bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression of DC-SIGN by Dendritic Cells of Intestinal and Genital Mucosae in Humans and Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Jameson Brian , Baribaud Frédéric , Pöhlmann Stefan , Ghavimi Darlene , Mortari Frank , Doms Robert W. , Iwasaki Akiko 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT

To better understand the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission at mucosal surfaces, we examined the expressions of the HIV adhesion molecule, dendritic-cell-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN), its closely related homologue DC-SIGNR, and HIV coreceptors by distinct DC populations in the intestinal and genital tracts of humans and rhesus macaques. We also developed monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for DC-SIGN or DC-SIGNR. In the Peyer's patches, DC-SIGN expression was detected in the interfollicular regions and in clusters of cells in the subepithelial dome regions. DC-SIGN expression was not found on plasmacytoid DCs. DC-SIGNR expression was restricted to endothelial cells in approximately one-third of the capillaries in the terminal ileum. In the vaginal epithelium, Langerhans' cells did not express DC-SIGN, whereas subepithelial DCs in the lamina propria expressed moderate levels of DC-SIGN. Finally, the rectum contained cells that expressed high levels of DC-SIGN throughout the entire thickness of the mucosa, while solitary lymphoid nodules within the rectum showed very little staining for DC-SIGN. Triple-color analysis of rectal tissue indicated that CCR5
+
CD4
+
DC-SIGN
+
DCs were localized just beneath the luminal epithelium. These findings suggest that DC-SIGN
+
DCs could play a role in the transmission of primate lentiviruses in the ileum and the rectum whereas accessibility to DC-SIGN
+
cells is limited in an intact vaginal mucosa. Finally, we identified a MAb that blocked simian immunodeficiency virus interactions with rhesus macaque DC-SIGN. This and other specific MAbs may be used to assess the relevance of DC-SIGN in virus transmission in vivo.
Novel Strategy for Inhibiting Viral Entry by Use of a Cellular Receptor-Plant Virus Chimera
Authors: Khor Ing Wei , Lin Tianwei , Langedijk Johannes P. M. , Johnson John E. , Manchester Marianne 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACT
The plant virus cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) has recently been developed as a biomolecular platform to display heterologous peptide sequences. Such CPMV-peptide chimeras can be easily and inexpensively produced in large quantities from experimentally infected plants. This study utilized the CPMV chimera platform to create an antiviral against measles virus (MV) by displaying a peptide known to inhibit MV infection. This peptide sequence corresponds to a portion of the MV binding site on the human MV receptor CD46. The CPMV-CD46 chimera efficiently inhibited MV infection of HeLa cells in vitro, while wild-type CPMV did not. Furthermore, CPMV-CD46 protected mice from mortality induced by an intracranial challenge with MV. Our results indicate that the inhibitory CD46 peptide expressed on the surface of CPMV retains virus-binding activity and is capable of inhibiting viral entry both in vitro and in vivo. The CD46 peptide presented in the context of CPMV is also up to 100-fold more effective than the soluble CD46 peptide at inhibiting MV infection in vitro. To our knowledge, this study represents the first utilization of a plant virus chimera as an antiviral agent.
New Procedure for Linear Sweep Voltammetric Determination of Catalytic Reaction Rate Constant. Oxidation of Some Aliphatic Alcohols with Electrolytically Generated Os(VIII)
Authors: Bustin Dušan , Mesároš Štefan , Tomčík Peter , Rievaj Miroslav 
Published: July 2002

Oxidation rate of methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol by Os(VIII) in 1 M KOH was determined by evaluating anodic voltammograms of Os(VI) in the presence of the aliphatic alcohols. The proposed method is based on the evaluation of the change of voltammogram shape by catalytic process and on the assumption of its approximation by fractionally integrated voltammograms. This assumption has been confirmed empirically for k'f /a in the interval of <0.04,1>. The rate constants from this interval could be determined with sufficient accuracy. The method is suitable for evaluation of reaction rates slow and moderately fast catalytic reactions. It was compared with other evaluation methods from the literature.
Benefits and risks of using local anaesthetic for pain relief to allow early return to play in professional football
Authors: Orchard J W 
Published: July 2002

Objective:To investigate the risks and benefits of the use of local anaesthetic in a descriptive case series from three professional football (rugby league and Australian football) teams.Methods:Cases of local anaesthetic use (both injection and topical routes) and complications over a six year period were recorded. Complications were assessed using clinical presentation and also by recording all cases of surgery, incidences of players missing games or leaving the field through injury, and causes of player retirement.Results:There were 268 injuries for which local anaesthetic was used to allow early return to play. There were 11 minor and six major complications, although none of these were catastrophic or career ending. About 10% of players taking the field did so with the assistance of local anaesthetic. This rate should be considered in isolation and not seen to reflect standard practice by team doctors.Conclusions:The use of local anaesthetic in professional football may reduce the rates of players missing matches through injury, but there is the risk of worsening the injury, which should be fully explained to players. A procedure should only be used when both the doctor and player consider that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Medical research in clinical emergency settings in Europe
Authors: Lötjönen S 
Published: July 2002

Clinical emergencies necessitate immediate action to avert the danger to the patient's life or health. Emergency patients might be in greatest need of novel therapies, and even presumed willing to assume some risk, but research into emergency conditions should be conducted under commonly accepted principles that fulfil the scientific, ethical, and legal criteria. Such criteria already exist in the US, but are still under development in Europe.This article introduces criteria upon which trials in emergency settings may be ethically and legally justified in Europe. Based on both legal texts and professional guidelines, the author has established seven conditions for emergency research, of which informed consent and its substitutes, as well as the conditions of direct benefit requirement and necessity, are considered most problematic and therefore analysed more closely. Other conditions include absence of alternative methods, scientific validity, and approval by an ethics committee.
Public reaction to the portrayal of the tobacco industry in the filmThe Insider
Authors: Dixon Helen G , Hill David J , Borland Ron , Paxton Susan J 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVESTo assess public perceptions of the tobacco industry and behavioural intentions for tobacco use in response to watching the filmThe Insider.DESIGNSelf administered pre-film survey conducted immediately before viewing and post-film telephone survey conducted within 1–5 weeks of viewing.SETTINGTwo commercial cinemas in Melbourne, Australia.SUBJECTS323 cinema patrons were recruited before screening of target films. 182 watchedThe Insider, 141 watchedErin Brockovich.INTERVENTIONSSubjects watched one of two films:The Insiderwhich featured information about unethical conduct by the tobacco industry and negative information about the health effects of smoking, or the “control” filmErin Brockovichwhich had an analogous plot without anti-tobacco content.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESPre-film questionnaire: assessed movie viewing habits, demographic characteristics, smoking status, attitudes towards the tobacco industry, intentions for smoking. Post-film questionnaire: assessed same attitudes and intentions plus questions on the film viewed and perceptions of smoking prevalence.RESULTS266 (82%) subjects completed the post-film survey. Attitudes toward the tobacco industry were unfavourable at baseline. Those who sawThe Insiderheld more negative views of business conduct by the tobacco industry than those who sawErin Brockovich, once pre-existing attitudes to the industry were controlled for.The Insideralso appears to have promoted a short term reduction in intentions to smoke.CONCLUSIONSResults of this study suggest that if people were recurrently exposed to anti-tobacco content in movies there is potential for a more substantial and lasting impact on attitudes toward the tobacco industry and smoking.
Role of slotting fees and trade promotions in shaping how tobacco is marketed in retail stores
Authors: Bloom Paul N 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVETo examine how the retail environment in which tobacco is sold has changed because of the slotting fees and trade promotions paid by the tobacco companies. Public policy options for dealing with this environment are also evaluated.DATA SOURCESA literature review, telephone interviews, and observation.RESULTSThe tobacco companies have been dramatically increasing the volume of slotting fees and trade promotions they pay to retailers, creating a more tobacco friendly retail environment containing self service displays and ample point-of-sale advertising. Critics express concern that these payments have kept prices lower and more varied than they might be otherwise, created more opportunities for pilferage and underage selling, and provided more youth exposure to tobacco promotions. Public policy makers could either ban these payments, institute policies designed to mitigate their harmful effects, or leave the situation as it is, relying on enforcement of existing statutes as well as market forces to reduce harm. Actions that might mitigate harmful effects would include putting minimum retail prices on tobacco products, banning self service displays, requiring retailers to be licensed, and adding more warning signs at the point of sale.CONCLUSIONAdditional research is needed before determining the most appropriate public policy stance.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EMS IN CONSTRUCTION FIRMS: CASE STUDY IN HONG KONG
Authors: TSE RAYMOND Y. C. 
Published: July 2002

It has been increasingly recognised that construction activity imposes external costs to the environment. This paper aims to review the benefits and major problems in the implementation of ISO 14000 EMS in the Hong Kong construction industry. This study surveyed major construction firms in Hong Kong to uncover the hindrance factors contributing to the low adoption of ISO 14000. Based on the findings, this paper identifies and ranks the perceived order which hinders the construction firms' adoption of ISO 14000. The case study in Hong Kong serves as a reference point for understanding the problems in the implementation of ISO 14000 in other countries. Specifically, this study found that the four major obstacles to ISO 14000 implementation are: lack of government pressure; lack of client requirement/supports; expensive implementation cost; and sub-contracting systems, which create difficulties in managing the EMS. Since the government is a very dominant client, the extent to which the Government wishes to restrict its choice of tenderer to those firms that have an environmental management system in place, will demonstrate its commitment to environmentally responsible operations. The public sector clients play a critical role in driving the construction industry to improve its operations through contractual requirements. Education of the end-users is also important to create market demand for environmentally friendly construction. To an extent, professional institutions and other industry bodies can help to instill a greater sense of accountability among industry participants by stipulating acceptable standards of behaviour and establishing a supportive regulatory framework.
Social Class Identification and Class Interest in Taiwan
Authors: Marsh Robert 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAre social classes perceived as a meaningful source of identity in Taiwan? I explore this issue with data from a 1992 survey (N = 2,377) of the population of Taiwan. Respondents were asked, "If people in our society are divided into upper, upper middle, middle, lower middle, working and lower classes, which class do you think you belong to?" Ninety-eight per cent placed themselves in one or the other of these six classes. The modal responses were "middle class" (41%) and "working class" (29%). Two tests are made of whether these responses are meaningful and consequential. First, I show that subjective class identification is rooted in respondent's position in the objective stratification system, i.e., the higher one's education, occupation, power and income, the higher the social class with which one identifies. The second test is the extent to which, controlling for one's objective position in the stratification system, subjective class identification has significant net effects on attitudes toward class issues (e.g, whether big enterprises have too much economic and political power). Class interest theory predicts that Taiwanese who identify with the "middle" or higher classes have a more conservative ideology concerning class conflict, while those who think of themselves as "working class" or lower are more likely to believe there is class conflict, to favor collective action by employees against their employer, and to think big enterprises have too much power. Multiple regression analysis provides at best weak support for class interest theory. Subjective class identification has a significant net effect on attitudes toward only two of eight class issues. While the Taiwan respondents are not generally conservative on these class issues, class identification appears to have little to do with whether one is conservative or nonconservative. A serendipitous finding concerns education, which more than any other variable had significant net effects on attitudes toward class issues. It is Taiwan's most educated who are the least conservative on class issues. This finding has parallels with what some observers of Europe and the United States have called the New Class. The paper concludes with a discussion of the reasons why class identification is only weakly consequential for class-relevant beliefs in Taiwan.
Truncated thioredoxin (Trx80) induces production of interleukin-12 and enhances CD14 expression in human monocytes
Authors: Pekkari Klas , Avila-Cariño Javier , Bengtsson Åsa , Gurunath Ramanathan , Scheynius Annika , Holmgren Arne 
Published: July 2002

AbstractHuman thioredoxin (Trx) is the major 12-kd cellular disulfide-reductase that on secretion acts as a cocytokine with several interleukins. Truncated Trx with the 80 N-terminal residues (Trx80), also present in plasma, was by itself a mitogenic cytokine for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This study investigated which cells in PBMC are targets of recombinant Trx80. Purified human CD14+ monocytes, but not B or T cells, in a synthetic medium were activated to differentiation by Trx80 as measured by flow cytometry of surface antigens because exposure to 100 nM Trx80 increased expression of CD14, CD40, CD54, and CD86. Proliferation of the monocytes was increased in a dose-dependent manner by Trx80 in concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 1 μM. Trx or interleukin (IL) 2 did not induce proliferation or expression of surface antigens on monocytes. Trx80 alone induced secretion of IL-12 from CD40+ monocytes in the PBMC cultures and this effect was enhanced by IL-2. Trx80 and IL-2 together were strongly synergistic to induce secretion of interferon-γ in PBMC cultures. The results showed that Trx80 is a potent cytokine for normal human monocytes and directs the immune system in favor of a Th1 response via IL-12 production.
Prognostic significance of minimal residual disease detection and PML/RAR-α isoform type: long-term follow-up in acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Jurcic Joseph G. , Nimer Stephen D. , Scheinberg David A. , DeBlasio Tony , Warrell Raymond P. , Miller Wilson H. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
The t(15;17) translocation in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) yields a PML/RAR-α fusion messenger RNA species that can be detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. Breakpoints within intron 3 of PML produce a short PML/RAR-α isoform, whereas breakpoints within intron 6 result in a longer form. Using RT-PCR, serial evaluations were performed on the bone marrow of 82 patients with APL (median follow-up, > 63 months) who received retinoic acid (RA) induction followed by postremission treatment with chemotherapy, RA, and biologic agents. Sixty-four patients attained a clinical complete remission and had at least 2 RT-PCR assays performed after completing therapy. Forty of 47 patients (85%) with newly diagnosed APL who were induced using RA had residual disease detectable by RT-PCR before additional therapy. After 3 cycles of consolidation therapy, residual disease was found in only 4 of 40 evaluable patients (10%). Among newly diagnosed patients who had 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays, only 3 of 41 (7%) had a relapse, whereas all 4 patients (100%) who had 2 or more positive results had a relapse. Among 63 newly diagnosed patients, those who expressed the short isoform appeared to have shorter disease-free and overall survival durations than patients who expressed the long isoform. These data indicate that 2 or more negative RT-PCR assays on bone marrow, performed at least 1 month apart after completing therapy, are strongly associated with long-term remissions. Conversely, a confirmed positive test is highly predictive of relapse.
HLA-G protein up-regulation in primary cutaneous lymphomas is associated with interleukin-10 expression in large cell T-cell lymphomas and indolent B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Urosevic Mirjana , Willers Joerg , Mueller Beatrix , Kempf Werner , Burg Guenter , Dummer Reinhard 
Published: July 2002

AbstractPrimary cutaneous lymphomas (CLs) constitute a spectrum of diseases characterized by a clonal accumulation of lymphocytes in the skin. Most CLs display a Th2 cytokine profile, including expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10). Because the up-regulation of HLA-G, a nonclassical class Ib molecule inducible by IL-10, might account for the immunescape of the malignant clone, HLA-G and IL-10 expression has been investigated in 45 cases of primary CL (10 of B-cell and 35 of T-cell origin) with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. HLA-G message was present in all cutaneous B-cell (CBCL) and T-cell (CTCL) lymphomas evaluated. Immunohistochemistry revealed HLA-G protein expression in 23 (51%) of 45 cases (7 of 10 CBCL, 16 of 35 CTCL). While in CBCL mostly indolent types displayed HLA-G positivity, in CTCL HLA-G expression was associated with high-grade histology and advanced stage of the disease. Except for neoplastic and infiltrating lymphocytes, other cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells showed HLA-G immunoreactivity. Furthermore, IL-10 protein expression was demonstrated in 16 (73%) of 22 HLA-G+ cases, which correlated with HLA-G protein presence (P &lt; .001). HLA-G up-regulation together with IL-10 expression in CL might additionally contribute to the evasion of immunosurveillance and facilitate the transition from low- to high-grade lymphomas.
Prediction of long-term functional outcome after stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Pettersen Renate , Dahl Trond , Wyller Torgeir Bruun 
Published: July 2002

Objective: To ”nd patient characteristics in the early post stroke phase that could predict three years functional outcome. Design: Prospective study. Setting: In-hospital rehabilitation department (admission and discharge). Outpatient department one and three years post stroke. Subjects: One hundred and forty-two stroke patients (56% women), median age 75 years. Main outcome measures: Barthel Index (BI) score; BI score change; accommodation status; Rankin scale score; and Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) score, all registered three years post stroke. Results: The percentages of patients still living at home after one and three years were 88% and 83%, respectively. Twenty per cent of the patients had deteriorated according to the BI after three years, mostly due to recurrent strokes (odds ratio (OR) 10.3; 95% con”dence interval (CI) 3.0–35.5) and co-morbidity with other disabling disorders (OR 3.9; CI 1.1–13.5). Co-morbidity also emerged as an important risk factor for dependency according to BI score (OR 8.8; CI 2.4–32.1) as well as for a poor FAI score (OR 4.9; CI 1.9–13.0). BI in the early phase was the strongest predictor for long-term functional outcome. Urinary incontinence emerged as a risk factor for nursing home placement after three years (OR 3.2; CI 0.9–11.3). Cognitive dysfunction was a risk factor for poor FAI scoring (OR 2.7; CI 1.0–7.0). Conclusions: After stroke rehabilitation, concomitant chronic disabling disorders and recurrent strokes seem to play an important role regarding dependency, handicap and long-term functional decline.
A Randomized Clinical Trial of Analgesia in Children with Acute Abdominal Pain
Authors: Kim Michael K. , Strait Richard T. , Sato Thomas T. , Hennes Halim M. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract. Objective: To evaluate the effects of intravenous morphine on pain reduction, physical examination, and diagnostic accuracy in children with acute abdominal pain. Methods:A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was conducted at an emergency department of a tertiary care children's hospital. Children aged 5‐18 years with abdominal pain of ≤5 days duration, pain score ≥5 on a 0‐10 visual analog scale, and need for surgical evaluation were eligible. Following the initial assessment, patients were randomized to receive either 0.1 mg/kg morphine or an equal volume of saline. The pediatric emergency medicine physician and surgical consultant independently recorded the areas of tenderness to palpation and percussion, and their diagnoses before the study medication and 15 to 30 minutes later. Results: Sixty patients were enrolled, and 29 received morphine and 31 received saline. The demographic characteristics between the two groups were similar. The median reduction of pain score between the two study groups was 2 (95% CI = 1 to 4; p = 0.002). There was no significant change in the areas of tenderness in both study groups. Children with surgical conditions had persistent tenderness to palpation and/or percussion. There was no significant change in the diagnostic accuracy between the study groups and between the physician groups. All patients requiring laparotomy were identified and no significant complication was noted in the morphine group. Conclusions: Intravenous morphine provides significant pain reduction to children with acute abdominal pain without adversely affecting the examination, and morphine does not affect the ability to identify children with surgical conditions.