bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comments on Shulman, Golde, Bueschel, and Garabedian: Existing Practice Is Not the Template
Authors: Evans Rodney
Published: January 2008

In the April 2006 issue of Educational Researcher, Shulman, Golde, Bueschel, and Garabedian offered their response to the recent outpouring of criticism calling for reform of doctoral education degrees in the United States. The centerpiece of their proposal was the development of a new practitioner-oriented doctoral degree to replace the Ed.D. This article critiques the conceptual validity of the proposal—especially the idea that existing practice can be the driving force for the proposed curriculum reforms. The author argues for a fuller and more complex form of practice as praxis, in contrast with Shulman et al.’s implied preference for concrete existing practice—what might be called the actuality of practice—as the template for future practice.
Genetic association study of BDNF in depression: Finding from two cohort studies and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Lina , Lawlor Debbie A. , Lewis Sarah J. , Yuan Wei , Abdollahi Mohammad R. , Timpson Nicholas J. , Day Ian N.M. , Ebrahim Shah , Smith George Davey , Shugart Yin Y.
Published: January 2008

Depression is common and a major cause of morbidity and mortality and is also known to have serious effects on quality of life. Both clinical and pharmacologic studies have implicated the role of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a susceptibility locus for the development of mental illness, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Population‐based genetic studies have examined the association between BDNF and a variety of depression outcomes, but the results have not clearly established the role of BDNF in the development of this complex disorder. The aim of this study was to test for associations between two genetic variants in BDNF, Val66Met (rs6265) and −270 C > T, and depression measured in two independent samples. In this analysis we included 3,548 participants from British Women's Heart and Health Study (BWHHS) and 6,836 mothers from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) who had complete data on genotype and depression outcomes. We did not detect any strong evidence of associations between any of the two polymorphisms and indicators of depression in either BWHHS or ALSPAC samples. Further, we carried out a systematic review and meta‐analysis of all association studies of these two BDNF polymorphisms and depression. The meta‐analysis of Val66Met in depression obtained an overall summary OR of 1.06 (95% CI: 0.89–1.26, P = 0.537) comparing MM with VV genotypes and an OR of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.89–1.05, P = 0.403) comparing MV with VV genotypes. Our findings suggest that BDNF genotype does not exert a major influence on the development of depression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of the processing conditions on the microstructure and properties of rotational molded polyamide 11
Authors: Oliveira M. J. , Cramez M. C. , Garcia C. B. , Kearns M. P. , Maziers E.
Published: January 2008

Rotomolded containers for solvents and hydrocarbons require the use of high‐permeability resins such as polyamide (PA). The published studies with this material are very scarce. In this work, a commercial grade of PA11 was rotational‐molded using different processing temperatures and characterized with a range of techniques. The study aims at investigating the influence of the processing conditions on the microstructure and properties of molded parts. The results showed that the spherulitic morphology and the mechanical properties are affected by the processing temperature, the optimum processing range being between 220°C and 240°C. Overheating causes a decrease of the impact strength and a severe increase in the formation of pinholes at the outer surface due to polymer degradation and formation of volatile products. The thermo‐oxidation reactions occurring at the inner surface of the samples result in the formation of products that absorb in the UV and visible light regions and cause the microhardness and the melt viscosity of the material to increase. The extent and severity of the degradation at the inner surface may be easily assessed by fluorescence microscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Information‐conveying approaches and cognitive styles of mental modeling in a hypermedia‐based learning environment
Authors: Lee Jiunde , Boling Elizabeth
Published: January 2008

The increasing spread of Internet technology has highlighted the need for a better understanding of the fundamental issues concerning human users in a virtual space. Despite the great degree of navigational freedom, however, not all hypermedia users have the capability to locate information or assimilate internal knowledge. Research findings suggest that this type of problem could be solved if users were able to hold a cognitive overview of the hypermedia structure. How a learner can acquire the correct structural knowledge of online information has become an important factor in learning performance in a hypermedia environment. Variables that might influence learners' abilities in structuring a cognitive overview, such as users' cognitive styles and the different ways of representing information, should be carefully taken into account. The results of this study show that the interactions between information representation approaches and learners' cognitive styles have significant effects on learners' performance in terms of structural knowledge and feelings of disorientation. Learners' performance could decline if a representational approach that contradicts their cognitive style is used. Finally, the results of the present study may apply only when the learner's knowledge level is in the introductory stage. It is not clear how and what type of cognitive styles, as well as information representation approaches, will affect the performance of advanced and expert learners.
A New Ceramide from Suillus luteus and Its Cytotoxic Activity against Human Melanoma Cells
Authors: León Francisco , Brouard Ignacio , Torres Fernando , Quintana José , Rivera Augusto , Estévez Francisco , Bermejo Jaime
Published: January 2008

A new phytosphingosine‐type ceramide, suillumide (1), was isolated from the EtOH extract of the basidiomycete Suillus luteus (L.) S. F. Gray, along with ten known compounds: ergosta‐4,6,8(14),22‐tetraen‐3‐one, ergosterol, ergosterol peroxide, suillin, (E)‐3,4,5‐trimethoxycinnamic alcohol, 5α,6α‐epoxyergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7β‐diol, (R)‐1‐palmitoylglycerol, ergosta‐7,9(11),22‐triene‐3β,5α,6β‐triol, cerevisterol, and 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid. The structure of 1 was determined on the basis of spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses, as well as by chemical methods. Compound 1 and its synthetic diacetyl derivative 2 were tested for their cytotoxic activities against the human melanoma cell line SK‐MEL‐1. Both drugs showed IC50 values of ca. 10 μM after 72 h of exposure.
pH‐Sensitive Vesicles Containing a Lipidic β‐Amino Acid with Two Hydrophobic Chains
Authors: Capone Stefania , Walde Peter , Seebach Dieter , Ishikawa Takashi , Caputo Romualdo
Published: January 2008

The lipidic β‐amino acid 2‐(aminomethyl)‐2‐pentadecylheptadecanoic acid (1) was synthesized via the alkylation of the C(α)‐atom of fully protected β‐alanine. Mixed large unilamellar vesicles with a diameter between 100 and 200 nm containing POPC (1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine) and 1 at a molar ratio of 9 : 1 were prepared and found to have a surface charge which is dependent on pH. At slightly acidic pH, the vesicles were positively charged, and at alkaline pH negatively charged. Dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and cryo‐transmission electron‐microscopy measurements indicated that the mixed vesicles fused at pH 4–5 with negatively charged mixed vesicles composed of POPC and POPG (9.8 : 1, molar ratio), POPG being 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐[phospho‐rac‐(1‐glycerol)].
Characterization of Adducts Formed in Reactions of Acrolein with Thymidine and Calf Thymus DNA
Authors: Pawłowicz Agnieszka J. , Kronberg Leif
Published: January 2008

Acrolein, an important industrial chemical and environmental contaminant, has been shown to interact with nucleic acids in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the reactivity of acrolein towards thymidine and calf‐thymus double‐ and single‐stranded DNA in aqueous buffered solutions. LC‐MS Analyses of the reaction mixture of acrolein with thymidine showed the formation of five structurally different adducts. The structures of the products were determined on the basis of mass spectrometry, UV absorbance, and 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. The adducts were identified as 3‐(3‐oxopropyl)thymidine (dT1), 3‐[(tetrahydro‐2,4‐dihydroxypyran‐3‐yl)methyl]thymidine (dT2), 2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐5‐(thymidin‐3‐yl)pent‐2‐enal (dT3), 3‐hydroxy‐2‐methylidene‐5‐(thymidin‐3‐yl)pentanal (dT4), and 2‐[(thymidin‐3‐yl)methyl]penta‐2,4‐dienal (dT5). The adducts dT2–dT5 were formed in reaction of dT1 with acrolein. In the reaction of acrolein with calf‐thymus DNA, dT1 was the only adduct detected in the DNA hydrolysate.
Temperature Dependence of Electronic Coupling through Oligo‐p‐phenyleneethynylene Bridges
Authors: Eng Mattias P. , Mårtensson Jerker , Albinsson Bo
Published: January 2008

A series of donor‐bridge‐acceptor (D‐B‐A) systems with varying donor–acceptor distances has been studied with respect to the temperature dependence of the triplet excitation energy transfer (TEET) rates. The donor and acceptor, zinc(II) and free‐base porphyrin, respectively, were separated by oligo‐p‐phenyleneethynylene (OPE) bridges, where the number of phenyleneethynylene groups was varied between two and five, giving rise to edge‐to‐edge separations ranging between 12.7 and 33.4 Å. The study was performed in 2‐MTHF between room temperature and 80 K. It was found that the distance dependence was exponential, in line with the McConnell model, and the attenuation factor, β, was temperature dependent. The experimentally determined temperature dependence of β was evaluated by using a previously derived model for the conformational dependence of the electronic coupling based on results from extensive quantum chemical, DFT and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT), calculations. Two regimes in the temperature interval could be identified: one high‐temperature, low‐viscosity regime, and one low‐temperature, high‐viscosity regime. In the first regime, the temperature dependence of β was, according to the model, well described by a Boltzmann conformational distribution. In the latter, the molecular motions that govern the electronic coupling are slowed down to the same order of magnitude as the TEET rates. This, in effect, leads to a distortion of the conformational distribution. In the high‐temperature regime the model could reproduce the temperature dependence of β, and the extracted rotational barrier between two neighboring phenyl units of the bridge structure, Ei=1.1 kJ mol−1, was in line with previous experimental and theoretical studies. After inclusion of parameters that take the viscosity of the medium into account, successful modeling of the experimentally observed temperature dependence of the distance dependence was achieved over the whole temperature interval.
Grafting and Thermal Stripping of Organo‐Bimetallic Clusters on Au Surfaces: Toward Controlled Co/Ru Aggregates
Authors: Naitabdi Ahmed , Toulemonde Olivier , Bucher Jean Pierre , Rosé Jacky , Braunstein Pierre , Welter Richard , Drillon Marc
Published: January 2008

The controlled stoichiometry of heterometallic carbonyl clusters make them attractive precursors for the stabilization of bare metal alloy clusters for magnetic applications. The mixed‐metal molecular cluster [RuCo3(H)(CO)12] has been functionalized with the phosphane–thiol ligand Ph2PCH2CH2SH to allow subsequent anchoring on a gold surface. The resulting tetrahedral cluster [RuCo3(H)(CO)11(Ph2PCH2CH2SH)] (1) has been characterized by X‐ray diffraction and the P‐monodentate ligand is axially bound to a cobalt center and trans to the ruthenium cap. This synthesis also yielded the product of oxidative coupling, in which two SH groups were coupled intermolecularly to give a disulfide ligand that links two tetrahedral cluster units in [{RuCo3(H)(CO)11(Ph2PCH2CH2S)}2] (2). This cluster has also been characterized by X‐ray diffractions studies. After deposition of 1 on a Au(111) surface by self‐assembly, the carbonyl ligands were stripped off by thermal annealing in ultra‐high vacuum (UHV) to form a metallic species. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurements performed as a function of the annealing temperature show that the cobalt and ruthenium centers converge towards metallic character and that the stoichiometry of the alloy is retained during the annealing process. Preliminary X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) synchrotron experiments indicate that clusters 1 and 2 behave similarly, which is consistent with the retention of their tetrahedral units on the gold surface after transformation of the thiol function or breaking of the disulfide bond to form AuS bonds, respectively, has occurred.
Alterations in CPT‐1 mRNA and fatty acid profile in hepatic cell lines in response to treatment with t10,c12‐ or c9,t11‐conjugated linoleic acid
Authors: Viswanadha Srikant , McGilliard Michael L. , Gandour Richard D. , Herbein Joseph H.
Published: January 2008

Trans10,cis12‐conjugated linoleic acid (t10,c12‐CLA) increases liver weights and hepatic lipids in mice. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of CLA isomers (t10,c12‐CLA or c9,t11‐CLA) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase‐1 (CPT‐1) inhibitors (etomoxir or hemipalmitoylcarnitinium) on CPT‐1 mRNA, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol synthesis in AML‐12 and HepG2 cells. t10,c12‐CLA was incorporated to a greater extent in both cell lines than c9,t11‐CLA. In addition, t10,c12‐CLA increased the free cholesterol content of AML‐12 and HepG2 cells four‐ and fivefold, respectively. Cells incubated with medium containing CPT‐1 inhibitors or t10,c12‐CLA had higher levels of mRNA for CPT‐1 in both cell lines, indicating an increased fatty acid oxidation in hepatic cell lines due to t10,c12‐CLA. Following treatment withdrawal, percentages of c9,t11‐CLA or t10,c12‐CLA remained elevated in cells initially treated with c9,t11‐CLA or t10,c12‐CLA, suggesting a potential for carryover effects of the CLA isomers. The results presented here demonstrate a potential role for t10,c12‐CLA in the modulation of hepatic fatty acid oxidation and cholesterol synthesis.
The influence of organic solvents on transphosphatidylation by phospholipase D from peanut in anhydrous organic solvents
Authors: Dong Cao , Su‐jia Shi
Published: January 2008

Phospholipase D (PLD) is widely used for the transphosphatidylation of phospholipids, which is conventionally performed in biphasic systems. The influence of organic solvents on transphosphatidylation by peanut PLD in anhydrous organic solvents was studied and, for the first time, compared to that of a biphasic system in this paper. The results demonstrated that PLD activity from peanut was influenced by solvents of different polarity in anhydrous organic solvents, and the influence tendency of organic solvents (diethyl ether, chloroform, methylenechloride) on transphosphatidylation by peanut PLD in anhydrous organic solvents was the same as that in a biphasic system consisting of water and a hydrophobic organic solvent.
1H NMR spectroscopy as tool to follow changes in the fatty acids of fish oils
Authors: Tyl Catrin E. , Brecker Lothar , Wagner Karl‐Heinz
Published: January 2008

High‐resolution NMR spectroscopy is a fast and accurate tool to measure the content of n‐3 PUFA in unoxidised oils. Four types of fish oils with a high amount of n‐3 PUFA were oxidised under different conditions, and the changes in their fatty acid pattern were monitored with NMR spectroscopy and compared with traditional analytical methods, especially GC. Good compliances were obtained for unoxidised oils and for oils at the early oxidation stages. Distinct changes in signals or signal ratio intensities arose only in higher‐oxidised oils that were irradiated or heated in the presence of oxygen over several days. Slight differences between values obtained by GC and NMR at this point were likely caused by accumulation of oxidation products. Detection of the terminal lipid oxidation products propanal and 2‐propenal was only possible at late oxidation stages.
Identification and quantification of steryl glucosides in biodiesel
Authors: Bondioli Paolo , Cortesi Nicoletta , Mariani Carlo
Published: January 2008

This paper discusses the nature and the chemical identification of a white, solid and insoluble residue isolated during the production of biodiesel, using palm or soybean oil as starting material. Using different isolation, purification and characterisation techniques, the solid was identified as a mixture of phytosteryl glucosides. A simple method for the quantitative evaluation of steryl glucoside (SG) concentrations in biodiesel samples is presented and discussed. Some preliminary results about the average concentration in biodiesel and about the solubility limits of SG are presented. The final section of this paper is dedicated to the impact of different crude oil refining techniques before the biodiesel synthesis reaction on the final SG concentration in biodiesel.
An ensemble learning approach jointly modeling main and interaction effects in genetic association studies
Authors: Zhang Zhaogong , Zhang Shuanglin , Wong Man‐Yu , Wareham Nicholas J. , Sha Qiuying
Published: January 2008

Complex diseases are presumed to be the results of interactions of several genes and environmental factors, with each gene only having a small effect on the disease. Thus, the methods that can account for gene‐gene interactions to search for a set of marker loci in different genes or across genome and to analyze these loci jointly are critical. In this article, we propose an ensemble learning approach (ELA) to detect a set of loci whose main and interaction effects jointly have a significant association with the trait. In the ELA, we first search for “base learners” and then combine the effects of the base learners by a linear model. Each base learner represents a main effect or an interaction effect. The result of the ELA is easy to interpret. When the ELA is applied to analyze a data set, we can get a final model, an overallP‐value of the association test between the set of loci involved in the final model and the trait, and an importance measure for each base learner and each marker involved in the final model. The final model is a linear combination of some base learners. We know which base learner represents a main effect and which one represents an interaction effect. The importance measure of each base learner or marker can tell us the relative importance of the base learner or marker in the final model. We used intensive simulation studies as well as a real data set to evaluate the performance of the ELA. Our simulation studies demonstrated that the ELA is more powerful than the single‐marker test in all the simulation scenarios. The ELA also outperformed the other three existing multi‐locus methods in almost all cases. In an application to a large‐scale case‐control study for Type 2 diabetes, the ELA identified 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms that have a significant multi‐locus effect (P‐value=0.01), while none of the single nucleotide polymorphisms showed significant marginal effects and none of the two‐locus combinations showed significant two‐locus interaction effects.Genet. Epidemiol. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer testis antigens in human melanoma stem cells: Expression, distribution, and methylation status
Authors: Sigalotti Luca , Covre Alessia , Zabierowski Susan , Himes Benjamin , Colizzi Francesca , Natali Pier Giorgio , Herlyn Meenhard , Maio Michele
Published: January 2008

Neoplastic populations with stem cell potential have been most recently identified in human cutaneous melanoma, and initially characterized for their phenotypic profile. Being melanoma stem cells (MSC) the most desirable target of therapeutic intervention, we asked whether they express the epigenetically‐regulated cancer testis antigens (CTA) on which melanoma immunotherapy is increasingly focusing. Reverse transcription‐PCR analyses identified the presence of the large majority of investigated CTA (i.e., MAGE, GAGE, NY‐ESO, and SSX families) in different MSC populations. MSC expressed MAGE‐A proteins as detected by western blot; noteworthy, the distribution of MAGE‐A proteins was highly homogeneous within given MSC populations as shown by confocal immunofluorescence. Promoter methylation studies unveiled a homogeneously‐demethylated MAGE‐A3 promoter that paired MAGE‐A3 expression in MSC. Altogether these findings demonstrate that MSC can be efficiently targeted by CTA‐directed immunotherapeutic approaches, and suggest that epigenetic patterns most likely drive the expression of CTA in MSC as previously shown for melanoma cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 287–291, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison between Sendai virus and adenovirus vectors to transduce HIV‐1 genes into human dendritic cells
Authors: Hosoya Noriaki , Miura Toshiyuki , Kawana‐Tachikawa Ai , Koibuchi Tomohiko , Shioda Tatsuo , Odawara Takashi , Nakamura Tetsuya , Kitamura Yoshihiro , Kano Munehide , Kato Atsushi , Hasegawa Mamoru , Nagai Yoshiyuki , Iwamoto Aikichi
Published: January 2008

Immuno‐genetherapy using dendritic cells (DCs) can be applied to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) infection. Sendai virus (SeV) has unique features such as cytoplasmic replication and high protein expression as a vector for genetic manipulation. In this study, we compared the efficiency of inducing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and HIV‐1 gene expression in human monocyte‐derived DCs between SeV and adenovirus (AdV). Human monocyte‐derived DCs infected with SeV showed the maximum gene expression 24 hr after infection at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 2. Although SeV vector showed higher cytopathic effect on DCs than AdV, SeV vector induced maximum gene expression earlier and at much lower MOI. In terms of cell surface phenotype, both SeV and AdV vectors induced DC maturation. DCs infected with SeV as well as AdV elicited HIV‐1 specific T‐cell responses detected by interferon γ (IFN‐γ) enzyme‐linked immunospot (Elispot). Our data suggest that SeV could be one of the reliable vectors for immuno‐genetherapy for HIV‐1 infected patients. J. Med. Virol. 80:373–382, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotype dependence of peptide‐based immunoassays for the detection of HCV core antibodies
Authors: Muerhoff A. Scott , Gutierrez Robin , Kyrk Charles , Leary Thomas , Schlauder George , Dawson George , Desai Suresh M.
Published: January 2008

Detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies is partially influenced by the genotype of the infecting isolate. Immunoassays using genotype‐1a‐derived recombinants or peptides results in diminished reactivity among individuals infected with heterologous genotypes. We examined the magnitude of this effect on detection of core antibodies by using genotype‐1a‐derived core peptide immunoassays to test 254 HCV anti‐core‐positive individuals infected with genotypes 1–4 or 6. Peptides corresponding to amino acids 1–18, 10–24, and 11–28 reacted with 60%, 89%, and 85% of all samples, respectively. Peptide 1–18 detected 78% of individuals infected with genotype‐1 or 2 but only 43% of those infected with genotypes 3, 4, or 6. Genotype‐dependent reactivity was also observed for peptides 10–24 and 11–28. The use of a 34‐mer peptide (encompassing amino acids 10–43) within the immunodominant region detected antibodies in 100% of specimens, thereby eliminating the genotype‐dependent antibody detection observed with shorter peptides. Sequence differences between peptides and core of the infecting isolate did not entirely account for the genotype‐dependent reactivity since some individuals displayed reactivity to peptides containing up to seven amino acid differences relative to the sequence of the infecting isolate, while others with identical core sequences had little or no reactivity. Thus, HCV core sequence divergence accounts for only a portion of the differential core antibody detectability observed when non‐type‐specific peptides are used. Differences in immune response between individuals infected with identical isolates also plays a significant role in core antibody detection using short peptides. J. Med. Virol. 80:411–418, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changing profile of rotavirus in Ireland: Predominance of P[8] and emergence of P[6] and P[9] in mixed infections
Authors: Lennon G. , Reidy N. , Cryan B. , Fanning S. , O'Shea H.
Published: January 2008

Six hundred and thirty three fecal specimens were collected from patients under 6 years, suffering from non‐bacterial, putative viral gastroenteritis in the south of Ireland, between 2003 and 2006. Following laboratory identification of rotavirus as the aetiological agent in 558 specimens, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was employed to amplify the VP7 and VP4 gene segments of 249 and 245 samples, respectively. G and P typing was subsequently carried out on these amplicons. G1 (65.1%), and G3 (16.1%) were found to be the most prevalent circulating G types over the course of the study. Both G2 (1.2%) and G9 (3.6%), were also found to be circulating, however, these types were less frequently detected. Mixed G type infections were found to account for 41 samples (14%). P typing was carried out on 245 samples. P[8] was the most commonly detected P type over the course of the study (93.5%). Both P[6] and P[9], which had not previously been detected in the Irish population, were detected during this investigation. P[6] was detected in both single and mixed P type infections, while P[9] was detected as part of mixed infections only. The key findings of this study were the emergence of P[6] and P[9] as epidemiologically important rotavirus strains in the Irish population. The profile of rotavirus is changing continuously in Ireland, and continued surveillance of the circulating strains is needed to detect the appearance of new strains, or new variants which could escape immune protection induced by an outdated vaccine. J. Med. Virol. 80:524–530, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Upregulation of HTLV‐1 and HTLV‐2 expression by HIV‐1 in vitro
Authors: Roy Upal , Simpson Scott A. , Mondal Debasis , Eloby‐Childress Sandra , Winsor Elsa L. , Beilke Mark A.
Published: January 2008

Co‐infections with HIV‐1 and the human T leukemia virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV‐1, HTLV‐2) occur frequently, particularly in large metropolitan areas where injection drug use is a shared mode of transmission. Recent evidence suggests that HIV‐HTLV co‐infections are associated with upregulated HTLV‐1/2 virus expression and disease. An in vitro model of HIV‐1 and HTLV‐1/2 co‐infection was utilized to determine if cell free HIV‐1 virions or recombinant HIV‐1 Tat protein (200–1,000 ng/ml) upregulated HTLV‐1/2 expression and infectivity. Exposure to HIV‐1 increased the number of HTLV‐1 antigen expressing cells, from 6% at baseline to 12% at 24 hr, and 20% at 120 hr (P < 0.05) post‐exposure. A similar, although less robust response was observed in HTLV‐2 infected cells. HIV‐1 co‐localized almost exclusively with HTLV‐1/2 positive cells. Exposure to HIV‐1 Tat protein (1,000 ng/ml) increased HTLV‐1 p19 expression almost twofold by 48 hr, and cells co‐stimulated with 10 nM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) showed almost a fourfold increase over baseline. It is concluded that HIV‐1 augments HTLV‐1/2 infectivity in vitro. The findings also suggest a role for the HIV‐1 Tat protein and PMA‐inducible cellular factors, in HIV‐1 induced HTLV‐1/2 antigen expression. J. Med. Virol. 80:494–500, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Defining the levels of secreted non‐structural protein NS1 after West Nile virus infection in cell culture and mice
Authors: Chung Kyung Min , Diamond Michael S.
Published: January 2008

Infection with West Nile virus (WNV) causes a febrile illness that can progress to meningitis or encephalitis, primarily in humans that are immunocompromised or elderly. For successful treatment of WNV infection, accurate and timely diagnosis is essential. Previous studies have suggested that the flavivirus non‐structural protein NS1, a highly conserved and secreted glycoprotein, is a candidate protein for rapid diagnosis. Herein, we developed a capture enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect WNV NS1 using two anti‐NS1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that map to distinct sites on the protein. The capture ELISA efficiently detected as little as 0.5 ng/ml of soluble NS1 and exhibited no cross‐reactivity for yellow fever, Dengue, and St. Louis encephalitis virus NS1. The capture ELISA reliably detected NS1 in plasma at day 3 after WNV infection, prior to the development of clinical signs of disease. As the time course of infection continued, the levels of detectable NS1 diminished, presumably because of interference by newly generated anti‐NS1 antibodies. Indeed, treatment of plasma with a solution that dissociated NS1 immune complexes extended the window of detection. Overall, the NS1‐based capture ELISA is a sensitive readout of infection and could be an important tool for diagnosis or screening small molecule inhibitors of WNV infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:547–556, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Norovirus gastroenteritis among children in Iraqi Kurdistan
Authors: Al‐Mashhadani Manar Najim , Nakagomi Osamu , Dove Winifred , Ahmed Herish , Nakagomi Toyoko , Hart C. Anthony , Cunliffe Nigel A.
Published: January 2008

Of 260 children under age 5 years who were hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Kurdistan, Iraq, between April and May 2005, 78 (30%) tested positive for norovirus by RT‐PCR. These comprised genogroups GI (23%), GII (74%) and GI + GII (3%). Among 28 noroviruses sequenced, GII/4 was the predominant genotype. J. Med. Virol. 80:506–509, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Primary neurons become less susceptible to coxsackievirus B5 following maturation: The correlation with the decreased level of CAR expression on cell surface
Authors: Ahn Jeonghyun , Jee Youngmee , Seo Ilseon , Yoon Seung Yong , Kim DongHou , Kim Yoo Kyum , Lee Heuiran
Published: January 2008

Coxsackievirus B (CVB) is one of the major pathogens of aseptic meningitis and meningioencephalitis, particularly in newborn infants. To analyze the influence of neural maturation on susceptibility to CVB infection, we prepared immature and mature neurons from 16‐day‐old BALB/c embryonic cortex. In contrast to immature neurons, mature neurons were less susceptible to CVB5 infection, as indicated by the decrease of cytopathic features. In mature neurons, progeny virus production was significantly hindered, and virus capsid protein VP1 synthesis and virus genome amplification were concomitantly reduced. In addition, the expression of coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR), the major receptor of CVB5, was down‐regulated in mature neurons. The antibody treatment specific to CAR significantly attenuated CVB5 susceptibility of immature neurons. These findings demonstrate that mature neurons become less susceptible to CVB by the decrease of CAR level. Thus, the data strongly support the idea that the level of virus receptor in neurons is one of the crucial determinants in the age‐dependency of CVB virulence in central nervous system. J. Med. Virol. 80:434–440, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Individuals with selective IgA deficiency resolve rotavirus disease and develop higher antibody titers (IgG, IgG1) than IgA competent individuals
Authors: Istrate Claudia , Hinkula Jorma , Hammarström Lennart , Svensson Lennart
Published: January 2008

While IgA is proposed to be essential to control rotavirus disease, no information is available how IgA deficient individuals modulate rotavirus disease and immune responses. In this study it was shown that patients (n = 62) with selective IgA deficiency (IgA‐D) (<0.05 g/L) resolve rotavirus disease and show higher total IgG and IgG1 subclass antibody titers to rotavirus than IgA proficient individuals (n = 62) (geometric mean titer, GMT) 18,101 vs. 4,000 (P < 0.005); 8,463 vs. 1691, (P < 0.005). It is concluded that IgA is not essential for resolving rotavirus disease in humans. J. Med. Virol. 80:531–535, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new animal model for primary and persistent Epstein–Barr virus infection: Human EBV‐infected rabbit characteristics determined using sequential imaging and pathological analysis
Authors: Takashima Kazuaki , Ohashi Makoto , Kitamura Yukisato , Ando Kensuke , Nagashima Kensuke , Sugihara Hirotsugu , Okuno Keisuke , Sairenji Takeshi , Hayashi Kazuhiko
Published: January 2008

Most adults have persistent Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐infection. Adolescents and young adults with primary EBV‐infection frequently develop infectious mononucleosis. Latent EBV‐infection is associated with various diseases, neoplasms, and hematological disorders. In vivo animal models of human EBV infection, such as non‐human primates, have had limited success. A new rabbit model for primary human EBV‐infection is described in this study. Seven male rabbits inoculated intravenously with EBV were sequentially imaged by ultrasonography and computed tomography, and examined for anti‐EBV‐VCA titer and EBV‐DNA levels in blood. Six rabbits demonstrated transient splenomegaly, increased anti‐EBV‐VCA titers and/or EBV‐DNA in blood. Transient infiltration of some EBER1‐positive lymphocytes was observed in biopsied liver tissues. After splenomegaly, two rabbits tested continuously negative, two alternatively positive and negative, and one consistently positive EBV detection in blood for 470 days. One tested negative for both EBV DNA and splenomegaly. On the 14th day, mild to moderate numbers of EBER1‐positive lymphocytes expressing LMP1, EBNA2, or ZEBRA infiltrated mainly in enlarged white pulps of two splenectomized materials. These cells included both B and T cells. EBV clonality analysis revealed an oligoclonal pattern. These indicate that EBV‐inoculated rabbits exhibiting heterogenous host reactions are a good model for primary and persistent human EBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 80:455–466, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
West Nile virus and blood product safety in Germany
Authors: Pfleiderer Christa , Blümel Johannes , Schmidt Michael , Roth W. Kurth , Houfar M. Kai , Eckert Jana , Chudy Michael , Menichetti Eva , Lechner Sigrid , Nübling C. Micha
Published: January 2008

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito‐transmitted flavivirus, widely distributed throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East. WNV may cause epidemics of human meningoencephalitis. The unexpected emergence of WNV (New York, 1999) and its rapid spread throughout North America during the following years caused a number of blood transfusion‐ and organ transplant‐associated transmissions of WNV. In order to estimate the potential WNV threat for Central Europe, we analyzed the anti‐WNV prevalence and WNV‐RNA incidence among 14,437 and 9,976 blood donors from Germany. There was a high rate of initially anti‐WNV reactives (5.9%), but only a few cases (0.03%) were confirmed as anti‐WNV positive by neutralization assay. No WNV‐RNA positive blood donor was identified in this study. Whereas WNV‐RNA was frequently detected in manufacturing plasma pools from the US, none was detected in pools of European or Asian origin. Virus inactivation steps integrated into the manufacturing process of plasma derivatives were shown to be sufficient to assure the WNV safety of plasma derivatives. A well‐characterized WNV reference material was prepared, showing 340 WNV‐RNA copies per infectious dose. J. Med. Virol. 80:557–563, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Presence of tropical spastic paraparesis/human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1‐associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM)‐like among HIV‐1‐infected patients
Authors: Casseb Jorge , de Oliveira Augusto César Penalva , Vergara Maria Paulina Posada , Montanheiro Patricia , Bonasser Francisco , Meilman Ferreira Claudio , Smid Jerusa , Duarte Alberto José da Silva
Published: January 2008

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) and human T‐cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV‐1 and ‐2) are retroviruses that share similar routes of transmission and some individuals may have a dual infection. These co‐infected subjects may be at increased risk for tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM)‐like. To study the prevalence of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy (TSP/HAM) among co‐infected HIV‐1/HTLV‐1 subjects. Since July 1997, our group has been following a cohort to study the interaction of HTLV with HIV and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as HTLV‐1‐only infected asymptomatic carriers or those already presenting with TSP/HAM. During these 9 years, 296 HTLV‐1‐infected individuals were identified from a total of 538 patients who were referred to our clinic at the Institute of Infectious Diseases “Emílio Ribas,” in São Paulo, Brazil. All subjects were evaluated by two neurologists, blinded to the HTLV status. TSP/HAM diagnosis was based on Kagoshima diagnostic criteria. Results: A total of 38 HIV‐1/HTLV‐1 co‐infected subjects were identified in this cohort: Twenty‐six had already been diagnosed with AIDS and 12 remained asymptomatic. Six of 38 co‐infected subjects (18%) were diagnosed as having TSP/HAM and also AIDS, and for 5 of them TSP/HAM was their first illness. One additional incident case was diagnosed after 2 years of follow‐up. No modifications on HIV‐1 viral load was seen. In contrast, the co‐infected with TSP/HAM‐like group showed higher HTLV‐1 proviral load (505 ± 380 vs. 97 ± 149 copies/104 PBMC, P = 0.012) than asymptomatic co‐infected subjects, respectively. The incidence of myelopathy among HIV‐1/HTLV‐1 co‐infected subjects is probably higher than among patients infected only with HTLV‐1, and related to a higher HTLV‐1 proviral load. Thus, HTLV‐1/2 screening should be done for all HIV‐1‐infected patients in areas where HTLV‐1 infection is endemic. J. Med. Virol. 80:392–398, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in a canine disc degeneration model
Authors: Hiyama Akihiko , Mochida Joji , Iwashina Toru , Omi Hiroko , Watanabe Takuya , Serigano Kenji , Tamura Futoshi , Sakai Daisuke
Published: January 2008

Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is effective in decelerating disc degeneration in small animals; much remains unknown about this new therapy in larger animals or humans. Fas‐ligand (FasL), which is only found in tissues with isolated immune privilege, is expressed in IVDs, particularly in the nucleus pulposus (NP). Maintaining the FasL level is important for IVD function. This study evaluated whether MSC transplantation has an effect on the suppression of disc degeneration and preservation of immune privilege in a canine model of disc degeneration. Mature beagles were separated into a normal control group (NC), a MSC group, and the disc degeneration (nucleotomy‐only) group. In the MSC group, 4 weeks after nucleotomy, MSCs were transplanted into the degeneration‐induced discs. The animals were followed for 12 weeks after the initial operation. Subsequently, radiological, histological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and RT‐PCR analyses were performed. MSC transplantation effectively led to the regeneration of degenerated discs. FACS and RT‐PCR analyses of MSCs before transplantation demonstrated that the MSCs expressed FasL at the genetic level, not at the protein level. GFP‐positive MSCs detected in the NP region 8 weeks after transplantation expressed FasL protein. The results of this study suggest that MSC transplantation may contribute to the maintenance of IVD immune privilege by the differentiation of transplanted MSCs into cells expressing FasL. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:589–600, 2008
PAN based quasi carbon whiskers reinforced PI polyblends: Microhardness, mechanical, hydraulic, and morphological study
Authors: Kurmvanshi S.K. , Gupta A.K. , Patel P.R. , Bajpai R. , Keller J.M.
Published: January 2008

Polyimide (PI)/Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polyblend films were prepared using solution cast technique by spin coating unit. PAN was incorporated within the PI matrix in different concentration i.e. 10−3, 10−2, 10−1, and 1 wt% to prepare polyblend films. The PI polyblend film incorporated with 10−1 wt% PAN and cured at 330°C produces well defined quasi carbon whiskers within the PI matrix. Evidence of the orientation of these carbon whiskers was indicated by optical microscopy and AFM. The improved microhardness, mechanical performance, and hydraulic resistivity of 10−1 wt% PI/PAN polyblend film was observed and attributed to the orientation of these partially carbonized whiskers within PI matrix. The overall property decreases with increasing the concentration of PAN over 10−1 wt%. The incorporation of ultra low concentration of PAN within the PI provides means of achieving excellent combination of microhardness, mechanical, and hydraulic resistance with improved morphology. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers
Microdomain composition and properties differences of biodegradable polyurethanes based on MDI and HDI
Authors: Fernández d'Arlas Borja , Rueda Lorena , de la Caba Koro , Mondragon Iñaki , Eceiza Arantxa
Published: January 2008

The study of the effect of the diisocyanate structure on the microstructure and macroscopic properties of polyurethanes was the main aim of this work. Biodegradable segmented thermoplastic elastomeric polyurethanes based on a poly(hexamethylene carbonate‐co‐caprolactone)diol (PHM‐co‐PCL) as soft segment were synthesized using 1,4‐butanediol (BD) as chain extender and both 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as components of the hard segment by the two shoot synthesis procedure. Microphase structure and properties were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as complementary techniques, used to characterize thermal transitions of the polyurethanes and to assign them to determinate functional groups interactions. Gaussian deconvolution technique was used to decompose carbonyl region in four peaks and to study the hydrogen bonding within the different polyurethanes. Both DSC and FTIR showed that MDI‐based biodegradable polyurethanes were less phase segregated than to those based on HDI, and thus that diisocyanate structure has an important role on microdomain composition and polyurethanes properties. Macroscopic properties as hardness and water‐polymer contact angles are related to polyurethanes microphase compositions. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Proteomic analysis of the pathophysiological process involved in the antisnake venom effect of Mucuna pruriens extract
Authors: Guerranti Roberto , Ogueli Ifeanyi G. , Bertocci Erica , Muzzi Chiara , Aguiyi John C. , Cianti Riccardo , Armini Alessandro , Bini Luca , Leoncini Roberto , Marinello Enrico , Pagani Roberto
Published: January 2008

Previously, we reported the antisnake venom properties of a Mucuna pruriens seed extract (MPE) and tested its in vivo efficacy against Echis carinatus venom (EV) in short‐ (1 injection) and long‐term (three weekly injections) treatments. The aim of the present study was to investigate plasma proteome changes associated with MPE treatments and identify proteins responsible for survival of envenomated mice (CHALLENGED mice). Six treatment groups were studied. Three control groups: one saline, one short‐term and one long‐term MPE treatment. One group received EV alone. Two test groups received EV with either a short‐term or long‐term MPE treatment (CHALLENGED mice). The plasma from each group was analysed by 2‐DE/MALDI‐TOF MS. The most significant changes with treatment were: albumin, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A and serum amyloid P. Most of these changes were explained by EV effects on coagulation, inflammation and haemolysis. However, MPE treatments prevented the EV‐induced elevation in HPT. Consequently, HPT levels were similar to controls in the plasma of CHALLENGED mice. The plasma of CHALLENGED mice showed substantial proteomic modifications. This suggests the mechanism of MPE protection involves the activation of counterbalancing processes to compensate for the imbalances caused by EV.
Guiding research in family care: a new approach to oncology caregiving
Authors: Sherwood Paula R. , Given Barbara A. , Donovan Heidi , Baum Andrew , Given Charles W. , Bender Catherine M. , Schulz Richard
Published: January 2008

Objective: Much research has documented both negative emotional and physical health conditions that may result from providing care to a family member with an illness. However, little has been done in family caregiving, particularly in oncology, to evaluate pathways in which biological and behavioral responses to stress may interact. The purpose of this article is to describe how a mind‐body (biobehavioral) model can be adapted to study family caregivers of persons with a brain tumor.

Method: A systematic literature review was performed on caregiving literature in the area of dementia and oncology to provide support for proposed relationships in the model.

Results: Prior research supports the application of a biobehavioral model to family caregiving in neuro‐oncology and suggests ways in which emotional reactions to caregiving may be manifested as changes in physical health.

Conclusion: Suggestions for conducting biobehavioral research in oncology caregiving and alternative variables for future research are presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approximating average parameters of graphs
Authors: Goldreich Oded , Ron Dana
Published: January 2008

Inspired by Feige (36th STOC, 2004), we initiate a study of sublinear randomized algorithms for approximating average parameters of a graph. Specifically, we consider the average degree of a graph and the average distance between pairs of vertices in a graph. Since our focus is on sublinear algorithms, these algorithms access the input graph via queries to an adequate oracle.

We consider two types of queries. The first type is standard neighborhood queries (i.e., what is the ith neighbor of vertex v?), whereas the second type are queries regarding the quantities that we need to find the average of (i.e., what is the degree of vertex v? and what is the distance between u and v?, respectively).

Loosely speaking, our results indicate a difference between the two problems: For approximating the average degree, the standard neighbor queries suffice and in fact are preferable to degree queries. In contrast, for approximating average distances, the standard neighbor queries are of little help whereas distance queries are crucial. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2008