bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deficiencies in the Acute-Phase Cell-Mediated Immune Response to Viral Antigens Are Associated with Development of Chronic Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Infection following Neonatal Inoculation
Authors: Menne Stephan , Roneker Carol A. , Roggendorf Michael , Gerin John L. , Cote Paul J. , Tennant Bud C. 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTIn vitro proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was used to measure virus-specific cell-mediated immunity (vCMI) following neonatal woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection. Fifteen neonates were inoculated with the W8 strain of WHV. In 11, infection was resolved, and 4 became chronic carriers. Nineteen neonates were inoculated with the W7 strain and all became chronic carriers. Seven age-matched uninfected woodchucks served as controls. Virologic and vCMI profiles among the W8 and W7 infections were compared and related to the outcome of infection. Resolving woodchucks had robust, acute-phase vCMI to WHV antigens (core, surface, and x) and to several nonoverlapping core peptides. The acute-phase vCMI was associated temporally with the clearance of viral DNA and of surface antigen from serum at 14 to 22 weeks postinfection. In contrast, in approximately half of the W8 and W7 infections that progressed to chronicity, no significant acute-phase vCMI was detected. In the remaining carriers, acute-phase vCMI was observed, but it was less frequent and incomplete compared to that of resolved woodchucks. Serum viral load developed less rapidly in those carriers that had evidence of acute-phase vCMI, but it was still increased compared to that of resolving woodchucks. Thus, vigorous and multispecific acute-phase vCMI was associated with resolution of neonatal WHV infection. Absent or incomplete acute-phase vCMI was associated with the progression to chronic infection. By analogy, these results suggest that the onset of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in humans may be associated with deficiencies in the primary T-cell response to acute HBV infection.
Solution Structure of the Viral Receptor Domain of Tva and Its Implications in Viral Entry
Authors: Wang Qing-Yin , Huang Wen , Dolmer Klavs , Gettins Peter G. W. , Rong Lijun 
Published: July 2002

ABSTRACTTva is the cellular receptor for subgroup A avian sarcoma and leukosis virus (ASLV-A). The viral receptor function of Tva is determined by a 40-residue, cysteine-rich motif called the LDL-A module. Here we report the solution structure of the LDL-A module of Tva, determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Although the carboxyl terminus of the Tva LDL-A module has a structure similar to those of other reported LDL-A modules, the amino terminus adopts a different conformation. The LDL-A module of Tva does not contain the signature antiparallel β-sheet observed in other LDL-A modules, and it is more flexible than other reported LDL-A modules. The LDL-A structure of Tva provides mechanistic insights into how a simple viral receptor functions in retrovirus entry. The side chains of H38 and W48 of Tva, which have been identified as viral contact residues by mutational analysis, are solvent exposed, suggesting that they are directly involved in EnvA binding. However, the side chain of L34, another potential viral contact residue identified previously, is buried inside of the module and forms the hydrophobic core with other residues. Thus L34 likely stabilizes the Tva structure but is not a viral interaction determinant. In addition, we propose that the flexible amino-terminal region of Tva plays an important role in determining specificity in the Tva-EnvA interaction.
Factors associated with hip joint rotation in former elite athletes
Authors: Kettunen Jyrki A , Kujala Urho M , Räty Heli , Videman Tapio , Sarna Seppo , Impivaara Olli , Koskinen Seppo 
Published: July 2002

Objectives—To study factors associated with passive hip rotation range of motion (ROM) in former elite male athletes.Methods—Athletes were interviewed about hip pain, disability, lifetime occupational loading, and athletic training. The passive hip rotation was measured with a Myrin inclinometer in 117 former elite male long distance runners, soccer players, weight lifters, and shooters aged 45–68 years. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect hip osteoarthritis.Results—There were no differences in passive hip rotation ROM between the four athlete groups nor between diverging lifetime loading patterns associated with occupational or athletic activities. Among the subjects without hip osteoarthritis, hip pain, and hip disability according to a stepwise linear regression analysis, the only factor that was associated with the passive hip rotation ROM was body mass index (BMI), explaining about 21% of its variation. Subjects with high BMI had lower passive hip rotation ROM than those with low BMI. There was no right-left difference in the mean passive hip rotation ROM in subjects either with or without hip osteoarthritis as determined by magnetic resonance imaging. Nevertheless, hip rotation ROM was clearly reduced in a few hips with severe caput deformity.Conclusions—Long term loading appears to have no association with passive hip rotation ROM. On the other hand, the hip rotation value was lower in subjects with high BMI than in those with low BMI. A clear right-left difference in hip rotation was found only in those subjects who, according to our magnetic resonance imaging criteria, had severe hip osteoarthritis. These findings should be taken into account when hip rotation ROM is used in the clinical assessment of hip joints.
Correlation of bone scintigraphy and histological findings in medial tibial syndrome
Authors: Bhatt R , Lauder I , Finlay D B , Allen M J , Belton I P 
Published: July 2002

Objective—To correlate bone scintigraphy and histopathological findings in patients with medial tibial syndrome.Methods—Twenty patients (32 limbs) with a clinical diagnosis of medial tibial syndrome had surgery. Bone scintigraphy before the operation was compared with the histological appearance of bone and periosteal specimens obtained at surgery.Results—Delayed bone scintigraphy showed normal appearance in 11 limbs, characteristic diffuse tubular pattern uptake in 16 limbs, and focal uptake in five. Periosteal histology disclosed fibrous thickening as the most common finding associated with increased vascularity, occasionally with chronic inflammatory cell infiltration, haemosiderin, and acid mucopolysaccharide deposition. Loss of osteocytes was the main finding of bone histology associated with some enlargement of lacunae and lamellar structure disruption. A grading system was used to score normal and abnormal histological appearance. For analysis the findings were regrouped to provide tables using Fisher's exact test. There was no correlation between bone scintigraphy and the histology of bone and periosteum, but two interesting observations were noted. Those cases with periosteal thickening had mostly normal bone scan appearance (p = 0.0028). Those cases with low levels of osteocyte loss had mostly abnormal bone scintigraphy.Conclusion—Abnormal histological appearance of bone and periosteum is a feature of medial tibial syndrome. These histological findings show poor correlation with bone scintigraphy. The exact pathogenesis of this syndrome remains unclear.
Suprascapular neuropathy in volleyball players
Authors: Witvrouw E , Cools A , Lysens R , Cambier D , Vanderstraeten G , Victor J , Sneyers C , Walravens M 
Published: July 2002

Background—Suprascapular nerve entrapment with isolated paralysis of the infraspinatus muscle is uncommon. However, this pathology has been reported in volleyball players. Despite a lack of scientific evidence, excessive strain on the nerve is often cited as a possible cause of this syndrome. Previous research has shown a close association between shoulder range of motion and strain on the suprascapular nerve. No clinical studies have so far been designed to examine the association between excessive shoulder mobility and the presence of this pathology.Aim—To study the possible association between the range of motion of the shoulder joint and the presence of suprascapular neuropathy by clinically examining the Belgian male volleyball team with respect to several parameters.Methods—An electromyographic investigation, a clinical shoulder examination, shoulder range of motion measurements, and an isokinetic concentric peak torque shoulder internal/external rotation strength test were performed in 16 professional players.Results—The electrodiagnostic study showed a severe suprascapular neuropathy in four players which affected only the infraspinatus muscle. In each of these four players, suprascapular nerve entrapment was present on the dominant side. Except for the hypotrophy of the infraspinatus muscle, no significant differences between the affected and non-affected players were observed on clinical examination. Significant differences between the affected and non-affected players were found for range of motion measurements of external rotation, horizontal flexion and forward flexion, and for flexion of the shoulder girdle (protraction); all were found to be higher in the affected players than the non-affected players.Conclusions—This study suggests an association between increased range of motion of the shoulder joint and the presence of isolated paralysis of the infraspinatus muscle in volleyball players. However, the small number of patients in this study prevents definite conclusions from being drawn.
International gastroenterology research: subject areas, impact, and funding
Authors: Lewison G , Grant J , Jansen P 
Published: July 2002

AIMSTo examine the volume and potential impact of gastroenterology research outputs from 1985 to 1998 from 14 developed countries; the overlap with research in cancer, infectious diseases, and genetics; and the funding sources for this research. To determine if countries' research outputs correlated with their burden of corresponding diseases and inputs to their research.METHODSSelective retrieval of papers from the Science Citation Index and manual look up of a sample to determine funding sources. Classification of journals by four categories of research level (clinical/basic) and potential impact (low/high).RESULTSGastroenterology represents about 8% of world biomedical research but over 11% in Italy, Japan, and Spain. Its potential impact is highest (but declining) for the USA. It has increased noticeably in most European countries, particularly in Finland. Gastroenterology research has become more clinical in Japan, Spain, Australia, and the Netherlands but more basic in Canada, Germany, Finland, Israel, and South Africa. Funding comes primarily from national governments, followed by national private non-profit sources and industry but little industrial funding occurs in some countries. There is a strong and positive correlation between reported deaths from gastrointestinal neoplasms and countries' outputs of research in gastrointestinal oncology.CONCLUSIONSBibliometric analysis can reveal differences between countries in their research in a subject when a common methodology is applied to an international database. Variations in research methods in different countries can plausibly explain some of the variation in the potential impact of the work.
Histological identification ofHelicobacter pylori: comparison of staining methods
Authors: Rotimi O , Cairns A , Gray S , Moayyedi P , Dixon M F 
Published: July 2002

Aim—To determine whether two recently described staining methods (the modified McMullen's and theHelicobacter pylorisilver stain HpSS methods) used for the histological identification of H pylori organisms are superior to two established techniques (the modified Giemsa and anti-H pyloriantibody immunostain) in terms of availability, reproducibility, rapidity, sensitivity, and cost.Methods—Histological sections from 63 paired gastric biopsies from adult patients previously investigated for dyspepsia were stained with the four methods and these were assessed blindly and independently by two observers. Of the 63 patients, 30 were originally negative in all tests forH pyloriinfection, 30 were positive, and the remaining three cases had discordant results using a combination of five tests (rapid biopsy urease test, urea breath test, culture, serology, and histology).Results—Interobserver agreement was best with the antibody method (98%), followed by the McMullen's (90%), Giemsa (87%), and HpSS (85%). Of the 60 “gold standard” positive and negative cases, 30 were positive by the modified Giemsa stain, 29 by the McMullen's method, 29 by HpSS, and 30 by the antibody stain. However, there were two false positives with the HpSS method. The modified Giemsa is the cheapest and easiest to perform technically.Conclusions—WhenH pyloriare present, careful examination will almost always reveal them, whichever of these stains is used. However, the modified Giemsa stain is the method of choice because it is sensitive, cheap, easy to perform, and reproducible.
No detection of enteroviral genome in the myocardium of patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Calabrese Fiorella , Angelini Annalisa , Thiene Gaetano , Basso Cristina , Nava Andrea , Valente Marialuisa 
Published: July 2002

Aims—Despite the evidence of familial occurrence, chromosomal gene mapping, and apoptosis as a mechanism of myocyte death, the aetiopathogenesis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) remains speculative. Because of the frequent histological finding of focal inflammatory infiltrates, the hypothesis of an infective myocarditis aetiology has been put forward. The aim of this investigation was to test this hypothesis. The presence of enteroviruses was investigated by a highly sensitive and specific molecular technique.Methods—Endomyocardial tissue samples from 20 patients with ARVC (11 male, nine female; mean age, 40 years; SD, 16) and 20 control subjects with other cardiac diseases were analysed using reverse transcription and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Myocardial samples obtained from four patients with enteroviral myocarditis and coxsackie B3 virus infected cells were used as positive controls.Results—Endomyocardial biopsy was diagnostic for ARVC in all patients: myocardial atrophy was seen, with less than 45% residual myocytes. Foci of inflammatory infiltrates were seen in four biopsies, and the cells were identified by immunohistochemistry as mainly T cells. All samples, from both patients with ARVC and subjects with other cardiac diseases, were negative for enteroviral genome by means of nested PCR.Conclusion—These findings indicate that enteroviruses are not involved in the aetiopathogenesis of ARVC. Future molecular studies should investigate the presence of other infective agents, as well as their possible role in triggering apoptosis.
Ethical approval for research involving geographically dispersed subjects: unsuitability of the UK MREC/LREC system and relevance to uncommon genetic disorders
Authors: Lewis Julia C , Tomkins Susan , Sampson Julian R 
Published: July 2002

Objectives—To assess the process involved in obtaining ethical approval for a single-centre study involving geographically dispersed subjects with an uncommon genetic disorder.Design—Observational data of the application process to 53 local research ethics committees (LRECs) throughout Wales, England and Scotland. The Multicentre Research Ethics Committee (MREC) for Wales had already granted approval.Results—Application to the 53 LRECs required 24,552 sheets of paper and took two months of the researcher's time. The median time taken for approval was 39 days with only seven (13%) of committees responding within the recommended 21 days. In at least nineteen cases (36%) a subcommittee considered the application. Thirty-three committees (62%) accepted the proposal without amendments but, of the remainder, four (8%) requested changes outside of the remit of LRECs.Discussion—Difficulties still exist with the system for obtaining ethical approval for studies involving a single centre but with patients at multiple sites, as is often required for genetic observational research. As such studies differ from true multicentre studies, it may be advantageous to develop a separate and specific process of application to ensure that resources are not unnecessarily expended in the quest for ethical approval.
Death, dying and donation: organ transplantation and the diagnosis of death
Authors: Kerridge I H , Saul P , Lowe M , McPhee J , Williams D 
Published: July 2002

Refusal of organ donation is common, and becoming more frequent. In Australia refusal by families occurred in 56% of cases in 1995 in New South Wales, and had risen to 82% in 1999, becoming the most important determinant of the country's very low organ donation rate (8.9/million in 1999).Leading causes of refusal, identified in many studies, include the lack of understanding by families of brain death and its implications, and subsequent reluctance to relegate the body to purely instrumental status. It is an interesting paradox that surveys of the public continue to show considerable support for organ donation programmes—in theory we will, in practice we won't (and don't).In this paper we propose that the Australian community may, for good reason, distrust the concept of and criteria for “whole brain death”, and the equation of this new concept with death of the human being. We suggest that irreversible loss of circulation should be reinstated as the major defining characteristic of death, but that brain-dead, heart-beating entities remain suitable organ donors despite being alive by this criterion. This presents a major challenge to the “dead donor rule”, and would require review of current transplantation legislation. Brain dead entities are suitable donors because of irreversible loss of personhood, accurately and robustly defined by the current brain stem criteria.Even the dead are not terminally ill any more.1
Epidemiological survey of workers exposed to inorganic germanium compounds
Authors: Swennen B , Mallants A , Roels H A , Buchet J P , Bernard A , Lauwerys R R , Lison D 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVESTo assess occupational exposure to inorganic germanium (Ge) in workers from a producing plant, and to assess the health of these workers, with a special focus on respiratory, kidney, and liver functions.METHODSCross sectional study of 75 workers exposed to Ge and 79 matched referents. Exposure was characterised by measuring air and urine concentrations of the element during a typical working week, and health was assessed by a questionnaire, clinical examination, lung function testing, chest radiography, and clinical chemistry in serum and urine, including high and low molecular weight urinary proteins.RESULTSAirborne concentrations of Ge (inhalable fraction) ranged from 0.03 to 300 μg/m, which was reflected by increased urinary excretion of Ge (0.12–200 μg/g creatinine, after the shift at the end of the working week). Lung, liver, and haematological variables were not significantly different between referents and workers exposed to Ge. A slightly higher urinary concentration of high molecular weight proteins (albumin and transferrin) was found in workers exposed to Ge, possibly reflecting subclinical glomerular changes. No relation was found between the intensity or duration of exposure and the urinary concentration of albumin. No difference between referents and workers exposed to Ge was found for other renal variables.CONCLUSIONSMeasurement of urinary Ge can detect occupational exposure to inorganic Ge and its compounds. It is prudent to recommend the monitoring of renal variables in workers exposed to Ge.
Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulders in female sewing machine operators: prevalence, incidence, and prognosis
Authors: Kaergaard Anette , Andersen Johan H 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVESTo assess the occurrence and persistence of two restrictively defined neck-shoulder disorders among sewing machine operators. To assess factors associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorder and prognostic factors for remaining a case, when disorders were already present.METHODSIn an initial group of 243 sewing machine operators, 178 were followed up for 2 years. At baseline and at 1 and 2 years follow up the participants underwent a clinical examination of the neck and arms and filled in a questionnaire about current musculoskeletal complaints. Clinical criteria for two main neck-shoulder disorders were defined: rotator cuff tendinitis and myofascial pain syndrome. A baseline control group consisted of 357 women with varied non-repetitive work.RESULTSAt baseline the overall prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome and rotator cuff tendinitis was 15.2% and 5.8% among sewing machine operators compared with 9.0% and 2.2%, respectively, among controls. The presence of the disorders was strongly associated with a self perception of poor general health. Although myofascial pain syndrome showed a U shaped association with years as a sewing machine operator, rotator cuff tendinitis was absent among the newest recruits and present among 15% of the women with more than 20 years as a sewing machine operator. Besides years as a sewing machine operator, the risk of having a neck-shoulder disorder at baseline was significantly associated with high stress (prevalence ratio (PR)=2.54; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.28 to 5.05) when adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking, living alone with children, job strain, and social support from colleagues and supervisors. Only one of 13 participants with rotator cuff tendinitis at baseline recovered during follow up. Myofascial pain syndrome showed a much more fluctuating tendency. Low social support (RR 3.72; 95% CI 1.22 to 11.30) and smoking (RR 3.93; 95% CI 1.33 to 11.58) were associated with the development of neck-shoulder disorders, which was also associated with neck-shoulder pain score and living alone with children.CONCLUSIONRotator cuff tendinitis showed a higher degree of persistence than myofascial pain syndrome. Both disorders highly influenced the perception of general health. Women who lived alone with children, were smokers, or experienced low support from colleagues and supervisors had a higher risk of contracting a neck-shoulder disorder.
Are neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting at work risk factors for neck pain? Results of a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ariëns G A M , Bongers P M , Douwes M , Miedema M C , Hoogendoorn W E , van der Wal G , Bouter L M , van Mechelen W 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVETo study the relation between neck pain and work related neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting.METHODSA prospective cohort study was performed with a follow up of 3 years among 1334 workers from 34 companies. Work related physical load was assessed by analysing objectively measured exposure data (video recordings) of neck flexion, neck rotation, and sitting posture. Neck pain was assessed by a questionnaire. Adjustments were made for various physical factors that were related or not related to work, psychosocial factors, and individual characteristics.RESULTSA significant positive relation was found between the percentage of the working time in a sitting position and neck pain, implying an increased risk of neck pain for workers who were sitting for more than 95% of the working time (crude relative risk (RR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.04 to 3.88; adjusted RR 2.34, 95% CI 1.05 to 5.21). A trend for a positive relation between neck flexion and neck pain was found, suggesting an increased risk of neck pain for people working with the neck at a minimum of 20° of flexion for more than 70% of the working time (crude RR 2.01, 95% CI 0.98 to 4.11; adjusted RR 1.63, 95% CI 0.70 to 3.82). No clear relation was found between neck rotation and neck pain.CONCLUSIONSitting at work for more than 95% of the working time seems to be a risk factor for neck pain and there is a trend for a positive relation between neck flexion and neck pain. No clear relation was found between neck rotation and neck pain.