bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequent detection of hepatitis B virus variants associated with lamivudine resistance in treated South African patients infected chronically with different HBV genotypes
Authors: Selabe S. Gloria , Song Ernest , Burnett Rosemary J. , Mphahlele M. Jeffrey 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis retrospective study investigated and characterized the YMDD motif of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) reverse transcriptase (RT) gene, in sequential samples of 17 South African patients with chronic hepatitis B infection on lamivudine treatment. The profile of HBV genotypes as well as the genetic variability of pre‐core (pre‐C) and basal core promoter regions (BCP) were also determined in these patients. Mutations within the RT gene were determined by direct sequencing using SpectruMedix SCE 2410 genetic analyzer and INNO‐LiPA HBV DR (Innogenetics), while the genetic variability of the pre‐C/BCP and surface gene were determined by direct sequencing only. HBV genotypes were determined by analysis of the surface, core and RT genes using a web‐based genotyping tool (NCBI). HBV DNA was quantified using Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor assay (Roche Diagnostics). Of the 17 patients, 13 (76.5%) carried YMDD mutations: 7 with rtM204I (2 HBeAg‐positive and 5 HBeAg‐negative) and 6 with rtM204V (4 HBeAg‐positive and 2 HBeAg‐negative). Of the 13 patients with resistant HBV strains, 8 (61.5%) carried genotype A, 3 (23%) genotype B, and 2 (15.3%) genotype C. Overall, only 5 of 13 (38%) patients with YMDD mutations experienced genotypic viral drug resistance and treatment failure. Of the 17 patients, 3 carried both pre‐C (G1896A) and BCP (A1762T/G1764A) mutants, 1 pre‐C only and 1 BCP only. This study demonstrated frequent detection of mutations associated with lamivudine‐resistance in therapy‐experienced South African patients infected chronically with different HBV genotypes, and confirmed that these mutations are not always accompanied by clinical relapse. J. Med. Virol. 81:996–1001, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prospective cohort study of mother‐to‐infant infection and clearance of hepatitis C in rural Egyptian villages
Authors: Shebl Fatma M. , El‐Kamary Samer S. , Saleh Doa'a A. , Abdel‐Hamid Mohamed , Mikhail Nabiel , Allam Alif , El‐Arabi Hanaa , Elhenawy Ibrahim , El‐Kafrawy Sherif , El‐Daly Mai , Selim Sahar , El‐Wahab Ayman Abd , Mostafa Mohamed , Sharaf Soraya , Hashem Mohamed , Heyward Scott , Stine O. Colin , Magder Laurence S. , Stoszek Sonia , Strickland G. Thomas 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAlthough persistent transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from infected mothers to their infants is reported in 4–8%, transient HCV perinatal infection also occurs. This prospective cohort study determined perinatal HCV infection‐ and early and late clearance‐rates in 1,863 mother‐infant pairs in rural Egyptian villages. This study found 15.7% and 10.9% of pregnant women had HCV antibodies (anti‐HCV) and HCV‐RNA, respectively. Among 329 infants born of these mothers, 33 (10.0%) tested positive for both anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA 2 months following birth—29 (12.5%) having HCV‐RNA positive mothers and 4 (with transient infections) having mothers with only anti‐HCV. Fifteen remained HCV‐RNA positive at one and/or 2 years (persistent infections), while 18 cleared both virus and antibody by 1 year (transient infections). Among the 15 persistent cases, 7 cleared their infections by 2 or 3 years. At 2‐ to 6‐ and at 10‐ to 12‐month maternally acquired anti‐HCV was observed in 80% and 5% of infants, respectively. Four perinatally infected and one transiently infected infant were confirmed to be infected by their mothers by the sequence similarity of their viruses. Viremia was 155‐fold greater in mothers of infants with persistent than mothers of infants with transient infections. Maternal‐infant transmission of HCV is more frequent than generally reported. However, both early and late clearance of infection frequently occurs and only 15 (4.6%) and 8 (2.4%) infants born of HCV‐RNA positive mothers had detectable HCV‐RNA at one and 2–3 years of age. Investigating how infants clear infection may provide important information about protective immunity to HCV. J. Med. Virol. 81:1024–1031, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus and its association with hepatitis B, C, and D virus infections among incarcerated male substance abusers in Taiwan
Authors: Chu Fang‐Yeh , Chiang Shu‐Chuan , Su Fu‐Hsiung , Chang Yuan‐Ying , Cheng Shu‐Hsing 
Published: April 2009

AbstractTaiwan has been facing a rising epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection since 2004. Injection drug users comprised 38.5% of accumulated HIV cases by 2007. This cross‐sectional study investigated the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and HIV infection in 753 male substance users who were detained in a detoxification center in Taoyuan, Taiwan. The subjects were enrolled into the study consecutively between February and October, 2005. The seroprevalence rates of HIV antibodies, HCV antibodies, and HBV surface antigens among all subjects, and HDV antibodies among HBV carriers were 6.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.19–8.95), 30.5% (95% CI: 27.23–33.93), 16.9% (95% CI: 14.24–19.71) and 13.7% (95% CI: 8.19–21.04), respectively. Subjects in the heroin injection group had significantly higher rates of HIV infection, HCV infection and HDV superinfection (25.5%, 89.6%, and 38.7%) than those in the heroin non‐injection group (0.9%, 24.5%, and 6.25%), the methamphetamine group (0.3%, 8.1%, and 6.7%), and the club drug group (1%, 3%, and 0%; P < 0.001). The odds of HCV, HIV, or HDV infection were 74.7, 63.8, and 11.1 higher, respectively, for heroin injection drug users than for non‐injection drug users (P < 0.0001). Compared to HIV‐negative individuals, the odds of being a heroin injector and the odds of HCV co‐infections were 64‐fold and 149‐fold higher, respectively, in HIV‐positive individuals. The impact of HBV, HCV, and HDV infection on the HIV epidemic in Taiwan should be monitored closely. J. Med. Virol. 81:973–978, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibitors of the mitochondrial permeability transition reduce ammonia‐induced cell swelling in cultured astrocytes
Authors: Reddy Pichili V. B. , Rama Rao Kakulavarapu V. , Norenberg Michael D. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAmmonia is the principal neurotoxin implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy, and astrocytes are the neural cells predominantly affected in this condition. Astrocyte swelling (cytotoxic edema) represents a critical component of the brain edema in acute form of hepatic encephalopathy (acute liver failure, ALF). Although mechanisms of astrocyte swelling by ammonia are not completely understood, cultured astrocytes exposed to pathophysiological levels of ammonia develop the mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT), a process that was shown to result in astrocyte swelling. Cyclosporin A (CsA), a traditional inhibitor of the mPT, was previously shown to completely block ammonia‐induced astrocyte swelling in culture. However, the efficacy of CsA to protect cytotoxic brain edema in ALF is problematic because it poorly crosses the blood–brain barrier, which is relatively intact in ALF. We therefore examined the effect of agents that block the mPT but are also known to cross the blood–brain barrier, including pyruvate, magnesium, minocycline, and trifluoperazine on the ammonia‐induced mPT, as well as cell swelling. Cultured astrocytes exposed to ammonia for 24 hr displayed the mPT as demonstrated by a CsA‐sensitive dissipation of the mitochondrial inner membrane potential. Pyruvate, minocycline, magnesium, and trifluoperazine significantly blocked the ammonia‐induced mPT. Ammonia resulted in a significant increase in cell volume, which was blocked by the above‐mentioned agents to a variable degree. A regression analysis indicated a high correlation between the effectiveness of reducing the mPT and cell swelling. Our data suggest that all these agents have therapeutic potential in mitigating brain edema in ALF. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Response of the summer atmospheric circulation over East Asia to SST variability in the tropical Pacific
Authors: Nagata Rena , Mikami Takehiko 
Published: April 2009

AbstractGeneral circulation over East Asia and its linkages with sea surface temperature (SST) variability over the tropical Pacific is investigated for the 1958–2000 period. The western edge of the North Pacific subtropical high (NPSH) index (SHI) is defined from pentad 31 (May 31 to June 4) to pentad 49 (August 29 to September 2). A southwestward extension of the SHI has been observed since 1980. The changes in the NPSH are associated with SST warming in the tropical eastern Pacific and Indian Ocean. On the basis of the SHI, years with western, eastern, southern and northern displacement of the NPSH are defined as WD, ED, SD and ND years. WD and SD years occur after 1980. Climatologically, the subsidence is located around 30°N in the western Pacific. This subsidence area corresponds to the NPSH region. Before pentad 40 in WD and SD years, associated with warm SST anomalies, circulation anomalies show an ascending motion over the tropical eastern Pacific and Indian Ocean. This ascending motion induces the anomalous subsidence over the tropical western Pacific and causes the southwestward extension of the NPSH. After pentad 40 (July 15–19), the seasonal evolution of WD years is different from the SD years. After pentad 40 in WD years, associated with large warm SST anomalies over the tropical eastern Pacific and Indian Ocean, the strong anomalous ascending motion strengthens the anomalous subsidence in the western tropical Pacific and leads to the lack of the eastward contraction of the NPSH. In SD years, warm SST anomalies over the tropical eastern Pacific and Indian Ocean weakened after pentad 40. Correspondently, the weakened anomalous ascending motion over these regions provides the weak anomalous subsidence over the tropical western Pacific. The weakened anomalous subsidence leads to the eastward contraction of the NPSH after pentad 40 similar to the climatological evolution. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
On the interannual wintertime rainfall variability in the Southern Andes
Authors: González M. H. , Vera C. S. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe paper concentrates on the analysis of the interannual variability of wintertime rainfall in the Southern Andes. Besides the socio‐economic relevance of the region, mainly associated with hydroelectric energy production, the study of the climate variability in that area has not received as much attention as others along the Andes. The results show that winter rainfall explains the largest percentage of regional total annuals. A principal component analysis (PCA) of the winter rainfall anomalies showed that the regional year‐to‐year variability is mostly explained by three leading patterns. While one of them is significantly associated with both the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), the other two patterns are significantly related to interannual changes of the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Indian Ocean. Specifically, changes in the ocean surface conditions at both tropical basins induce in the atmospheric circulation the generation of Rossby wave trains that extend along the South Pacific towards South America, and alter the circulation at the region under study. The relationship between variability in the Indian Ocean and the Andes climate variability has not been previously addressed. Therefore, this result makes a significant contribution to the identification of the sources of predictability in South America with relevant consequences for future applications in seasonal predictions. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Relationship between moisture budget components over the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Jin Fengjun , Zangvil Abraham 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAtmospheric water vapor budget analysis is carried out in a rectangular domain of 3.04 × 105 km2, over the eastern Mediterranean (EM) using NASA GOES‐1 reanalysis gridded (2.50 longitude by 20 latitude) data set, for a period of eight rainy seasons (October–April) in 1985–1993. All days have been divided into 6 groups, based on rainfall amount, and the relationships between daily water vapor budget components have been studied in relation to precipitation amounts.We found that the mean rainy season precipitation, P over the study region is, about 260 mm. The highest precipitation category (over 2.2 mm/day) contributed 63% of the total rainfall, and the next category (0.9 to 2.2 mm/day) contributed another 22%. These two rainfall categories were accompanied by deep upper troughs extending from the Black Sea to Crete and a mean sea level (MSL) cyclone near Cyprus. For the rest of the rainfall categories the upper air flow was nearly zonal, with no clear MSL cyclonic activity. The western boundary exhibited a net moisture inflow, increasing with rainfall amount. The southern boundary moisture inflow becomes significant only for the highest rainfall category.The correlation between P and both inflow and outflow was (+0.45), in agreement with similar studies over the US Midwest in summer. However, in contrast to the latter studies – our study shows no correlation between P and moisture flux divergence (MFD). A possible explanation for this is that winter rainfall over the Eastern Mediterranean is mostly associated with cold fronts, whereas in the Midwest convective rain develops in the warm sector, near the maximum MFD. Finally, both, recycling ratio R, and the correlation between daily P and E support the idea that rainfall over the EM originates, at least partly, in humidity evaporating from the Sea within the region. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Precipitation pattern in the Baltic countries under the influence of large‐scale atmospheric circulation and local landscape factors
Authors: Jaagus Jaak , Briede Agrita , Rimkus Egidijus , Remm Kalle 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe main objectives of the study are to analyse the mean precipitation pattern in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and the influence of local landscape factors on it, to derive a regionalization, i.e. select regions having coherent fluctuations in precipitation, and to analyse relationships between precipitation and characteristics of the large‐scale atmospheric circulation. Monthly precipitation data from 123 stations in the Baltic countries from 1966 to 2005 are analysed in relation to 52 landscape variables and 13 circulation variables. The landscape variables characterize landscape around the meteorological stations: land cover, land surface elevation, distance from the sea coast, the proportion of water bodies and of forested area. Circulation is described using several circulation indices and frequencies of the main circulation types according to the Vangengeim‐Girs and the Grosswetterlagen classifications. Maps depicting the mean annual and seasonal precipitation are created and analysed in the aspect of spatial and temporal autocorrelation. The Baltic Sea proved to be the main factor determining precipitation pattern in the study region. The presence of different precipitation zones parallel to the coastline is typical for the windward lowland region, whereas the belt of maximum precipitation is located at 10–60 km from the coast. Surface elevation is the second important factor causing higher precipitation on uplands. Rotated principal component analysis enabled to compose a regionalization of precipitation pattern in the Baltic countries. Four main precipitation regions having coherent fluctuations (south‐western, south‐eastern, north‐eastern and north‐western) are defined. Correlations between the variables of atmospheric circulation and precipitation are analysed. The intensity of westerlies is significantly positively correlated with the amount of winter precipitation, especially in the belt of maximum precipitation located at a moderate distance from the sea. Precipitation in the Baltic countries is less related to the meridional circulation types. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society
Impact of organic‐manure combinations on the productivity and soil quality in different cropping systems in central India
Authors: Ramesh Pedaprolu , Raten Panwar Nav , Bahadur Singh Amar , Ramana Sivakoti , Subba Rao Annangi 
Published: April 2009

AbstractIn a field experiment, the effect of combination of different organic manures on the productivity of crops and soil quality were evaluated in deep vertisols of central India. Combinations of cattle dung manure (CDM), poultry manure (PM), and vermicompost (VC) vis‐à‐vis mineral fertilizers were tested in four cropping systems involving soybean (Glycine max L.), durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), mustard (Brassica juncea L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk). The organic manures were applied based on the N‐equivalent basis and nutrient requirement of individual crop. The grain yields of durum wheat and isabgol were higher in the treatment that received a combination of CDM + VC + PM whereas in mustard, CDM + PM and in chickpea, CDM + VC recorded the higher yields. The yield levels in these organic‐manure combinations were similar to the yields obtained with mineral fertilizers. Among the cropping systems, soybean–durum wheat and among the nutrient sources, the combination of CDM + VC + PM recorded the highest total productivity. At the end of the 3‐year cropping cycle, application of organic manures improved the soil‐quality parameters viz., soil organic carbon (SOC), soil available nutrients (N, P, and K), soil enzymes (dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase), and microbial biomass C in the top 0–15 cm soil. Bulk density and mean weight diameter of the soil were not affected by the treatments. Among the cropping systems, soybean–durum wheat recorded the highest SOC and accumulated higher soil available N, P, and K. In conclusion, the study clearly demonstrated that the manures applied in different combinations improved the soil quality and produced the grain yields which are at par with mineral fertilizers.
Coal fly ash–based synthetic aggregates as potential alternative container substrates for ornamentals
Authors: Jayasinghe Guttila Y. , Tokashiki Yoshihiro , Kitou Makoto , Kinjo K. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis research was carried out to study the characteristics and the potential utilization of coal fly ash–based synthetic aggregates (CSA) with oil palm waste as an alternative container substrate for ornamental‐plant production. CSA only, oil palm waste only, and two mixing ratios of CSA with oil palm waste at the ratio of 1:5 and 1:10 (V/V) were utilized under this study. Zeolite was utilized as a standard substrate to compare characteristics of other substrates. The physical and chemical properties of all substrates were characterized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of coal fly ash and CSA were conducted in order to study the structural configuration of the CSA. Developed CSA gave an alkaline pH (9.82), high electrical conductivity (96.1 mS m–1), high cation concentrations, high water‐holding capacity, and low bulk density (0.56 g cm–3) compared to zeolite. Mixing of CSA with oil palm waste at the ratio of 1:10 gave enhanced physical and chemical properties such as bulk density (0.25 g cm–3), particle density (1.76 g cm–3), air space (20.6%), total pore space (85.8%), total water‐holding capacity (652 mL L–1), pH (6.18), and electrical conductivity (42.4 mS m–1), which were in the established ideal substrate range. Moreover, SEM study revealed that CSA is a dual‐composite material, which had well enmeshed coal–fly ash particles in the fibrous paper‐waste matrix creating porous spaces within the aggregate. The growth of French marigold (Tagetes patula), which is a popular ornamental plant in Japan, was assessed using these newly developed substrates. The mixing ratio of CSA and oil palm wastes at 1:10 reported the best maximum growth and yield parameters of French marigold, with increase in shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, plant height, and number of flowers per plant by 51%, 93%, 54%, 150%, 19%, and 61%, respectively, compared to the zeolite. It is revealed that a mixture of CSA and oil palm waste at the ratio of 1:10 can be successfully utilized as an alternative container substrate for French marigold production.
The role of root border cells in aluminum resistance of pea (Pisum sativum) grown in mist culture
Authors: Yu Min , Shen Renfang , Liu Jiayou , Chen Rongfu , Xu Miaomiao , Yang Yong , Xiao Hongdong , Wang Huizhen , Wang Huoyan , Wang Changquan 
Published: April 2009

AbstractRoot border cells are considered to contribute to aluminum (Al) resistance by protecting the root apex from Al toxicity. In the present study, the responses of root apices of pea (Pisum sativum) to Al exposure in mist culture with border cells stripped off or not were compared. Inhibition of root elongation, induction of callose synthesis, and accumulation of Al were more pronounced in root apices stripped from border cells. Aluminum application led to higher Al concentrations in border cells than in root apices. The same trend was found for Al contents in cell walls of border cells compared to root apices. The analysis of cell‐wall pectin indicated that the concentrations of total sugars, uronic acids, and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxyoctonic acid (KDO) were higher in border cells than in root apices, especially when exposed to Al. Together, these results suggest that root border cells enhance the Al resistance of root apices by immobilizing Al in their cell‐wall pectin, thus protecting the root apex.