bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Specific Subjective Memory Complaints in Older Persons May Indicate Poor Cognitive Function
Authors: Amariglio Rebecca England , Townsend Mary K. , Grodstein Francine , Sperling Reisa A. , Rentz Dorene M. 
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between the type and number of subjective memory complaints (SMCs) and performance on objective cognitive tests.
DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.
SETTING: Nurses' Health Study.
PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen thousand nine hundred sixty‐four women (mean age 74) who provided information on SMCs.
MEASUREMENTS: Telephone cognitive assessments and seven questions regarding SMCs were administered. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of less than 31 on the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) and below the 10th percentile on other cognitive measures. To assess associations with SMCs, multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for cognitive impairment and multivariable linear regression to calculate mean differences in cognitive test scores, adjusting for age and depressive symptoms.
RESULTS: Some SMCs, such as trouble following a group conversation or finding one's way around familiar streets, were more highly associated than others with odds of cognitive impairment. The complaint of forgetting things from one second to the next, generally considered part of normal aging, was not associated with cognitive impairment. In addition, there were strong, linear trends of increasingly worse scores on cognitive tests with increasing numbers of memory complaints. For each additional SMC endorsed, the odds of cognitive impairment increased approximately 20% when each SMC was weighted equally.
CONCLUSION: SMCs are associated with objective cognitive status and may be considered by primary care physicians in determining whether follow‐up is warranted.
Piezoelectric vs. conventional implant site preparation: ex vivo implant primary stability
Authors: Baker Justin A. , Vora Shweta , Bairam Latifa , Kim Hyeong‐il , Davis Elaine L. , Andreana Sebastiano 
Published: September 2011

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to determine differences in primary stability between implants placed in cortical bone following Piezoelectric or conventional site preparation, as assessed by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and reverse torque testing (RTT).Material and methodsFour fresh bovine ribs were acquired and surgical guides fabricated with five sites per rib (n = 20), for proper site preparation. Implant sites were prepared via conventional drilling technique as per manufacturer's instruction (Implantium) or via Piezoelectric (Mectron) implant site preparation using the Implant Prep kit. Twenty 10 mm long, 3.6 mm diameter Implantium implants were placed with 35 Ncm torque; 10 implants per preparation method. RFA was assessed via the Osstell Mentor. Five values were taken per implant. All implants where subjected to a reverse torque in increasing increments of 5 until 50 Ncm force was reached.ResultsThe five RFA values per site were averaged and plotted by placement technique. A paired t‐test statistical analysis was run. The average RFA values showed no statistical significance between the 10 test (RFA = 69.04 ± 5.11) and 10 control (RFA = 70.94 ± 6.41) sites (P > 0.05). All implants in both groups withstood RTT up to 50 Ncm force without movement and thus showed no statistical differences.ConclusionResults of this ex vivo study imply that the Piezoelectric implant site preparation affords similar primary implant stability in comparison to conventional rotary instrumentation in cortical bone.
Oral health status in a group of the elderly population residing at home
Authors: Nazliel Haviye Erverdi , Hersek Nur , Ozbek Murat , Karaagaoglu Ergun 
Published: September 2011

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00556.xOral health status in a group of the elderly population residing at homeObjectives:  To determine the oral health status and treatment needs of subjects aged 65 years and older residing in different districts of Ankara.Materials and methods:  A total of 1300 patients, 751 females and 549 males, age 65 and over with a mean age of 72.8 ± 6.34 were included in this study. The subjects were visited at home and toothbrushing habits, visiting the dentist, tooth loss, denture needs were questioned and body mass index values were recorded.Results:  52.5% of the subjects were completely edentulous, 83.3% subjects reported wearing a removable denture. Females had a higher total tooth loss frequency when compared to males (p < 0.05). Total tooth loss between 65 and 69 ages was 47.3%, and increased to 62.4% among those aged 75 and over (p < 0.05). 16.2% of the subjects had not visited a dentist in the last 10 years, and only 3% visited a dentist for control check‐ups; no gender‐based difference was observed as to the frequency of dental visits (P > 0.05). No significant relationship was found between tooth loss and BMI values (P > 0.05). 46.3% of the subjects had chewing problems.Conclusions:  The subjects included in this study showed high tooth loss frequency and poor oral hygiene habits. Education regarding maintenance of oral hygiene and regular dental check up should be stressed for the elderly.
The efficacy of Back School on chronic low back pain of workers of a pharmaceutical company in a Tehran Suburb. COPCORD stage II study
Authors: SADEGHI‐ABDOLLAHI Bahar , ESHAGHI Anita , HOSSEINI Siavash Nejad , GHAHREMANI Mojgan , DAVATCHI Fereydoun 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAim:  Low back pain (LBP) is the second most frequent reason for seeking medical advice. Various treatments are proposed from no intervention, to analgesics, rest, exercises, local interventions and surgical procedures. Results and outcomes are differently reported. Back School (BS), a combination of patient education and physical exercises, seems to have good results. The aim of this study was to check the effect of BS in factory workers.Patients and Methods:  All (70) workers were interviewed and 26 of them (37.1%) had chronic LBP. Secondary causes were excluded. Anatomy, physiology, biomechanics of the spine, correct postures at work and back exercises were taught. Pain on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0–100, and Short Form (SF)‐36 health survey were applied, before, at the end of BS sessions, and 3 months after BS. Analysis was done by t‐test, Wilcoxon and Pearson’s correlation test.Results:  The mean VAS on pain before BS was 43.4 ± 22.3, improving to 38.6 ± 17.5 at the end of BS. The difference was not significant (P = 0.19). The mean VAS improved to 27.5 ± 20 at 3 months after BS. The difference was significant compared to before BS (P = 0.001). The quality of life measured by the SF‐36 questionnaire, did not improve significantly, except for two of its eight subgroups (Role Physical, Social Functioning) at the end of BS, and two of its subgroup (Mental Health, Social Functioning) at 3 months after BS.Conclusion:  Among industrial workers, BS is mainly effective on pain, but is less evident on SF‐36.
Longitudinal assessment of liver stiffness by transient elastography for chronic hepatitis B patients treated with nucleoside analog
Authors: Ogawa Eiichi , Furusyo Norihiro , Murata Masayuki , Ohnishi Hachiro , Toyoda Kazuhiro , Taniai Hiroaki , Ihara Takeshi , Ikezaki Hiroaki , Hayashi Takeo , Kainuma Mosaburo , Hayashi Jun 
Published: September 2011

Aim:  To evaluate the association between liver stiffness measured by transient elastography (FibroScan) and the efficacy of long‐term nucleoside analog (NA) treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:  Study 1: Forty‐four chronic HBV patients had liver stiffness measured by FibroScan and underwent liver biopsy. Study 2: Group A: 22 patients started NA treatment at entry and FibroScan was done annually for 3 years. Group B: 23 patients started NA treatment prior to pretreatment FibroScan measurement, and FibroScan was done for from 3 to 5 years after the start of NA treatment.Results:  Study 1: The FibroScan values were significantly correlated with fibrosis stage (r = 0.672, P < 0.0001). Optimal cutoff of FibroScan values were 6.1 kPa for ≥ F1, 6.3 kPa for ≥ F2, 8.9 kPa for ≥ F3 and 12.0 kPa for F4. Study 2: For Group A, the baseline median FibroScan value was 8.2 kPa. FibroScan values significantly decreased annually for 3 years after the start of NA treatment (6.4 kPa, 5.8 kPa and 5.3 kPa at years 1, 2 and 3, respectively). For Group B, the FibroScan values did not significantly improve over the 3 years after the start of NA treatment.Conclusions:  Liver stiffness, measured by transient elastography, of chronic hepatitis B patients treated with NA showed a rapid decline in the first 3 years followed by a more steady transition for from 3 to 5 years irrespective of long term virological effect.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae NspA Induces Specific Bactericidal and Opsonic Antibodies in Mice
Authors: Li Guocai , Jiao Hongmei , Jiang Guihua , Wang Jing , Zhu Litian , Xie Rushan , Yan Hua , Chen Hongju , Ji Mingchun 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTNeisseria gonorrhoeaesurface protein A (NspA) is a highly conserved gonococcal antigen. To explore the potential of NspA in vaccine development against gonorrhea, BALB/c mice were immunized with pcNspA containing the NspA gene fromN. gonorrhoeaestrain WHO-A via intramuscular (i.m.) injection, intranasal (i.n.) immunization, or intravaginal (i.vag.) immunization. Following the last DNA immunization, mice were boosted with recombinant NspA (rNspA). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) indicated that all immunized mice generated measurable NspA-specific IgG and IgA in serum and secretory IgA (sIgA) in vaginal wash fluids. The antisera had bactericidal and opsonic activities. These data demonstrated that NspA induced antibodies with antigonococcal activity.
Mechanisms of and Risk Factors for Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Clinical Enterococcus faecalis Isolates from Patients with Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Yasufuku Tomihiko , Shigemura Katsumi , Shirakawa Toshiro , Matsumoto Minori , Nakano Yuzo , Tanaka Kazushi , Arakawa Soichi , Kawabata Masato , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

We examined
Enterococcus faecalis
strains clinically isolated from 100 patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) for their susceptibility to levofloxacin (LVX) by measuring the MIC and investigated amino acid mutations by direct DNA sequencing, which were then correlated with LVX resistance. Next, we studied risk factors for LVX resistance, such as age, gender, and previous fluoroquinolone use, and investigated the statistical correlation of these risk factors with each amino acid mutation and LVX resistance. Of the 100 isolates tested, 14 isolates showed LVX resistance and all of these isolates had amino acid mutations. We demonstrated that 2 out of 4 mutations (Ser83-to-Ile in
gyrA
and Ser80-to-Ile in
parC
) had a significant correlation with LVX resistance. There was a significant relationship between isolates with 2 or 3 amino acid mutations and LVX resistance. In addition, we found a significant correlation between the previous use of fluoroquinolones and LVX resistance or the presence of mutations and also demonstrated that previous use of other types of antibiotics was significantly related to the presence of mutations by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, we found significant correlation between amino acid mutations in
E. faecalis
, LVX resistance, and risk factors such as previous use of fluoroquinolones.
Novel Pentameric Structure of the Diarrhea-Inducing Region of the Rotavirus Enterotoxigenic Protein NSP4
Authors: Chacko Anita R. , Arifullah Mohammed , Sastri Narayan P. , Jeyakanthan Jeyaraman , Ueno Go , Sekar Kanagaraj , Read Randy J. , Dodson Eleanor J. , Rao Durga C. , Suguna Kaza 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

A novel pentameric structure which differs from the previously reported tetrameric form of the diarrhea-inducing region of the rotavirus enterotoxin NSP4 is reported here. A significant feature of this pentameric form is the absence of the calcium ion located in the core region of the tetrameric structures. The lysis of cells, the crystallization of the region spanning residues 95 to 146 of NSP4 (NSP4
95-146
) of strain ST3 (ST3:NSP4
95-146
) at acidic pH, and comparative studies of the recombinant purified peptide under different conditions by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and of the crystal structures suggested pH-, Ca
2+
-, and protein concentration-dependent oligomeric transitions in the peptide. Since the NSP4
95-146
mutant lacks the N-terminal amphipathic domain (AD) and most of the C-terminal flexible region (FR), to demonstrate that the pentameric transition is not a consequence of the lack of the N- and C-terminal regions, glutaraldehyde cross-linking of the ΔN72 and ΔN94 mutant proteins, which contain or lack the AD, respectively, but possess the complete C-terminal FR, was carried out. The results indicate the presence of pentamers in preparations of these longer mutants. Detailed SEC analyses of ΔN94 prepared under different conditions, however, revealed protein concentration-dependent but metal ion- and pH-independent pentamer accumulation at high concentrations which dissociated into tetramers and lower oligomers at low protein concentrations. While calcium appeared to stabilize the tetramer, magnesium in particular stabilized the dimer. ΔN72 existed primarily in the multimeric form under all conditions. These findings of a calcium-free NSP4 pentamer and its concentration-dependent and largely calcium-independent oligomeric transitions open up a new dimension in an understanding of the structural basis of its multitude of functions.
Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 3 (HTLV-3)- and HTLV-4-Derived Antisense Transcripts Encode Proteins with Similar Tax-Inhibiting Functions but Distinct Subcellular Localization
Authors: Larocque Émilie , Halin Marilène , Landry Sébastien , Marriott Susan J. , Switzer William M. , Barbeau Benoit 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) retrovirus family is composed of the well-known HTLV type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2 and the most recently discovered HTLV-3 and HTLV-4. Like other retroviruses, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 gene expression has been thought to be orchestrated through a single transcript. However, recent reports have demonstrated the unique potential of both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 to produce an antisense transcript. Furthermore, these unexpected and newly identified transcripts lead to the synthesis of viral proteins termed HBZ (HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper) and APH-2 (antisense protein of HTLV-2), respectively. As potential open reading frames are present on the antisense strand of HTLV-3 and HTLV-4, we tested whether
in vitro
antisense transcription occurred in these viruses and whether these transcripts had a coding potential. Using HTLV-3 and HTLV-4 proviral DNA constructs, antisense transcripts were detected by reverse transcriptase PCR. These transcripts are spliced and polyadenylated and initiate at multiple sites from the 3′ long terminal repeat (LTR). The resulting proteins, termed APH-3 and APH-4, are devoid of a typical basic leucine zipper domain but contain basic amino acid-rich regions. Confocal microscopy and Western blotting experiments demonstrated a nucleus-restricted pattern for APH-4, while APH-3 was localized both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. Both proteins showed partial colocalization with nucleoli and HBZ-associated structures. Finally, both proteins inhibited Tax1- and Tax3-mediated HTLV-1 and HTLV-3 LTR activation. These results further demonstrate that retroviral antisense transcription is not exclusive to HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 and that APH-3 and APH-4 could impact HTLV-3 and HTLV-4 replication.
The Assembly-Activating Protein Promotes Capsid Assembly of Different Adeno-Associated Virus Serotypes
Authors: Sonntag F. , Köther K. , Schmidt K. , Weghofer M. , Raupp C. , Nieto K. , Kuck A. , Gerlach B. , Böttcher B. , Müller O. J. , Lux K. , Hörer M. , Kleinschmidt J. A. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT
Adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) capsid assembly requires the expression of a virally encoded assembly-activating protein (AAP). By providing AAP together with the capsid protein VP3, capsids are formed that are composed of VP3 only. Electron cryomicroscopy analysis of assembled VP3-only capsids revealed all characteristics of the wild-type AAV2 capsids. However, in contrast to capsids assembled from VP1, VP2, and VP3, the pores of VP3-only capsids were more restricted at the inside of the 5-fold symmetry axes, and globules could not be detected below the 2-fold symmetry axes. By comparing the capsid assembly of several AAV serotypes with AAP protein from AAV2 (AAP-2), we show that AAP-2 is able to efficiently stimulate capsid formation of VP3 derived from several serotypes, as demonstrated for AAV1, AAV2, AAV8, and AAV9. Capsid formation, by coexpressing AAV1-, AAV2-, or AAV5-VP3 with AAP-1, AAP-2, or AAP-5 revealed the ability of AAP-1 and AAP-2 to complement each other in AAV1 and AAV2 assembly, whereas for AAV5 assembly more specific conditions are required. Sequence alignment of predicted AAP proteins from the known AAV serotypes indicates a high degree of homology of all serotypes to AAP-2 with some divergence for AAP-4, AAP-5, AAP-11, and AAP-12. Immunolocalization of assembled capsids from different serotypes confirmed the preferred nucleolar localization of capsids, as observed for AAV2; however, AAV8 and AAV9 capsids could also be detected throughout the nucleus. Taken together, the data show that AAV capsid assembly of different AAV serotypes also requires the assistance of AAP proteins.
Fixation of Oligosaccharides to a Surface May Increase the Susceptibility to Human Parainfluenza Virus 1, 2, or 3 Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase
Authors: Tappert Mary M. , Smith David F. , Air Gillian M. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of human parainfluenza viruses (hPIVs) both binds (H) and cleaves (N) oligosaccharides that contain
N
-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac). H is thought to correspond to receptor binding and N to receptor-destroying activity. At present, N′s role in infection remains unclear: does it destroy only receptors, or are there other targets? We previously demonstrated that hPIV1 and 3 HNs bind to oligosaccharides containing the motif Neu5Acα2-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc (M. Amonsen, D. F. Smith, R. D. Cummings, and G. M. Air, J. Virol. 81:8341–8345, 2007). In the present study, we tested the binding specificity of hPIV2 on the Consortium for Functional Glycomics' glycan array and found that hPIV2 binds to oligosaccharides containing the same motif. We determined the specificities of N on red blood cells, soluble small-molecule and glycoprotein substrates, and the glycan array and compared them to the specificities of H. hPIV2 and -3, but not hPIV1, cleaved their ligands on red blood cells. hPIV1, -2, and -3 cleaved their NeuAcα2-3 ligands on the glycan array; hPIV2 and -3 also cleaved NeuAcα2-6 ligands bound by influenza A virus. While all three HNs exhibited similar affinities for all cleavable soluble substrates, their activities were 5- to 10-fold higher on small molecules than on glycoproteins. In addition, some soluble glycoproteins were not cleaved, despite containing oligosaccharides that were cleaved on the glycan array. We conclude that the susceptibility of an oligosaccharide substrate to N increases when the substrate is fixed to a surface. These findings suggest that HN may undergo a conformational change that activates N upon receptor binding at a cell surface.
Evidence for an Increased Risk of Transmission of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus and Malaria in a Rhesus Macaque Coinfection Model
Authors: Trott Kristin A. , Chau Jennifer Y. , Hudgens Michael G. , Fine Jason , Mfalila Chelu K. , Tarara Ross P. , Collins William E. , Sullivan JoAnn , Luckhart Shirley , Abel Kristina 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV-1 infection frequently occurs in the context of other coinfecting pathogens, most importantly,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and malaria parasites. The consequences are often devastating, resulting in enhanced morbidity and mortality. Due to the large number of confounding factors influencing pathogenesis in coinfected people, we sought to develop a nonhuman primate model of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-malaria coinfection. In sub-Saharan Africa,
Plasmodium falciparum
is the most common malaria parasite and is responsible for most malaria-induced deaths. The simian malaria parasite
Plasmodium fragile
can induce clinical symptoms, including cerebral malaria in rhesus macaques, that resemble those of
P. falciparum
infection in humans. Thus, based on the well-characterized rhesus macaque model of SIV infection, this study reports the development of a novel rhesus macaque SIV-
P. fragile
coinfection model to study human HIV-
P. falciparum
coinfection. Using this model, we show that coinfection is associated with an increased, although transient, risk of both HIV and malaria transmission. Specifically, SIV-
P. fragile
coinfected macaques experienced an increase in SIV viremia that was temporarily associated with an increase in potential SIV target cells and systemic immune activation during acute parasitemia. Conversely, primary parasitemia in SIV-
P. fragile
coinfected animals resulted in higher gametocytemia that subsequently translated into higher oocyst development in mosquitoes. To our knowledge, this is the first animal model able to recapitulate the increased transmission risk of both HIV and malaria in coinfected humans. Therefore, this model could serve as an essential tool to elucidate distinct immunological, virological, and/or parasitological parameters underlying disease exacerbation in HIV-malaria coinfected people.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Oncolytic Treatment Interferes with Tumor-Associated Dendritic Cell Functions and Abrogates Tumor Antigen Presentation
Authors: Leveille Simon , Goulet Marie-Line , Lichty Brian D. , Hiscott John 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTOncolytic virotherapy is a promising biological approach to cancer treatment that contributes to tumor eradication via immune- and non-immune-mediated mechanisms. One of the remaining challenges for these experimental therapies is the necessity to develop a durable adaptive immune response against the tumor. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a prototypical oncolytic virus (OV) that exemplifies the multiple mechanisms of oncolysis, including direct cell lysis, cellular hypoxia resulting from the shutdown of tumor vasculature, and inflammatory cytokine release. Despite these properties, the generation of sustained antitumor immunity is observed only when VSV is engineered to express a tumor antigen directly. In the present study, we sought to increase the number of tumor-associated dendritic cells (DC)in vivoand tumor antigen presentation by combining VSV treatment with recombinant Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (rFlt3L), a growth factor promoting the differentiation and proliferation of DC. The combination of VSV oncolysis and rFLt3L improved animal survival in two different tumor models, i.e., VSV-resistant B16 melanoma and VSV-sensitive E.G7 T lymphoma; however, increased survival was independent of the adaptive CD8 T cell response. Tumor-associated DC were actively infected by VSVin vivo, which reduced their viability and prevented their migration to the draining lymph nodes to prime a tumor-specific CD8 T cell response. These results demonstrate that VSV interferes with tumor DC functions and blocks tumor antigen presentation.