bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neither Notch1 Expression nor Cellular Size Correlate with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties of Adult Articular Chondrocytes
Authors: Karlsson Camilla , Stenhamre Hanna , Sandstedt Joakim , Lindahl Anders
Published: February 2008

Background: Tissue repair is thought to be regulated by progenitor cells, which in other tissues are characterized by their Notch1 expression or small cellular size. Here we studied if these traits affect the chondrogenic potential and are markers for multipotent progenitor cell populations in adult articular cartilage. Methods: Directly isolated articular chondrocytes were sorted with regard to their Notch1 expression or cellular size. Their colony forming efficiency (CFE) and their potential to differentiate towards adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages were investigated. The different sorted populations were also expanded in monolayer and analyzed in the same manner as the directly isolated cells. Results: No differences in CFE or adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials were detected among the sorted populations. Expanded cells displayed a higher osteochondral potential than directly isolated cells. Conclusion: Cellular size or Notch1 expression is not per se a specific marker for mesenchymal progenitor cells in adult articular cartilage. Monolayer-expanded adult chondrocytes contain a larger mesenchymal progenitor cell-like population than directly isolated cells, highly likely as a result of dedifferentiation. If there are resident Notch1-positive cells or cells of a specific size in adult articular cartilage with functional features of progenitor cells, the population consists of only a very small number of cells.
The Role of Bone Marrow-Derived Cells in Fibrosis
Authors: Lin Wey-Ran , Brittan Mairi , Alison Malcolm R.
Published: February 2008

There is a growing realization that bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) are a potential therapy for many diseases including ischemic heart disease, arterial stenosis and osteogenesis imperfecta. On the other hand, the fact that BMDCs may also contribute to fibrosis in many solid organs as well as to fibrosis surrounding tumours suggests that BMDCs are also involved in disease progression. This review focuses on the contribution of bone marrow cells to organ and tumour fibrosis, noting the utility of BMDCs as a potential new portal through which to direct anti-tumour therapies. Conversely, bone marrow cell therapy has been claimed to reduce fibrosis in some organs, highlighting a seemingly beneficial as opposed to a detrimental effect of BMDCs on organ fibrosis.
Employing Satellite-Derived Sea Ice Concentration to Constrain Upper-Ocean Temperature in a Global Ocean GCM
Authors: Stössel Achim
Published: February 2008

The quality of Southern Ocean sea ice simulations in a global ocean general circulation model (GCM) depends decisively on the simulated upper-ocean temperature. This is confirmed by assimilating satellite-derived sea ice concentration to constrain the upper-layer temperature of a sea ice–ocean GCM. The resolution of the model’s sea ice component is about 22 km and thus comparable to the pixel resolution of the satellite data. The ocean component is coarse resolution to afford long-term integrations for investigations of the deep-ocean equilibrium response. Besides improving the sea ice simulation considerably, the simulations with constrained upper-ocean temperature yield much more realistic global deep-ocean properties, in particular when combined with glacial freshwater input. Both outcomes are relatively insensitive to the passive-microwave algorithm used to retrieve the ice concentration being assimilated. The sensitivity of the long-term global deep-ocean properties and circulation to the possible freshwater input from ice shelves and to the parameterization of vertical mixing in the Southern Ocean is reevaluated under the new constraint.
The Inverse Ocean Modeling System. Part I: Implementation
Authors: Bennett A. F. , Chua B. S. , Pflaum B. L. , Erwig M. , Fu Z. , Loft R. D. , Muccino J. C.
Published: February 2008

The Inverse Ocean Modeling (IOM) system constructs and runs weak-constraint, four-dimensional variational data assimilation (W4DVAR) for any dynamical model and any observing array. The dynamics and the observing algorithms may be nonlinear but must be functionally smooth. The user need only provide the model and the observing algorithms, together with an interpolation scheme that relates the model numerics to the observer’s coordinates. All other model-dependent elements of the Inverse Ocean Modeling assimilation algorithm (see both Chua and Bennett), including adjoint generators and Monte Carlo estimates of posteriors, have been derived and coded as templates in Parametric FORTRAN (Erwig et al.). This language has been developed for the IOM but has wider application in scientific programming. Guided by the Parametric FORTRAN templates, and by model information entered via a graphical user interface (GUI), the IOM generates conventional FORTRAN code for each of the many algorithm elements, customized to the user’s model. The IOM also runs the various W4DVAR assimilations, which are monitored by the GUI. The system is supported by a Web site that includes interactive tutorials for the assimilation algorithm.
Hospital admission patterns subsequent to diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children : a systematic review
Authors: Angus Val C , Waugh Norman
Published: February 2008

Background

Patients with type 1 diabetes are known to have a higher hospital admission rate than the underlying population and may also be admitted for procedures that would normally be carried out on a day surgery basis for non-diabetics. Emergency admission rates have sometimes been used as indicators of quality of diabetes care.

In preparation for a study of hospital admissions, a systematic review was carried out on hospital admissions for children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, whilst under the age of 15. The main thrust of this review was to ascertain where there were gaps in the literature for studies investigating post-diagnosis hospitalisations, rather than to try to draw conclusions from the disparate data sets.

Methods

A systematic search of the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane LibrarMEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted for the period 1986 to 2006, to identify publications relating to hospital admissions subsequent to the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes under the age of 15.

Results

Thirty-two publications met all inclusion criteria, 16 in Northern America, 11 in Europe and 5 in Australasia. Most of the studies selected were focussed on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or diabetes-related hospital admissions and only four studies included data on all admissions. Admission rates with DKA as primary diagnosis varied widely between 0.01 to 0.18 per patient-year as did those for other diabetes-related co-morbidity ranging from 0.05 to 0.38 per patient year, making it difficult to interpret data from different study designs. However, people with Type 1 diabetes are three times more likely to be hospitalised than the non-diabetic populations and stay in hospital twice as long.

Conclusion

Few studies report on all admissions to hospital in patients diagnosed with type 1 diabetes whilst under the age of 15 years. Health care costs for type 1 patients are higher than those for the general population and information on associated patterns of hospitalisation might help to target interventions to reduce the cost of hospital admissions.
A Systems Level Analysis of Transcriptional Changes in Alzheimer's Disease and Normal Aging
Authors: Miller Jeremy A. , Oldham Michael C. , Geschwind Daniel H.
Published: February 2008

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of elderly individuals worldwide. Advances in the genetics of AD have led to new levels of understanding and treatment opportunities. Here, we used a systems biology approach based on weighted gene coexpression network analysis to determine transcriptional networks in AD. This method permits a higher order depiction of gene expression relationships and identifies modules of coexpressed genes that are functionally related, rather than producing massive gene lists. Using this framework, we characterized the transcriptional network in AD, identifying 12 distinct modules related to synaptic and metabolic processes, immune response, and white matter, nine of which were related to disease progression. We further examined the association of gene expression changes with progression of AD and normal aging, and were able to compare functional modules of genes defined in both conditions. Two biologically relevant modules were conserved between AD and aging, one related to mitochondrial processes such as energy metabolism, and the other related to synaptic plasticity. We also identified several genes that were central, or hub, genes in both aging and AD, including the highly abundant signaling molecule 14.3.3 ζ (YWHAZ), whose role in AD and aging is uncharacterized. Finally, we found that presenilin 1 (PSEN1) is highly coexpressed with canonical myelin proteins, suggesting a role forPSEN1in aspects of glial-neuronal interactions related to neurodegenerative processes.
Which GABAAReceptor Subunits Are Necessary for Tonic Inhibition in the Hippocampus?
Authors: Glykys Joseph , Mann Edward O. , Mody Istvan
Published: February 2008

GABAAreceptors (GABAARs) assembled of different subunits mediate tonic and phasic inhibition in hippocampal neurons. CA1/CA3 pyramidal cells (PCs) predominantly express α5 subunits whereas dentate gyrus granule cells (DGGCs) and molecular layer (ML) interneurons predominantly express δ subunits. Both α5- and δ-containing GABAARs mediate tonic inhibition. We have shown previously that mice lacking α5 subunits (Gabra5−/−) have a residual tonic current in CA1/CA3 PCs because of an upregulation of δ subunits, but the basis of the residual tonic current in DGGCs and ML interneurons of mice lacking the δ subunit (Gabrd−/−) is still unknown. We now show that wild-type DGGCs have a small tonic current mediated by α5 subunit-containing GABAARs responsible for ∼29% of the total tonic current. To better identify the GABAARs mediating tonic inhibition in hippocampal neurons, we generated mice lacking both α5 and δ subunits (Gabra5/Gabrd−/−). Recordings from CA1/CA3 PCs, DGGCs, and ML interneurons in these mice show an absence of tonic currents without compensatory changes in spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs), sEPSCs, and membrane resistance. The absence of tonic inhibition results in spontaneous gamma oscillations recordablein vitroin the CA3 pyramidal layer of these mice, which can be mimicked in wild-type mice by blocking α5 subunit-containing GABAARs with 50 nmL-655,708. In conclusion, depending on the cell type, the α5 and δ subunits are the principal GABAAR subunits responsible for mediating the lion's share of tonic inhibition in hippocampal neurons.
Molecular epidemiology of human metapneumovirus in Ireland
Authors: Carr Michael J. , Waters Allison , Fenwick Fiona , Toms Geoffrey L. , Hall William W. , O'Kelly Edwin
Published: January 2008

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a cause of respiratory illness ranging from wheezing to bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children. A quantitative real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay was developed for the detection of all four main genetic lineages of hMPV and employed to validate an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay to detect hMPV positive specimens. The IF assay detected 24 positives from a screen of 625 randomly selected pediatric respiratory specimens collected (3.8% prevalence). From this cohort of 625 specimens, 229 were also tested by real‐time RT‐PCR assay. This included the 24 IF positive specimens and 205 randomly selected specimens from both study periods. In addition to confirming all the IF positives, the real‐time assay detected an additional six hMPV positive specimens giving rise to a combined prevalence of 4.8%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that hMPV subtypes A2b and B2 to be the most prevalent genotypes circulating in our population and surprisingly no hMPV subgroups A1 or B1 were detected during this study period. Based on this phylogenetic analysis, we propose the existence of sub‐clusters of hMPV genotype B2 present in our population which we term subtypes B2a and B2b. The mean log 10 copies/ml of quantitative RT‐PCR determinations from these 30 hMPV positive respiratory specimens was 6.35 (range = 4.44–8.15). Statistical analysis of quantitative RT‐PCR determinations of viral load from these 30 respiratory specimens suggests that hMPV genotype B specimens have a higher viral load than hMPV genotype A isolates (P < 0.03). J. Med. Virol. 80:510–516, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of a new, fully automated immunoassay for detection of HTLV‐I and HTLV‐II antibodies
Authors: Qiu Xiaoxing , Hodges Steven , Lukaszewska Teresa , Hino Shigeo , Arai Hiroyasu , Yamaguchi Julie , Swanson Priscilla , Schochetman Gerald , Devare Sushil G.
Published: January 2008

Screening blood donations for human T‐lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV‐I/II) continues to be important in protecting the safety of blood products and controlling the global spread of these retroviruses. We have developed a fully automated, third generation chemiluminescent immunoassay, ARCHITECT rHTLV‐I/II, for detection of antibodies to HTLV‐I/II. The assay utilizes recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides and is configured in a double antigen sandwich assay format. Specificity of the assay was 99.98% (9,254/9,256, 95% CI = 99.92–100%) with the negative specimens from the general population including blood donors, hospital patients and pregnant women from the US, Japan and Nicaragua. The assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity by detecting 498 specimens from individuals infected with HTLV‐I (n = 385) and HTLV‐II (n = 113). ARCHITECT rHTLV‐I/II results were in complete agreement with the Murex HTLV‐I/II reference assay and 99.7% agreement with the Genelabs HTLV Blot 2.4 confirmatory assay. Analytical sensitivity of the assay was equivalent to Murex HTLV‐I/II assay based on end point dilutions. Furthermore, using a panel of 397 specimens from Japan, the ARCHITECT rHTLV‐I/II assay exhibited distinct discrimination between the antibody negative (Delta Value = −7.6) and positive (Delta Value = 7.6) populations. Based on the excellent specificity and sensitivity, the new ARCHITECT rHTLV‐I/II assay should be an effective test for the diagnosis of HTLV‐I/II infection and also for blood donor screening. J. Med. Virol. 80:484–493, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Circulation of Chikungunya virus in Gabon, 2006–2007
Authors: Peyrefitte Christophe N. , Bessaud Maël , Pastorino Boris A.M. , Gravier Patrick , Plumet Sébastien , Merle Olivier L. , Moltini Isabelle , Coppin Emilie , Tock Fabienne , Daries William , Ollivier Lénaïck , Pages Frédéric , Martin Ronan , Boniface Frédéric , Tolou Hugues J. , Grandadam Marc
Published: January 2008

This study reports the first isolation and partial genetic characterization of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) from patients during a 2006–2007 dengue‐like syndrome outbreak in Gabon. The isolated viruses were phylogenetically close to strains isolated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 7 years ago and to strains isolated more recently in Cameroon. These results indicate a continuing circulation of a genetically stable CHIKV population during 7 years in Central Africa. J. Med. Virol. 80:430–433, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Infection and temporal arteritis: A PCR‐based study to detect pathogens in temporal artery biopsy specimens
Authors: Cooper Robert J. , D'Arcy Stuart , Kirby Maura , Al‐Buhtori Marwan , Rahman Mohammad J. , Proctor Laura , Bonshek Richard E.
Published: January 2008

The possibility of infectious triggers stimulating the development of inflammatory vascular diseases has generated much recent interest. This study uses PCR to detect the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae, parvovirus B19 and all the human herpes viruses except HHV8 in temporal artery biopsy specimens. Samples from 37 temporal artery biopsies with histological evidence of arteritis and 66 samples from histologically negative temporal artery biopsies, all from different patients, were negative for C. pneumoniae, HSV, VZV, EBV, and HHV7 DNA. Two of the 37 histologically positive specimens were positive for HHV6, another two for CMV and a further two for parvovirus B19 DNA. Parvovirus B19 DNA was also detected in five histologically negative biopsies, one positive for HCMV DNA and a further one was positive for HHV6 DNA. There is no statistically significant difference to the presence of virus DNA in the two types of specimens (P = 0.538). This study does not support a role for C. pneumoniae, parvovirus B19 or human herpes viruses in the pathogenesis of temporal arteritis. J. Med. Virol. 80:501–505, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and functional analysis of five HPVE6 variants with respect to p53 degradation
Authors: Hiller Thomas , Stubenrauch Frank , Iftner Thomas
Published: January 2008

Persistent infection with high risk human papillomavirus is a necessary risk factor in the etiology of invasive cervical carcinoma. With regard to molecular details, the best studied types are HPV16 and HPV18 which are found in 70% of cervical cancer worldwide, however factors associated with the progression of individual cervical intraepithelial neoplasias into cancer are still poorly understood. Intratype amino acid variations in the immortalizing and transforming early proteins E6 and E7 were described to be associated with progressive disease and linked to increased viral persistence or progression. One of the key actions of high risk HPVE6 proteins is the inhibition of the function of p53, a tumor suppressor protein, by enhancing its degradation through the ubiquitin pathway. In this study, variants of five HPV type E6 proteins (HPV35, 53, 56, 66, and 70) isolated from patient materials are described and functional analysis of them were done with respect to p53 degradation. Interestingly the E6 protein of HPV type 53, which has no consistent risk classification in the literature showed the highest variability in our study. The analysis of all variants revealed no differences with regard to the degradation ability for p53 compared to the prototype E6 proteins, suggesting that the variants tested revealed no altered functions related to the carcinogenicity of the respective HPV types. It therefore seems more likely that variations in the E6 gene sequence may allow evasion from the hosts immune system, supporting increased viral persistence. J. Med. Virol. 80:478–483, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of early virological response in health‐related quality of life in HCV‐infected patients
Authors: Quarantini Lucas C. , Miranda‐Scippa Ângela , Batista‐Neves Susana , Galvão‐de‐Almeida Amanda , Lacerda Acioly L. , Moriyama Taís S. , Sampaio Aline S. , Melcop Ana C. , Schinoni Maria I. , de Oliveira Irismar R. , Paraná Raymundo , Bressan Rodrigo A.
Published: January 2008

Twenty‐nine HCV‐infected patients were treated with pegylated interferon alpha. Diagnosis was based on serum HCV RNA‐PCR positive results and liver biopsy. All patients had elevated serum levels of alanine aminotransferase at the time of the study, but liver disease was compensated. Patients were evaluated at baseline treatment and after 4 and 12 weeks of antiviral treatment with the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey. The Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview was used to exclude previous or current psychiatric diagnoses. Both patients and psychiatrists were blind to the HCV RNA status, and serum HCV RNA test results only became available after the visit at week 12. After antiviral treatment, 16 patients (55.2%) were classified as nonresponders and 13 (44.8%) were classified as responders. When compared to nonresponders, responders had a greater improvement in the HRQOL scores for the mental health domain (P < .019). Differences in other domains were not significant. The present study confirms that active viral infection is one possible reason for the poor Health‐Related Quality of Life in this population. J. Med. Virol. 80:419–423, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid quantitative PCR assays for the simultaneous detection of herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein‐Barr virus, and human herpesvirus 6 DNA in blood and other clinical specimens
Authors: Engelmann I. , Petzold D.R. , Kosinska A. , Hepkema B.G. , Schulz T.F. , Heim A.
Published: January 2008

Rapid diagnosis of human herpesvirus primary infections or reactivations is facilitated by quantitative PCRs. Quantitative PCR assays with a standard thermal cycling profile permitting simultaneous detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) DNA were developed and validated for diagnostic use. High specificity and sensitivity were achieved and the new PCR assays correlated well with commercial PCR assays. Twenty two thousand eight hundred sixty eight PCR tests were undertaken on specimens obtained from immunosuppressed patients. DNAemia was frequent with EBV (43.5%), HHV6 (32.4%), CMV (12.8%), and VZV (12.9%). As already described for EBV and CMV, high virus loads of HHV6 and VZV were associated with clinical symptoms and poor clinical outcome, for example, three of four patients with VZV virus loads >105 copies/ml died. A high proportion of lower respiratory specimens was positive for EBV‐ (38.8%), HHV6‐ (29.4%), and CMV‐DNA (18.2%). For CMV, infection was confirmed in 66.7% of patients by virus isolation or positive pp65 antigenaemia. Differentiation of HHV6A, ‐B and HSV‐1, ‐2 by melting curve analysis revealed that HHV6A and HSV‐2 represented only 1.8% and 3.3% of all positive specimens, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicate significant improvements for the early diagnosis of primary infections or reactivations of five human herpesviruses especially in immunosuppressed patients. Detection of coinfections with multiple herpesviruses is facilitated. Quantitative results enable monitoring of virus load during antiviral therapy. A standard thermal cycling profile permits time and cost effective use in a routine diagnostic setting. J. Med. Virol. 80:467–477, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monitoring of Epstein‐Barr virus load after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for early intervention in post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease
Authors: Meerbach Astrid , Wutzler Peter , Häfer Ralf , Zintl Felix , Gruhn Bernd
Published: January 2008

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease is a life‐threatening complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction to evaluate EBV‐genome copy numbers based on a nested polymerase chain reaction and an end‐point dilution was used. Applying this assay EBV load was prospectively screened weekly in 123 patients after transplantation. The results demonstrate that EBV reactivations with more than 1,000 EBV‐genome copies measured in 105peripheral blood mononuclear cells were observed in 31 patients (25.2%). Three patients developed lymphoproliferative disease with extremely high EBV‐genome copies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (>100,000 copies/105cells) and plasma. After combined antiviral and immune therapy two of three patients showed a dramatic decrease of EBV load and survived, while the third patient died of lymphoma. A subclinical EBV reactivation was observed in 24 cases (19.5%) with EBV‐genome copies in 105peripheral blood mononuclear cells ranging between 2,500 and mostly 10,000. After reduction of immunosuppression the EBV levels normalized. In four patients, the high copy number of ≥80,000 copies/105peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma positivity prompted us to start pre‐emptive therapy with rituximab and cidofovir for prevention of lymphoproliferative disease. After drug administration the high EBV load was reduced remarkably. Ninety‐two patients (74.8%) who had ≤1,000 copies/105peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not develop EBV‐associated lymphoproliferative disease. In conclusion, monitoring of EBV load is a sensitive and useful parameter in the surveillance of EBV reactivation for early intervention in EBV‐associated lymphoproliferative disease as well as for follow‐up of the efficacy of therapy. J. Med. Virol. 80:441–454, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laboratory confirmation of congenital rubella syndrome in infants: An eye hospital based investigation
Authors: Rajasundari Thanapal Amala , Sundaresan Periasamy , Vijayalakshmi Perumalsamy , Brown David W.G. , Jin Li
Published: January 2008

A total of 190 specimens from South Indian children aged 0–59 months with ocular anomalies consistent with suspected congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) were investigated. Twenty‐six of the 65 infants (40%) were confirmed as CRS by detection of rubella specific IgM. Rubella RNA was detected in 41 samples from 26 infants by both real‐time and block based PCR. The PCR results correlated well with the presence of anti‐rubella IgM/IgG (23/27 cases with rubella IgM were PCR positive). Whereas, only 17 of 26 infants met the WHO CRS case definition. Amongst the various specimens tested from the sero‐confirmed cases (n = 27), a high percentage of positives were detected in lens (92%) and oral fluid (60%) specimens, when compared to other samples. The quantification of viral load by real‐time PCR demonstrated higher copy number of virus in lens samples of 0–11 months infants. The rubella viruses were characterized and revealed the circulation of genotype 2B in three South Indian states. The integrated analysis of clinical manifestations, serological and molecular data in the study has generated baseline information of rubella infection and CRS in infants with ocular anomalies. J. Med. Virol. 80:536–546, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transmission routes of hepatitis B virus infection in chronic hepatitis B patients in The Netherlands
Authors: Toy M. , Veldhuijzen I.K. , Mostert M.C. , de Man R.A. , Richardus J.H.
Published: January 2008

The Netherlands is a low endemic country for hepatitis B virus (HBV). Rotterdam, a city in The Netherlands harbors a large group of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients of which most are born abroad. The study included 464 consecutive CHB patients who were reported to the Municipal Public Health Service in Rotterdam from January 1, 2002 to September 15, 2005. The HBV genotypes, possible transmission routes of infection and travel history of CHB patients born in The Netherlands, were compared with those CHB patients living in The Netherlands but who were foreign‐born, taking into account the ethnicity of the mother. Of the 464 patients with CHB infection, 14% were Dutch‐born and 86% were foreign‐born. The CHB patients in the Dutch‐born group had genotypes A (35%), B (15%), C (11%), D (37%), and G (2%). In the foreign‐born group, the distribution of genotypes was A (20%), B (15%), C (11%), D (40%), and E (15%). In the Dutch‐born group, sexual transmission accounted for a larger proportion of infections (P < 0.0001) compared to the foreign‐born group, whereas perinatal transmission is reported to be higher in the foreign‐born group and in the Dutch‐born group with a foreign mother. The genotypes of the chronic HBV strains determined corresponded well with the HBV genotypes expected from the countries of origin of the patients or their mothers. Genotypes A and D are predominant in CHB patients in The Netherlands. J. Med. Virol. 80:399–404, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The p53 R72P polymorphism does not influence cervical cancer development in a portuguese population: A study in exfoliated cervical cells
Authors: Oliveira S. , Sousa H. , Santos A.M. , Pinto D. , Pinto‐Correia A.L. , Fontoura D. , Moutinho J. , Medeiros R.
Published: January 2008

The interaction between the E6 protein of the high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) with p53 seems to be crucial in cervical carcinogenesis. The presence of Arg/Arg genotype at codon 72 of TP53 gene was characterized as a risk factor in development of cervical cancer. However, the role of this polymorphism remains controversial and some authors suggested that the origin of DNA (blood or exfoliated cervical cells) might influence these results. This study analyzed the effect of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism (R72P) in exfoliated cervical cells of women from the northern region of Portugal using two methodologies: allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. We studied 700 cervical exfoliated cells which showed: 334 cases from women without cervical cancer or cervical lesion (N), 114 low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), 107 high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), 20 invasive cervical cancers (ICC) and 125 atypical squamous cells of unknown significance (ASCUS). No statistically significant differences between cases and controls were found, regarding the influence of the R72P polymorphism with cytological classification, high risk‐HPV infection and HPV16 presence (P = 0.336, P = 0.945, and P = 0.964, respectively). Also, the influence of this polymorphism in the median age of onset for LSIL, HSIL, and ICC was not statistically significant (P = 0.674, P = 0.810, and P = 0.928, respectively). Therefore, the hypothesis that women with Arg/Arg genotype have an increased risk of developing cervical cancer failed to be proven in this study. Moreover, our study reveals that results using exfoliated cervical cells are reliable as compared with studies on blood. J. Med. Virol. 80:424–429, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Naturally occurring MHR variants in Turkish patients infected with hepatitis B virus
Authors: Sayiner A. Arzu , Özcan Ayla , Sengonul Aylin
Published: January 2008

Major B‐cell epitopes are located at the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg). The genotypes, subtypes, and naturally occurring amino acid (aa) substitutions of MHR were analyzed in 81 Turkish adult patients (41 inactive HBsAg carriers and 40 patients with chronic hepatitis B) by direct sequencing of the S gene fragment. All the isolates were genotype D according to the phylogenetic analysis. The most common HBsAg subtype was ayw2, followed by ayw3 while one isolate specified ayw4 by encoding Leu127. MHR variants were detected in 22 of the 81 (27.2%) isolates. The prevalence was significantly higher in the chronic hepatitis B group (42.5%) compared to inactive HBsAg carriers (12.2%). Twenty‐two samples had a total of 26 amino acid substitutions involving 14 positions. The majority of the patients had a single variation. Most of the amino acid substitutions were located at the HBs1 region of the MHR, while 9 of the 26 were in the classic “a” determinant (aa 124–147). When samples with “a” variants were evaluated by two different commercial HBsAg tests, only the isolate with Ser143Leu variation had a decreased reactivity in the assay using monoclonal antibodies for capture and detection. In conclusion, the findings of the study was in accordance with previous studies showing HBV genotype and subtype homogeneity (genotype D/ayw) in Turkey. Naturally occurring MHR and “a” determinant variants were common, especially among chronic hepatitis B patients. The influence of detected “a” variants on diagnostic assays was limited. J. Med. Virol. 80:405–410, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic characterization of complex inter‐recombinant HIV‐1 strains circulating in Spain and reliability of distinct rapid subtyping tools
Authors: Holguín Africa , Lospitao Eva , López Marisa , de Arellano Eva Ramírez , Pena María José , del Romero Jorge , Martín Cristina , Soriano Vincent
Published: January 2008

Genetic recombination and high rate of mutation increase HIV‐1 diversity, allowing viruses to escape more easily from the host immune response or antiretroviral drugs. The recombinant nature of full‐length HIV‐1 genomic sequences derived from viruses infecting five epidemiologically unlinked individuals carrying HIV‐1 non‐B variants was investigated. Overlapping PCR amplifications followed by direct sequencing of viral products derived from plasma and phylogenetic analyses were carried out. Four viral sequences clustered with CRF06_cpx and one with CRF02_AG. However, subtyping of separate genes within the same genome revealed that four were recombinant forms involving different subtypes and/or CRFs with distinct breakpoints. Two specimens included CRF02_AG and CRF06_cpx sequences with several fragments from other HIV‐1 clades along their genomes. Three rapid subtyping tools (Stanford, NCBI, and REGA) showed discrepant results when interpreting these viral sequences. This is the first description of CRF02_AG/CRF06_ cpx recombinants in Spain. The results highlight the tremendous heterogeneity of HIV‐1 recombinant strains currently in circulation. J. Med. Virol. 80:383–391, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mumps virus reinfection is not a rare event confirmed by reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification
Authors: Yoshida Naoko , Fujino Motoko , Miyata Akiko , Nagai Takao , Kamada Makoto , Sakiyama Hiroshi , Ihara Toshiaki , Kumagai Takuji , Okafuji Teruo , Okafuji Takao , Nakayama Tetsuo
Published: January 2008

Clinically apparent mumps reinfection is considered extremely rare, but several cases have been suspected of reinfection in an out‐patient clinic. In this study, virological examination, virus isolation, the reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RT‐LAMP), and IgG and IgM EIA antibodies, were examined in order to identify mumps reinfection. Patients were divided into three categories; the reinfection group comprised 29 patients with a history of natural infection, the vaccine‐failure group consisted of 37 patients with an immunization history, and two patients had histories of both immunization and mumps infection. Another 25 patients were enrolled as a primary infection group. Mumps virus was isolated in 5 (17%) and the genome was detected in 12 (41%) of 29 in the reinfection group. Reinfection was confirmed in 21/28, demonstrating high avidity of IgG EIA. Mumps virus was isolated in 15 (41%) and there was a higher positivity of genome amplification in 25 (68%) of 37 patients in the vaccine‐failure group. Among these, 23 were confirmed as secondary vaccine failure by high avidity IgG EIA serology. In the primary infection group, the isolation rate and genome detection rate was higher in 16 (64%) and in 18 (72%) of 25 patients, respectively. There was no significant difference in virus load among the three groups but high mumps virus load was suspected in the IgM EIA‐positive group based on the shorter amplification time on RT‐LAMP. Mumps virus reinfection was confirmed by RT‐LAMP and an IgG avidity test and was not a rare event. J. Med. Virol. 80:517–523, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental investigation of key parameters on the effects of cavity surface roughness in microinjection molding
Authors: Zhang H.L. , Ong N.S. , Lam Y.C.
Published: January 2008

For microinjection molding, it is envisaged that cavity surface roughness plays an important role in the cavity filling of polymer melt. This article presents an experimental investigation into the surface roughness effects on the flow area of a microthickness disk through injection molding. Three core inserts, each of which has different surface roughness on its two semicircular halves but with the same roughness mean lines, were machined and formed the mold cavity. The difference in flow area (or volume) between these two semicircular halves of the molded part was investigated by varying the mold and melt temperatures. Regressive analysis of the significance of mold and melt temperatures and cavity thickness on the surface roughness effects was carried out. Experimental results obtained indicated that the flow area on the smoother half is larger than that on the rougher half during cavity filling. For the same surface roughness, its effect on cavity filling is a function of mold temperature, melt temperature, and cavity thickness. An increase in mold temperature or melt temperature will result in smaller surface roughness effect on the flow area. When cavity thickness is reduced, the surface roughness effect will become more significant. Moreover, a larger difference in the surface roughness between the two semicircular halves of the insert will result in a larger difference in the flow area between the two halves of the molded part. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Influence of phase modifiers on morphology and properties of thermoplastic elastomers prepared from ethylene propylene diene rubber and isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Chakraborty Pinka , Ganguly Anirban , Mitra Suman , Bhowmick Anil K.
Published: January 2008

A series of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) were prepared from a binary blend of ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) using different types of phase modifiers. The influence of sulphonated EPDM, maleated EPDM, styrene‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐styrene block copolymer, maleated PP, and acrylated PP as phase modifiers showed improved physico‐mechanical properties (like maximum stress, elongation at break, moduli, and tension set). Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy studies revealed better morphologies obtained with these phase modified EPDM‐iPP blends. The dependence of the phase modifier type and concentration was optimized with respect to the improvement in physical properties and morphology of the blends. Physical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphology of these blends were explained with the help of interaction parameter, melt viscosity, and crystallinity of the blends. Theoretical modeling showed that Kerner, Ishai‐Cohen, and Paul models predicted the right morphology–property correlation for the prepared TPEs. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Complications in Thyroid Surgery for Carcinoma: One Institution’s Surgical Experience
Authors: Toniato Antonio , Boschin Isabella Merante , Piotto Andrea , Pelizzo Maria Rosa , Guolo Annamaria , Foletto Mirto , Casalide Eric
Published: January 2008

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors influencing morbidity after total thyroidectomy for carcinoma, such as the histotype, the extension of surgery, the primary surgery versus reoperation, and the surgeon’s experience.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis on inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) injury and permanent hypoparathyroidism (HPT) rates in 504 consecutive patients with thyroid carcinoma who were operated on by the same surgeon from 1999 to 2006. The following parameters were assessed at univariate analysis: histotype, total thyroidectomy with or without central node dissection (level VI), primary surgery versus reoperation, and early (group 1: 1999–2002, 143 patients) and late (group 2: 2003–2006, 361 patients) experience.

Results

The global incidence rates of ILN palsy and permanent HPT were 2.18% and 6.3%, respectively. The incidence of ILN damage after total thyroidectomy plus node dissection versus total thyroidectomy without node excision was 2.87% vs. 0.36% (p = 0.029). The incidence of permanent HPT in group 1 was 13.2% vs. 3.6% in group 2 (p = 0.0001). Moreover, the incidence rate of ILN palsy resulted higher in group 1 (2.8%) and in reoperation (3.4%), while the permanent HPT resulted higher in thyroidectomy with node dissection (6.8%) and reoperation (6.9%), although the difference was not significant.

Conclusions

The complications after total thyroidectomy were progressively reduced as a result of a more accurate technique. Nevertheless, our study showed that the incidence of complications is mostly related to the dissection of central lymph node (level VI) and the surgeon’s experience.
Petrous Carotid Artery’s In Situ Bypass: Anatomic Study
Authors: Keshelava Grigol , Mikadze Igor , Abzianidze Giorgi , Kakabadze Zurab
Published: January 2008

The purpose of our study was to reveal the possibility of cervical‐to‐petrous carotid artery in situ bypass with maximum preservation of cranial nerves. Four human cadavers prepared in formalin were investigated. Eight surgical approaches were used (bilateral exposure on each cadaver). The skin incision started from the level of the temporomandibular joint. The VII, IX, X, and XII cranial nerves, starting from the stylomastoid angle, were maximally preserved. Resection of the styloid process, subluxation of the mandibular joint, and milling of tympanic bone revealed the petrous carotid artery. Exposure of the carotid bifurcation was performed with a mini‐skin incision. After dividing the petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cervical ICA, the cervical ICA was dilated using a Fogarty catheter to simulate aneurysmal dilatation. The patient’s saphenous vein after stripping was utilized for the bypass. The vein was passed into the lumen of the dilated cervical ICA, and a cervical‐to‐petrous carotid bypass was performed. In each case, the described technique made it possible to expose the intrapetrous carotid artery adequately. In two cases it was impossible to make a luxation, and therefore the mandibular branch was resected. The vertical segment’s mean length was 12 mm (range 10–15 mm). In all cases, the VII, IX, X, and XII cranial nerves were preserved maximally. The main points of the approach are luxation of the mandibular articulation and milling of the tympanic bone. Our study in cadavers suggests the possibility of petrous carotid artery bypass without exposing the cervical ICA.
Minimizing Disparities in Surgical Care: A Research Focus for the Future
Authors: Ryoo Joan J. , Ko Clifford Y.
Published: January 2008

The wide array of questions and opportunities for surgical health services research offers important prospects for inquiry into surgical disparities. In this essay we discuss research that directly or indirectly addresses disparities in surgery, highlighting the strengths and the future directions such research efforts intimate as potential foci of collective attention. We then consider possible research approaches—including community‐based participatory models—for confronting disparity and the potential role of research in quality improvement to help achieve the ultimate aim, an optimal level of health care for all.
Effect of uniaxial stretching on rat bone mesenchymal stem cell: Orientation and expressions of collagen types I and III and tenascin‐C
Authors: Zhang Lei , Kahn Cyril J.F. , Chen Huai‐Qing , Tran Nguyen , Wang Xiong
Published: January 2008

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell types like osteoblasts, chondroblasts, adipocytes, etc. It is well known that mechanical forces regulate the biological function of cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of uniaxial stretching on the orientation and biological functions of BMSC. Rat BMSCs were harvested from femoral and tibial bone marrow by density gradient centrifugation. Cells from passages 1–6 were characterized by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. The recovered cells were stably positive for the markers CD90 and CD44 and negative for CD34 and CD45. A cyclic 10% uniaxial stretching at 1 Hz was applied on rat BMSC for different time‐courses. The length, width, and orientation of the cells were subsequently determined. Expression of collagen types I and III and tenascin‐C mRNAs was measured by real‐time RT‐PCR, and the synthesis of these receptors was determined by radioimmunoassay. Results showed that uniaxial stretching lengthened and rearranged the cells. Compared with control groups, expression of collagen types I and III mRNAs was up‐regulated after 12‐h of stretching, while significant increase in synthesis of the two collagen protein types was not observed until after 24‐h stretching. The expression of tenascin‐C mRNA was significantly increased after a 24‐h stretching. These data suggest that cyclic stretching promotes the synthesis of collagen types I and III and tenascin‐C by the rat BMSC.
Spacecraft‐generated ions
Authors: Olsen R. C. , Norwood C. W.
Published: February 2008

Electrostatic analyzer measurements of ions on the SCATHA satellite show evidence of locally generated ions. These measurements come during periods of large negative charging (∼−100 to −10,000 V) at or near geosynchronous altitude. Ions are observed at energies below the satellite potential, which, in the absence of scattering, must have been generated on or near the satellite surface. Differential charging measurements from the surface satellite potential monitor indicated that there were surfaces with the proper magnitude of differential charging to provide a source for the observed ions. Application of the Sigmund‐Thompson theories on sputtering show that ambient 10‐ to 100‐keV O+ on glass could provide a yield of 0.5–1.0 particles per incident ion. Roughly 2–4% of this yield is ionized. This is sufficient to explain the flux levels observed. Particle tracking using the NASA charging analyzer program (NASCAP) showed that the energies measured provided a sweep of trajectories along the satellite surface, but no specific source was identified.
An improved error assessment for the GEM‐T1 Gravitational Model
Authors: Lerch F. J. , Marsh J. G. , Klosko S. M. , Patel G. B. , Chinn D. S. , Pavlis E. C. , Wagner C. A.
Published: February 2008

Several tests have been designed to estimate the correct error variances for the GEM‐T1 gravitational solution that was derived exclusively from satellite tracking data. The basic method uses both independent and dependent subset data solutions and produces a coefficient by coefficient estimate of the model uncertainties. The GEM‐T1 errors have been further analyzed using a method based on eigenvalue‐eigenvector analysis, which calibrates the entire covariance matrix. Dependent satellite data sets and independent altimetric, resonant satellite, and surface gravity data sets all confirm essentially the same error assessment The calibration test results yield very stable calibration factors, which vary only by approximately 10% over the range of tests performed. Based on these calibrated error estimates, GEM‐T1 is a significantly improved solution, which to degree and order 8 is twice as accurate as earlier satellite derived models like GEM‐L2. Also, by being complete to degree and order 36, GEM‐T1 is more complete and has significantly reduced aliasing effects that were present in previous models.
Shipboard active and passive microwave measurement of ocean surface slicks off the southern California coast
Authors: Onstott Robert , Rufenach Clifford
Published: February 2008

Ship‐based radar scatterometer measurements at L band (20 cm) and X band (3.2 cm), radiometer measurements at C band (5.5 cm) and Ka band (0.86 cm), and microlayer chlorophyll fluorescence measurements on the southern California continental shelf were acquired across several surface slicks during October 1989. These measurements allowed the simultaneous extraction of both the short wave damping at Bragg wavelengths 24 cm and 4 cm and the chlorophyll a biological concentration with sufficient spatial resolution to observe features within individual slick bands. The measurements show that (1) the largest peaks in fluorescence, a measure of the peak chlorophyll a concentration, are colocated with the short wave damping at 24‐cm and 4‐cm wavelengths, (2) the maximum damping ratio, between the 24‐cm and 4‐cm waves is at least 16 for wind speeds of 3–4 m s−1, and (3) the radar roughness signatures at these short Bragg gravity wavelengths suggest that the slicks are caused by organic surface film damping rather than straining of these waves. The radar roughness changes in synthetic aperture radar imagery have usually been interpreted in terms of wave straining. The limited radiometer signatures are uncorrelated with the other microlayer measurements. Additional shipboard measurements are needed to further quantify these preliminary results.