bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Merkel Cell Polyomavirus-Infected Merkel Cell Carcinoma Cells Require Expression of Viral T Antigens
Authors: Houben Roland , Shuda Masahiro , Weinkam Rita , Schrama David , Feng Huichen , Chang Yuan , Moore Patrick S. , Becker Jürgen C. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is the most aggressive skin cancer. Recently, it was demonstrated that human Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is clonally integrated in ∼80% of MCC tumors. However, direct evidence for whether oncogenic viral proteins are needed for the maintenance of MCC cells is still missing. To address this question, we knocked down MCV T-antigen (TA) expression in MCV-positive MCC cell lines using three different short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-expressing vectors targeting exon 1 of the TAs. The MCC cell lines used include three newly generated MCV-infected cell lines and one MCV-negative cell line from MCC tumors. Notably, all MCV-positive MCC cell lines underwent growth arrest and/or cell death upon TA knockdown, whereas the proliferation of MCV-negative cell lines remained unaffected. Despite an increase in the number of annexin V-positive, 7-amino-actinomycin D (7-AAD)-negative cells upon TA knockdown, activation of caspases or changes in the expression and phosphorylation of Bcl-2 family members were not consistently detected after TA suppression. Our study provides the first direct experimental evidence that TA expression is necessary for the maintenance of MCV-positive MCC and that MCV is the infectious cause of MCV-positive MCC.
Ebola Virus Glycoprotein Counteracts BST-2/Tetherin Restriction in a Sequence-Independent Manner That Does Not Require Tetherin Surface Removal
Authors: Lopez Lisa A. , Yang Su Jung , Hauser Heiko , Exline Colin M. , Haworth Kevin G. , Oldenburg Jill , Cannon Paula M. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT
BST-2/tetherin is an interferon-inducible protein that restricts the release of enveloped viruses from the surface of infected cells by physically linking viral and cellular membranes. It is present at both the cell surface and in a perinuclear region, and viral anti-tetherin factors including HIV-1 Vpu and HIV-2 Env have been shown to decrease the cell surface population. To map the domains of human tetherin necessary for both virus restriction and sensitivity to viral anti-tetherin factors, we constructed a series of tetherin derivatives and assayed their activity. We found that the cytoplasmic tail (CT) and transmembrane (TM) domains of tetherin alone produced its characteristic cellular distribution, while the ectodomain of the protein, which includes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor, was sufficient to restrict virus release when presented by the CT/TM regions of a different type II membrane protein. To counteract tetherin restriction and remove it from the cell surface, HIV-1 Vpu required the specific sequence present in the TM domain of human tetherin. In contrast, the HIV-2 Env required only the ectodomain of the protein and was sensitive to a point mutation in this region. Strikingly, the anti-tetherin factor, Ebola virus GP, was able to overcome restriction conferred by both tetherin and a series of functional tetherin derivatives, including a wholly artificial tetherin molecule. Moreover, GP overcame restriction without significantly removing tetherin from the cell surface. These findings suggest that Ebola virus GP uses a novel mechanism to circumvent tetherin restriction.
Evidence for DNA Hairpin Recognition by Zta at the Epstein-Barr Virus Origin of Lytic Replication
Authors: Rennekamp Andrew J. , Wang Pu , Lieberman Paul M. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACT

The Epstein-Barr virus immediate-early protein (Zta) plays an essential role in viral lytic activation and pathogenesis. Zta is a basic zipper (b-Zip) domain-containing protein that binds multiple sites in the viral origin of lytic replication (OriLyt) and is required for lytic-cycle DNA replication. We present evidence that Zta binds to a sequence-specific, imperfect DNA hairpin formed by an inverted repeat within the upstream essential element (UEE) of OriLyt. Mutations in the OriLyt sequence that are predicted to disrupt hairpin formation also disrupt Zta binding
in vitro
. Restoration of the hairpin rescues the defect. We also show that OriLyt DNA isolated from replicating cells contains a nuclease-sensitive region that overlaps with the inverted-repeat region of the UEE. Furthermore, point mutations in Zta that disrupt specific recognition of the UEE hairpin are defective for activation of lytic replication. These data suggest that Zta acts by inducing and/or stabilizing a DNA hairpin structure during productive infection. The DNA hairpin at OriLyt with which Zta interacts resembles DNA structures formed at other herpesvirus origins and may therefore represent a common secondary structure used by all herpesvirus family members during the initiation of DNA replication.
Pain assessment and management in medical wards: an area of unmet need
Authors: Chang S H , Maney K M , Mehta V , Langford R M 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Acute Pain Services (APS) were introduced primarily to improve postoperative pain management. Although pain is similar in prevalence and severity in medical and surgical wards, its assessment and management in non-surgical patients often receives less attention and resources.

Objective
To investigate the extent of APS involvement on medical wards and obtain perceptions of deficiencies.

Method
A questionnaire was mailed to APS leads in 287 UK NHS hospitals; 229 questionnaires were returned (79.8% response).

Results
Only 36 (16%) of the 225 hospitals with medical wards reported routine APS involvement. Pain scores were not recorded in 75 (33%) hospitals, 11 (5%) denied knowledge about assessments being conducted, and 185 (82.2%) respondents felt that pain management on medical wards was inadequate.

Conclusions
Perceived lack of training and awareness of healthcare staff were highly ranked contributing factors, and this was attributed to inadequate funding. This study highlights the scope for improvement of pain control in medical patients, with benefits from reduced morbidity and faster recovery.
Risk of Meningioma and Common Variation in Genes Related to Innate Immunity
Authors: Rajaraman Preetha , Brenner Alina V. , Neta Gila , Pfeiffer Ruth , Wang Sophia S. , Yeager Meredith , Thomas Gilles , Fine Howard A. , Linet Martha S. , Rothman Nathaniel , Chanock Stephen J. , Inskip Peter D. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Background: The etiology of meningioma, the second most common type of adult brain tumor in the United States, is largely unknown. Prior studies indicate that history of immune-related conditions may affect the risk of meningioma.
Methods: To identify genetic markers for meningioma in genes involved with innate immunity, we conducted an exploratory association study of 101 meningioma cases and 330 frequency-matched controls of European ancestry using subjects from a hospital-based study conducted by the National Cancer Institute. We genotyped 1,407 “tag” single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 148 genetic regions chosen on the basis of an r2 &gt; 0.8 and minor allele frequency of &gt;5% in Caucasians in HapMap1. Risk of meningioma was estimated by odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Seventeen SNPs distributed across 12 genetic regions (NFKB1 (3), FCER1G (3), CCR6 (2), VCAM1, CD14, TNFRSF18, RAC2, XDH, C1D, TLR1/TLR10/TLR6, NOS1, and DEFA5) were associated with the risk of meningioma with P &lt; 0.01. Although individual SNP tests were not significant after controlling for multiple comparisons, gene region–based tests were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05) for TNFRSF18, NFKB1, FCER1G, CD14, C1D, CCR6, and VCAM1.
Conclusions and Impact: Our results indicate that common genetic polymorphisms in innate immunity genes may be associated with risk of meningioma. Given the small sample size, replication of these results in a larger study of meningioma is needed. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(5); 1356–61. ©2010 AACR.
Empirical Estimates of the Lead Time Distribution for Prostate Cancer Based on Two Independent Representative Cohorts of Men Not Subject to Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening
Authors: Savage Caroline J. , Lilja Hans , Cronin Angel M. , Ulmert David , Vickers Andrew J. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Background: Lead time, the estimated time by which screening advances the date of diagnosis, is used to calculate the risk of overdiagnosis. We sought to describe empirically the distribution of lead times between an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and subsequent prostate cancer diagnosis.
Methods: We linked the Swedish cancer registry to two independent cohorts: 60-year-olds sampled in 1981-1982 and 51- to 56-year-olds sampled in 1982-1985. We used univariate kernel density estimation to characterize the lead time distribution. Linear regression was used to model the lead time as a function of baseline PSA and logistic regression was used to test for an association between lead time and either stage or grade at diagnosis.
Results: Of 1,167 older men, 132 were diagnosed with prostate cancer, of which 57 had PSA ≥3 ng/mL at baseline; 495 of 4,260 younger men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, of which 116 had PSA ≥3 ng/mL at baseline. The median lead time was slightly longer in the younger men (12.8 versus 11.8 years). In both cohorts, wide variation in lead times followed an approximately normal distribution. Longer lead times were significantly associated with a lower risk of high-grade disease in older and younger men [odds ratio, 0.82 (P = 0.023) and 0.77 (P &lt; 0.001)].
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that early changes in the natural history of the disease are associated with high-grade cancer at diagnosis.
Impact: The distinct differences between the observed distribution of lead times and those used in modeling studies illustrate the need to model overdiagnosis rates using empirical data. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(5); 1201–7. ©2010 AACR.
Air Pollution from Traffic and Risk for Lung Cancer in Three Danish Cohorts
Authors: Raaschou-Nielsen Ole , Bak Helle , Sørensen Mette , Jensen Steen Solvang , Ketzel Matthias , Hvidberg Martin , Schnohr Peter , Tjønneland Anne , Overvad Kim , Loft Steffen 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Background: Air pollution is suspected to cause lung cancer. The purpose was to investigate whether the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the residence, used as an indicator of air pollution from traffic, is associated with risk for lung cancer.
Methods: We identified 679 lung cancer cases in the Danish Cancer Registry from the members of three prospective cohorts and selected a comparison group of 3,481 persons from the same cohorts in a case-cohort design. Residential addresses from January 1, 1971, were traced in the Central Population Registry. The NOx concentration at each address was calculated by dispersion models, and the time-weighted average concentration for all addresses was calculated for each person. We used Cox models to estimate incidence rate ratios after adjustment for smoking (status, duration, and intensity), educational level, body mass index, and alcohol consumption.
Results: The incidence rate ratios for lung cancer were 1.30 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.07-1.57] and 1.45 (95% CI, 1.12-1.88) for NOx concentrations of 30 to 72 and &gt;72 μg/m3, respectively, when compared with &lt;30 μg/m3. This corresponds to a 37% (95% CI, 6-76%) increase in incidence rate ratio per 100 μg/m3 NOx. The results showed no significant heterogeneity in the incidence rate ratio for lung cancer between cohorts or between strata defined by gender, educational level, or smoking status.
Conclusion: The study showed a modest association between air pollution from traffic and the risk for lung cancer.
Impact: This study points at traffic as a source of carcinogenic air pollution and stresses the importance of strategies for reduction of population exposure to traffic-related air pollution. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(5); 1284–91. ©2010 AACR.
The Social Structures of the Economy, Pierre Bourdieu, Cambridge: Polity Press, 2005
Authors: Dufour Frédérick Guillaume 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis paper is divided into two sections. The first section presents a concise survey of the intellectual itinerary of the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu in the French intellectual field. Then, after a short presentation of Bourdieu’s The Social Structures of the Economy, I proceed to a broader discussion of his economic sociology. After a presentation of Bourdieu’s key conceptual contributions, I question some aspects of Bourdieusian sociology with regard to its ambition of historicising the ‘economic field’. I identify the limitations of this historicising project in the extension of the metaphor of the market to virtually all fields of human activities and in a concept of capital which fails to grasp a social relation specific to the historical development of capitalism.
Bringing smoking cessation to diabetes clinics in Indonesia
Authors: Ng Nawi , Nichter Mark , Retna Siwi Padmawati  , Prabandari Yayi Suryo , Muramoto Myra , Nichter Mimi 
Published: May 2010

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of delivering brief and disease-centred smoking cessation interventions to patients with diabetes mellitus in clinical settings. Methods: We conducted a feasibility study involving two interactive smoking cessation interventions: doctor’s advice and visual representation of how tobacco affects diabetes (DA) and DA plus direct referral to a cessation clinic (CC). Follow-up was at 3 and 6 months post intervention. Primary outcome was 7-day-point prevalence abstinence. The study involved male patients recruited from two referral diabetes clinics in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia during January 2008 to May 2009. Of the 71 patients who smoked during the last month, 33 were randomized to the DA group and 38 to the CC group. Results: At 6 months follow-up, DA and CC groups had abstinence rates of 30% and 37%, respectively. Of those continuing to smoke, most reported an attempt to quit or reduce smoking (70% in DA and 88% in CC groups). Patients in both groups had increased understanding of smoking-related harm and increased motivation to quit smoking. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of disease-centred doctors’ messages about smoking cessation for patients with diabetes, supported by the presence of a CC motivating clinicians to routinely give patients cessation messages.
Factor IX ectopically expressed in platelets can be stored in α-granules and corrects the phenotype of hemophilia B mice
Authors: Zhang Guowei , Shi Qizhen , Fahs Scot A. , Kuether Erin L. , Walsh Christopher E. , Montgomery Robert R. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractWe developed 2bF9 transgenic mice in a hemophilia B mouse model with the expression of human factor IX (FIX) under control of the platelet-specific integrin αIIb promoter, to determine whether ectopically expressing FIX in megakaryocytes can enable the storage of FIX in platelet α-granules and corrects the murine hemophilia B phenotype. FIX was detected in the platelets and plasma of 2bF9 transgenic mice by both antigen and activity assays. Approximately 90% of total FIX in blood was stored in platelets, most of which is releasable on activation of platelets. Immunostaining demonstrated that FIX was expressed in platelets and megakaryocytes and stored in α-granules. All 2bF9 transgenic mice survived tail clipping, suggesting that platelet-derived FIX normalizes hemostasis in the hemophilia B mouse model. This protection can be transferred by bone marrow transplantation or platelet transfusion. However, unlike our experience with platelet FVIII, the efficacy of platelet-derived FIX was limited in the presence of anti-FIX inhibitory antibodies. These results demonstrate that releasable FIX can be expressed and stored in platelet α-granules and that platelet-derived FIX can correct the bleeding phenotype in hemophilia B mice. Our studies suggest that targeting FIX expression to platelets could be a new gene therapy strategy for hemophilia B.
Rolling on E- or P-selectin induces the extended but not high-affinity conformation of LFA-1 in neutrophils
Authors: Kuwano Yoshihiro , Spelten Oliver , Zhang Hong , Ley Klaus , Zarbock Alexander 
Published: May 2010

AbstractHuman blood neutrophils rolling on E- or P-selectin reduced their rolling velocity when intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)–1 was available. Similar to mouse neutrophils, this was dependent on P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL1), αLβ2 integrin, the Src family tyrosine kinase FGR and spleen tyrosine kinase SYK. Blocking phospholipase C or p38 MAP kinase attenuated, but did not abolish the velocity reduction. To test expression of integrin activation epitopes, we adapted an immobilized reporter assay and developed a new homogeneous microfluidics-based reporter antibody binding assay. Rolling on E- or P-selectin induced the extension reporter epitopes KIM127 and NKI-L16, but not the high affinity reporter epitope monoclonal antibody (mAb) 24. This enabled rolling neutrophils to bind to immobilized extension reporter, but not activation reporter antibodies and allowed binding of soluble KIM127 during rolling. We conclude that human neutrophil rolling on E- or P-selectin induces the extended αLβ2 integrin conformation through signaling triggered by PSGL-1 engagement.
Copy number variation in the bovine genome
Authors: Fadista João , Thomsen Bo , Holm Lars-Erik , Bendixen Christian 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Copy number variations (CNVs), which represent a significant source of genetic diversity in mammals, have been shown to be associated with phenotypes of clinical relevance and to be causative of disease. Notwithstanding, little is known about the extent to which CNV contributes to genetic variation in cattle.

Results
We designed and used a set of NimbleGen CGH arrays that tile across the assayable portion of the cattle genome with approximately 6.3 million probes, at a median probe spacing of 301 bp. This study reports the highest resolution map of copy number variation in the cattle genome, with 304 CNV regions (CNVRs) being identified among the genomes of 20 bovine samples from 4 dairy and beef breeds. The CNVRs identified covered 0.68% (22 Mb) of the genome, and ranged in size from 1.7 to 2,031 kb (median size 16.7 kb). About 20% of the CNVs co-localized with segmental duplications, while 30% encompass genes, of which the majority is involved in environmental response. About 10% of the human orthologous of these genes are associated with human disease susceptibility and, hence, may have important phenotypic consequences.

Conclusions
Together, this analysis provides a useful resource for assessment of the impact of CNVs regarding variation in bovine health and production traits.
Neighborhood and physical activities of Portuguese adolescents
Authors: Loureiro Nuno , Matos Margarida G , Santos Maria M , Mota Jorge , Diniz José A 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
This study examines associations between perceptions of neighbourhood environment and physical activity and sports within Portuguese adolescents.

Methods
The sample consisted of 4,877 individuals of both genders, with an average age of 14 years. The instrument used was the Health Behavior School-aged Children questionnaire.

Results
Perceptions of the neighbourhood being unsafe for children to play and having no place to spend leisure time were associated with lower levels of exercise among adolescents. The perceptions of the neighbourhood being unsafe for children to play (OR = 1.3, p < .005) and the fact of not having a place to spend leisure time (OR = 1.3, p < .005) p < .005) were associated with lower levels of exercise among adolescents. The perception of these variables is associated to a lower probability of exercising. The neighbourhood characteristics are more important to the practice of outdoor sports than of indoor sports.

Conclusion
The perceptions of the neighbourhood may influence adolescent's physical activity and sports, in different ways.
Serum selenium concentration is associated with metabolic factors in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Kuen-Cheh , Lee Long-Teng , Lee Yow-Shan , Huang Hui-Ying , Chen Ching-Yu , Huang Kuo-Chin 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Selenium is an essential micronutrient known for its antioxidant function. However, the association of serum selenium with lipid profiles and fasting glucose are inconsistent in populations with average intake of selenium. Furthermore, there were few studies conducted specifically for the elderly. This study examined the relationship of serum selenium concentration with serum lipids and fasting glucose in the Taiwanese elderly population.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study of 200 males and females aged 65-85 years (mean 71.5 ± 4.6 years) from Taipei, Taiwan. Serum selenium was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. The association between serum selenium and metabolic factors was examined using a multivariate linear regression analysis after controlling several confounders.

Results
The mean serum selenium concentration was 1.14 μmol/L, without significant difference between sexes. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol increased significantly with serum selenium concentration (P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively) after adjusting for age, gender, anthropometric indices, lifestyle factors, and cardio-vascular risk factors in several linear regression models. Furthermore, there was a significantly positive association between serum selenium and serum fasting glucose concentrations (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, and fasting serum glucose concentrations increased significantly with serum selenium concentration in the Taiwanese elderly. The underlying mechanism warrants further research.
Monitoring of clopidogrel treatment by multiple electrode platelet aggregometry1,2
Authors: Behr Tobias , Behr Werner , von Scheidt Wolfgang 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Low responsiveness to clopidogrel is an important cause of adverse events after coronary stenting. Multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA) measured by the Multiplate® system seems to be suitable for monitoring clopidogrel treatment. We validated this method by analyzing hirudin blood samples from 150 healthy volunteers to establish reference ranges of the MEA tests, from 75 hematologic patients with anemia or thrombopenia to determine the dependence of MEA values on hematocrit (HCT) and platelet count, and from 1005 patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 600 mg clopidogrel loading dose to test the reproducibility of the results under clinical conditions. It was found that MEA results are not affected by the different methods of blood withdrawal and sample transport, if the blood is kept at rest for 30 min before measuring. Measuring must be performed within 3 h after blood withdrawal. It was found that MEA results are not valid in patients with HCT ≤0.30 L/L or platelets ≤100/nL. Because clopidogrel loading also causes a decrease of thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP) values, clopidogrel responsiveness, defined by ADP values under the lower reference level (men: 32 U, women: 46 U), can only reliably be classified if the TRAP value is >20 U and the TRAP/ADP ratio <3. Clopidogrel monitoring should be performed within 24 h after PCI, despite the risk of unclear results in ∼12%. In summary, by concentrating on preanalytical conditions and blood count, MEA is suitable to detect clopidogrel response. The TRAP test should be performed simultaneously to allow a valid assessment.