bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An International Collaboration To Standardize HIV-2 Viral Load Assays: Results from the 2009 ACHI
E
V
2E
Quality Control Study
Authors: Damond F. , Benard A. , Balotta Claudia , Böni Jürg , Cotten Matthew , Duque Vitor , Ferns Bridget , Garson Jeremy , Gomes Perpetua , Gonçalves Fátima , Gottlieb Geoffrey , Kupfer Bernd , Ruelle Jean , Rodes Berta , Soriano Vicente , Wainberg Mark , Taieb Audrey , Matheron Sophie , Chene Genevieve , Brun-Vezinet Francoise ,   for the ACHIV Study Group
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Accurate HIV-2 plasma viral load quantification is crucial for adequate HIV-2 patient management and for the proper conduct of clinical trials and international cohort collaborations. This study compared the homogeneity of HIV-2 RNA quantification when using HIV-2 assays from ACHI
E
V
2E
study sites and either in-house PCR calibration standards or common viral load standards supplied to all collaborators. Each of the 12 participating laboratories quantified blinded HIV-2 samples, using its own HIV-2 viral load assay and standard as well as centrally validated and distributed common HIV-2 group A and B standards (
http://www.hiv.lanl.gov/content/sequence/HelpDocs/subtypes-more.html
). Aliquots of HIV-2 group A and B strains, each at 2 theoretical concentrations (2.7 and 3.7 log
10
copies/ml), were tested. Intralaboratory, interlaboratory, and overall variances of quantification results obtained with both standards were compared using
F
tests. For HIV-2 group A quantifications, overall and interlaboratory and/or intralaboratory variances were significantly lower when using the common standard than when using in-house standards at the concentration levels of 2.7 log
10
copies/ml and 3.7 log
10
copies/ml, respectively. For HIV-2 group B, a high heterogeneity was observed and the variances did not differ according to the type of standard used. In this international collaboration, the use of a common standard improved the homogeneity of HIV-2 group A RNA quantification only. The diversity of HIV-2 group B, particularly in PCR primer-binding regions, may explain the heterogeneity in quantification of this strain. Development of a validated HIV-2 viral load assay that accurately quantifies distinct circulating strains is needed.
Identification of Chemoattractive Factors Involved in the Migration of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Brain Lesions Caused by Prions
Authors: Song Chang-Hyun , Honmou Osamu , Furuoka Hidefumi , Horiuchi Motohiro 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to migrate to brain lesions of neurodegenerative diseases; however, the precise mechanisms by which MSCs migrate remain to be elucidated. In this study, we carried out an
in vitro
migration assay to investigate the chemoattractive factors for MSCs in the brains of prion-infected mice. The migration of immortalized human MSCs (hMSCs) was reduced by their pretreatment with antibodies against the chemokine receptors, CCR3, CCR5, CXCR3, and CXCR4 and by pretreatment of brain extracts of prion-infected mice with antibodies against the corresponding ligands, suggesting the involvement of these receptors, and their ligands in the migration of hMSCs. In agreement with the results of an
in vitro
migration assay, hMSCs in the corpus callosum, which are considered to be migrating from the transplanted area toward brain lesions of prion-infected mice, expressed CCR3, CCR5, CXCR3, and CXCR4. The combined
in vitro
and
in vivo
analyses suggest that CCR3, CCR5, CXCR3, and CXCR4, and their corresponding ligands are involved in the migration of hMSCs to the brain lesions caused by prion propagation. In addition, hMSCs that had migrated to the right hippocampus of prion-infected mice expressed CCR1, CX3CR1, and CXCR4, implying the involvement of these chemokine receptors in hMSC functions after chemotactic migration. Further elucidation of the mechanisms that underlie the migration of MSCs may provide useful information regarding application of MSCs to the treatment of prion diseases.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Expressing Tumor Suppressor p53 Is a Highly Attenuated, Potent Oncolytic Agent
Authors: Heiber Joshua F. , Barber Glen N. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a negative-strand RNA rhabdovirus, preferentially replicates in and eradicates transformed versus nontransformed cells and is thus being considered for use as a potential anticancer treatment. The genetic malleability of VSV also affords an opportunity to develop more potent agents that exhibit increased therapeutic activity. The tumor suppressor p53 has been shown to exert potent antitumor properties, which may in part involve stimulating host innate immune responses to malignancies. To evaluate whether VSV expressing p53 exhibited enhanced oncolytic action, the murine p53 (mp53) gene was incorporated into recombinant VSVs with or without a functional viral M gene-encoded protein that could either block (VSV-mp53) or enable [VSV-M(mut)-mp53] host mRNA export following infection of susceptible cells. Our results indicated that VSV-mp53 and VSV-M(mut)-mp53 expressed high levels of functional p53 and retained the ability to lyse transformed versus normal cells. In addition, we observed that VSV-ΔM-mp53 was extremely attenuated
in vivo
due to p53 activating innate immune genes, such as type I interferon (IFN). Significantly, immunocompetent animals with metastatic mammary adenocarcinoma exhibited increased survival following treatment with a single inoculation of VSV-ΔM-mp53, the mechanisms of which involved enhanced CD49b
+
NK and tumor-specific CD8
+
T cell responses. Our data indicate that VSV incorporating p53 could provide a safe, effective strategy for the design of VSV oncolytic therapeutics and VSV-based vaccines.
Estimating internuclear distances between half-integer quadrupolar nuclei by central-transition double-quantum sideband NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Brinkmann Andreas , Edén Mattias 
Published: August 2011

We demonstrate the estimation of homonuclear dipolar couplings, and thereby internuclear distances, between half-integer spin quadrupolar nuclei by central-transition (CT) double-quantum (2Q) sideband nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. It is shown that the rotor-encoded sideband amplitudes from CT 2Q coherences in the indirect dimension of the two-dimensional NMR spectrum are sensitive probes of the magnitude of the homonuclear dipolar coupling, but are significantly less affected by other NMR parameters such as the magnitudes and orientations of the electric field gradient tensors. Experimental results of employing the [Formula: see text] recoupling sequence to the 11B spin pair of bis(catecholato)diboron resulted in an estimation of the internuclear B–B distance as (169.6 ± 3) pm, i.e., with a relative uncertainty of ±2%, and in excellent agreement with the distance of 167.8 pm determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Characterization of a Cleavage Stimulation Factor, 3′ pre-RNA, Subunit 2, 64 kDa (CSTF2) as a Therapeutic Target for Lung Cancer
Authors: Aragaki Masato , Takahashi Koji , Akiyama Hirohiko , Tsuchiya Eiju , Kondo Satoshi , Nakamura Yusuke , Daigo Yataro 
Published: August 2011

AbstractPurpose: This study aims to discover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung cancers.Experimental Design: We screened for genes showing elevated expression in the majority of lung cancers by genome-wide gene expression profile analysis of 120 lung cancers obtained by cDNA microarray representing 27,648 genes or expressed sequence tags. In this process, we detected a gene encoding cleavage stimulation factor, 3′ pre-RNA, subunit 2, 64 kDa (CSTF2) as a candidate. Immunohistochemical staining using tissue microarray consisting of 327 lung cancers was applied to examine the expression of CSTF2 protein and its prognostic value. A role of CSTF2 in cancer cell growth was examined by siRNA experiments.Results: Northern blot and immunohistochemical analyses detected the expression of CSTF2 only in testis among 16 normal tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis using tissue microarray showed an association of strong CSTF2 expression with poor prognosis of patients with non–small cell lung cancer (P = 0.0079), and multivariate analysis showed that CSTF2 positivity is an independent prognostic factor. In addition, suppression of CSTF2 expression by siRNAs suppressed lung cancer cell growth, whereas exogenous expression of CSTF2 promoted growth and invasion of mammalian cells.Conclusions: CSTF2 is likely to play an important role in lung carcinogenesis and be a prognostic biomarker in the clinic. Clin Cancer Res; 17(18); 5889–900. ©2011 AACR.
Reproducibility by Climate Models of Cloud Radiative Forcing Associated with Tropical Convection
Authors: Ichikawa Hiroki , Masunaga Hirohiko , Tsushima Yoko , Kanzawa Hiroshi 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
In this study, cloud radiative forcing (CRF) associated with convective activity over tropical oceans is analyzed for monthly mean data from twentieth-century simulations of 18 climate models participating in phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) in comparison with observational and reanalysis data. The analysis is focused on the warm oceanic regions with sea surface temperatures (SSTs) above 27°C to exclude the regions with cold SSTs typically covered by low stratus clouds. CRF is evaluated for different regimes sorted by pressure-coordinated vertical motion at 500 hPa (ω500) as an index of large-scale circulation. The warm oceanic regions cover the regime of vertical motion ranging from strong ascent to weak descent. The most notable feature found in this study is a systematic underestimation by most models of the ratio of longwave cloud radiative forcing (LWCRF) to shortwave cloud radiative forcing (SWCRF) over the weak vertical motion regime defined as −10 &lt; ω500 &lt; 20 hPa day−1. The underestimation of the ratio corresponds to the underestimation of LWCRF and the overestimation of SWCRF. Clouds in models seem to be lower in the amount of high clouds but more reflective than those in the observations in this regime.
In the weak vertical motion regime, the lower free troposphere is dry. In the large-scale environment condition, the reproducibility of LWCRF is high in models adopting the scheme where the relative humidity–based suppression for deep convection occurrence is implemented. Models adopting the Zhang and McFarlane scheme show good performance without such a suppression mechanism.
Employment status, inflation and suicidal behaviour: An analysis of a stratified sample in Italy
Authors: Solano Paola , Pizzorno Enrico , Gallina Anna M. , Mattei Chiara , Gabrielli Filippo , Kayman Joshua 
Published: August 2011

Background: There is abundant empirical evidence of a surplus risk of suicide among the unemployed, although few studies have investigated the influence of economic downturns on suicidal behaviours in an employment status-stratified sample. Aims: We investigated how economic inflation affected suicidal behaviours according to employment status in Italy from 2001 to 2008. Methods: Data concerning economically active people were provided by the Italian Institute for Statistical Analysis and by the International Monetary Fund. The association between inflation and completed versus attempted suicide with respect to employment status was investigated in every year and quarter-year of the study time frame. We considered three occupational categories: employed, unemployed who were previously employed and unemployed who had never worked. Results: The unemployed are at higher suicide risk than the employed. Among the PE, a significant association between inflation and suicide attempt was found, whereas no association was reported concerning completed suicides. No association was found between completed and attempted suicides among the employed, the NE and inflation. Completed suicide in females is significantly associated with unemployment in every quarter-year. Conclusion: The reported vulnerability to suicidal behaviours among the PE as inflation rises underlines the need of effective support strategies for both genders in times of economic downturns.
Evaluation of domestic Energy Performance Certificates in use
Authors: Watts Christabel , Jentsch Mark F , James Patrick AB 
Published: August 2011

Since October 2008, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been a mandatory requirement for all dwellings sold or rented in England and Wales. Having now been in place for some time, it is of interest to assess the scheme’s impact and effectiveness. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey, targeted at almost 2000 homeowners in Southampton on the South coast of England, who bought their home within the first year of the scheme’s introduction. The survey had a response rate of 17% and established homeowner awareness of EPCs, but highlighted that they had little impact on decision-making or price negotiation. Where retrofitting measures have been undertaken, results are inconclusive as to whether retrofitting was done as a result of EPCs. Energy efficiency was not found to be a priority for homebuyers. Practical applications: The survey presented in this paper highlights that further refinement of EPCs and the certification process appear to be needed, in order for the scheme to become a widespread success in the domestic sector. Whilst there is an awareness of the scheme in general, there appears to be limited recognition of its potential. This poses a challenge for the building industry and certification bodies, which need to seek ways to better communicate the benefits of the scheme, in order to instigate the refurbishment works that are required to meet the national carbon emissions reduction targets in the UK.
Absence of haemodynamic refractory effects in patients with migraine without aura – an interictal fMRI study
Authors: Descamps Benedicte , Vandemaele Pieter , Reyngoudt Harmen , Deblaere Karel , Leybaert Luc , Paemeleire Koen , Achten Eric 
Published: August 2011

Background: In healthy controls, haemodynamic refractory effects are observed with blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI): the haemodynamic response function (HRF) to the second stimulus in a pair of stimuli with short interstimulus interval (ISI) shows a decreased amplitude and an increased time-to-peak. We hypothesize that there may be interictal haemodynamic abnormalities in migraineurs. Methods: An event-related fMRI design with paired face stimuli and varying ISIs was used to measure interictal HRFs in the face recognition area of patients with migraine without aura (MwoA) and controls. Net responses to the second stimulus in a pair were calculated and averaged per participant. Several characterizing parameters of the net responses were quantified and examined within each group. Results: Refractory effects were not observed in our patient group. There are no changes in the net responses compared with the reference situation in patients, irrespective of the ISI, whereas in controls all HRF parameters are decreased or delayed for an ISI of 1 second. Conclusion: This is the first fMRI study investigating the haemodynamic refractory effects in MwoA patients. Unlike in controls, these effects are not observed in migraineurs. Although currently unclear, it is tempting to speculate that this observation reflects the neurovascular correlate of lack of habituation measured with evoked potentials in migraineurs.
Continued Significant Effect of Physical Training as Treatment for Overuse Injury
Authors: Hölmich Per , Nyvold Per , Larsen Klaus 
Published: August 2011

Background: The treatment of exercise-related injuries is often a problem, and recurrent injuries are common. Two recent systematic reviews found only one high-quality paper on the treatment of long-standing groin pain. In this randomized clinical trial, a training program including strength training resulted in a return of 79% of the athletes to the previous level of sport without any groin pain. The long-term effect of this exercise program was evaluated. Hypothesis: The effect of the exercise program for adductor-related groin pain is long lasting. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Forty-seven (80%) of the 59 original participants of the study agreed to participate in this 8- to 12-year follow-up. They were all interviewed and examined using a standardized and reproducible protocol, identical to the one used in the original trial. The investigating physician (P.N.) was not involved in the original study and was unaware of the original treatment allocation. Results: A significant effect of the active training treatment still existed for the whole group ( P = .047) and even more for the subgroup of 39 (83%) soccer players ( P = .012). No significant differences were found regarding age, present sports activity, reasons for activity reduction, or time to follow-up. Conclusion: The beneficial short-term effect of the exercise program used in the primary randomized clinical trial for treating long-standing adductor-related groin pain in athletes was found to be lasting, both for the whole group and even more for the large subgroup of soccer players. This is the first time an exercise treatment for overuse injuries to the musculoskeletal system has been shown to have a long-lasting effect (8-12 years).
Increased risk of multiple sclerosis among women with migraine in the Nurses’ Health Study II
Authors: Kister Ilya , Munger Kassandra L , Herbert Joseph , Ascherio Alberto 
Published: August 2011

Background: The prospective Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS-II), which enrolled over 116,000 female nurses, provides a unique opportunity to test the hypothesis of whether migraine is associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to explore the temporal aspects of the interrelationship. Objectives: To calculate relative risk of MS among NHS-II participants with and without migraine and to estimate odds ratio (OR) of being diagnosed with migraine in women with and without pre-existing MS. Methods: Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of being diagnosed with MS in women with and without pre-existing migraine adjusted for potential confounders. Multivariate adjusted ORs of being diagnosed with migraine in women with and without pre-existing MS were estimated using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of migraine in women with MS at baseline (26%, p = 0.11) and those diagnosed with MS after enrolment (29%, p < 0.0001) was higher than in the non-MS cases (21%). The relative risk of developing MS in migraineurs was 1.39 times higher than in non-migraineurs (95% CI 1.10–1.77, p = 0.008). The absolute risk of developing MS in women migraineurs over a 15-year follow-up was 0.47% and among non-migraineurs 0.32%. The odds of being diagnosed with migraine was higher in women with pre-existing MS compared with those without MS, but did not reach statistical significance (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 0.97–2.52; p = 0.06). Conclusions: Using a large, cohort of women-nurses, history of migraine was associated with an increased risk of MS. However, the difference in absolute risk of MS in migraineurs and non-migraineurs was small.
Medication adherence assessment in a clinical trial with centralized follow-up and direct-to-patient drug shipments
Authors: Warren Stuart R , Raisch Dennis W , Campbell Heather M , Guarino Peter D , Kaufman James S , Petrokaitis Elizabeth , Goldfarb David S , Gaziano J Michael , Jamison Rex L ,   Veterans Affairs Site Investigators
Published: August 2011

Background Assessment of adherence to study medications is a common challenge in clinical research. Counting unused study medication is the predominant method by which adherence is assessed in outpatient clinical trials but it has limitations that include questionable validity and burdens on research personnel. Purpose To compare capsule counts, patient questionnaire responses, and plasma drug levels as methods of determining adherence in a clinical trial that had 2056 participants and used centralized drug distribution and patient follow-up. Methods Capsule counts from study medication bottles returned by participants and responses to questions regarding adherence during quarterly telephone interviews were averaged and compared. Both measures were compared to plasma drug levels obtained at the 3-month study visit of patients in the treatment group. Counts and questionnaire responses were converted to adherence rates (doses taken divided by days elapsed) and were categorized by stringent (≥85.7%) and liberal (≥71.4%) definitions. We calculated the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa to assess agreement between the two measures. Results Using a pre-paid mailer, participants returned 76.0% of study medication bottles to the central pharmacy. Both capsule counts and questionnaire responses were available for 65.8% of participants and were used to assess adherence. Capsule counts identified more patients who were under-adherent (18.8% by the stringent definition and 7.5% by the liberal definition) than self-reports did (10.4% by the stringent definition and 2.1% by the liberal definition). The prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa was 0.58 (stringent) and 0.83 (liberal), indicating fair and very good agreement, respectively. Both measures were also in agreement with plasma drug levels determined at the 3-month visit (capsule counts: p = 0.005 for the stringent and p = 0.003 for the liberal definition; questionnaire: p = 0.002 for both adherence definitions). Limitations Inconsistent bottle returns and incomplete notations of medication start and stop dates resulted in missing data but exploratory missing data analyses showed no reason to believe that the missing data resulted in systematic bias. Conclusions Depending upon the definition of adherence, there was fair to very good agreement between questionnaire results and capsule counts among returned study bottles, confirmed by plasma drug levels. We conclude that a self-report of medication adherence is potentially comparable to capsule counts as a method of assessing adherence in a clinical trial, if a relatively low adherence threshold is acceptable, but adherence should be confirmed by other measures if a high adherence threshold is required.