bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Severity of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection may not be directly correlated with initial viral load in upper respiratory tract
Authors: Wu Un‐In , Wang Jann‐Tay , Chen Yee‐Chun , Chang Shan‐Chwen 
Published: November 2011

Please cite this paper as: Wu et al. (2012) Severity of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection may not be directly correlated with initial viral load in upper respiratory tract. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(5), 367–373.Background  Recent studies have demonstrated that rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) have a relatively low sensitivity in detecting severe cases of pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus (pH1N1) infection. We hypothesized that viral load in upper respiratory specimens obtained on presentation may not be correlated with disease severity.Methods  We conducted a prospective study to compare patterns of viral shedding using nasopharyngeal swab specimens, according to the number of days of post‐symptom onset and post‐antiviral therapy, between patients with and without complications.Results  From July 15, 2009 through July 23, 2010, we collected and processed a total of 141 nasopharyngeal swab specimens from 64 inpatients and outpatients with laboratory‐confirmed pH1N1 infection. These included 46 patients without any complications (uncomplicated group) and 18 patients who required hospital admission (complicated group). The mean initial viral load was higher in the uncomplicated group than in the complicated group (3·4 ± 1·6 log10 copies/μl versus 1·9 ± 1·7, P = 0·02). However, prolonged viral shedding was only detected in the complicated group (44% by day 7 of antiviral therapy). By multivariate analysis, we found that age (OR, 1·1; 95% CI, 1·0–1·1) and initial nasopharyngeal viral load (OR, 0·5; 95% CI, 0·3–0·8) were significant factors associated with complications.Conclusion  Given that patients with severe pH1N1 infection may have relatively lower initial viral load in the upper respiratory tract, cautious interpretation of negative RIDT results is particularly warranted in this patient population.
Survival and Growth of Foodborne Pathogens in Minimally Processed Vegetables at 4 and 15 °C
Authors: Tian Jun‐Qi , Bae Young‐Min , Choi Na‐Young , Kang Dong‐Hyun , Heu Sunggi , Lee Sun‐Young 
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  We conducted this study to investigate the survival and growth of pathogens on fresh vegetables stored at 4 and 15 °C. Vegetables (romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, perilla leaves, and sprouts) were inoculated with 4 pathogens (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and stored at 2 different temperatures for different periods of time (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 d at 4 °C and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 d at 15 °C). Populations of the 4 pathogens tended to increase on all vegetables stored at 15 °C for 7 d. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium increased significantly, by approximately 2 log10CFU/g, on loose and head lettuce stored at 15 °C for 1 d. No significant differences were observed in the growth of different pathogens on vegetables stored at 4 °C for 15 d. E. coli O157:H7 did not survive on sprouts stored at 15 or 4 °C. The survival and growth of food pathogens on fresh vegetables were very different depending on the pathogen type and storage temperature.Practical Application:  Survivals and growth of pathogens on various vegetables at 4 and 15 °C were observed in this study. Survivals and growth of pathogens on vegetables were different depending on the pathogen type and storage temperature. Therefore, vegetables should be stored under refrigerated conditions (below 4 °C) prior to consumption. This recommendation may vary depending on the type of vegetable.
Provenance of the Oil in Par‐Fried French Fries after Finish Frying
Authors: Al‐Khusaibi Mohammed , Gordon Michael H. , Lovegrove Julie A. , Niranjan Keshavan 
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  Frozen par‐fried French fries are finish‐fried either by using the same type of oil used for par frying, or a different type. The nutritive quality of the final oil contained in the product depends on the relative amounts and the fatty acid (FA) composition of the oils used for par frying and finish frying. With the aim of understanding the provenance of the oil in the final product, par‐fried French fries—either purchased ready or prepared in the laboratory—were finish fried in oils different from the ones used for par frying. The moisture content, oil content, and FA compositions of the par‐fried and finish‐fried products were experimentally determined, and the relative amounts of each of the oils present in the final product were calculated using the FAs as markers and undertaking a mass balance on each component FA. The results demonstrate that 89% to 93% of the total oil in the final product originates from the finish‐frying step. The study also shows that a significant proportion of the oil absorbed during par frying is expelled from the product during finish frying. Further, the expulsion of par‐frying oil was found to occur in the early stages of the finish‐frying step. Experiments involving different combinations of par‐frying and finish‐frying oils showed that the relative proportions of the 2 oils did not depend on the individual fatty acid profiles. This study concludes that any positive health benefits of using an oil having a favorable FA profile for par frying, can potentially be lost, if the oil used for finish frying has a less favorable composition.Practical Application:  This paper estimates the relative amounts of oil in French fries that have been fried in 2 stages—a par‐frying step and a finish‐frying step—which is commonly practiced in food service establishments as well as homes. The 2 key conclusions are: (1) nearly 90% of the oil content of the final product is the one used for finish frying; that is, a processor may use very good oil for par frying but if the oil used for finish frying is inferior, its effect will dominate. (2) The paper also shows that a significant proportion of the oil used by the processor gets expelled during finish frying.
The Complex Systems Approach: Rhetoric or Revolution
Authors: Eliasmith Chris 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe complex systems approach (CSA) to characterizing cognitive function is purported to underlie a conceptual and methodological revolution by its proponents. I examine one central claim from each of the contributed papers and argue that the provided examples do not justify calls for radical change in how we do cognitive science. Instead, I note how currently available approaches in ‘‘standard’’ cognitive science are adequate (or even more appropriate) for understanding the CSA provided examples.
Implementing the Liberal Peace in Post‐conflict Scenarios: The Case of Women in Black‐Serbia
Authors: Stephenson Jr Max , Zanotti Laura 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis article explores the complex, and often unintended, consequences of NGO struggles to implement the normative claims embedded in discourses of liberal peace in post‐conflict situations. We study Women in Black‐Serbia (WIB) to examine the tensions between WIB’s adoption of a liberal, radically feminist, deterritorialized and individualistic conceptualization of peace, its development of politics and political strategies in accord with the nationalistic identities it has purported to reject, and the organization of its advocacy for peace around the memorialization of war victims. We argue, in a very polarized political climate and in the context of a heavy presence of international stakeholders, that WIB activism may produce the unintended consequence of hardening existing war identities and conflict positions. This article assesses NGOs, not mainly for the quality of their normative claims or putative roles, but as political agents whose discourses, tactics and practices are evaluated in the context of their interactions with other (local and international) actors. More broadly, this analysis illuminates the unexplored conundrums, complexities and ambiguities associated with implementation of the liberal peace in a highly polarized political space, and in the context of multi‐stakeholder peace‐building processes.Policy Implications
Bilateral donors and multilateral organizations should assess their support for NGO advocacy activities in post‐conflict situations, not only based upon general normative claims, but in a thoroughly contextualized manner.
Because NGO peace‐oriented advocacy activities may create unexpected and even perverse consequences as a result of mediating political and social factors, NGOs must be considered as concrete political actors involved in complex contexts and their actions evaluated by policy makers accordingly.
Policy‐maker assumptions concerning the effects of normative claims, especially regarding justice and guilt and the memorialization of war‐related atrocities, merit careful analysis. Such efforts cannot simply be assumed to conduce to peace, as often they may not.
International donors and policy makers should consider crafting broad‐based strategies for moving the political debate away from war‐related concerns. Policies aimed at fostering broad economic opportunities and increased economic integration may help to foster propitious conditions for political reconciliation.
Twenty years of HFA pMDI patents: facts and perspectives
Authors: Rogueda Philippe , Lallement Arthur , Traini Daniela , Iliev Ilian , Young Paul M 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Objectives
Over the past 20 years, the inhalation drug delivery industry has undergone a quiet revolution after the phasing out of the chlorofluorocarbon propellants used to formulate pressure-metered dose inhalers (pMDIs). This review looks back to the creative landscape of those 20 years through a study of patent application trends. To this end, an analysis of the hydrofluoroalkane pMDIs patent landscape was undertaken.

Methods
A statistical analysis demonstrates that 20 years after the introduction of hydrofluoroalkanes in the inhalation delivery field, the original patent applications are coming to the end of their legal life.

Key findings
Detailed analysis revealed that, from a total of 971 of the patents identified, up to 2.3% will expire within the next 5 years, rising to up to 7.3% in the next 10 years. The UK and USA were the main patent destinations and locations of inventive activity, as measured by patent filing location. Interestingly, the UK was the first destination and location of inventive activity in Europe, largely due to the activity of GlaxoSmithKline, followed by Italy, thanks to the work of Trinity-Chiesi. The analysis also showed that patent assignees are not always major pharmaceutical companies, with suppliers of propellants, as well as companies without major inhalation activity (such as Novadel), making substantial contributions to the landscape.

Conclusions
These developments may have a significant impact on innovation trends and key company activity around novel pMDI formulations, in particular for generics manufacturers.
Paediatric nurses' knowledge and practice of mixing medication into foodstuff
Authors: Akram Gazal , Mullen Alexander B 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate paediatric nurses' knowledge and understanding of potential drug stability issues caused by mixing medication into foodstuff.MethodsSelf completion of semi-structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews.Key findingsFourteen paediatric mental health and 16 paediatric general nurses (response rate, 71%) were investigated. With the exception of one nurse, all others reported they had modified oral dosage forms, or had mixed medication with food, prior to administration. The most common foodstuffs were fruit yoghurts, diluting juice and (concentrated) fruit juices. More than half of both cohorts felt sufficiently trained in carrying out the procedure, but 27% did not feel sufficiently knowledgeable about drug stability issues. The in-depth interviews highlighted a knowledge deficit as to the nature of clinical problems that could result from performing the procedures and the associated professional liabilities. Some interviewees expressed reservations about the effectiveness of the dose when administered in this way. Co-mixing was perceived as a time-consuming process and preference was expressed for mixing the powdered dosage form into juice or a liquid rather than into solid foods. Several training issues were identified from this study, including more information about drug/food compatibilities and the need for standardised documentation around the procedures which could be implemented at the ward level.ConclusionsCo-mixing of medication into foodstuff is a common practice. The majority of nurses are unaware of potential drug stability/degradation issues and/or the clinical impact of these practices.
Bypassing absorbing objects in focused ultrasound using computer generated holographic technique
Authors: Hertzberg Y. , Navon G. 
Published: November 2011

Purpose:Focused ultrasound (FUS) technology is based on heating a small volume of tissue, while keeping the temperature outside the focus region with minimal heating only. Several FUS applications, such as brain and liver, suffer from the existence of ultrasound absorbers in the acoustic path between the transducer and the focus. These absorbers are a potential risk for the FUS therapy since they might cause to unwanted heating outside the focus region. An acoustic simulation based solution for reducing absorbers' heating is proposed, demonstrated, and compared to the standard geometrical solution. The proposed solution uses 3D continuous acoustic holograms, generated by the Gerchberg–Saxton (GS) algorithm, which are described and demonstrated for the first time using ultrasound planar phased‐array transducer.Methods:Holograms were generated using the iterative GS algorithm and fast Fourier transform (FFT) acoustic simulation. The performances of the holograms are demonstrated by temperature elevation images of the absorber, acquired by GE 1.5T MRI scanner equipped with InSightec FUS planar phased‐array transducer built out of 986 transmitting elements.Results:The acoustic holographic technology is demonstrated numerically and experimentally using the three letters patterns, “T,” “A,” and “U,” which were manually built into 1 × 1 cm masks to represent the requested target fields. 3D holograms of a focused ultrasound field with a hole in intensity at the absorber region were generated and compared to the standard geometrical solution. The proposed holographic solution results in 76% reduction of heating on absorber, while keeping similar heating at the focus.Conclusions:In the present work we show for the first time the generation of efficient and uniform continuous ultrasound holograms in 3D. We use the holographic technology to generate a FUS beams that bypasses an absorber in the acoustic path to reduce unnecessary heating and potential clinical risk. The developed technique is superior in performance and flexibility compared to the intuitive geometrical technique that is being used in clinical practice.
Association of Serotype-Specific Antibody Concentrations and Functional Antibody Titers with Subsequent Pneumococcal Carriage in Toddlers Immunized with a 9-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Simell Birgit , Nurkka Anu , Lahdenkari Mika , Givon-Lavi Noga , Käyhty Helena , Dagan Ron , Jokinen Jukka 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTAssociation of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage with the concentration and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) of serum serotype-specific antibodies was determined for toddlers 1 month after immunization with a 9-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Higher anti-serotype 14 and anti-serotype 19F IgG and anti-serotype 14 IgM correlated with a lowered probability of pneumococcal acquisition. Postvaccination OPA did not correlate with pneumococcal carriage.
For Protection from HIV-1 Infection, More Might Not Be Better: a Systematic Analysis of HIV Gag Epitopes of Two Alleles Associated with Different Outcomes of HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Luo Ma , Daniuk Christina A. , Diallo Tamsir O. , Capina Rupert E. , Kimani Joshua , Wachihi Charles , Kimani Makubo , Bielawny Thomas , Peterson Trevor , Mendoza Mark G. R. , Kiazyk Sandra , Ball T. Blake , Plummer Francis A. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

A subset of women in the Pumwani Sex Worker Cohort, established in 1985 in Nairobi, Kenya, remains uninfected despite repeated high-risk exposure (HIV-exposed, seronegative [HESN]) through active sex work. This HESN phenotype is associated with several alleles of human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and specific CD8
+
and CD4
+
T cell responses to HIV-1. The associations of HLA alleles with differential HIV-1 infection are most likely due to their different abilities to present antigen and the different immune responses they induce. The characteristics of epitopes of HLA alleles associated with different outcomes of HIV-1 infection might therefore point to a vital clue for developing an effective vaccine. In this study, we systematically analyzed HIV-1 clade A and D Gag CD8
+
T cell epitopes of two HLA class I alleles associated with different outcomes of HIV-1 infection. Binding affinity and off-rates of the identified epitopes were determined. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays with patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) validated the epitopes. Epitope-specific CD8
+
T cells were further phenotyped for memory markers with tetramer staining. Our study showed that the protective allele A*01:01 recognizes only three Gag epitopes. By contrast, B*07:02, the allele associated with susceptibility, binds 30 epitope variants. These two alleles differ most importantly in the spectrum of Gag epitopes they can present and not in affinity, off-rates, the location of the epitopes, or epitope-specific Tem/Tcm frequencies. The binding of more epitopes and strong IFN-gamma ELISpot responses are associated with susceptibility to HIV-1 infection, while more focused antigen recognition of multiple subtypes is protective. Rational vaccine design should take these observations into account.
IκB Kinase ε-Dependent Phosphorylation and Degradation of X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Sensitizes Cells to Virus-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Nakhaei Peyman , Sun Qiang , Solis Mayra , Mesplede Thibault , Bonneil Eric , Paz Suzanne , Lin Rongtuan , Hiscott John 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a potent antagonist of caspase 3-, 7-, and 9-dependent apoptotic activities that functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, and it targets caspases for degradation. In this study, we demonstrate that Sendai virus (SeV) infection results in the IKKε- or TBK1-mediated phosphorylation of XIAP
in vivo
at Ser430, resulting in Lys
48
-linked autoubiquitination at Lys322/328 residues, followed by the subsequent proteasomal degradation of XIAP. Interestingly, IKKε expression and XIAP turnover increases SeV-triggered mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis via the release of caspase 3, whereas TBK1 expression does not increase apoptosis. Interestingly, phosphorylation also regulates XIAP interaction with the transcription factor IRF3, suggesting a role in IRF3-Bax-mediated apoptosis. Our findings reveal a novel function of IKKε as a regulator of the virus-induced triggering of apoptosis via the phosphorylation-dependent turnover of XIAP.
Cellular VPS4 Is Required for Efficient Entry and Egress of Budded Virions of Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Li Zhaofei , Blissard Gary W. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Membrane budding is essential for the egress of many enveloped viruses, and this process shares similarities with the biogenesis of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). In eukaryotic cells, the budding of intraluminal vesicles (IVLs) is mediated by the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery and some viruses require ESCRT machinery components or functions to bud from host cells. Baculoviruses, such as
Autographa californica
multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), enter host cells by clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Viral DNA replication and nucleocapsid assembly occur within the nucleus. Some progeny nucleocapsids are subsequently trafficked to, and bud from, the plasma membrane, forming budded virions (BV). To determine whether the host ESCRT machinery is important or necessary for AcMNPV replication, we cloned a cDNA of
Spodoptera frugiperda
VPS4, a key regulator for disassembly and recycling of ESCRT III. We then examined viral infection and budding in the presence of wild-type (WT) or dominant negative (DN) forms of VPS4. First, we used a viral complementation system, in combination with fluorescent tags, to examine the effects of transiently expressed WT or DN VPS4 on viral entry. We found that dominant negative VPS4 substantially inhibited virus entry. Entering virus was observed within aberrant compartments containing the DN VPS4 protein. We next used recombinant bacmids expressing WT or DN VPS4 proteins to examine virus egress. We found that production of infectious AcMNPV BV was substantially reduced by expression of DN VPS4 but not by WT VPS4. Together, these results indicate that a functional VPS4 is necessary for efficient AcMNPV BV entry into, and egress from, insect cells.
RNA Interference against Animal Viruses: How Morbilliviruses Generate Extended Diversity To Escape Small Interfering RNA Control
Authors: Holz Carine L. , Albina Emmanuel , Minet Cécile , Lancelot Renaud , Kwiatek Olivier , Libeau Geneviève , Servan de Almeida Renata 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT

Viruses are serious threats to human and animal health. Vaccines can prevent viral diseases, but few antiviral treatments are available to control evolving infections. Among new antiviral therapies, RNA interference (RNAi) has been the focus of intensive research. However, along with the development of efficient RNAi-based therapeutics comes the risk of emergence of resistant viruses. In this study, we challenged the
in vitro
propensity of a morbillivirus (peste des petits ruminants virus), a stable RNA virus, to escape the inhibition conferred by single or multiple small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against conserved regions of the N gene. Except with the combination of three different siRNAs, the virus systematically escaped RNAi after 3 to 20 consecutive passages. The genetic modifications involved consisted of single or multiple point nucleotide mutations and a deletion of a stretch of six nucleotides, illustrating that this virus has an unusual genomic malleability.
Structural Map of a MicroRNA-122:Hepatitis C Virus Complex
Authors: Pang Phillip S. , Pham Edward A. , Elazar Menashe , Patel Shripa G. , Eckart Michael R. , Glenn Jeffrey S. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACT
MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) enhances hepatitis C virus (HCV) fitness via targeting two sites in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of HCV. We used selective 2′-hydroxyl acylation analyzed by primer extension to resolve the HCV 5′-UTR's RNA secondary structure in the presence of miR-122. Nearly all nucleotides in miR-122 are involved in targeting the second site, beyond classic seed base pairings. These additional interactions enhance HCV replication in cell culture. To our knowledge, this is the first biophysical study of this complex to reveal the importance of ‘tail’ miR-122 nucleotide interactions.