bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutralizing antibodies to interferon‐α and circulating interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C non‐responding to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin re‐treated by pegylated interferon‐α‐2a and ribavirin (ANRS HC16 GAMMATRI substudy*)
Authors: Halfon Philippe , Pérusat Sophie , Bourlière Marc , Bronowicki Jean‐Pierre , Trimoulet Pascale , Benhamou Yves , Leroy Vincent , Marcellin Patrick , Foucher Juliette , Penaranda Guillaume , Chêne Geneviève , Couzigou Patrice ,   the ANRS HC16 GAMMATRI Study Group
Published: October 2010

AbstractA lack of antiviral response in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated (PEG)‐interferon (IFN)‐α‐2a + ribavirin (RIBA) may be explained by neutralizing antibodies to IFN‐α‐2a. The aim of this study was to assess neutralizing antibodies to IFN‐α‐2a and IFN levels in non‐responder patients who were re‐treated by PEG IFN‐α‐2a and RIBA for 12 weeks. Non‐responders to a first‐line treatment of PEG IFN‐α‐2a + RIBA were included for treatment with PEG IFN‐α‐2a (180 µg/week) + RIBA (1,000 mg/day if <75 kg, 1,200 mg otherwise) for 48 weeks. HCV RNA was measured at week 12. IFN levels and neutralizing antibodies to IFN‐α‐2a were measured retrospectively on stored sera at baseline and weeks 4 and 12, using a quantitative sandwich ELISA for neutralizing antibodies to IFN‐α‐2a. Twenty‐three patients were non‐responders and 19 patients were responders at week 12 of the initial phase of the second‐line treatment. Non‐responders and responders did not differ statistically: baseline age (median age 47 vs. 50 years), HCV RNA (median 6.8 vs. 6.4 log10copies/ml), gender (70% vs. 73% males), genotype (genotype 1: 91% vs. 80%). The median IFN‐α‐2a levels (pg/ml) at weeks 0, 4, and 12 (interquartile range) did not differ between the 19 responders to initial phase of second‐line treatment and the 23 non‐responders: <3.3 (<3.3–371.4), 1457.3 (106.8–3284.8), and 1,652 (90.8–5,000); 84.5 (3.3–277.4), 1407.4 (120.2–2443.4), and 1620.1 (120.2–2287.1), respectively. Among non‐selected consecutive non‐responder patients, re‐treatment with PEG IFN‐α‐2a + RIBA is associated with virological response regardless of the presence of antibody‐mediated resistance to conventional IFN treatment. J. Med. Virol. 82:2027–2031, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular epidemiology of noroviruses detected in seasonal outbreaks of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in Osaka City, Japan, from 1996–1997 to 2008–2009
Authors: Iritani Nobuhiro , Kaida Atsushi , Kubo Hideyuki , Abe Niichiro , Goto Kaoru , Ogura Hisashi , Seto Yoshiyuki 
Published: October 2010

AbstractIn seasons from 1996–1997 through 2008–2009, noroviruses (NoVs) were detected in 505 outbreaks (71%) of nonbacterial gastroenteritis in Osaka City, Japan using molecular diagnosis with reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR or real‐time RT‐PCR. The occurrences of NoV‐associated outbreaks were related with the cold season during November–March (85.3%), and occasionally small epidemics of NoVs occurring during April–June were observed. Oyster‐associated outbreaks were dominant transmission modes (25–61.1%) before the 2003–2004 season, and decreased (5–20.5%) from the 2003–2004 season, although outbreaks attributable to food‐borne transmission (except for oysters) and person‐to‐person contact increased from the 2003–2004 season. The NoV strains were characterized into genotypes based on sequence analysis of partial capsid regions. Genotyping analyses identified at least 30 genotypes (12 in genogroup I [GI] and 18 in genogroup II [GII]) of NoV. The most common genotype was GII.4 (44.6%), followed in order by GII.3, GII.6, GII.2, and GII.5. The number of GII.4 NoVs increased greatly from the 2003–2004 season, eventually comprising a large share among the NoV‐ associated outbreaks (97.4%) of the 2006–2007 season. Occasional increased prevalence of genotypes other than GII.4 was observed during this study period. This study showed the appearance, spread, and disappearance of various genotypes and the change of NoV epidemic in a limited geographic region. Continuous NoV molecular surveillance is important for understanding NoV infections and for improving measures for their control and prevention. J. Med. Virol. 82:2097–2105, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatitis B spliced protein (HBSP) generated by a spliced hepatitis B virus RNA participates in abnormality of fibrin formation and functions by binding to fibrinogen γ chain
Authors: Chen Jin‐Yan , Chen Wan‐Nan , Liu Ling‐Ling , Lin Wan‐Song , Jiao Bo‐Yan , Wu Yun‐Li , Lin Jian‐Yin , Lin Xu 
Published: October 2010

AbstractHepatitis B spliced protein (HBSP) encoded by a 2.2 kb singly spliced hepatitis B virus (HBV) pre‐genomic RNA (spliced between positions 2447 and 489 nt) is involved in the pathogenesis of HBV infection, whereas the exact mechanism is far from being fully elucidated. In this study, a yeast two‐hybrid system using HBSP as bait was employed to screen binding partners for HBSP from a human liver cDNA library. The interaction between HBSP and fibrinogen γ chain (FGG) was further confirmed in vitro using a GST pull‐down assay and confirmed in vivo using a mammalian two‐hybrid assay and co‐immunoprecipitation. It was identified that this interaction is mediated by the N terminal 47 amino acid residues of HBSP. HBSP could inhibit fibrin polymerization, factor XIIIa‐mediated fibrin cross‐linking, adhesion of platelets to fibrinogen and ADP‐stimulated platelet aggregation. However, the interaction‐mediating fragment 1–47 of HBSP is not sufficient for the inhibitory activity on fibrinogen function. The findings suggested that HBSP may participate in the hemostatic abnormality in patients with HBV‐related liver diseases. J. Med. Virol. 82:2019–2026, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Longitudinal course of human metapneumovirus antibody titers and reinfection in healthy adults
Authors: Okamoto Michiko , Sugawara Kanetsu , Takashita Emi , Muraki Yasushi , Hongo Seiji , Nishimura Hidekazu , Matsuzaki Yoko 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in adults and to determine the association between the levels of serum antibody titers and the susceptibility to reinfection. Serum samples collected at the periodic occupational medical checkup for employees of a hospital were subjected to an ELISA test. Of the 289 subjects, 288 (99.7%) had hMPV antibody titers that were more than 1:100 in May 2006. The percentage of subjects with a titer of ≥3,200 was significantly higher in adults aged 40–65 years old (30.2–31.5%) compared to young adults 20–39 years old (13.6%) (P < 0.05). To investigate the longitudinal course of the hMPV antibody titer, a total of 649 serum samples collected from 59 subjects who had participated in all biannual medical checkups between 2001 and 2006 were tested. We found that ten serum pairs showed a greater than fourfold increase in hMPV antibody titers. Additionally, the 5‐year reinfection rate was estimated at 16.9% (10 of 59 subjects). The baseline titer before the fourfold increase ranged from 1:100 to 1:3,200, and the titer returned to baseline levels 2 or 3 years after the fourfold increase. The antibody titer of the person with the baseline titer of 1:100 showed a greater than fourfold increase twice within a year. Sixty to 80% of adults had an ELISA titer of 1:800 to 1:1,600, suggesting that such an antibody titer is not enough to protect from hMPV infection and that reinfection could occur among adults. J. Med. Virol. 82:2092–2096, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low prevalence of transmitted drug resistance among newly diagnosed HIV‐1 patients in Latvia
Authors: Balode Dace , Westman Maj , Kolupajeva Tatjana , Rozentale Baiba , Albert Jan 
Published: October 2010

AbstractTransmitted drug resistance (TDR) is a concern because it may reduce the efficacy of antiretroviral treatment. Plasma samples of 119 HIV‐1‐infected patients who were newly diagnosed at the Infectology Center of Latvia in 2005 and 2006 were analyzed by an in‐house genotypic resistance assay to determine the prevalence of TDR in Latvia. TDR was identified using the WHO 2009 list of mutations for surveillance of TDR as implemented in the Stanford Calibrated Population Resistance tool. Neighbor‐joining phylogenetic analyses were used to determine genetic subtype and investigate the relatedness of the sequences. Resistance testing was successful in 117 of 119 patients. The study population represented ∼20% of all patients that were diagnosed in Latvia in 2005 and 2006 and was well distributed between gender, transmission routes, and areas of residence. Four patients showed evidence of TDR, which represents a prevalence of TDR of 3.4% (95% CI: 0.9–8.5%). All four patients displayed single, but different resistance mutations (M46I, F53L, M41L, and G190A). All patients, except one, were predicted to respond well to standard first‐line therapy in Latvia. The prevalence of TDR in Latvia was low, which partly may be due to the low proportion of HIV‐1 patients who receive antiretroviral therapy. The results indicate that routine resistance testing in Latvia currently should be focused on patients who display treatment failure, rather than treatment naive patients. J. Med. Virol. 82:2013–2018, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
BK virus sequences in specimens from aborted fetuses
Authors: Boldorini Renzo , Allegrini Sara , Miglio Umberto , Nestasio Ilenia , Paganotti Alessia , Veggiani Claudia , Monga Guido , Pietropaolo Valeria 
Published: October 2010

AbstractGiven the conflicting results of the few published studies, the aim of this retrospective molecular‐based study of 10 aborted fetuses that underwent complete autopsy and 10 placentas was carried out to determine whether BK polyomavirus (BKV) can be transmitted transplacentally. The interruption of pregnancy was due to a miscarriage (five cases) or a prenatal diagnosis of severe intrauterine malformations (five cases). Samples from the brain, heart, lung, thymus, liver, and kidney were taken from each fetus, and two samples were obtained from all of the placentas. The presence of BKV was investigated by means of PCR using primers specific for the transcription control region (TCR) and viral capsidic protein 1 (VP1) and DNA extracted from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue. BKV genome was detected in 22 of 60 samples (36.6%) from seven fetuses (70%), regardless of the cause of abortion: VP1 was amplified in 12 samples (54%), TCR in seven (32%), and both in three (14%). VP1 was also detected in one placental sample. BKV sequences were most frequently detected in heart and lung (five cases), but sequence analyses of TCR and VP1 revealed a high degree of genomic variability among the samples taken from different organs and the placenta. These results indicate that BKV can cross the placenta during pregnancy and become latent in fetal organs other than the kidney and brain (previously considered the main targets of BKV latency). This may happen in early pregnancy and does not seem to be associated with an increased risk of abortion. J. Med. Virol. 82:2127–2132, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparing burnout levels experienced by therapists working in a mental health organization versus therapists working in private practice
Authors: Gaal Nicole 
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis article examines the burnout phenomenon as experienced by therapists working in a mental health organization versus therapists working in private practice. The hypothesis is that therapists working in a mental health organization experience significantly more burnout symptoms than do therapists working in private practice settings. The article discusses the factors that appear to lead to burnout and looks at how organizations can help their employees provide better care to clients. The results of the study examined here indicate that therapists working in mental health organizations experience higher levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and lower levels of personal accomplishment than therapists working in private practice.
Synthesis of New Conjugated CNPPV Derivatives Containing Different Lengths of Oligothiophene Units for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Fei , Liu Yongsheng , Wan Xiangjian , Zhou Jiaoyan , Long Guankui , Chen Yongsheng 
Published: October 2010

AbstractA new series of CNPPV derivatives that contain oligothiophenes in the polymer backbone, have been synthesized by Knoevenagel polycondensation. Different lengths of oligothiophene units have been introduced to study the relationship between polymer structure and electronic properties. Thermal stability, UV‐vis absorption spectra, and electrochemical properties of the copolymers were studied. The bandgaps estimated from UV‐vis spectra varied from 1.77 to 1.83 eV. BHJ photovoltaic cells from different copolymers and a soluble fullerene derivative have been fabricated. The best PCE of 1.62% was obtained for the polymer CNPPV‐7T, with a short‐circuit current of 5.68 mA · cm−2, open‐circuit voltage of 0.66 V, and fill factor of 43.2%. magnified image
Motion correction in MR thermometry of abdominal organs: A comparison of the referenceless vs. the multibaseline approach
Authors: de Senneville Baudouin Denis , Roujol Sébastien , Moonen Chrit , Ries Mario 
Published: October 2010

AbstractReliable temperature and thermal‐dose measurements using proton resonance frequency shift‐based magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry for MR‐guided ablation of abdominal organs require a robust correction of artefacts induced by the target displacement through an inhomogeneous and time‐variant magnetic field. Two correction approaches emerged recently as promising candidates to allow continuous real‐time MR‐thermometry under free‐breathing conditions: The multibaseline correction method, which relies on a pre‐recorded correction table allowing to correct for periodic phase changes, and the referenceless method, which depends on a background phase estimation in the target area based on the assumption of a smooth spatial variation of the phase across the organ. This study combines both methods with real‐time in‐plane motion correction to permit both temperature and thermal‐dose calculations on the fly. Subsequently, the practical aspects of both methods are compared in two application scenarios, a radio frequency‐ablation and a high‐intensity focused ultrasound ablation. A hybrid approach is presented that exploits the strong points of both methods, allowing accurate and precise proton resonance frequency‐thermometry measurements during periodical displacement, even in the presence of spontaneous motion and strong susceptibility variations in the target area. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Goal‐oriented error estimation for Cahn–Hilliard models of binary phase transition
Authors: van der Zee Kristoffer G. , Tinsley Oden J. , Prudhomme Serge , Hawkins‐Daarud Andrea 
Published: October 2010

AbstractA posteriori estimates of errors in quantities of interest are developed for the nonlinear system of evolution equations embodied in the Cahn–Hilliard model of binary phase transition. These involve the analysis of wellposedness of dual backward‐in‐time problems and the calculation of residuals. Mixed finite element approximations are developed and used to deliver numerical solutions of representative problems in one‐ and two‐dimensional domains. Estimated errors are shown to be quite accurate in these numerical examples. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Instability analysis of the split‐step Fourier method on the background of a soliton of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Lakoba T.I. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe analyze a numerical instability that occurs in the well‐known split‐step Fourier method on the background of a soliton. This instability is found to be very sensitive to small changes of the parameters of both the numerical grid and the soliton, unlike the instability of most finite‐difference schemes. Moreover, the principle of “frozen coefficients,” in which variable coefficients are treated as “locally constant” for the purpose of stability analysis, is strongly violated for the instability of the split‐step method on the soliton background. Our analysis quantitatively explains all these features. It is enabled by the fact that the period of oscillations of the unstable Fourier modes is much smaller than the width of the soliton. Our analysis is different from the von Neumann analysis in that it requires spatially growing or decaying harmonics (not localized near the boundaries) as opposed to purely oscillatory ones. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 28: 641–669, 2012
Evidence for temporal and social differences in cranial dimensions in Edo‐period Japanese
Authors: Nagaoka Tomohito , Kawakubo Yoshinori , Hirata Kazuaki 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTThis study examined the craniometric traits of the Edo‐period (AD1603–1867) human skeletons from the Hitotsubashi site in Tokyo, compared them with temporally and socially various populations, and attempted to detect the morphological differentiation patterns that the Edo‐period Japanese exhibited over time and under those social/environmental conditions. The materials measured here were the townsmen's crania from the Hitotsubashi site, which were dated back to the early half of the Edo period. The observations revealed that the Hitotsubashi samples were more dolichocephalic than any other Edo series and were different from subsequent Edo series in terms of larger maximum cranial length and smaller maximum cranial breadth. The Hitotsubashi samples were definitely in contrast with those of Tentokuji and Shirogane, both of which included a samurai (warrior) class of the late to final Edo period and exhibited the most brachycephalic crania. It is reasonable to assume that the temporal and social situations were possibly related to the observed cranial variation and that the temporal changes in cranial dimensions in pre‐modern Japan might have reflected the nutritional and environmental conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phosphorus‐containing poly(ester‐imide)–polydimethylsiloxane copolymers
Authors: Hamciuc Corneliu , Hamciuc Elena , Serbezeanu Diana , Vlad‐Bubulac Tachita , Cazacu Maria 
Published: October 2010

AbstractNew phosphorus‐containing poly(ester‐imide)‐polydimethylsiloxane copolymers were prepared by solution polycondensation of 1,4‐[2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz < c,e > < 1, 2 > oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)]naphthalene‐bis(trimellitate) dianhydride with a mixture of an aromatic diamine (1,3‐bis(4‐aminophenoxy)benzene) and α,ω‐bis(3‐aminopropyl)oligodimethylsiloxane of controlled molecular weight, in various ratios. Poly(amic acid) intermediates were converted quantitatively to the corresponding polyimide structures using a solution imidization procedure. The polymers are easily soluble in polar organic solvents, such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and N,N‐dimethylformamide, as well as in less polar solvents such as tetrahydrofuran. They show good thermal stability, the decomposition temperature being above 370 °C. The glass transition temperatures are in the range 165–216 °C. Solutions of the polymers in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone exhibit photoluminescence in the blue region. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Individual‐level factors in colorectal cancer screening: a review of the literature on the relation of individual‐level health behavior constructs and screening behavior
Authors: Kiviniemi Marc T. , Bennett Alyssa , Zaiter Marie , Marshall James R. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractObjective: Compliance with colorectal cancer screening recommendations requires considerable conscious effort on the part of the individual patient, making an individual's decisions about engagement in screening an important contributor to compliance or noncompliance. The objective of this paper was to examine the effectiveness of individual‐level behavior theories and their associated constructs in accounting for engagement in colorectal cancer screening behavior.Methods: We reviewed the literature examining constructs from formal models of individual‐level health behavior as factors associated with compliance with screening for colorectal cancer. All published studies examining one or more constructs from the health belief model, theory of planned behavior, transtheoretical model, or social cognitive theory and their relation to screening behavior or behavioral intentions were included in the analysis.Results: By and large, results of studies supported the theory‐based predictions for the influence of constructs on cancer screening behavior. However, the evidence base for many of these relations, especially for models other than the health belief model, is quite limited.Conclusions: Suggestions are made for future research on individual‐level determinants of colorectal cancer screening. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The group II chaperonin Mm‐Cpn binds and refolds human γD crystallin
Authors: Knee Kelly M. , Goulet Daniel R. , Zhang Junjie , Chen Bo , Chiu Wah , King Jonathan A. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractChaperonins assist in the folding of nascent and misfolded proteins, though the mechanism of folding within the lumen of the chaperonin remains poorly understood. The archeal chaperonin from Methanococcus marapaludis, Mm‐Cpn, shares the eightfold double barrel structure with other group II chaperonins, including the eukaryotic TRiC/CCT, required for actin and tubulin folding. However, Mm‐Cpn is composed of a single species subunit, similar to group I chaperonin GroEL, rather than the eight subunit species needed for TRiC/CCT. Features of the β‐sheet fold have been identified as sites of recognition by group II chaperonins. The crystallins, the major components of the vertebrate eye lens, are β‐sheet proteins with two homologous Greek key domains. During refolding in vitro a partially folded intermediate is populated, and partitions between productive folding and off‐pathway aggregation. We report here that in the presence of physiological concentrations of ATP, Mm‐Cpn suppressed the aggregation of HγD‐Crys by binding the partially folded intermediate. The complex was sufficiently stable to permit recovery by size exclusion chromatography. In the presence of ATP, Mm‐Cpn promoted the refolding of the HγD‐Crys intermediates to the native state. The ability of Mm‐Cpn to bind and refold a human β‐sheet protein suggests that Mm‐Cpn may be useful as a simplified model for the substrate recognition mechanism of TRiC/CCT.
The Cus efflux system removes toxic ions via a methionine shuttle
Authors: Su Chih‐Chia , Long Feng , Yu Edward W. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractGram‐negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, frequently utilize tripartite efflux complexes in the resistance‐nodulation‐cell division (RND) family to expel diverse toxic compounds from the cell. These efflux systems span the entire cell envelope to mediate the phenomenon of bacterial multidrug resistance. The three parts of the efflux complexes are: (1) a membrane fusion protein (MFP) connecting (2) a substrate‐binding inner membrane transporter to (3) an outer membrane‐anchored channel in the periplasmic space. One such efflux system CusCBA is responsible for extruding biocidal Cu(I) and Ag(I) ions. We recently determined the crystal structures of both the inner membrane transporter CusA and MFP CusB of the CusCBA tripartite efflux system from E. coli. These are the first structures of the heavy‐metal efflux (HME) subfamily of the RND efflux pumps. Here, we summarize the structural information of these two efflux proteins and present the accumulated evidence that this efflux system utilizes methionine residues to bind and export Cu(I)/Ag(I). Genetic and structural analyses suggest that the CusA pump is capable of picking up the metal ions from both the periplasm and cytoplasm. We propose a stepwise shuttle mechanism for this pump to extrude metal ions from the cell.