bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Self-reported asthma and allergies in top athletes compared to the general population - results of the German part of the GA2LEN-Olympic study 2008
Authors: Thomas Silke , Wolfarth Bernd , Wittmer Caroline , Nowak Dennis , Radon Katja ,   GA2LEN-Olympic study-Team
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
Prevalence of asthma and allergies in top athletes is high. However, most previous studies did not include a general population comparison group. We aimed to compare the prevalence of asthma, allergies and medical treatment in different groups of German top athletes to the general population.

Methods
Prior to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, 291 German candidates for participation (65%) completed a questionnaire on respiratory and allergic symptoms. Results were compared to those of a general population study in Germany (n = 2425, response 68%). Furthermore, associations between types of sports and the self-reported outcomes were calculated. All models were adjusted for age, sex, level of education and smoking.

Results
Athletes reported significantly more doctors' diagnosed asthma (17% vs. 7%), more current use of asthma medication (10% vs. 4%) and allergic rhinitis (25% vs. 17%) compared to the general population. After adjustment, top athletes only had an increased Odds Ratio for doctor's diagnosed asthma (OR: 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.5). Compared to the general population, athletes in endurance sports had an increased OR for doctor's diagnosed asthma (2.4; 1.5-3.8) and current use of asthma medication (1.8; 1.0-3.4). In this group, current wheeze was increased when use of asthma medication was taken into account (1.8; 1.1-2.8). For other groups of athletes, no significantly increased ORs were observed.

Conclusions
Compared to the general population, an increased risk of asthma diagnosis and treatment was shown for athletes involved in endurance sports. This might be due to a better medical surveillance and treatment of these athletes.
Effects of the K65R and K65R/M184V reverse transcriptase mutations in subtype C HIV on enzyme function and drug resistance
Authors: Xu Hong-Tao , Martinez-Cajas Jorge L , Ntemgwa Michel L , Coutsinos Dimitrios , Frankel Fernando A , Brenner Bluma G , Wainberg Mark A 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundWe investigated the effects of mutations K65R and K65R plus M184V on enzymatic function and mechanisms of drug resistance in subtype C reverse transcriptase (RT).MethodsRecombinant subtype C HIV-1 RTs containing K65R or K65R+M184V were purified fromEscherichia coli. Enzyme activities and tenofovir (TFV) incorporation efficiency by wild-type (WT) and mutant RTs of both subtypes were determined in cell-free assays. Efficiency of (-) ssDNA synthesis and initiation by subtype C RTs was measured using gel-based assays with HIV-1 PBS RNA template and tRNA3Lysas primer. Single-cycle processivity was assayed under variable dNTP concentrations. Steady-state analysis was performed to measure the relative inhibitory capacity (ki/km) of TFV-disphosphate (TFV-DP). ATP-dependent excision and rescue of TFV-or ZDV-terminated DNA synthesis was monitored in time-course experiments.ResultsThe efficiency of tRNA-primed (-)ssDNA synthesis by subtype C RTs was: WT > K65R > K65R+M184V RT. At low dNTP concentration, K65R RT exhibited lower activity in single-cycle processivity assays while the K65R+M184V mutant showed diminished processivity independent of dNTP concentration. ATP-mediated excision of TFV-or ZDV-terminated primer was decreased for K65R and for K65R+M184V RT compared to WT RT. K65R and K65R+M184V displayed 9.8-and 5-fold increases in IC50 for TFV-DP compared to WT RT. The Ki/Km of TFV was increased by 4.1-and 7.2-fold, respectively, for K65R and K65R+M184V compared to WT RT.ConclusionThe diminished initiation efficiency of K65R-containing RTs at low dNTP concentrations have been confirmed for subtype C as well as subtype B. Despite decreased excision, this decreased binding/incorporation results in diminished susceptibility of K65R and K65R+M184 RT to TFV-DP.
Protection conferred by a recombinant Marek’s disease virus that expresses the spike protein from infectious bronchitis virus in specific pathogen-free chicken
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong , Wu Yantao , Huang Yezhen , Liu Xiufan 
Published: May 2012

Abstract

Background
In many countries, the predominant field isolates of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) have been classified as QX-like strains since 1996. However, no commercial vaccines that are specific for this type of IBV are currently available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel vaccines that prevent QX-like IBV infection.

Results
A recombinant Marek’s disease virus (MDV), rMDV-S1, that expresses the S1 subunit of the spike (S) protein from the QX-like infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) was constructed by inserting the IBV S1 gene into the genome of the CVI988/Rispens strain of MDV. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens that were vaccinated with rMDV-S1 were protected when challenged with the QX-like IBV. They were observed to have mild clinical signs of disease, a short virus-shedding period and low mortality. Additionally, the rMDV-S1 conferred full protection to chickens against virulent MDV, as did the CVI988/Rispens strain.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that rMDV-S1 is an effective and promising recombinant vaccine for the prevention of QX-like IBV infection.
The Glucocorticoid-Induced Leucine Zipper (Gilz/Tsc22d3-2) Gene Locus Plays a Crucial Role in Male Fertility
Authors: Suarez Philippe Emmanuel , Rodriguez Elena Gonzalez , Soundararajan Rama , Mérillat Anne-Marie , Stehle Jean-Christophe , Rotman Samuel , Roger Thierry , Voirol Marie-Jeanne , Wang Jian , Gross Olaf , Pétrilli Virginie , Nadra Karim , Wilson Anne , Beermann Friedrich , Pralong François Pierre , Maillard Marc , Pearce David , Chrast Roman , Rossier Bernard Claude , Hummler Edith 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (Tsc22d3-2) is a widely expressed dexamethasone-induced transcript that has been proposed to be important in immunity, adipogenesis, and renal sodium handling based on in vitro studies. To address its function in vivo, we have used Cre/loxP technology to generate mice deficient for Tsc22d3-2. Male knockout mice were viable but surprisingly did not show any major deficiencies in immunological processes or inflammatory responses. Tsc22d3-2 knockout mice adapted to a sodium-deprived diet and to water deprivation conditions but developed a subtle deficiency in renal sodium and water handling. Moreover, the affected animals developed a mild metabolic phenotype evident by a reduction in weight from 6 months of age, mild hyperinsulinemia, and resistance to a high-fat diet. Tsc22d3-2-deficient males were infertile and exhibited severe testis dysplasia from postnatal d 10 onward with increases in apoptotic cells within seminiferous tubules, an increased number of Leydig cells, and significantly elevated FSH and testosterone levels. Thus, our analysis of the Tsc22d3-2-deficient mice demonstrated a previously uncharacterized function of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper protein in testis development.
miR-93/106b and Their Host Gene, MCM7, Are Differentially Expressed in Leiomyomas and Functionally Target F3 and IL-8
Authors: Chuang Tsai-Der , Luo Xiaoping , Panda Harekrushna , Chegini Nasser 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
miR-93/106b and their host gene minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7) reside at chr7q22, a region frequently rearranged in leiomyomas. We explored the expression of miR-93/106b in leiomyoma and paired myometrium (n = 63) from untreated and patients exposed to hormonal therapies (GnRH agonist, Depo-Provera, and oral contraceptives) from African-Americans and Caucasians and their regulatory functions in isolated paired (n = 15) leiomyoma and myometrial smooth muscle cells and the leiomyosarcoma cell line. At tissue level leiomyomas expressed significantly lower levels of miR-93 and elevated MCM7 as compared with myometrium with limited racial influence or hormonal exposure on their expression. Assessing the regulatory function of miR-93/106b through doxycycline-inducible lentiviral transduction in a microarray analysis, tissue factor (F3) and IL8 were identified as their possible targets. At the tissue level, leiomyomas expressed a significantly lower level of F3 and an elevated IL-8 level, which exhibited an inverse relationship with miR-93 but with limited racial or hormonal influences. The gain of function of miR-93/106b in leiomyoma smooth muscle cells, myometrial smooth muscle cells, and the leiomyosarcoma cell line dose dependently repressed F3 and IL8 through direct interactions with their respective 3′-untranslated region and indirectly through F3 repression inhibited IL8, CTGF, and PAI-1 expression, confirmed by using small interfering RNA silencing or factor Vlla (FVIIa) activation of F3, as well as reducing the rate of proliferation, while increasing caspase-3/7 activity. We concluded that differential expression of miR-93/106b and their direct and/or indirect regulatory functions on F3, IL8, CTGF, and PAI-1 expression, with key roles in inflammation and tissue turnover may be of significance in the outcome of leiomyoma growth and associated symptoms.
The critical role of adrenomedullin and its binding protein, AMBP-1, in neuroprotection
Authors: Cheyuo Cletus , Yang Weng-Lang , Wang Ping 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Chronic neurodegenerative disorders and acute injuries of the central nervous system exert a prohibitive economic burden, which is aggravated by an unmet medical need for the development of effective neurotherapeutics. The evolutionarily conserved neuropeptide, adrenomedullin (AM), and its binding protein, AMBP-1, also known as complement factor H, play important roles in brain physiology, and their expression is altered in brain pathology. In this review, we discuss the molecular regulation of AM and AMBP-1 and the pivotal roles they play in neuroprotection following brain injury. We assess the reciprocal synergistic effects of AM and AMBP-1 and make suggestions for the design of a novel combination neurotherapy devoid of the potential hypotensive effects of AM while optimizing its neuroprotective property.
Analysis of tissue and salivary nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in oral squamous cell carcinoma: basis for the development of a noninvasive diagnostic test for early-stage disease
Authors: Sartini Davide , Pozzi Valentina , Renzi Elisabetta , Morganti Stefano , Rocchetti Romina , Rubini Corrado , Santarelli Andrea , Muzio Lorenzo Lo , Emanuelli Monica 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common form of head and neck cancer worldwide. In recent decades, the 5-year mortality rate is approximately 50% around the world. As reliable biomarkers of oral cancer are still lacking, it is necessary to identify new target molecules for early diagnosis, effective therapy, and monitoring of the disease. In the present work, we focused on the expression of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). We analyzed enzyme activity in 37 paired tumor and non-tumor tissues and found that activity levels are significantly higher in tumor compared with adjacent normal oral mucosa. Interestingly, oral epithelium surrounding tumor of unfavorable cases (N+) seems to display higher activity levels compared with that of favorable ones (N0). Western blot analyses were performed to evaluate protein levels in saliva samples from patients with OSCC and healthy subjects. Preliminary results indicated an up-regulation of salivary NNMT in tumor. This study shows a marked increase in enzyme activity in oral cancer and suggests that adjacent normal tissue of unfavorable cases seems to change toward cancer. Moreover, it is conceivable to hypothesize that NNMT could represent a potential biomarker for early and non-invasive diagnosis of oral cancer.
In situ formation of nano-scale PMMA network structures on the surface of immiscible polymer blends by solvent extraction and redeposition
Authors: Giancola Giorgiana , Lehman Richard L. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
A continuous open structured network, with a high surface area, low solids fraction, and nano-scale domain morphology, was observed to grow from dissolved blend components on cold fractured surfaces of immiscible polymer blends, when reacted with dimethylformamide (DMF). In this work, we showed that the network is comprised of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), with a strong glassy character similar to or even in excess of conventional PMMA pellets used in the preparation process, in contrast to the amorphous but not glassy PMMA produced when similar materials were synthesized away from the PMMA host. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses confirmed the chemical and physical character of the network. This general network formation phenomenon, which was initially observed in PMMA/high density poly ethylene (HDPE) blends produced by conventional extrusion, PMMA/HDPE blends compression molded from powder precursors, and subsequently on bulk PMMA, produces a unique structure that has potential applications as an interfacial modification substance or as a functional material in biomaterials and catalysis.
Study of rheological and mechanical properties of ternary blends of iPP/LDPE/EPDM
Authors: Bouhelal Said , Cagiao M. Esperanza , Di Lorenzo Maria Laura , Zouai Foued , Khellaf Souhila , Tabet Habiba , Benachour Djafer , Calleja Francisco J. Baltá 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Compatible blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP)/low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) were prepared by reactive blending in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The blends were characterized using different techniques: dynamical rheological analysis (DRA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), viscosity and impact strength, to evaluate their properties. Results revealed that the presence of the peroxide in LDPE/EPDM blends gives rise to crosslinking reactions, as is the case in iPP/LDPE/EPDM blends. However, in the latter case, scission reactions of the iPP component also take place. As a consequence of the whole process, morphological changes arise mainly in the amorphous regions, without affecting the degree of crystallinity of the components. The mechanical properties of the blends are consequently improved, due to the crosslinked network thus formed in the blends.
Rheological investigation of shear-enhanced crystallization for polylactide composites with different aspect ratio carbon nanotubes
Authors: Xu Zhaohua , Sun Ning , Li Heng 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Crystallization processes of polylactide (PLA)/acid oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube (A-MWCNT) composites were detected by dynamic rheological measurements. The influences of pre-shear, crystallization temperature, concentration and aspect ratio of A-MWCNT, on the crystallization kinetics of PLA, were investigated. The addition of small amounts of A-MWCNT, can more or less accelerate the crystallization of the PLA matrix. Composites with smaller aspect ratio A-MWCNT (A-MWCNT–S) show faster crystallization rates than those with larger aspect ratio A-MWCNT (A-MWCNT–L), due to the more heterogeneous nucleation sites of the former. Pre-shear can significantly promote the crystallization process of PLA composites, and with the increase in shear rate, the crystallization rate becomes faster. Pre-shear results in an accelerated crystallization compared to PLA/A-MWCNT–S composites at the same concentration, without pre-shear, due to a more serious deformation from entanglement to orientation of A-MWCNT–L.
Back to Basics for Bayesian Model Building in Genomic Selection
Authors: Kärkkäinen Hanni P , Sillanpää Mikko J 
Published: May 2012

AbstractNumerous Bayesian methods of phenotype prediction and genomic breeding value estimation based on multilocus association models have been proposed. Computationally the methods have been based either on Markov chain Monte Carlo or on faster maximum a posteriori estimation. The demand for more accurate and more efficient estimation has led to the rapid emergence of workable methods, unfortunately at the expense of well-defined principles for Bayesian model building. In this article we go back to the basics and build a Bayesian multilocus association model for quantitative and binary traits with carefully defined hierarchical parameterization of Student’s t and Laplace priors. In this treatment we consider alternative model structures, using indicator variables and polygenic terms. We make the most of the conjugate analysis, enabled by the hierarchical formulation of the prior densities, by deriving the fully conditional posterior densities of the parameters and using the acquired known distributions in building fast generalized expectation-maximization estimation algorithms.
Changes in Patient and Technique Survival over Time among Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Canada
Authors: Perl Jeffrey , Wald Ron , Bargman Joanne M. , Na Yingbo , Jassal S. Vanita , Jain Arsh K. , Moist Louise , Nessim Sharon J. 
Published: May 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
In the last 15 years in Canada, there have been less stringent guidelines for peritoneal dialysis (PD) adequacy, availability of novel PD solutions, and lower PD-related peritonitis rates. Effects of these changes on outcomes of incident patients treated with PD during this period are unknown.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
Risk of PD technique failure and mortality were compared among three incident cohorts of PD patients who initiated dialysis during the following periods: 1995–2000, 2001–2005, and 2006–2009. A multivariable model was used to evaluate time to PD technique failure using inverse probability of treatment and censoring weights accounting for changing survival and transplantation rates.

Results
Between 1995 and 2009,13,120 incident adult PD patients were identified from the Canadian Organ Replacement Register. Compared with the 1995–2000 cohort (n=5183), the risk of PD technique failure was lower among patients between 2001 and 2005 (n=4316) but similar among incident patients between 2006 and 2009 (n=3621). Cause-specific PD technique failure revealed no difference in PD peritonitis-related technique failure over time. PD technique failure due to inadequate PD was initially higher in the 2001–2005 cohort but lower in the 2006–2009 cohort compared with the 1995–2000 cohort. Relative to incident patients between 1995 and 2000, adjusted mortality was lower among incident patients between 2001 and 2005 and 2006 and 2009.

Conclusions
Survival on PD continues to improve with only modest changes in PD technique failure. Peritonitis remains an ongoing and modifiable source of PD technique failure.
Stability of Two Natural Homologous Proteins with Different Folds
Authors: Konieczny Leszek , Banach Mateusz , Roterman Irena 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The applicability of the model for protein folding process simulation is presented using as the test two homologous proteins of different fold: helical in 3BD1 and beta-structural form in 2PIJ [L. van Dorn, T. Newlove, S. Chang, W. Ingram, M. Cordes. Biochemistry 45, 10542 (2006)]. The folding process is assumed to be directed by hydrophobic core directing the hydrophobic residues toward the center of the molecule and exposing the hydrophilic residues on the surface. The fuzzy oil drop model is expressed by the 3-dimensional Gauss function which mimics the external force field. The value of Gauss function is interpreted as the hydrophobicity density calculated in any point of the space of the protein body. The accordance of idealized and observed hydrophobicity distributions (calculated according to Levitt function) measured using the Kullback-Leibler divergence entropy reveals good accordance in two homological proteins of different folds. The structural differences appeared to be easily explainable on the basis of fuzzy oil drop model.
Measurement of Hydrophobicity Distribution in Proteins � Complete Redundant Protein Data Bank.
Authors: Sałapa Kinga , Kalinowska Barbara , Jadczyk Tomasz , Roterman Irena 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
The divergence entropy: O/T and O/R measuring the distance between observed/theoretical and observed/random distributions was applied to identify the category of protein structures in respect to the hydrophobic core in protein molecules. The naive interpretation was applied treating the proteins of O/T < O/R as the molecules of hydrophobic core accordant with the theoretically assumed. The proteins of O/T > O/R are treated as representing the hydrophobic core not accordant with the assumed one. The large scale computing was performed (PDB data set) to reveal whether other than simple inequality relation should be used for this identification. The cluster analysis was applied to identify the relation O/T versus O/R as the discrimination factor to classify the category of proteins in respect to their structural form of hydrophobic core.
Non-symplectic smooth circle actions on symplectic manifolds
Authors: Hajduk Bogusław , Pawałowski Krzysztof , Tralle Aleksy 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
We construct smooth circle actions on symplectic manifolds with non-symplectic fixed point sets or cyclic isotropy sets. All such actions are not compatible with any symplectic form on the manifold in question. In order to cover the case of non-symplectic fixed point sets, we use two smooth 4-manifolds (one symplectic and one non-symplectic) which become diffeomorphic after taking the products with the 2-sphere. The second type of actions is obtained by constructing smooth circle actions on spheres with non-symplectic cyclic isotropy sets, which (by the equivariant connected sum construction) we carry over from the spheres on products of 2-spheres. Moreover, by using the mapping torus construction, we show that periodic diffeomorphisms (isotopic to symplectomorphisms) of symplectic manifolds can provide examples of smooth fixed point free circle actions on symplectic manifolds with non-symplectic cyclic isotropy sets.
Concert Hall Sound Clarity: A Comparison of Auditory Judgments and Objective Measures
Authors: Miśkiewicz Andrzej , Rogala Tomira , Rościszewska Teresa , Rudzki Tomasz , Fidecki Tadeusz 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to compare auditory judgments of sound clarity of music examples recorded in a concert hall with predictions of clarity made from the impulse response signal recorded in the same hall. Auditory judgments were made with the use of two methods: by rating sound clarity on a numerical scale with two endpoints, and by absolute magnitude estimation. Results obtained by both methods were then compared against the values of clarity indices,C80andC50, determined from the impulse response of the concert hall, measured in places in which the microphone was located during recording of music examples. Results show that auditory judgments of sound clarity and predictions made from theC80index yield a similar rank order of data, but the relation between theC80scale and perceived sound clarity is nonlinear. The data also show that the values ofC80andC50indices are in very close agreement.