bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sinusoidal echo‐planar imaging with parallel acquisition technique for reduced acoustic noise in auditory fMRI
Authors: Zapp Jascha , Schmitter Sebastian , Schad Lothar R. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPurpose:To extend the parameter restrictions of a silent echo‐planar imaging (sEPI) sequence using sinusoidal readout (RO) gradients, in particular with increased spatial resolution. The sound pressure level (SPL) of the most feasible configurations is compared to conventional EPI having trapezoidal RO gradients.Materials and Methods:We enhanced the sEPI sequence by integrating a parallel acquisition technique (PAT) on a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The SPL was measured for matrix sizes of 64 × 64 and 128 × 128 pixels, without and with PAT (R = 2). The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was examined for both sinusoidal and trapezoidal RO gradients.Results:Compared to EPI PAT, the SPL could be reduced by up to 11.1 dB and 5.1 dB for matrix sizes of 64 × 64 and 128 × 128 pixels, respectively. The SNR of sinusoidal RO gradients is lower by a factor of 0.96 on average compared to trapezoidal RO gradients.Conclusion:The sEPI PAT sequence allows for 1) increased resolution, 2) expanded RO frequency range toward lower frequencies, which is in general beneficial for SPL, or 3) shortened TE, TR, and RO train length. At the same time, it generates lower SPL compared to conventional EPI for a wide range of RO frequencies while having the same imaging parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:581–588. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular characterization of hepatitis E virus in patients with acute hepatitis in Venezuela
Authors: García Cristina Gutiérrez , Sánchez Doneyla , Villalba Maria Caridad Montalvo , Pujol Flor Helene , de los Ángeles Rodríguez Lay Licel , Pinto Belquis , Chacón Elsa Patricia , Guzmán Maria Guadalupe 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) causes a common infection in developing countries. HEV infection occurs as outbreaks, as sporadic clinical cases and as large epidemics in endemic areas. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of HEV infection in patients with clinical suspicion of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, referred to the Instituto Nacional de Higiene “Rafael Rangel” in Venezuela. Seventy‐four sera were tested for anti‐HAV and anti‐HEV IgM antibodies. HEV‐RNA was amplified from anti‐HEV IgM positive sera using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for ORF1 (RNA dependent RNA polymerase region) and the amplicons sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The frequency of anti‐HEV IgM was 22/74 (30%) in the samples tested. Dual infection with HAV and HEV was found in 31% (12/39) of anti‐HAV IgM positive patients. Viremia was detected in 3/22 (14%) of sera positive for anti‐HEV IgM. Two HEV strains were classified as genotype 1 and one as genotype 3, which were closely related to Yam 67 (north of India) and US1 isolates from the USA, respectively. These findings suggest that HEV is an important cause of acute viral hepatitis in Venezuela as a single infection or co‐infection with HAV, with high morbidity in children and young adults suggesting that this infection is endemic in Venezuela. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1025–1029, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hepatitis C virus related hepatocellular carcinoma: A case control study from India
Authors: Sarma Manash Pratim , Asim Mohammad , Medhi Subhash , Bharathi Thayumanavan , Kar Premashis 
Published: May 2012

AbstractInfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in India. The study was designed to investigate the clinical and molecular profiles of HCV related HCC cases in Indian patients. In a prospective study, 68 HCV related HCC, 55 HCV related chronic hepatitis, and 68 HCV related patients with cirrhosis were included. Glutathione S‐transferase gene polymorphism was analyzed in all the cases. The sex ratios were 5.18:1, 1.39:1, and 0.83:1 with mean age of 50.57 ± 12.47, 39.41 ± 13.34, and 46.08 ± 15.06 years, respectively, in three groups. Amongst the HCV related HCC cases seen in India, 49.2% (30 out of 68) were with Okuda stage I while 34.4% (21 out of 68) cases were classified as stage II. Older age, poor standards of living, HCV genotype 4, smoking, and null genotypes of GST were the risk factors associated significantly with the development of HCC. In 55.9% cases (38 out of 68) the size of the tumor was ≥5 cm while in 38.2% cases (26 out of 68) the size was between 2 and 5 cm, indicating an advanced stage of the disease at presentation. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1009–1017, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific increase in local IL‐17 production during recovery from primary RSV bronchiolitis
Authors: Faber Tina E. , Groen Henk , Welfing Martine , Jansen Koos J.G. , Bont Louis J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAlthough Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is the most important cause of hospital admission for infants during the winter season, the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) concentrations were studied in nasopharyngeal aspirates from 21 non‐ventilated and 17 ventilated infants admitted to hospital with RSV bronchiolitis at time of admission and discharge from the hospital. On admission, nasopharyngeal concentrations of most cytokines and chemokines were lower in non‐ventilated infants than in ventilated infants, reaching statistical significance for Eotaxin, IL‐1α, and IL‐6. During course of disease, nasopharyngeal concentrations of most cytokines and chemokines decreased, reaching statistical significance for IL‐6 and IP‐10. However, nasopharyngeal IL‐17 concentrations were higher at discharge than at admission in children with non‐ventilated RSV disease (209–101 pg/ml, P = 0.008), a response pattern not observed in ventilated RSV patients nor for other cytokines or chemokines. It is speculated that local IL‐17 production may be involved during convalescence from RSV bronchiolitis in non‐ventilated patients by facilitating innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. The role of IL‐17 in the pathogenesis of RSV bronchiolitis is to be explored further. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1084–1088, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inter‐genotypic recombinant hepatitis C virus strains in Japan noted by discrepancies between immunoassay and sequencing
Authors: Hoshino Hiromi , Hino Kunihiko , Miyakawa Hiroshi , Takahashi Kazuaki , Akbar Sheikh Mohammad Fazle , Mishiro Shunji 
Published: May 2012

AbstractGenetic recombination plays a significant role in the survival and evolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV), but methodological limitations have hindered the exploration of genetic recombination. HCV serotypes were evaluated in 104 patients with chronic hepatitis C when they initially presented in hospitals. Subsequently, HCV genotypes were analyzed using primers for core gene and NS5B gene. Near‐complete nucleotide sequences of eight HCV isolates from two suspected patients with 2b/1b recombinant HCV were analyzed by amplification of nine overlapping regions of HCV‐specific oligonucleotide primers at different time points: (i) at the first admission; (ii) before and (iii) after interferon therapy; and (iv) after development of hepatocellular carcinoma. The nucleotide sequence of eight HCV isolates obtained was 9,321–9,471 nucleotides in length, comprising a single ORF (polyprotein of 3,014 amino acids.) and segregated into discordant genotypes of 2b and 1b HCV with a recombination junction in NS2. This study highlights the need for more precise characterization of HCV in clinical samples where there is a discrepancy between immunoassays and sequencing. It also demonstrates the circulation of novel inter‐genotypic recombinant HCV in Japan, because the cross over point of 2b/1b recombinant HCV in eight clinical isolates of these two patients differed from previously reported HCV recombinant from the Philippines and Japan. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1018–1024, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Picornaviruses in cerebrospinal fluid of children with meningitis in Luanda, Angola
Authors: Pelkonen Tuula , Roine Irmeli , Anjos Elizabete , Kaijalainen Svetlana , Roivainen Merja , Peltola Heikki , Pitkäranta Anne 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHuman enteroviruses are the most common cause of viral meningitis. Viral–bacterial interaction may affect the clinical course and outcome of bacterial meningitis. In Africa, viruses might be responsible for 14–25% of all meningitis cases. However, only few studies from Africa have reported detection of viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or mixed viral–bacterial infections of the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of picornaviruses in the CSF of children suffering from meningitis in Luanda, Angola. The study included 142 consecutive children enrolled in a prospective study of bacterial meningitis in Luanda between 2005 and 2006, from whom a CSF sample was available. CSF samples were obtained at hospital admission, stored in a deep‐freeze, and transported to Finland for testing by real‐time PCR for picornaviruses. Enteroviruses were detected in 4 (3%) of 142 children with presumed bacterial meningitis. A 5‐month‐old girl with rhinovirus and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis recovered uneventfully. An 8‐year‐old girl with human enterovirus and pneumococcal meningitis developed no sequelae. A 2‐month‐old girl with human enterovirus and malaria recovered quickly. A 7‐month‐old girl with human enterovirus was treated for presumed tuberculous meningitis and survived with severe sequelae. Mixed infections of the CNS with picornaviruses and bacteria are rare. Detection of an enterovirus does not affect the clinical picture and outcome of bacterial meningitis. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1080–1083, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rhinovirus load and disease severity in children with lower respiratory tract infections
Authors: Takeyama Aya , Hashimoto Koichi , Sato Masatoki , Sato Toshiko , Kanno Shuto , Takano Kei , Ito Masaki , Katayose Masahiko , Nishimura Hidekazu , Kawasaki Yukihiko , Hosoya Mitsuaki 
Published: May 2012

AbstractIt has not been clarified if there is a correlation between rhinovirus (RV) load and disease severity in the lower respiratory tract infections of hospitalized children. This study was undertaken to elucidate the contribution of the viral load to the development of disease severity in 412 children ≤3 years of age who were hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections. The RV load in nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained from the patients at the time of admission was measured by real‐time quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the clinical symptoms of the patients were assessed using a severity scoring system. Of the 412 patients, 43 (10.4%) were diagnosed with RV infections only, and 15 were determined to have high severity scores. When all patients infected with RV were assessed, there was no correlation between the viral load and the disease severity. However, there was a significant negative correlation between the disease severity and age among children <11 months of age (n = 15, ρ = −0.677, P = 0.006) and a significant positive correlation between the viral load and the disease severity among children ≥11 months of age (n = 28, ρ = 0.407, P = 0.032). Among the patients infected with RV <11 months of age, the disease severity may be associated with an immature immune response and the small diameter of their airways rather than viral load. By contrast, in the patients ≥11 months of age, viral load may contribute to the development of disease severity. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1135–1142, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emergence of a new norovirus GII.6 variant in Japan, 2008–2009
Authors: Chan‐It Wisoot , Thongprachum Aksara , Khamrin Pattara , Kobayashi Masaaki , Okitsu Shoko , Mizuguchi Masashi , Ushijima Hiroshi 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNorovirus (NoV) is recognized as one of the most common causative agents of diarrhea disease in young children. A total of 187 fecal specimens collected from non‐hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Shizuoka, Japan during July 2008 to June 2009 were investigated for the presence of diarrhea viruses by a multiplex RT‐PCR. Diarrhea viruses were overall detected in 158 of 187 (84.5%). Of the viruses detected, NoV was the most prevalent (55.6%). Most of the NoV sequences belonged to GII.4 (53.8%). NoV GII.6 emerged as the second most common strain (40.4%). The full‐length capsid sequences of five representative Shizuoka GII.6 strains were compared with all 12 GII.6 strains available in GenBank database between 1990 and 2009. At least three distinct GII.6 subclusters (a–c) appeared in different parts of the world. Shizuoka GII.6 strains formed their own subcluster c, distinct from other complete GII.6 reference sequences. The Shizuoka strains had significant amino acid divergence, particularly in the P2 domain up to 10.9–17.5% and contained eight unique mutations in the P domains, compared with subcluster a and b viruses. The homology model showed that the eight mutations were predicted to be located at the surface‐exposed P1 and P2 domains. The data suggest the emergence of a new NoV GII.6 variant in Shizuoka, with a high level of genetic variation. J. Med. Virol. 84: 1089–1096, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Osmotic stress adaptations in rhizobacteria
Authors: Paul Diby 
Published: May 2012

AbstractRhizobacteria have been reported to be beneficial to the plants in many different ways. Increasing salinity in the coastal agricultural zones has been shown to be a threat to the plant and microbial life in the area. Exposure of microorganisms to high‐osmolality environments triggers rapid fluxes of cell water along the osmotic gradient out of the cell, thus causing a reduction in turgor and dehydration of the cytoplasm. The microorganisms have developed various adaptations to counteract the outflow of water. The first response to osmotic up shifts and the resulting efflux of cellular water is uptake of K+ and cells start to accumulate compatible solutes. Yet another mechanism is by altering the cell envelope composition resulting in changes in proteins, periplasmic glucans, and capsular, exo and lipopolysaccharides. Bacteria also initiate a program of gene expression in response to osmotic stress by high NaCl concentrations, which are manifested as a set of proteins produced in increased amounts in response to the stress. Genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics approaches have revealed the key components in molecular basis of bacteria salt adaptation. Understanding the mechanisms of osmo‐adaptation in rhizobacteria would also be relevant from an ecological and an applicative point of view.
Construction of a genetically engineered microorganism for phenanthrene biodegradation
Authors: Zhou Ying , Wei Jiashi , Shao Naimin , Wei Dongzhi 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe bacterium Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953, isolated from oil‐polluted soil, was used as a recipient for a biodegradative gene encoding catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase (C23O), which was successfully cloned into the plasmid pK4 derived from pRK415 with a broad host range. The apparent phenanthrene biodegradation parameters of the recombinant microorganism (Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953‐pK) were determined and compared with those of the wild type. As the key enzyme of phenanthrene degradation, C23O, could be expressed constitutively in the recombinant strain, Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953‐pK showed an increased ability to degrade phenanthrene. The excessive production of C23O in Pseudomonas sp. CGMCC2953‐pK could serve as an effective approach to construct genetically engineered microorganisms for the bioremediation of environmental contaminations.
Isolation and screening of strains producing high amounts of rutin degrading enzymes from Fagopyrum tataricum seeds
Authors: Zheng Ya‐Di , Luo Qing‐Lin , Zhou Mei‐Liang , Wang De‐Zhou , Zhang Ye‐Dong , Shao Ji‐Rong , Zhu Xue‐Mei , Tang Yu 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe rutin degrading enzyme (RDE) was isolated and purified from tartary buckwheat seeds. The RDE was purified about 11.34‐fold and its final yield was 3.5%, which was very low, due to our purification strategy of giving priority to purity over yield. The RDE molecular weight was estimated to be about 60 kDa. When rutin was used as substrate, an optimal enzyme activity was seen at around pH 5.0 and 40 °C. Strains isolation strategy characterized by the use of rutin as sole carbon source in enrichment cultures was used to isolate RDE‐producing strains. Then the active strains were identified by morphology characterization and 18s rDNA‐ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) gene sequencing. Three isolates coded as B3, W2, Y2 were successfully isolated from fusty Fagopyrum tataricum flour cultures. Strain B3 possessed the highest unit activity among these three strains, and its total activity reached up to 171.0 Unit. The active isolate (B3) could be assigned to Penicillium farinosum. When the Penicillium farinosum strains were added to tartary buckwheat flour cultures at pH 5.0, 30 °C after 5 days fermentation, the quercetin production raised up to 1.78 mg/l, almost 5.1 times higher than the fermentation without the above active strains. Hence, a new approach was available to utilize microorganism‐aided fermentation for effective quercetin extraction from Fagopyrum tataricum seeds.
Proliferative and apoptotic effects of gastric epithelial cells induced by coccoid Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Li Neng , Han Lei , Chen Jiansen , Lin Xu , Chen Hao , She Feifei 
Published: May 2012

AbstractHelicobacter pylori exhibit morphology convertion in a spiral or coccoid form. This study aims to reveal the impact of coccoid H. pylori on the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells. The cagA and vacA genes of H. pylori were detected by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR. Proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by the CCK‐8 colorimetric method and TUNEL assay, respectively. Egr‐1 mRNA and PCNA expression affected by the ERK1/2‐specific inhibitor were detected by RT‐PCR and immunochemistry. At low density of infection (MOI < 125:1), coccoid H. pylori exerted a stronger effect on proliferation and a weaker effect on apoptosis than did spiral form. The ERK1/2‐specific inhibitor significantly blocked the increased expression in Egr‐1 and PCNA induced by coccoid H. pylori. Expression of vacA and cagA in coccoid H. pylori decreased compared with the spiral form, whereas vacA decreased more than cagA. The difference of proliferation and apoptosis may be related to the unequal decreased expression of vacA and cagA in coccoid H. pylori. Activation of the ERK1/2‐Egr‐1‐PCNA signal transduction pathway may play an important role in coccoid H. pylori‐induced cell proliferation. Long latency of the coccoid form of H. pylori in gastric tissue may be associated with gastric cancer caused by H. pylori.
Triacylglycerol accumulation and change in fatty acid content of four marine oleaginous microalgae under nutrient limitation and at different culture ages
Authors: Gong Yangmin , Guo Xiaojing , Wan Xia , Liang Zhuo , Jiang Mulan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAlteration of lipid biosynthesis is one of important biochemical changes when oleaginous microalgae grow under varied environmental conditions. The effects of culture age and nutrient limitation on triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation and fatty acid content were investigated in four eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)‐rich marine microalgae. The amounts of TAGs in Chaetoceros sp., Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Nannochloropsis oculata increased sharply from day 4 to day 11, and then the former two remained nearly unchanged while the latter declined gradually during the batch culture. In contrast, no marked increase in TAG accumulation was observed in Pavlova viridis during the culture. Changes in total fatty acid (TFA) content mirrored those observed for TAG accumulation, while the EPA content reached a maximum generally at day 7 or 11 in the range of 11 − 32 mg g−1 dry cell weight (DCW) and then declined. Nitrogen limitation led to a gradual increase in the amounts of TAGs from N. oculata pronouncedly but almost no change in other three species. The TFA content of the cultures after 5 days of nitrogen limitation was nearly twice that after 1 day in Chaetoceros sp., P. tricornutum and P. viridis, while the lowest increase (220 − 283 mg g−1 DCW) was observed in N. oculata. TAGs increased gradually under phosphorus limitation in all four species but not sharply compared with that under nitrogen limitation in N. oculata. The TFA content increased gradually under phosphorus limitation and after 5 days of phosphorus limitation it was 1.5 − 2 times that after 1 day. The EPA content was generally not significantly affected by nitrogen or phosphorus limitation. Culture age and nutrient limitation could be useful variables for optimizing TAG accumulation and fatty acid content with potential for biodiesel production.
Molecular characterization of protein p50 of Dendrolimus punctatus cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus
Authors: Jin Liang , Dai Chenwei , Qin Tongcheng , Sun Xiulian 
Published: May 2012

AbstractGenome segment 7 of the 10‐segmented RNA genomes of Dendrolimus punctatus cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (DpCPV) comprises 1502 nucleotides with one ORF of 1347 bp. This ORF was predicted to encode a protein of 448 amino acids with a molecular mass of 49,756 Da (p50). Antisera against both p50 and an antigen domain (AD) near the N‐terminus of p50 specifically bound to a viral structural protein of ca. 33 kDa (V5), indicating that V5 was an N‐terminal product of p50. Immunoblotting analysis with anti‐p50 antibodies detected p50 and V5 molecules in the host midguts three days and five days post infection, respectively. The intracellular localization of p50 protein was examined by expressing truncations of p50 fused with GFP in recombinant baculovirus‐infected Sf9 cells. The p50 protein was present in the cytoplasm of the cells, and the N‐terminal portion (67–135 aa) of the protein played a key role in this localization.
The ultrasound‐assisted extraction and identification of antifungal substances from B. amyloliquefaciens strain NJN‐6 suppressing Fusarium oxysporum
Authors: Yuan Jun , Raza Waseem , Huang Qiwei , Shen Qirong 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe primary mechanism underlying antagonism among microorganisms is the production of antagonistic substances called antibiotics that inhibit the growth of pathogens. In this study, the antagonistic substances produced by the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NJN‐6 that had antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum were extracted and identified. The active antifungal substance was extracted from dried leavening with ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE), using n ‐butanol as the extractant. HPLC/ESI‐MS was performed to investigate the components of the extracts. The results of the study showed that the antimicrobial substances consisted of three homologues of the iturin A family with molecular weights of 1043, 1057 and 1071 Da and of two homologues of the fengycin family with molecular weights of 1477 and 1491 Da. The effects of ultrasonic treatment time, extraction time and extractant volume, three major methodological parameters, were also studied to determine the optimal conditions for extraction. Compared with traditional extraction techniques, UAE is a simple, cheap and environmentally friendly method that represents a new option for the isolation and identification of lipopeptides and other active compounds. These antifungal substances extracted and identified from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NJN‐6 will help us to understand its biocontrol mechanism against Fusarium oxysporum. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)