bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and Characterization of a Transcription Pause Site in Rotavirus
Authors: Lawton Jeffrey A. , Estes Mary K. , Prasad B. V. Venkataram 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

In rotavirus, transcription of the 11 double-stranded RNA genome segments occurs within the structurally intact subviral particle, and nascent transcripts are released through channels penetrating the two capsid layers at the icosahedral vertices. To gain insight into the early molecular events in transcription, we used high-resolution polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to investigate the length distribution of transcription products at various times following initiation. We observed that, in the subviral particle under normal conditions, transcript initiation and capping are followed by a momentary pause in elongation after the addition of 6 to 7 nucleotides. In the absence of the capping reaction cofactor
S
-adenosylmethionine, conditions under which the rate of nucleotide incorporation is reduced, we observe a significant decrease in the ratio of paused to full-length transcripts. We propose that this pause site may represent the point at which specific molecular events take place to facilitate processive elongation. Furthermore, our results indicate that the presence of specific ligands on the viral surface, such as VP7 in the mature virion, inhibits polymerase function. From the perspective of the viral replication cycle, this inhibition may serve to ensure that transcription occurs with greatest efficiency only after the virus has entered the cytoplasm and assumed the form of a double-layered particle.
Critical Role for Env as well as Gag-Pol in Control of a Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus 89.6P Challenge by a DNA Prime/Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Vaccine
Authors: Amara Rama Rao , Smith James M. , Staprans Silvija I. , Montefiori David C. , Villinger Francois , Altman John D. , O'Neil Shawn P. , Kozyr Natalia L. , Xu Yan , Wyatt Linda S. , Earl Patricia L. , Herndon James G. , McNicholl Janet M. , McClure Harold M. , Moss Bernard , Robinson Harriet L. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

Cellular immune responses against epitopes in conserved Gag and Pol sequences of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 have become popular targets for candidate AIDS vaccines. Recently, we used a simian-human immunodeficiency virus model (SHIV 89.6P) with macaques to demonstrate the control of a pathogenic mucosal challenge by priming with Gag-Pol-Env-expressing DNA and boosting with Gag-Pol-Env-expressing recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (rMVA). Here we tested Gag-Pol DNA priming and Gag-Pol rMVA boosting to evaluate the contribution of anti-Env immune responses to viral control. The Gag-Pol vaccine raised frequencies of Gag-specific T cells similar to those raised by the Gag-Pol-Env vaccine. Following challenge, these rapidly expanded to counter the challenge infection. Despite this, the control of the SHIV 89.6P challenge was delayed and inconsistent in the Gag-Pol-vaccinated group and all of the animals underwent severe and, in most cases, sustained loss of CD4
+
cells. Interestingly, most of the CD4
+
cells that were lost in the Gag-Pol-vaccinated group were uninfected cells. We suggest that the rapid appearance of binding antibody for Env in Gag-Pol-Env-vaccinated animals helped protect uninfected CD4
+
cells from Env-induced apoptosis. Our results highlight the importance of immune responses to Env, as well as to Gag-Pol, in the control of immunodeficiency virus challenges and the protection of CD4
+
cells.
Subtle Alterations of the Native Zinc Finger Structures Have Dramatic Effects on the Nucleic Acid Chaperone Activity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nucleocapsid Protein
Authors: Guo Jianhui , Wu Tiyun , Kane Bradley F. , Johnson Donald G. , Henderson Louis E. , Gorelick Robert J. , Levin Judith G. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT
The nucleocapsid protein (NC) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 has two zinc fingers, each containing the invariant CCHC zinc-binding motif; however, the surrounding amino acid context is not identical in the two fingers. Recently, we demonstrated that zinc coordination is required when NC unfolds complex secondary structures in RNA and DNA minus- and plus-strand transfer intermediates; this property of NC reflects its nucleic acid chaperone activity. Here we have analyzed the chaperone activities of mutants having substitutions of alternative zinc-coordinating residues, i.e., CCHH or CCCC, for the wild-type CCHC motif. We also investigated the activities of mutants that retain the CCHC motifs but have mutations that exchange or duplicate the zinc fingers (mutants 1-1, 2-1, and 2-2); these changes affect amino acid context. Our results indicate that in general, for optimal activity in an assay that measures stimulation of minus-strand transfer and inhibition of nonspecific self-priming, the CCHC motif in the zinc fingers cannot be replaced by CCHH or CCCC and the amino acid context of the fingers must be conserved. Context changes also reduce the ability of NC to facilitate primer removal in plus-strand transfer. In addition, we found that the first finger is a more crucial determinant of nucleic acid chaperone activity than the second finger. Interestingly, comparison of the in vitro results with earlier in vivo replication data raises the possibility that NC may adopt multiple conformations that are responsible for different NC functions during virus replication.
99mTc-HMPAO leucocyte scintigraphy fails to detect Crohn's disease in the proximal gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Davison S M , Chapman S , Murphy M S 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVETo investigate the use of 99mTc-HMPAO (hexamethyl propylene amine oxime) leucocyte scintigraphy as a non-invasive screening test for inflammatory bowel disease.PATIENTS10 children with suspected Crohn's disease, in whom routine investigation using barium contrast radiology, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, and mucosal biopsies had identified severe gastroduodenal and/or jejunal involvement.DESIGN99mTc-HMPAO leucocyte scintigraphic studies performed in each of these cases were assessed by a radiologist who was blinded to the disease distribution.RESULTSIn nine cases there was no scintigraphic evidence of inflammation in the proximal gastrointestinal tract. The 10th child had both gastroduodenal and jejunal involvement, but scintigraphy only revealed faint jejunal positivity.CONCLUSIONS99mTc-HMPAO leucocyte scintigraphy should not be depended upon as a screening test for Crohn's disease. False negative results are likely in cases with Crohn's disease confined to the proximal gastrointestinal tract.
Neutrophil function response to aerobic and anaerobic exercise in female judoka and untrained subjects
Authors: Wolach Baruch , Falk Bareket , Gavrieli Ronit , Kodesh Einat , Eliakim Alon 
Published: July 2002

Objectives—Recent studies have indicated reduced immunity in trained athletes.Aim—To assess the effects of aerobic and anaerobic exercise on the phagocytic process in 18–26 year old trained female judoka (n = 8) and untrained controls (n = 7).Methods—Each subject participated randomly in two different testing sessions (aerobic, 20 minutes of treadmill running at 70–80% of maximal heart rate; anaerobic, Wingate anaerobic test). Venous blood samples were drawn before, immediately after, and 24 hours after each session.Results—There were no significant differences in basal values of net chemotaxis (chemotaxis − random migration), bactericidal activity, and superoxide anion release between the judoka and the untrained women. There was a significant decrease in net chemotaxis 24 hours after the aerobic exercise in both the judoka (from 64 (19) to 39 (13) cells/field, p<0.02) and the untrained controls (from 60 (7) to 47 (12) cells/field, p<0.05). Bactericidal activity and superoxide anion release did not change significantly after aerobic exercise in either group. There were no significant changes in net chemotaxis, bactericidal activity, and superoxide anion release after anaerobic exercise in either the judoka or untrained women.Conclusions—The decrease in net chemotaxis after aerobic, but not after anaerobic, exercise, suggests that net chemotaxis is affected by the combination of exercise intensity and duration, and not by the exercise intensity itself. Similar effects of both exercise sessions in the judoka and the untrained women suggest that training had no effect on neutrophil function response to aerobic and anaerobic exercises.
Acute injury incidence in professional county club cricket players (1985–1995): Figure 1
Authors: Leary Tim , White John A 
Published: July 2002

Background—There is a dearth of evidenced based research into sports injury in professional cricket.Aim—To investigate the incidence, nature, and site of acute injuries sustained by professional cricketers at one English county club over the period 1985–1995.Methods—Injuries in a sample of 54 cricketers who had played in the first team for the same county cricket club in any or all seasons between 1985 and 1995 were investigated. Injury was defined as the onset of pain or a disability resulting from either training for or playing cricket, which caused the player to seek medical attention.Results—An acute injury rate of 57.4 injuries per 1000 days of cricket played was found, with most injuries sustained during April, the month in which the least number of days were played. The lower limb was the region most vulnerable to injury, accounting for 44.9% of all injuries, followed by the upper limb (29.4%), the trunk (20.0%), and the head and neck (5.7%). No significant difference in injury incidence among player positions was found.Conclusion—There is a need for a system of epidemiological data collection and development of a national cricket injury database to help predict, reduce, and prevent injury at all levels of the game.
A survey of the causes of sudden death in sport in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Quigley Fionnuala 
Published: July 2002

Background—Sudden death in sport is rare, but when it occurs the effects are devastating. There have not been any reports to date describing the frequency and causes of sudden death in sport in the Republic of Ireland.Aim—To describe the incidence, possible causes, associated factors, and pathological findings in people who died while exercising in the Republic of Ireland in the 10 year period from January 1987 to December 1996.Methods—All 49 regional coroners in the Republic of Ireland were approached and details on all cases of sudden death in sport from 1 January 1987 to 31 December 1996 were requested. A questionnaire was used to document age, sex, participating sport, previous symptoms, previous medical investigations, circumstances of death, and main pathological finding in all reported cases.Results—Of the 49 coroners surveyed, 45 replied. A total of 51 cases of sudden death in sport were identified. The median age was 48 (range 15–78). Fifty of the deaths were of men. Golf was the most popular participating sport. In 42 cases, the pathological cause of death was atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.Conclusions—This is the first time the incidence of sudden death in sport in the Republic of Ireland has been described. The main cause of death in all age groups was atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
Factor XIIa and triacylglycerol rich lipoproteins: responses to exercise intervention
Authors: Woolf-May K , Jones W , Kearney E M , Davison R C R , Bird S 
Published: July 2002

Objectives—(a) To determine if factor XIIa (FXIIa) would be sensitive to change from exercise intervention in a group of previously sedentary/low active middle aged men and women; (b) to investigate further the previously reported relation between FXIIa and triacylglycerol (TAG) rich lipoproteins.Methods—Thirty seven men (mean (SD) age 57 (7) years) and 60 women (mean age 54 (7) years) completed the study. Before the intervention, these subjects were randomly allocated to a group of walkers (n = 81) or controls (n = 16). Before and after an 18 week walking intervention, fasted blood samples were collected and analysed for FXIIa, TAG, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and apolipoprotein (apo) B.Results—Kruskal-Wallis analysis of data obtained before the intervention showed no significant differences (p>0.4) between the walking and control groups for age, height, body mass, gender, FXIIa, TAG, TC, HDL-C, or apo B, although the women did show significantly lower levels of TAG (p<0.04) and higher HDL-C (p<0.0001) than the men. General linear model analysis of data obtained after the intervention, using the baseline value as a covariate, showed significant reductions (p<0.0001) in FXIIa for the walkers compared with the controls. Pearson product-moment correlations also showed significant relations between the concentrations of FXIIa and TAG, TC, LDL-C, and apo B.Conclusions—The findings of this study suggest that FXIIa is sensitive to change from exercise intervention and support previous research showing an association between the concentrations of FXIIa and TAG rich lipoproteins.
Influence of rugby injuries on players' subsequent health and lifestyle: beginning a long term follow up
Authors: Lee A J , Garraway W M , Hepburn W , Laidlaw R 
Published: July 2002

Objectives—To describe the current rugby playing status of a cohort of 1169 men who had previously participated in an epidemiological survey of rugby injuries during the 1993–1994 season, and assess the consequences of rugby injuries sustained.Methods—In May 1998, 911 (78%) men completed a questionnaire reporting their current involvement in rugby and the influence that the 324 (71%) injuries they had sustained four years earlier had since had on their health and wellbeing.Results—The most common reasons given by the 390 (43%) ex-players for ceasing to play rugby were family (10%), employment (25%), and an injury sustained while playing rugby (26%), 80% of which were dislocations, strains, and sprains, mainly to the knee (35%), back (14%), and shoulder (9%). A significantly (χ2test 21.7, df = 1, p<0.001) higher proportion of current players (90%) undertook (non-rugby) sporting activities compared with ex-players (78%). Few ex-players undertook coaching (12%) and refereeing (2%). Only 22 (9%) men reported significant negative effects to employment, family life, and health up to mid-1998 from injuries that occurred during the 1993–1994 season, although the impact on their lifestyle had been substantial in some cases.Conclusions—With the recent increase in the incidence of dislocation, strain, and sprain injuries in rugby football, the findings of this follow up could have a great impact on the game in the future. Although this survey has shown that, so far, only a small proportion of players suffer significant effects of rugby injuries, four years is not long enough to assess the long term effects. This cohort of rugby players need to be followed up for at least a further 20 years to determine whether there is a higher incidence of subsequent degenerative joint disease or other long term sequelae to injuries sustained while playing rugby.
A profile of patients attending sports medicine clinics
Authors: Finch C F , Kenihan M A R 
Published: July 2002

Objectives—To describe the sociodemographic profile of sports injury patients who attend sports medicine clinics for treatment and to describe their reasons for choosing to attend such clinics.Method—Data were collected as part of a fully audited injury surveillance system implemented within sports medicine clinics. The study was conducted within five allied multidisciplinary sports medicine clinics in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. All patients initially presenting for treatment of a new sports or active recreation injury over the period August 1997 to August 1998 were eligible for this study, irrespective of the practitioner providing the treatment. Data were obtained on 6476 patients.Results—The median age of the patients was 25.4 years (range 6.8–81.6) and most were male (69.8% of cases; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 68.7 to 70.9). Patients had both professional and non-professional backgrounds and were not just local suburb residents. Many patients had insurance cover for their injury treatment: 59.0% (95% CI 58.6 to 59.4) had some private health insurance and 46.6% (95% CI 45.4 to 47.8) had club/association insurance. The most common reasons for attending a clinic was its location (36.8%; 95% CI 36.5 to 37.1) and referral/recommendation (31.0%; 95% CI 30.7 to 31.3).Conclusion—Sports medicine clinics provide treatment for a broad spectrum of injured sports participants across a variety of sporting/recreation contexts. Although these clinics mainly serve the immediate geographic community, the sports speciality and expertise of a particular clinic can attract patients from further afield. This information can help sports medicine clinics to market their services more efficiently to meet the needs of their potential patients.
Apolipoprotein H, a new mediator in the inflammatory changes ensuing in jeopardised human myocardium
Authors: Niessen H W M , Lagrand W K , Rensink H J A M , Meijer Ch J L M , Aarden L , Hack C E 
Published: July 2002

Aim—To investigate the presence of membrane “flip flop” in ischaemic human myocardium, we assessed depositions of apolipoprotein H (apoH; β2-glycoprotein 1) in ischaemic myocardium. Serum protein apoH can bind to negatively charged phospholipids and can also inhibit blood coagulation in vitro. We hypothesised that, because of its affinity for phosphatidyl serine, apoH might bind to “flip flopped” cells and would therefore be useful as a marker for membrane flip flop in vivo.Methods—Myocardial tissue specimens were obtained from patients who had died within 14 days of acute myocardial infarction.Results—Immunohistochemical analysis of these specimens revealed that apoH was selectively deposited in infarcted areas of human myocardium of at least one day's duration. Depositions of apoH were not found in non-ischaemic myocardial tissue samples obtained from patients who died from other (extracardial) causes. In vitro experiments with the human leukaemia T cell line Jurkat, subjected to apoptosis by etoposide, showed that apoH was bound to the membrane of apoptotic cells. However, these experiments also indicated that flip flop itself is not sufficient for apoH binding. In addition, Jurkat cells that bound apoH were positive for activated complement complexes, as was also found in the human heart.Conclusions—These results suggest that apoH is involved in the inflammatory processes that occur in ischaemic myocardium.
Phenotypic change of muscularis mucosae in early invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ban S , Kamada K , Mitsuki N , Goto Y , Shimizu Y , Takahama M , Shibata T 
Published: July 2002

Background—Invasive colorectal adenocarcinomas have bundles of eosinophilic spindle cells, which are regarded as myofibroblasts, in their desmoplastic stroma, some of which are continuous with the muscularis mucosa.Aim—To investigate the relation between the eosinophilic spindle cells and the muscularis mucosa based on their cytoskeletal phenotypes in early invasive colorectal adenocarcinoma.Methods—Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissues of 17 early invasive colorectal adenocarcinomas were immunostained for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), desmin, and vimentin.Results—The phenotype of the muscularis mucosa was α-SMA positive, desmin positive, and vimentin weakly positive, whereas the eosinophilic spindle cells showed a decreased degree of immunoreactivity for α-SMA and desmin in particular, and an increased degree of immunoreactivity for vimentin. The degree of phenotypic difference between the muscularis mucosa and the eosinophilic spindle cells was greater in the eosinophilic spindle cells in the centre of the invasive area that were not continuous with the muscularis mucosa than in the eosinophilic spindle cells continuous with the muscularis mucosa.Conclusions—These findings suggest that the smooth muscle cells of the muscularis mucosa change their phenotype to become eosinophilic spindle cells, namely myofibroblasts, in the early invasive area of colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Nested case-control study of lung cancer in four Chinese tin mines
Authors: Chen W , Chen J 
Published: July 2002

Objectives: To evaluate the relation between occupational dust exposure and lung cancer in tin mines. This is an update of a previous study of miners with high exposure to dust at four tin mines in southern China.Methods: A nested case-control study of 130 male lung cancer cases and 627 controls was initiated from a cohort study of 7855 subjects employed at least 1 year between 1972 and 1974 in four tin mines in China. Three of the tin mines were in Dachang and one was in Limu. Cumulative total exposure to dust and cumulative exposure to arsenic were calculated for each person based on industrial hygiene records. Measurements of arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and radon in the work sites were also evaluated. Odds ratios (ORs), standard statistic analysis and logistic regression were used for analyses.Results: Increased risk of lung cancer was related to cumulative exposure to dust, duration of exposure, cumulative exposure to arsenic, and tobacco smoking. The risk ratios for low, medium, and high cumulative exposure to dust were 2.1 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1 to 3.8), 1.7 (95% CI 0.9 to 3.1), and 2.8 (95% CI 1.6 to 5.0) respectively after adjustment for smoking. The risk for lung cancer among workers with short, medium, and long exposure to dust were 1.9 (95% CI 1.0 to 3.5), 2.3 (95% CI 1.3 to 4.1), and 2.3 (95% CI 1.2 to 4.2) respectively after adjusting for smoking. Several sets of risk factors for lung cancer were compared, and the best predictive model included tobacco smoking (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4) and cumulative exposure to arsenic (ORs for different groups from low to high exposure were 2.1 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.9); 2.1 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.9); 1.8 (95% CI 1.0 to 3.6); and 3.6 (95% CI 1.8 5 to 7.3)). No excess of lung cancer was found among silicotic subjects in the Limu tin mine although there was a high prevelance of silicosis. Exposures to radon were low in the four tin mines and no carcinogenic PAHs were detected.Conclusions: These findings provide little support for the hypothesis that respirable crystalline silica induces lung cancer. Ore dust in work sites acts as a carrier, the exposure to arsenic and tobacco smoking play a more important part in carcinogenesis of lung cancer in tin miners. Silicosis seems not to be related to the increased risk of lung cancer.