bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoantibodies Against Soluble and Immobilized Human Recombinant Tissue Transglutaminase in Children with Celiac Disease
Authors: Agardh Daniel , Dahlbom Ingrid , Daniels Terri , Lörinc Ester , Ivarsson Sten Anders , Lernmark Åke , Hansson Tony 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTObjectives:The conformation of tissue transglutaminase might influence the performance of immunoassays to detect autoantibodies from patients with celiac disease. The present study investigated how the exposure of tissue transglutaminase kept in a liquid phase and fixed to a solid support affected the binding of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG autoantibodies in children with untreated and treated celiac disease.Methods:Included were 73 untreated celiac disease children, 50 controls and 80 children with treated celiac disease. IgA and IgG antitissue transglutaminase were measured with solid phase enzyme‐linked immunoassay (ELISA) and liquid phase radioligand binding assays. For IgG antitissue transglutaminase detection with radioligand binding assays antihuman IgG and protein A were used. IgA endomysial autoantibodies were measured by indirect immunofluorescence.Results:Both ELISA and radioligand binding assays detected IgA antitissue transglutaminase in 65 of 73 untreated celiac disease children and in 2 of 50 controls. One additional control child was detected with radioligand binding assays. Endomysial autoantibodies were present in 62 of 73 celiac disease children and in 2 of 50 controls. IgG antitissue transglutaminase was detected with both ELISA and radioligand binding assays in 40 of 73 untreated celiac disease children and in 2 of 50 controls. Radioligand binding assays using protein A detected 20 of 73 additional untreated celiac disease children and one control child with increased IgG antitissue transglutaminase. In treated celiac disease children, 21 of 80 were IgA antitissue transglutaminase positive with radioligand binding assays, 3 of 80 with ELISA, whereas none had endomysial autoantibodies.Conclusions:No qualitative differences between radioligand binding assays and ELISA in IgA or IgG antitissue transglutaminase binding from untreated celiac disease children was demonstrated. However, discrepancies in the binding of IgA antitissue transglutaminase from a subgroup of treated celiac disease children indicated that alterations of tissue transglutaminase might occur on fixation of the antigen. Protein A used for radioligand binding assays seemed not to assess IgG autoantibodies exclusively. IgA antitissue transglutaminase detection in screening of childhood celiac disease can be performed either by ELISA or radioligand binding assays because the two assays are interchangeable.
Measuring alcohol consumption—should the ‘graduated frequency’ approach become the norm in survey research?
Authors: Gmel Gerhard , Graham Kathryn , Kuendig Hervé , Kuntsche Sandra 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTAims  To analyse whether recommendations for the graduated frequency (GF) approach to measure alcohol consumption are justified in a multi‐cultural comparative study.Design  Representative surveys, conducted between 1995 and 2003, of 10 countries participating in the GENACIS project (Gender, Alcohol and Culture: an International Study).Measurements  Usual quantity, usual frequency and mean consumption per day measured with three instruments: GF, generic quantity–frequency (QF) and beverage‐specific quantity–frequency (QFBS).Findings  The GF did not consistently yield higher volumes and quantities across all countries compared with the generic QF, while the QFBS resulted in higher quantities and higher volumes compared with the GF (in all but one country) and the QF. Frequencies were mostly higher on the GF compared with the QF and QFBS but there was also evidence of over‐reporting of frequencies with the GF. Results for the GF suggested that it was implemented improperly in at least three of the 10 countries.Conclusion  The GF does not appear to be appropriate for cross‐cultural research. It results in over‐reporting of frequencies and appears to be too complex to be administered correctly in many countries. The best measure for these purposes appeared to be the QFBS particularly because it captures more effectively the variability of different alcoholic beverages with different ethanol contents and consumption with different vessel sizes.
Of genes and genomes, needles and haystacks:Blumeria graminisand functionality
Authors: ZHANG Z. , HENDERSON C. , PERFECT E. , CARVER T. L. W. , THOMAS B. J. , SKAMNIOTI P. , GURR S. J. 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARYHere, we consider the barley powdery mildew fungus,Blumeria graminis(DC Speer) f.sp.hordei(Marchal), and review recent research which has added to our understanding of the biology and molecular biology which underpins the asexual life cycle of this potentially devastating pathogen. We focus on the early stages of the host–pathogen interaction and report current understanding in the areas of leaf perception, fungal signal transduction and host‐imposed oxidative stress management. Through this, it is becoming increasingly clear how closely and subtly both sides of the relationship are regulated. Collectively, however, this review highlights the high degree of complexity in working with an obligate parasite. Our experiences suggest that we would make more efficient progress towards understanding the basis of susceptibility and resistance to this true obligate biotroph if its genome sequence was available.
A minor fraction of a high‐affinity folate binding protein from the epididymis is associated with membranous vesicles and spermatozoa in human semen
Authors: MALM JOHAN , BIRN HENRIK , FROHM BÍIRGITTA , HANSEN STEEN‐INGEMANN , HØIER‐MADSEN MIMI , HOLM JAN 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA glycolipid linked high‐affinity folate binding protein (FBP) is present in human semen at a concentration of 1–2 nmol/L. The association between FBP and seminal components as well as the cellular source of FBP was analysed. Immunoblotting of human seminal plasma, with and without prostasomes, prostasomal fractions and spermatozoa with antibodies against human FBP revealed a single distinct band similar to that observed with purified human FBP. Flow cytometry identified FBP on the surface of ejaculated spermatozoa. Immunohistochemistry showed positive immunostaining of epididymal epithelium, vas deferens and ejaculated spermatozoa, whereas the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, testicular spermatozoa and seminiferous tubules of testis stained negatively. Electron microscopy immunocytochemistry with antibodies against rat FBP showed labelling located to luminal microvilli and intracellular vesicles of rat epididymal epithelial cells and the surface of spermatozoa in the epididymal duct. High‐affinity binding of picomolar amounts of tritiated folate to fractions of human prostasomes or prostasome‐like vesicles was completely depressed by excess amounts of unlabelled folate. The study indicates that FBP is secreted from the epithelia of epididymis and vas deferens, and that a small fraction of FBP is associated with prostasome‐like vesicles which adhere to spermatozoa in the epididymal duct. FBP could have a bacteriostatic function by depriving folate‐requiring bacteria of folate and/or ascertain a normal DNA replication subsequent to fertilization by vectorial transfer of folate to the inner compartment of the spermatozoa.
Consequences of semen inflammation and lipid peroxidation on fertilization capacity of spermatozoa in in vitro conditions
Authors: JE˛DRZEJCZAK PIOTR , FRA˛CZEK MONIKA , SZUMAŁA‐KA˛KOL ANNA , TASZAREK‐HAUKE GRAŻYNA , PAWELCZYK LESZEK , KURPISZ MACIEJ 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA body of data exists on reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, however, no direct correlation was found between the oxidative stress and infertility. The aim of the study was to measure semen oxidative stress and its correlation with classical in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate. A prospective study in academic non‐profit institution where 79 infertile couples were subjected to IVF programme was conducted. Two infertile groups were discriminated according to the pronuclei presence in IVF. The main outcome measure (pronuclei presence) was then correlated with lipid peroxidation product in semen (ROS effect). Although the average IL‐8 levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in semen did not differ between the studied subgroups (successful vs. non‐successful fertilization), a statistically significant negative correlation was found between MDA level and fertilization rate in performed regression analysis. Thus we may suggest that MDA levels in seminal plasma may have prognostic value for IVF success.
Androgens induce CD‐9 in human prostate tissue
Authors: CHUAN Y. , PANG S.‐T. , BERGH A. , NORSTEDT G. , POUSETTE Å. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBased on microarray analyses of LNCaP and LNCaP‐r prostatic cell‐lines we tentatively identified CD‐9 as an androgen sensitive protein. This prompted us to characterize the androgen sensitivity and the correlation to malignancy of CD‐9 at the protein level. Using Western blot, RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry the expression of CD‐9 was analysed in LNCaP cells stimulated during increasing time by the synthetic androgen R1881 and also in 88 specimens of human prostate cancer tissues. Expression of CD‐9 was induced by R1881 in LNCaP. CD‐9 was immunolocalized in human prostate tissue sections representing non‐malignant tissue as well as tumour areas. In non‐malignant glands CD‐9 immunoreactivity was observed at the apical and lateral cell borders of luminal epithelial cells. Basal epithelial cells were largely unstained. In tumour areas CD‐9 staining intensity was variable and apparently not related to primary Gleason grade. In prostate tissue from a patient under androgen ablation therapy no staining was observed in luminal epithelial cells or in the tumour areas, but some staining was observed in basal epithelial cells. CD‐9 is regulated by androgens in LNCaP and present in human prostate specimens. The expression is variable and changes in expression levels. These and earlier studies using other tissues indicate that CD‐9 and its cellular localization could have an important role in prostate cancer cell development.
The synergism of penile venous surgery and oral sildenafil in treating patients with erectile dysfunction
Authors: WEN HSIEN‐SHENG , HSIEH CHENG‐HSING , HSU GENG‐LONG , KAO YU‐CHI , LING PEI‐YING , HUANG HSIU‐MEI , WANG CHII‐JYE , FERDINAND EINHORN E. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryA possible synergistic effect between penile venous surgery and oral sildenafil was inadvertently found in treating patients with erectile dysfunction in our clinic. We therefore sought to elucidate the possible synergic effect between venous surgery and sildenafil through studying patients who were non‐responders preoperatively. From July 1998 to July 2003, 128 patients were diagnosed with veno‐occlusive dysfunction. Subsequently, 65 of them underwent penile venous surgery and were assigned to the surgical treatment group. The remaining 63 men were assigned to the control group, and were subject to a simple re‐exposure of oral sildenafil. All patients were evaluated with the international index of erectile function (IIEF‐5) scoring. Sildenafil (12.5–100 mg) was prescribed postoperatively to all surgical patients as venous surgery alone was unsatisfactory and similarly, 100 mg preparation was prescribed for patients in the control group. The IIEF‐5 scoring in the control group changed from a preoperative mean IIEF‐5 score of 9.4 ± 3.9 to 10.7 ± 3.5 postoperatively. In surgical patients, however, the mean preoperative IIEF‐5 score of 9.2 ± 5.0, which increased to 15.1 ± 5.0 (p < 0.001) postoperatively, further increased to 20.1 ± 5.4 (p < 0.0001) after the addition of sildenafil. Although there was no significant difference between the two groups characteristics, there was a statistically significant difference between treatment results (p < 0.001). Overall, 61 men (93.8%) reported a positive response to sildenafil after venous stripping surgery. In contrast, only eight patients (12.7%) felt a beneficial response in the control group (p < 0.001). Forty‐one of 65 patients had scores of ≧22, and 19 of these had a score of 25. No response was found in three (4.6%), and a decrease of 7 was seen in one (1.5%). In summary, patients in whom sildenafil was not effective preoperatively can become excellent responders after careful penile venous surgery. It appears that together, oral sildenafil and penile venous surgery may provide an encouraging solution to impotent patients with veno‐occlusive dysfunction who are non‐responders to sildenafil.
Effects of leucocytospermia on semen parameters and outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Authors: YILMAZ SEDA , KOYUTURK MERAL , KILIC GULLEYLA , ALPAK OLCAY , AYTOZ AYSE 
Published: August 2005

SummaryLeucocytes are present throughout the male reproductive tract but the clinical significance of leucocytic infiltration in the human ejaculate is controversial. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines leucocytospermia as the presence of peroxidase‐positive leucocytes in concentrations of ≥1 × 106/mL of semen. The goals of this study were to clarify the relationship between leucocytospermia and semen parameters including sperm concentration, progressive and total motility before and after semen preparation, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes, including fertilization, embryo development, embryo morphology, cleavage and pregnancy rates. We compared the semen parameters and ICSI outcome of 34 leucocytospermic and 36 non‐leucocytospermic control couples who were undergoing ICSI because of male factor infertility including oligo and/or astheno and/or teratozoospermia. Semen parameters including progressive motility rate (1.5% vs. 3%) and sperm concentrations (12 vs. 29 million/mL) were significantly lower in the leucocytospermic group compared with the control group. Other semen parameters were not affected by the presence of leucocytes. ICSI outcome, including fertilization (82% vs. 87%) and embryo development rates (79% vs. 86%) were significantly lower in the leucocytospermic group compared with the control group although there were no statistical difference for embryo quality, embryo cleavage and pregnancy rates. These results indicate that some semen parameters and the outcome of ICSI were negatively affected by the presence of leucocytospermia.
Home Healthcare Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale: refinement and psychometric testing
Authors: Ellenbecker Carol H. , Byleckie James J. 
Published: August 2005

Aims.  This paper describes a study to further develop and test the psychometric properties of the Home Healthcare Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale, including reliability and construct and criterion validity.Background.  Numerous scales have been developed to measure nurses’ job satisfaction. Only one, the Home Healthcare Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale, has been designed specifically to measure job satisfaction of home healthcare nurses. The Home Healthcare Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale is based on a theoretical model that integrates the findings of empirical research related to job satisfaction.Methods.  A convenience sample of 340 home healthcare nurses completed the Home Healthcare Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale and the Mueller and McCloskey Satisfaction Scale, which was used to test criterion validity. Factor analysis was used for testing and refinement of the theory‐based assignment of items to constructs. Reliability was assessed by Cronbach's α internal consistency reliability coefficients. The data were collected in 2003.Results.  Nine factors contributing to home healthcare nurses’ job satisfaction emerged from the factor analysis and were strongly supported by the underlying theory. Factor loadings were all above 0·4. Cronbach's α coefficients for each of the nine subscales ranged from 0·64 to 0·83; the α for the global scale was 0·89. The correlations between the Home Healthcare Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale and Mueller and McCloskey Satisfaction Scale was 0·79, indicating good criterion‐related validity.Conclusions.  The Home Healthcare Nurses' Job Satisfaction Scale has potential as a reliable and valid scale for measurement of job satisfaction of home healthcare nurses.
Post‐traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with traffic‐related injuries
Authors: Wang Ching‐Hui , Tsay Shiow‐Luan , Elaine Bond A. 
Published: August 2005

Aims.  This paper reports a study to investigate and follow‐up relationships between post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients after traffic‐related injuries.Background.  Worldwide, traffic accidents kill 1·2 million people and injure 50 million people per year. Accidental injuries are fourth in the top five causes of death in Taiwan. For survivors, traffic accidents not only cause physical impairments, but also psychological trauma, such as post‐traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, all of which affect the quality of life.Methods.  An exploratory, correlational design was used, and participants were recruited consecutively. Data were collected at 1 and 6 weeks post‐injury for 64 patients from two major medical centres in Taiwan. Instruments were the New Injury Severity Scale, Post‐traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index, Beck Depression Inventory, State Anxiety Inventory and Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire. The data were collected in 2002.Results.  Statistically significant improvements occurred in depression, anxiety and the quality of life between week 1 and week 6 (P < 0·05); high levels of post‐traumatic stress disorder symptoms at week 1 (87·5%) and at week 6 (82·8%) showed no statistically significant improvement. There was a positive correlation between post‐traumatic stress disorder and depression (r = 0·70, P < 0·001) and between post‐traumatic stress disorder and anxiety (r = 0·57, P < 0·001), and a negative correlation between post‐traumatic stress disorder and quality of life (r = −0·47, P < 0·001). Depression was the most important variable to predict post‐traumatic stress disorder at week 6, with depression levels at week 6 being a more powerful predictor than those at week 1. Regression analysis revealed that depression (19%) at week 1, depression at week 6 (45%), anxiety (3·8%) at week 6 and post‐traumatic stress disorder (5·8%) explained a statistically significant amount of the variance at week 6.Conclusions.  The findings suggest that traffic accidents have an impact on people's psychosocial wellbeing. Healthcare professionals need to implement interventions to decrease post‐traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety to increase the quality of life for patients following traffic injuries.
Delayed surgical fixation of fractured hips in older people: impact on mortality
Authors: Williams Andy , Jester Rebecca 
Published: August 2005

Aim.  The aim of this project was to ascertain whether increasing delays from admission to surgical repair of hip fractures showed a direct relationship to mortality within the first postoperative year.Background.  It has been recommended that surgical repair of hip fractures should be performed within 24 hours of admission in an effort to reduce postoperative mortality. A literature review of articles relevant to this directive revealed that previous research is conflicting in its findings, and fails to provide conclusive evidence on which to base this recommendation.Methods.  Using a retrospective correlational design, Cox Multivariate Regression was used to analyse data from a sample of 381 patients admitted with hip fractures between September 2000 and March 2002. Exclusions from the total accessible population were made in an effort to control bias because of other factors that could contribute to mortality, resulting in 381 patients (64% of total population) being included in the study. All patients in the sample had an American Society of Anaesthesiologists score of 2 or less, were fit for immediate surgery, had an intracapsular or trochanteric fracture, had not had contralateral hip fracture in the previous 2 years, and had presented exclusively with a hip fracture.Results.  There was no relationship between delayed surgery and postoperative mortality (P > 0·05) when all other independent variables were controlled. Cognitive dysfunction and reduced prefracture mobility were both good prognostic indicators of increased mortality within the first operative year.Conclusion.  It is important that patients are adequately prepared and resuscitated before surgery is carried out. The nursing contribution to this is paramount. The findings also identify useful information for preparing patient's relatives in relation to prognosis.
Genetic analysis of two Arabidopsis DNA polymerase epsilon subunits during early embryogenesis
Authors: Ronceret Arnaud , Guilleminot Jocelyne , Lincker Frédéric , Gadea‐Vacas Jose , Delorme Valérie , Bechtold Nicole , Pelletier Georges , Delseny Michel , Chabouté Marie‐Edith , Devic Martine 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAccurate DNA replication is one of the most important events in the life of a cell. To perform this task, the cell utilizes several DNA polymerase complexes. We investigated the role of DNA polymerase ɛ during gametophyte and seed development using forward and reverse genetic approaches. In Arabidopsis, the catalytic subunit of this complex is encoded by two genes, AtPOL2a and AtPOL2b, whereas the second largest regulatory subunit AtDPB2 is present as a unique complete copy. Disruption of AtPOL2a or AtDPB2 resulted in a sporophytic embryo‐defective phenotype, whilst mutations in AtPOL2b produced no visible effects. Loss of AtDPB2 function resulted in a severe reduction in nuclear divisions, both in the embryo and in the endosperm. Mutations in AtPOL2a allowed several rounds of mitosis to proceed, often with aberrant planes of division. Moreover, AtDPB2 was not expressed during development of the female gametophyte, which requires three post‐meiotic nuclear divisions. Since a consensus binding site for E2F transcription factors was identified in the promoter region of both genes, the promoter–reporter fusion technique was used to show that luciferase activity was increased at specific phases of the cell cycle in synchronized tobacco BY‐2 cells. Our results support the idea that fertilization may utilize the mechanisms of cell cycle transcriptional regulation of genes to reactivate the divisions of the oosphere and central cell.
Variations in the Proportion of Glycolytic/Non‐glycolytic Energy Substrates Modulate Sperm Membrane Integrity and Function in Diluted Boar Samples Stored at 15–17°C
Authors: Medrano A , Peña A , Rigau T , Rodrìguez‐Gil JE 
Published: August 2005

ContentsIn this work the role of energy substrates in the maintenance of boar‐sperm survival during storage at 15–17°C was tested. For this purpose, boar spermatozoa were stored at 15–17°C in several defined media with separate combinations of a monosaccharide, glucose and a non‐monosaccharide, either citrate or lactate, energy substrates. Our results indicate that the medium containing the highest concentration of glucose together with low lactate levels was the most suitable to maintain sperm quality for 168 h at 15–17°C. This was confirmed after observation of the results of the percentages of viability and altered acrosomes, the osmotic resistance test, the hyperosmotic resistance test and the rhythm of l‐lactate production. The survival ability of boar sperm was greater in this experimental medium than in the standard Beltsville Thawing Solution extender, which contains only glucose as an energy substrate, although at a concentration far higher than that of all the tested experimental media. Our results indicate that the exact composition, more than the pure quantity of energy substrates, is a very important modulatory factor which affects survival ability of boar sperm in refrigeration. Thus, the exact combination of several energy substrates would have to be taken into account when optimizing the design of commercial extenders to store boar spermatozoa at 15–17°C.