selective process favoring the adaptation of this organism to its environment. A scenario is proposed for genome evolution in this genus.
An ontology for cell types
Authors: Bard Jonathan , Rhee Seung Y , Ashburner Michael 
Published: January 2005

AbstractWe describe an ontology for cell types that covers the prokaryotic, fungal, animal and plant worlds. It includes over 680 cell types. These cell types are classified under several generic categories and are organized as a directed acyclic graph. The ontology is available in the formats adopted by the Open Biological Ontologies umbrella and is designed to be used in the context of model organism genome and other biological databases. The ontology is freely available at http://obo.sourceforge.net/ and can be viewed using standard ontology visualization tools such as OBO-Edit and COBrA.