bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A matrix gene–based multiplex real‐time RT‐PCR for detection and differentiation of 2009 pandemic H1N1 and other influenza A viruses in North America
Authors: Harmon Karen , Bower Leslie , Kim Won‐Il , Pentella Michael , Yoon Kyoung‐Jin 
Published: October 2010

Please cite this paper as: Harmon et al. (2010) A matrix gene–based multiplex real‐time RT‐PCR for detection and differentiation of 2009 pandemic H1N1 and other influenza A viruses in North America. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 4(6), 405–410.Background  The emergence in humans of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (pH1N1) with similarities to swine influenza viruses (SIVs) caused much concern for both human and animal health as potential for interspecies transmission was initially unknown.Objectives  The goal of this study was to develop a real‐time RT‐PCR test for the detection and differentiation of 2009 pH1N1 and endemic influenza A viruses in North America.Methods  Matrix (M) gene sequences from U.S. human pH1N1 cases and U.S. SIVs were aligned to determine a suitable region for an assay target. Primers were selected to amplify all influenza A. Two probes were designed to differentiate pH1N1 (EA matrix) from endemic (NA matrix) SIVs. The assay was validated using the first U.S. pH1N1 strain, 10 human pH1N1‐positive specimens and nine U.S. SIV isolates, then evaluated on 165 specimens of swine and other animal origin submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Results were compared to other influenza A PCR assays. Sequences from additional pH1N1 strains and contemporary H1N1 SIVs were used to assess robustness of the selected primers and probes for the intended purpose.Results  The new assay’s results from clinical specimens concurred with confirmatory PCR testing. The additional probe designed from sequence analysis improved detection of the NA matrix subtype when added to the reaction mixture.Conclusion  This assay detects and differentiates pH1N1 and US influenza A viruses in various sample matrices and species. Good bioinformatics support is critical when designing RT‐PCR assays and monitoring their performance.
Infectivity of equine H3N8 influenza virus in bovine cells and calves
Authors: Lin Chengbin , Holland Jr Robert E. , McCoy Morgan H. , Donofrio‐Newman Jennifer , Vickers Mary L. , Chambers Thomas M. 
Published: October 2010

Please cite this paper as:Linet al.(2010) Infectivity of equine H3N8 influenza virus in bovine cells and calves. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 4(6), 357–361.Background Serological evidence for influenza A, subtype H1 and H3 virus infections of bovines, associated with respiratory disease and decreased milk production, has been reported. Equine H3N8 influenza virus circulates widely and was responsible for the introduction of H3N8 influenza into canines.Objective To explore the possibility that equine H3N8 influenza might also infect bovines.Methods To assess the incidence of seroconversion in the field, a retrospective survey of bovine serum samples was carried out. Also, primary cultures of bovine nasal turbinate cells, and live beef calves, were studied for their permissiveness to infection.Results and Conclusions We found serological evidence of exposure of bovines in Kentucky to H3 influenza. We demonstrate that cultured bovine respiratory epithelium is permissive for the growth of equine H3N8 influenza virusin vitro, but this virus does not replicate extensively or produce disease in experimentally inoculated cattle.
A new method to assess the risk of local and widespread flooding on rivers and coasts
Authors: Lamb R. , Keef C. , Tawn J. , Laeger S. , Meadowcroft I. , Surendran S. , Dunning P. , Batstone C. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractTo date, national‐ and regional‐scale flood risk assessments have provided valuable information about the annual expected consequences of flooding, but not the exposure to widespread concurrent flooding that could have damaging consequences for people and the economy. We present a new method for flood risk assessment that accommodates the risk of widespread flooding. It is based on a statistical conditional exceedance model, which is fitted to gauged data and describes the joint probability of extreme river flows or sea levels at multiple locations. The method can be applied together with data from models for flood defence systems and economic damages to calculate a risk profile describing the probability distribution of economic losses or other consequences aggregated over a region. The method has the potential to augment national or regional risk assessments of expected annual damage with new information about the likelihoods, extent and impacts of events that could contribute to the risk.
Seroprevalence of Antibodies toEncephalitozoon cuniculiandToxoplasma gondiiin Farmed Domestic Rabbits in Egypt
Authors: Ashmawy K. I. , Abuakkada S. S. , Awad A. M. 
Published: October 2010

SummaryRabbit sera from ten commercial farms representing three provinces in Northern Egypt (Behera, Alexandria and Khafr El‐Sheikh) were submitted to serological screening forEncephalitozoon cuniculiusing an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and forToxoplasma gondiiusing an indirect hemagglutination test. Antibodies againstE. cuniculiwere detected in 36/240 (15%) sera examined while antibodies againstT. gondiishowed a seroprevalence of 22/194 (11.34%). Both infections were detected in all of the examined farms. These results are of epidemiological relevance and public health importance because of the recognized susceptibility of humans toE. cuniculiandT. gondiiinfections; therefore, routine screening examinations of farm rabbits are advised considering the zoonotic potential of these parasites.
Comparing spatially‐varying coefficients models for analysis of ecological data with non‐stationary and anisotropic residual dependence
Authors: Finley Andrew O. 
Published: October 2010

Summary1. When exploring spatially complex ecological phenomena using regression models it is often unreasonable to assume a single set of regression coefficients can capture space‐varying and scale‐dependent relationships between covariates and the outcome variable. This is especially true when conducting analysis across large spatial domains, where there is an increased propensity for anisotropic dependence structures and non‐stationarity in the underlying spatial processes.2. Geographically weighted regression (GWR) and Bayesian spatially‐varying coefficients (SVC) are the most common methods for modelling such data. This paper compares these methods for modelling data generated from non‐stationary processes. The comparison highlights some strengths and limitations of each method and aims to assist those who seek appropriate methods to better understand spatially complex ecological systems. Both synthetic and ecological data sets are used to facilitate the comparison.3. Results underscored the need for the postulated model to approximate the underlying mechanism generating the data. Further, results show GWR and SVC can produce very different regression coefficient surfaces and hence dramatically different conclusions can be drawn regarding the impact of covariates. The trade‐off between the richer inferential framework of SVC models and computational demands is also discussed.
Evaluation by Fluid/Structure-Interaction Spinal-Cord Simulation of
the Effects of Subarachnoid-Space Stenosis on an Adjacent Syrinx
Authors: Bertram C. D. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
A finite-element numerical model was constructed of the spinal cord, pia mater, filum terminale, cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal subarachnoid space (SSS), and dura mater. The cord was hollowed out by a thoracic syrinx of length 140 mm, and the SSS included a stenosis of length 30 mm opposite this syrinx. The stenosis severity was varied from 0% to 90% by area. Pressure pulse excitation was applied to the model either at the cranial end of the SSS, simulating the effect of cranial arterial pulsation, or externally to the abdominal dura mater, simulating the effect of cough. A very short pulse was used to examine wave propagation; a pulse emulating cardiac systole was used to examine the effects of fluid displacement. Additionally, repetitive sinusoidal excitation was applied cranially. Bulk fluid flow past the stenosis gave rise to prominent longitudinal pressure dissociation (“suck”) in the SSS adjacent to the syrinx. However, this did not proportionally increase the longitudinal motion of fluid in the syrinx. The inertia of the fluid in the SSS, together with the compliance of this space, gave a resonance capable of being excited constructively or destructively by cardiac or coughing impulses. The main effect of mild stenosis was to lower the frequency of this resonance; severe stenosis damped out to-and-fro motions after the end of the applied excitation. Syrinx fluid motion indicated the fluid momentum and thus the pressure developed when the fluid was stopped by the end of the syrinx; however, the tearing stress in the local cord material depended also on the instantaneous local SSS pressure and was therefore not well predicted by syrinx fluid motion. Stenosis was also shown to give rise to a one-way valve effect causing raised SSS pressure caudally and slight average cord displacement cranially. The investigation showed that previous qualitative predictions of the effects of suck neglected factors that reduced the extent of the resulting syrinx fluid motion and of the cord tearing stress, which ultimately determines whether the syrinx lengthens.
Lung function loss in relation to silica dust exposure in South African gold miners
Authors: Ehrlich R I , Myers J E , te Water Naude J M , Thompson M L , Churchyard G J 
Published: October 2010

ObjectiveTo estimate exposure-response relationships between respirable dust, respirable quartz and lung function loss in black South African gold miners.Methods520 mineworkers aged >37 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Gravimetric dust measurements were used to calculate cumulative respirable dust and quartz exposures. Excess lung function loss was defined as predicted minus observed forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). The association between excess loss and exposure was estimated, adjusting for smoking, tuberculosis and silicosis.ResultsMean service length was 21.8 years, mean respirable dust 0.37 mg/m3and mean respirable quartz 0.053 mg/m3. After adjustment, 1 mg-yr/m3increase in cumulative respirable dust exposure was associated with 18.7 ml mean excess loss in FVC [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3, 37.1] and 16.2 ml in FEV1 (95% CI -0.3, 32.6). Mean excess loss with silicosis was 224.1 ml in FEV1 and 123.6 ml in FVC; with tuberculosis 347.4 ml in FEV1 and 264.3 ml in FVC.ConclusionDespite a healthy worker effect, lung function loss was demonstrable whether due to silicosis, tuberculosis or an independent effect of dust. A miner working at a respirable dust intensity of 0.37 mg/m3for 30 years would lose on average an additional 208 ml in FVC (95% CI 3, 412) in the absence of other disease, an impact greater than that of silicosis and comparable to that of tuberculosis. Improved dust control on the South African gold mines would reduce the risk of silicosis, tuberculosis and lung function impairment.
Reduction of cooking oil fume exposure following an engineering intervention in Chinese restaurants
Authors: Pan Chih-Hong , Shih Tung-Sheng , Chen Chiou-Jong , Hsu Jin-Huei , Wang Shun-Chih , Huang Chien-Ping , Kuo Ching-Tang , Wu Kuen-Yuh , Hu Howard , Chan Chang-Chuan 
Published: October 2010

BackgroundA new engineering intervention measure, an embracing air curtain device (EACD), was used to increase the capture efficiency of cooker hoods and reduce cooking oil fume (COF) exposure in Chinese restaurants.MethodsAn EACD was installed in six Chinese restaurants where the cooks complained of COF exposure. Before- and after-installation measurements were taken to compare changes in particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in kitchen air, and changes in levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The association between PM and PAHs in air and 8-OHdG and MDA in urine was evaluated by linear mixed-effects regression analysis.ResultsResults showed that geometric mean kitchen air levels of PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0and total particulate PAHs were significantly reduced after the EACDs were introduced. Urinary levels of 8-OHdG and MDA in cooks were also significantly lower after EACD instalment. PM2.5, PM1.0and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) levels were positively associated with urinary 8-OHdG levels after adjusting for key personal covariates. Urinary MDA levels in cooks were also positively associated with BaP levels after adjusting for key personal covariates.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that the EACD is effective for reducing COF and oxidative stress levels in cooks working in Chinese kitchens.
Retrospective cohort study of the risk of obesity among shift workers: findings from the Industry-based Shift Workers' Health study, Japan
Authors: Kubo Tatsuhiko , Oyama Ichiro , Nakamura Takehiro , Shirane Kiyoyumi , Otsuka Hirotake , Kunimoto Masamizu , Kadowaki Koji , Maruyama Takashi , Otomo Hajime , Fujino Yoshihisa , Matsumoto Tetsuro , Matsuda Shinya 
Published: October 2010

ObjectivesThe authors investigated the effect of shift working on the risk of obesity using data from the Industry-based Shift Workers' Health (IbSH) study, a retrospective cohort study based on a health care database system belonging to a manufacturing corporation in Japan.MethodsThe study database contains data on annual health check-ups and work schedules for every worker in the corporation in Japan since 1981. Study subjects consisted of 9912 male employees (8892 daytime workers and 920 rotating three-shift workers; mean age at first check-up was 23.7 years) whose work schedules were consistent during the follow-up period. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥25.0.Results3319 cases of obesity were recorded over the 27.5 years of retrospective follow-up. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis visually demonstrated an increased risk of obesity among shift workers. The risk becomes particularly obvious after 10 years of follow-up. Cox proportional-hazards model analysis revealed a significantly increased risk among shift workers (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.28).ConclusionThe risk of obesity among male shift workers was visually and statistically demonstrated.
Outdoor work and risk for Parkinson's disease: a population-based case–control study
Authors: Kenborg Line , Lassen Christina F , Ritz Beate , Schernhammer Eva S , Hansen Johnni , Gatto Nicole M , Olsen Jørgen H 
Published: October 2010

ObjectivesSunlight is the main contributor to vitamin D in humans. Since inadequate levels of vitamin D have been linked to increased risks for neurodegenerative diseases, we examined whether outdoor work is associated with a reduced risk for Parkinson's disease in a population-based case–control study of Danish men.MethodsWe identified 3819 men with a primary diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in the period 1995–2006 in the Danish National Hospital Register and selected 19 282 age- and sex-matched population controls at random from the Central Population Register. Information on work history was ascertained from the Danish Supplementary Pension Fund and the Central Population Register. Based on trade grouping codes and job titles, we evaluated the extent of outdoor work of study subjects as a proxy of exposure to sunlight.ResultsRelying on trade grouping codes, we estimated ORs for study subjects with moderate, frequent and maximal outdoor work compared with exclusive indoor work of 0.90 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.02), 0.86 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.99) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.82), respectively, for Parkinson's disease. Reduced risks were also found for Parkinson's disease among outdoor workers based on study subjects' job titles.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that men working outdoors have a lower risk for Parkinson's disease. Further studies of measured vitamin D levels in outdoor workers are warranted to clarify a potential inverse association between vitamin D and the risk for Parkinson's disease.
Analysis of power-aware buffering schemes in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Ling Yibei , Chen Chung-Min , Chen Shigang 
Published: October 2010

We study the power-aware buffering problem in battery-powered sensor networks, focusing on the fixed-size and fixed-interval buffering schemes. The main motivation is to address the yet poorly understood size variation-induced effect on power-aware buffering schemes. Our theoretical analysis elucidates the fundamental differences between the fixed-size and fixed-interval buffering schemes in the presence of data-size variation. It shows that data-size variation has detrimental effects on the power expenditure of the fixed-size buffering in general, and reveals that the size variation induced effects can be either mitigated by a positive skewness or promoted by a negative skewness in size distribution. By contrast, the fixed-interval buffering scheme has an obvious advantage of being eminently immune to the data-size variation. Hence the fixed-interval buffering scheme is a risk-averse strategy for its robustness in a variety of operational environments. In addition, based on the fixed-interval buffering scheme, we establish the power consumption relationship between child nodes and parent node in a static data-collection tree, and give an in-depth analysis of the impact of child bandwidth distribution on the parent's power consumption.
This study is of practical significance: it sheds new light on the relationship among power consumption of buffering schemes, power parameters of radio module and memory bank, data arrival rate, and data-size variation, thereby providing well-informed guidance in determining an optimal buffer size (interval) to maximize the operational lifespan of sensor networks.
Metabolic Profiling Detects Field Effects in Nondysplastic Tissue from Esophageal Cancer Patients
Authors: Yakoub Danny , Keun Hector C. , Goldin Robert , Hanna George B. 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
The variable rate of missed cancer in endoscopic biopsies and lack of other biomarkers reduce the effectiveness of surveillance programs in esophageal cancer. Based on the “field cancerization” hypothesis that tumors arise within a transformed field with an altered biochemical phenotype, we sought to test if metabolic profiling could differentiate between histologically normal tissue from individuals with and without esophageal cancer. Thirty-five patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma and 52 age-matched controls participated in the study. Using 1H magic angle spinning–nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of intact tissue, we generated metabolic profiles of tumor tissue, proximal histologically normal mucosa from cancer patients (PHINOM), and proximal histologically normal mucosa from a control group. Using multivariate regression and receiver-operator characteristic analysis, we identified a panel of metabolites discriminating malignant and histologically normal tissues from cancer patients and from that of controls. Whereas 26% and 12% of the spectral profile regions were uniquely discriminating tumor or control tissue, respectively, 5% of the profile exhibited a significant progressive change in signal intensity from controls to PHINOM to tumor. Regions identified were assigned to phosphocholine (PC), glutamate (Glu), myo-inositol, adenosine-containing compounds, uridine-containing compounds, and inosine. In particular, the PC/Glu ratio in histologically normal tissue signified the presence of esophageal cancer (n = 123; area under the curve, 0.84; P &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis of the presence of metabonomic field effects in esophageal cancer, even in non-Barrett's segments. This indicates that metabolic profiling of tissue can potentially play a role in the surveillance of cancer by reporting on the phenotypic consequences of field cancerization. Cancer Res; 70(22); 9129–36. ©2010 AACR.
Sorafenib Overcomes TRAIL Resistance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through the Inhibition of STAT3
Authors: Chen Kuen-Feng , Tai Wei-Tien , Liu Tsung-Hao , Huang Hsiang-Po , Lin Yu-Chin , Shiau Chung-Wai , Li Pui-Kai , Chen Pei-Jer , Cheng Ann-Lii 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
Purpose: Recombinant tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a promising antitumor agent. However, many hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells show resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Here, we report that sorafenib improves the antitumor effect of TRAIL-related agents in resistant HCC.
Experimental Design: HCC cell lines (PLC5, Huh-7, Hep3B, and Sk-Hep1) were treated with sorafenib and/or TRAIL-related agents (TRAIL or LBY135) and analyzed in terms of apoptosis and signal transduction. In vivo efficacy was determined in nude mice with PLC5 xenografts.
Results: Sorafenib, the only approved drug for HCC, sensitizes resistant HCC cells to an agonistic DR5 antibody (LBY135) and TRAIL-induced apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant HCC cells. We found that STAT3 played a significant role in mediating TRAIL sensitization. Our data showed that sorafenib downregulated phospho-STAT3 (pSTAT3) and subsequently reduced the expression levels of STAT3-related proteins (Mcl-1, survivin, and cyclin D1) in a dose- and time-dependent manner in TRAIL-treated HCC cells. Knockdown of STAT3 by RNA interference overcame apoptotic resistance to TRAIL in HCC cells, and ectopic expression of STAT3 in HCC cells abolished the TRAIL-sensitizing effect of sorafenib. Moreover, SHP-1 inhibitor reversed downregulation of pSTAT3 and apoptosis induced by sorafenib, and silencing of SHP-1 by RNA interference abolished the effects of sorafenib on pSTAT3. Notably, sorafenib increased SHP-1 activity in PLC5 cells. Finally, sorafenib plus LBY135 significantly suppressed PLC5 xenograft tumor growth.
Conclusions: Sorafenib sensitizes resistant HCC cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis at clinical achievable concentrations, and this effect is mediated via the inhibition of STAT3. Clin Cancer Res; 16(21); 5189–99. ©2010 AACR.
Oral thrombostatin FM19 inhibits prostate cancer
Authors: Nieman Marvin , LaRusch Gretchen , Fang Chao , Zhou Yihua , Schmaier Alvin 
Published: October 2010

SummaryThrombin stimulates proliferation, invasion and metastasis by cleaving protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) on human prostate cancer cells. Current direct thrombin inhibitors pose risks for bleeding in the cancer patients. We have developed an oral reversible direct thrombin inhibitor called FM19. FM19 inhibits thrombin-induced calcium mobilisation of PC3 cells with an IC50 of 15 μM with a 95% confidence interval of 7.3–31.6 μM. Thrombin stimulation increases PC3 cell invasion threefold from 27.1 ± 11.4 to 66 ± 11.6. FM19 or bivalirudin reduces cell invasion at ≥0.1 μM (p≤0.02). After inoculation with PC3 cells, nude mice were treated with oral FM19 at 3 mg/ml in the drinking water. The treated mice did not have long bleeding times and only a 1.4-fold increase in their thrombin clotting time. However, with treatment, the mice have a reduced rate of tumour growth 0.26 ± 0.17 fold change/day vs. 0.55 ± 0.35 for untreated (p = 0.038), reduced fold change in tumour size 5.3 ± 0.47 to 8.9 ± 1.8 (untreated) (p=0.048), and reduced overall tumour weight 0.5 ± 0.31 g vs. 0.82 ± 0.32 g (untreated) (p=0.04). On microscopic examination, FM19 treatment reduces the number of large vessels in the tumours from 4.6 ± 2.1 per high-powered field in untreated samples to 1.4 ± 1.4 in treated samples (p≤0.04). These studies show FM19 reduces prostate tumour growth in vivo at a concentration below that needed for anticoagulation. These data suggest novel opportunities for oral direct thrombin inhibitors in cancer therapy.