bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral Mucosal Conditions in Chronic Hepatitis C Brazilian Patients: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: De Mattos Camargo Grossmann Soraya , Teixeira Rosângela , De Aguiar Maria Cássia Ferreira , De Moura Mariela Dutra Gontijo , Do Carmo Maria Auxiliadora Vieira 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Objective: Our purpose was to carry out an epidemiological study to assess the prevalence of oral mucosal conditions in Brazilian patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was carried out on 215 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were examined for oral mucosal conditions, including oral mucosal lesions and variations of normality. Results: The prevalence of patients with chronic hepatitis C presenting oral mucosal conditions was 96.3 percent (207 patients). Oral mucosal lesions were present in 147 patients (68.4 percent), whereas variations of normality were observed in 173 patients (80.5 percent). The most common lesions included cheek biting in 42 cases (19.5 percent), candidiasis in 39 cases (18.1 percent), and leukoplakia in 28 cases (13.0 percent). The association of oral lichen planus with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection proved to be statistically significant (P = 0.002). The most frequent variations of normality included Fordyce's spots in 96 cases (44.7 percent), lingual varicosities in 67 cases (31.2 percent), and fissured tongue in 60 cases (27.9 percent). Conclusion: The prevalence of patients with chronic hepatitis C presenting oral mucosal conditions was 96.3 percent. Despite this high prevalence, only the association between oral lichen planus and hepatitis C showed statistical significance. Considering that HCV infection may be associated with extrahepatic disorders, such as oral manifestations, efforts should be made to clarify the possible relation between oral conditions and HCV infection. This may be helpful in the earlier diagnosis of the infection mainly in asymptomatic patients.
FURTHER EVIDENCE OF LONG MEMORY IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN STOCK MARKET
Authors: Morris Quinton , Van Vuuren Gary , Styger Paul 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThis paper expands and augments the results of the paper by Jefferis and Thupayagale) and tests the efficiency of the South African stock market with Wavelet and Markov Switching Regime analyses of selected shares and the a ALSI 40 data. The Wavelet analysis indicated that most of the individual share prices and the share index time series are mean reverting over the long run and follow a long memory process, offering evidence against weak‐form efficient market hypothesis (EMH). The Markov model modelled the financial and prevalent economic conditions accurately and established the presence of patterns in the historic time series, providing additional support against the weak‐form EMH.
Numerical
and Analytical Modeling of Unbonded Flexible
Risers
Authors: Bahtui A. , Bahai H. , Alfano G. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
This paper presents an analytical formulation and a finite element analysis of the behavior of multilayer unbonded flexible risers. The finite element model accurately incorporates all the fine details of the riser that were previously considered to be important but too difficult to simulate due to the significant associated computational cost. All layers of the riser are separately modeled, and contact interaction between layers has been accounted for. The model includes geometric nonlinearity as well as frictional effects. The analysis considers the main modes of flexible riser loading, which include internal and external pressures, axial tension, torsion, and bending. Computations were performed by employing a fully explicit time integration scheme on a parallel 16-processor cluster of computers. Consistency of simulation results was demonstrated by comparison with those of the analytical model of an identical structure. The close agreement gives confidence in both approaches.
Integron Mobilization Unit as a Source of Mobility of Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Authors: Poirel Laurent , Carrër Amélie , Pitout Johann D. , Nordmann Patrice 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance genes are spread mostly through plasmids, integrons (as a form of gene cassettes), and transposons in gram-negative bacteria. We describe here a novel genetic structure, named the integron mobilization unit (IMU), that has characteristics similar to those of miniature inverted transposable elements (MITEs). Two IMUs (288 bp each) were identified from a carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacter cloacae
isolate that formed a composite structure encompassing a defective class 1 integron containing the carbapenem resistance gene
bla
GES-5
. This ß-lactamase gene was located on a 7-kb IncQ-type plasmid named pCHE-A, which was sequenced completely. The plasmid pCHE-A was not self conjugative but was mobilizable, and it was successfully transferred from
E. cloacae
to
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The in silico analysis of the extremities of the IMU elements identified similarities with those of insertion sequence IS
Sod9
from
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1. The mobilization of the IMU composite structure was accomplished by using the transposase activity of IS
Sod9
that was provided in
trans
. This is the first identification of MITE-type structures as a source of gene mobilization, implicating here a clinically relevant antibiotic resistance gene.
Antibiotic Susceptibility of
Waddlia chondrophila
in
Acanthamoeba castellanii
Amoebae
Authors: Goy Geneviève , Greub Gilbert 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Waddlia chondrophila
is an emerging cause of miscarriage in bovines and humans. Given the strict intracellular growth of this
Chlamydia
-like organism, its antibiotic susceptibility was tested by amoebal coculture, cell culture, and real-time PCR.
W. chondrophila
was susceptible to doxycycline and azithromycin but resistant to β-lactams and fluoroquinolones.
Analysis of Cell Membrane Characteristics of In Vitro-Selected Daptomycin-Resistant Strains of Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Mishra Nagendra N. , Yang Soo-Jin , Sawa Ayumi , Rubio Aileen , Nast Cynthia C. , Yeaman Michael R. , Bayer Arnold S. 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT

Our previous studies of clinical daptomycin-resistant (Dap
r
)
Staphylococcus aureus
strains suggested that resistance is linked to the perturbations of several key cell membrane (CM) characteristics, including the CM order (fluidity), phospholipid content and asymmetry, and relative surface charge. In the present study, we examined the CM profiles of a well-known methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) strain (MW2) after in vitro selection for DAP resistance by a 20-day serial passage in sublethal concentrations of DAP. Compared to levels for the parental strain, Dap
r
strains exhibited (i) decreased CM fluidity, (ii) the increased synthesis of total lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (LPG), (iii) the increased flipping of LPG to the CM outer bilayer, and (iv) the increased expression of
mprF
, the gene responsible for the latter two phenotypes. In addition, we found that the expression of the
dlt
operon, which also increases positive surface charge, was enhanced in the Dap
r
mutants. These phenotypic and genotypic changes correlated with reduced DAP surface binding, mirroring observations made in clinical Dap
r
isolates. In this strain, serial exposure to DAP induced an increase in vancomycin MICs into the vancomycin-intermediate
S. aureus
(VISA) range (4 μg/ml) in parallel with increasing DAP MICs. Also, this Dap
r
strain exhibited significantly thicker cell walls than the parental strain, potentially correlating with the coevolution of the VISA phenotype and implicating cell wall structure and/or function in the Dap
r
phenotype. Importantly, despite the overexpression of
mprF
and
dlt
, the relative net positive surface charge was decreased in the Dap
r
mutants, suggesting that other factors contribute to the surface charge alterations and that a simple charge repulsion mechanism could not entirely explain the Dap
r
phenotype in these strains.
Role of p38 and Early Growth Response Factor 1 in the Macrophage Response to Group B Streptococcus
Authors: Kenzel Sybille , Santos-Sierra Sandra , Deshmukh Sachin D. , Moeller Inga , Ergin Bilge , Fitzgerald Katherine A. , Lien Egil , Akira Shizuo , Golenbock Douglas T. , Henneke Philipp 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT
Group B streptococcus (GBS), the most frequent single isolate in neonatal sepsis and meningitis, potently activates inflammatory macrophage genes via myeloid differentiation antigen 88 (MyD88). However, events parallel to and downstream of MyD88 that instruct the macrophage response are incompletely understood. In this study, we found that only MyD88, not the Toll-like receptor (TLR) adapter proteins MAL/TIRAP, TRIF, and TRAM, essentially mediates the cytokine (tumor necrosis factor [TNF] and interleukin-6) and chemokine (RANTES) responses to whole GBS organisms, although MAL, TRIF, and TRAM have been shown to mediate the responses to substructures in other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. GBS-induced, MyD88-dependent phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 activated the transcription factor AP-1 and early growth response factor 1 (Egr-1) but not NF-κB. Furthermore, phosphorylation of Ets-like molecule 1 (Elk-1) was mediated by p38. However, in contrast to Egr-1 and AP-1, Elk-1 was dispensable for transcriptional activation of TNF by GBS organisms. Studies of macrophages from Elk-1-deficient mice revealed that Elk-1 was furthermore nonessential for the TNF responses to purified TLR2 and TLR4 agonists, which was in notable contrast to what was revealed in studies employing in vitro expression systems. In conclusion, MyD88, p38, and Egr-1, but not Elk-1, essentially mediate the inflammatory cytokine response to GBS organisms.
Differentiation of three closely related Japanese oak species and detection of interspecific hybrids using AFLP markers
Authors: Matsumoto Asako , Kawahara Takayuki , Kanazashi Ayako , Yoshimaru Hiroshi , Takahashi Makoto , Tsumura Yoshihiko 
Published: March 2009

Three white-oak species ( Quercus crispula Blume, Quercus dentata Thunb., and Quercus serrata Thunb.) are native, widely distributed, and prominent species in the temperate deciduous forests of Japan. They are closely related to each other and overlapping morphological variation in some traits is observed, although they differ from each other in appearance. To distinguish these species genetically, we carried out clustering analysis based on Bayesian approach by AFLP markers using morphologically typical trees. Although no completely species-specific markers were obtained, these species could be distinguished and their genetic relationships were evaluated based on differences in frequencies of 66 polymorphic markers, including four that were almost completely species-specific. We also attempted to characterize putative interspecific hybrids between Q. crispula and Q. dentata sampled in a mixed stand. Two programs, HINDEX and STRUCTURE, were successfully used to detect several hybrid individuals without any prior information about their morphological traits. However, STRUCTURE and HINDEX gave conflicting indications regarding the admixture levels in some individuals.
Effects of Recent Environmental Changes on Global Seismicity and Volcanism
Authors: Podolskiy Evgeny A. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
A covariation of recent global environmental changes and seismicity on Earth is demonstrated. Presently, rising concern about anthropogenic activities and their consequences on the cryosphere and environment have always overlooked changes related to future tectonic activity. Possible factors affecting an increase in the number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are reviewed and discussed.
Exploring the Transient Behavior of Z–R Relationships: Implications for Radar Rainfall Estimation
Authors: Prat Olivier P. , Barros Ana P. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
The objective of this study is to characterize the signature of dynamical microphysical processes on reflectivity–rainfall (Z–R) relationships used for radar rainfall estimation. For this purpose, a bin model with explicit microphysics was used to perform a sensitivity analysis of the shape parameters of the drop size distribution (DSD) as a function of time and rainfall regime. Simulations show that coalescence is the dominant microphysical process for low to moderate rain intensity regimes (R &lt; 20 mm h−1) and that the rain rate in this regime is strongly dependent on the spectral properties of the DSD (i.e., the shape). The time to equilibrium for light rainfall is at least twice as long as in the case of heavy rainfall (1 h for stratiform vis-à-vis 30 min for thunderstorms). For high-intensity rainfall (R &gt; 20 mm h−1), collision–breakup dynamics dominate the evolution of the raindrop spectra. The time-dependent Z–R relationships produced by the model converge to a universal Z–R relationship for heavy intensity rainfall (A = 1257; b ∼ 1) centered on the region of Z–R space defined by the ensemble of over 100 empirical Z–R relationships. Given the intrinsically transient nature of the DSD for light rainfall, it is proposed that the vertical raindrop spectra and corresponding rain rates should be modeled explicitly by a microphysical model. A demonstration using a multicolumn simulation of a Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) overpass over Darwin for a stratiform event during the Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) is presented.
Evaluation of Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterizations in Tropical Cyclones by Comparison of In Situ Observations and High-Resolution Simulations of Hurricane Isabel (2003). Part I: Initialization, Maximum Winds, and the Outer-Core Boundary Layer
Authors: Nolan David S. , Zhang Jun A. , Stern Daniel P. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
In this study, the first of two parts, the planetary boundary layer (PBL) depicted in high-resolution Weather Research and Forecast Model (WRF) simulations of Hurricane Isabel (2003) is studied and evaluated by direct comparisons with in situ data obtained during the Coupled Boundary Layer and Air–Sea Transfer Experiment (CBLAST). In particular, two boundary layer schemes are evaluated: the Yonsei University (YSU) parameterization and the Mellor–Yamada–Janjić (MYJ) parameterization. Investigation of these schemes is useful since they are available for use with WRF, are both widely used, and are based on entirely different methods for simulating the PBL.
In this first part, the model domains and initialization are described. For additional realism of the low-level thermodynamic environment, a simple mixed layer ocean model is used to simulate ocean cooling. The YSU and MYJ schemes are discussed, along with some modifications. Standard measures of the accuracy of the hurricane simulations, such as track, maximum surface wind speed, and minimum surface pressure are described for a variety of parameter choices and for the two parameterizations. The effects on track and intensity of increased horizontal and vertical resolutions are also shown. A modification of the original YSU and MYJ schemes to have ocean roughness lengths more in agreement with recent studies considerably improves the results of both schemes. Instantaneous wind maxima on the innermost grid with 1.33-km resolution are shown to be an accurate representation of the simulated 1-min sustained winds.
The simulated boundary layers are evaluated by direct comparison of the PBL as simulated and as observed by in situ data from the CBLAST experiment in the “outer core” region of the storm. The two PBL schemes and their modified counterparts reproduce the observed PBL remarkably well. Comparisons are also made to the observed vertical fluxes of momentum, heat, and moisture.
In Part II, the detailed comparisons of the intensities and structures of the simulated and observed inner-core boundary layers are presented, and the reasons for the differences are discussed.
Clinical Comparison of Anteromedial versus Anterolateral Tibial Tunnel Direction for Transtibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Kim Sung-Jae , Chang Ji-Hoon , Kang Yung-Hoon , Song Dae-Heup , Park Kwang-Yeol 
Published: March 2009

Background It has been suggested that transtibial posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may be compromised by graft abrasion at the “killer turn,” where the graft emerges from the tibia. In 1998, one of the authors suggested that beginning the tibial tunnel anterolaterally rather than anteromedially would reduce the killer turn and possibly improve the results of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Purpose This article is intended to present the clinical results of single-bundle transtibial posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, comparing cases in which the tibial tunnel was begun anteromedially with cases in which the tunnel was begun anterolaterally. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods The authors retrospectively studied 23 patients (group I) using the anteromedial tibial tunnel technique from April 1998 to August 2003 and 37 patients (group II) using the anterolateral tibial tunnel technique from February 1998 to August 2003. The average follow-up period was 58.6 months in group I and 56.9 months in group II. The minimum follow-up period was 24 months in each group. All revision cases and patients with general laxity were excluded. Results The mean side-to-side difference of posterior tibial translation by Telos stress radiography was 3.98 ± 1.27 mm (range, 1.80-7.80 mm) in group I and 2.87 ± 1.25 mm (range, 1.43-6.82 mm) in group II, which was a statistically significant difference ( P < .01). The final mean Lysholm knee score was 88.6 ± 7.10 points (range, 77-98 points) in group I and 88.4 ± 6.44 points (range, 78-98 points) in group II, which was not a statistically significant difference ( P = .4358). According to the final International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation in group I, 30.4% (7 of 23) were normal (A), 60.9% (14 of 23) were nearly normal (B), and 8.7% (2 of 23) were abnormal (C). In group II, 24.3% (9 of 37) were normal (A), 73.0% (27 of 37) were nearly normal (B), and 2.7% (1 of 37) were abnormal (C) ( P = .467). With respect to the mean side-to-side difference of range of motion, there was no statistically significant difference ( P = .1697). The mean was 4.7° ± 2.38° (range, 2°-10°) in group I and 4.0° ± 1.73° (range, 0°-8°) in group II. Conclusion The anterolateral tibial tunnel technique is preferred to the anteromedial technique in terms of the objective results; however, clinical results as judged by Lysholm and IKDC scores are not significantly correlated to these results.
Fibrinogen is required for maintenance of platelet intracellular and cell-surface P-selectin expression
Authors: Yang Hong , Lang Sean , Zhai Zhimin , Li Ling , Kahr Walter H. A. , Chen Pingguo , Brkić Jelena , Spring Christopher M. , Flick Matthew J. , Degen Jay L. , Freedman John , Ni Heyu 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPlatelet P-selectin plays important roles in inflammation and contributes to thrombosis and hemostasis. Although it has been reported that von Willebrand factor (VWF) affects P-selectin expression on endothelial cells, little information is available regarding regulation of platelet P-selectin expression. Here, we first observed that P-selectin expression was significantly decreased on platelets of fibrinogen and VWF double-deficient mice. Subsequently, we identified this was due to fibrinogen deficiency. Impaired P-selectin expression on fibrinogen-deficient platelets was further confirmed in human hypofibrinogenemic patients. We demonstrated that this impairment is unlikely due to excessive P-selectin shedding, deficient fibrinogen-mediated cell surface P-selectin binding, or impaired platelet granule release, but rather is due to decreased platelet P-selectin content. Fibrinogen transfusion completely recovered this impairment in fibrinogen-deficient (Fg−/−) mice, and engagement of the C-terminus of the fibrinogen γ chain with β3 integrin was required for this process. Furthermore, Fg−/− platelets significantly increased P-selectin expression following transfusion into β3 integrin–deficient mice and when cultured with fibrinogen. These data suggest fibrinogen may play important roles in inflammation, thrombosis, and hemostasis via enhancement of platelet P-selectin expression. Since human fibrinogen levels vary significantly in normal and diseased populations, P-selectin as an activation marker on platelets should be used with caution.
Regulatory T-cell status in red cell alloimmunized responder and nonresponder mice
Authors: Bao Weili , Yu Jin , Heck Susanne , Yazdanbakhsh Karina 
Published: March 2009

Abstract
Red blood cell alloimmunization remains a major complication for transfusion-dependent patients, but immune factors governing risk for alloimmunization are unknown. We hypothesized that CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), which we have shown control the rate and the frequency of red blood cell alloimmunization in mouse models, may dictate responder/nonresponder status. Using a transfusion regimen in which more than 50% of mice develop alloantibodies to human glycophorin A antigen, we found reduced in vitro and in vivo Treg-suppressive activity in responders compared with nonresponders that was the result of impaired Treg suppressor function. Moreover, responders were prone to developing additional alloantibodies to strong immunogens, whereas nonresponders were resistant to alloimmunization. Altogether, our data raise the possibility that Treg activity may be used as a marker for identifying responder/nonresponder status in transfusion recipients.
A mouse model for chronic lymphocytic leukemia based on expression of the SV40 large T antigen
Authors: ter Brugge Petra J. , Ta Van B. T. , de Bruijn Marjolein J. W. , Keijzers Guido , Maas Alex , van Gent Dik C. , Hendriks Rudi W. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe simian virus 40 (SV40) T antigen is a potent oncogene able to transform many cell types and has been implicated in leukemia and lymphoma. In this report, we have achieved sporadic SV40 T-antigen expression in mature B cells in mice, by insertion of a SV40 T antigen gene in opposite transcriptional orientation in the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy (H) chain locus between the D and JH segments. SV40 T-antigen expression appeared to result from retention of the targeted germline allele and concomitant antisense transcription of SV40 large T in mature B cells, leading to chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Although B-cell development was unperturbed in young mice, aging mice showed accumulation of a monoclonal B-cell population in which the targeted IgH allele was in germline configuration and the wild-type IgH allele had a productive V(D)J recombination. These leukemic B cells were IgDlowCD5+ and manifested nonrandom usage of V, D, and J segments. VH regions were either unmutated, with preferential usage of the VH11 family, or manifested extensive somatic hypermutation. Our findings provide an animal model for B-CLL and show that pathways activated by SV40 T antigen play important roles in the pathogenesis of B-CLL.