bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resistance to antiretroviral drugs in newly diagnosed, young treatment‐naïve HIV‐positive pregnant women in the province of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa
Authors: Parboosing R. , Naidoo A. , Gordon M. , Taylor M. , Vella V. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn 2004, KwaZulu‐Natal initiated one of the world's largest HIV/AIDS treatment programs. Studies in South Africa have shown that patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) develop rapidly and transmit drug resistant mutations. Since resistance testing is not widely available in Kwazulu‐Natal, the Department of Health conducted the first HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) threshold survey in 2005, which did not identify any mutations associated with HIVDR. The objective of this study was to conduct a follow‐up threshold survey to update the information on HIVDR. This study was conducted in 2009 in five antenatal care sites in Kwazulu‐Natal using the HIVDR threshold survey method developed by WHO. Two hundred and thirteen newly‐diagnosed HIV positive, drug‐naïve primigravidae, less than 22 years of age were included in the survey. Of the 82 HIV positive specimens, 17 had insufficient volume for genotyping and, of the remaining 65, 47 were genotyped sequentially. Drug resistance was identified by sequencing the HIV‐1 pol gene, using the ViroSeq® HIV‐1 genotyping system v2.0. Of the 47 samples that were genotyped, only one presented with a K103N mutation, which equates to a prevalence of transmitted HIVDR of <5%. The low prevalence of transmitted HIVDR is in keeping with statistical models of the early stages of ART rollout. As ART coverage is increasing continuously, there is a need to ensure that vigilance of HIVDR continues so that the emergence and spread of HIVDR is minimized. This survey should be repeated in 2011, in accordance with WHO guidelines. J. Med. Virol. 83:1508–1513, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inverse association of IL28B genotype and liver mRNA expression of genes promoting or suppressing antiviral state
Authors: Abe Hiromi , Hayes C. Nelson , Ochi Hidenori , Tsuge Masataka , Miki Daiki , Hiraga Nobuhiko , Imamura Michio , Takahashi Shoichi , Kubo Michiaki , Nakamura Yusuke , Kamatani Naoyuki , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: July 2011

AbstractHigh intrahepatic expression levels of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) in chronic hepatitis C patients are associated with poor response to interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy. Expression levels of 16 genes (OAS1, PKR, MxA, ISG15, RIG‐I, TLR8, IRF7, IRF9, NFKBIA, IL28A/IL28B, IL29, IL28RA, IL10RB, IFNAR2, and STAT1) that promote antiviral state and 4 genes (SOCS1, SOCS3, Zc3h12a, and A20) that suppress antiviral state were analyzed using real‐time PCR assays in 133 liver biopsy samples from patients infected with genotypes 1 or 2. Expression levels of genes promoting antiviral state were positively correlated with each other but were not correlated with those that suppress antiviral state. Expression levels of some ISGs were inversely associated with common polymorphisms within the IL28B locus. Genes promoting antiviral state were expressed lower (e.g., ISG15, P = 1.42E‐12 and MxA, P = 6.40E‐11) in individuals with the protective rs12979860 CC genotype, and genes suppressing antiviral state were expressed higher (A20, P = 0.00107 and Zc3h12a, P = 0.00129, respectively), although some ISGs were not significant after the Bonferroni correction. The expression levels of both an antiviral (MxA) and a suppressor (SOCS1) ISG were independent predictors for non‐response. These results suggest that rs12979860 genotype may be associated with response to combination therapy through an inverse relationship between antiviral and suppressor ISGs in the liver. J. Med. Virol. 83:1597–1607, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Thermo‐Oxidative Degradation in Impact Poly(propylene) Copolymers
Authors: de Goede Elana , Mallon Peter E. , Rode Karsten , Pasch Harald 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe spatial degradation in impact PP copolymers with different ethylene contents is studied by FTIR microscopy and layer‐by‐layer milling of the sample surfaces, followed by ATR‐FTIR, SEC, and CRYSTAF analysis. FTIR allows for tracking of the rate of degradation, providing information on the depth profiling of the degradation. Results show that samples with lower ethylene content degrade faster at all depths than those with higher ethylene content. The latter show a more uniform degradation from the surface to the bulk of the material at longer degradation times. This is ascribed to the higher amorphous content which results in a larger oxygen diffusion to the centre of the material while its slower rate of degradation is ascribed to the lower tertiary carbon content.magnified image
A Double Click Strategy Applied to the Reversible Polymerization of Furan/Vegetable Oil Monomers
Authors: Vilela Carla , Cruciani Letizia , Silvestre Armando J. D. , Gandini Alessandro 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis investigation describes preliminary results related to the preparation of monomers based on vegetable oil derivatives bearing furan heterocycles appended through thiol‐ene click chemistry, and their subsequent polymerization via the Diels‐Alder (DA) polycondensation between furan and maleimide complementary moieties, i.e. a second type of click chemistry. Following the optimization of these interactions with model compounds, two basic approaches were considered for these DA polymerizations, namely (i) the use of monomers with two terminal furan rings in conjunction with bismaleimides (AA + BB systems) and (ii) the use of AB monomers incorporating both furan and maleimide end‐groups. This ongoing study clearly showed that both approaches were successful, albeit with different outcomes, in terms of the nature of the products. The application of the retro‐DA reaction confirmed their thermoreversible character, i.e. the clean‐cut return to their respective starting monomers.magnified image
Selective and Sequential Re‐Assembly of Patterned Block Copolymer Thin Film for Fabricating Polymeric, Inorganic, and Their Composite Nanostructured Arrays
Authors: Zu Xihong , Gong Jian , Tu Weiping , Deng Yulin 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe report that the nanostructures of poly(styrene‐block‐4‐vinylpyridine) block copolymer (PS‐b‐P4VP) thin film on a wafer substrate can be re‐assembled by sequential vapor treatment using selected solvents. Metal or other inorganic nanoparticles that were randomly pre‐loaded inside or on the surface of PS‐b‐P4VP thin film could be pulled to the rim of PS and P4VP along with the movements of PS and P4VP blocks during the treatment. As a result, the patterned polymeric or inorganic/polymer composite nanoisland and nanoring arrays were fabricated.magnified image
Bim contributes to phenethyl isothiocyanate‐induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells
Authors: Hahm Eun‐Ryeong , Singh Shivendra V. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPhenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a highly promising cancer chemopreventive constituent of cruciferous vegetables (e.g., watercress) with in vivo efficacy in experimental rodent cancer models. Research thus far implicates apoptosis induction in cancer chemopreventive response to PEITC, but the mechanism of proapoptotic effect is not fully understood. The present study demonstrates that p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)‐independent apoptosis by PEITC is mediated by B‐cell lymphoma 2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim). Exposure of a cell line (BRI‐JM04) derived from spontaneously developing mammary tumor of a MMTV‐neu transgenic mouse to pharmacological concentrations of PEITC resulted in decreased cell viability coupled with apoptosis induction, characterized by release of histone‐associated DNA fragments into the cytosol and cleavage of poly‐(ADP‐ribose)‐polymerase and procaspase‐3. The PEITC‐induced apoptosis in BRI‐JM04 cells was associated with up‐regulation of Bak, PUMA, and Bim (long and short forms of Bim), increased S65 phosphorylation of BimEL (extra‐long form), and down‐regulation of Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2. On the other hand, a non‐tumorigenic human mammary epithelial cell line (MCF‐10A) was significantly more resistant to PEITC‐induced apoptosis compared with BRI‐JM04 despite induction of Bax and PUMA due to concomitant overexpression of anti‐apoptotic proteins, including Bcl‐xL, Bcl‐2, and Mcl‐1. Wild‐type HCT‐116 cells and its isogenic PUMA knockout variant exhibited comparable sensitivity to PEITC‐induced apoptosis. On the other hand, small interfering RNA knockdown of Bim protein imparted partial but statistically significant protection against PEITC‐induced apoptosis in BRI‐JM04, MCF‐7, and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. In conclusion, the present study provides novel insight into the mechanism of PEITC‐induced apoptosis involving Bim. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Downregulation of Mig‐6 in nonsmall‐cell lung cancer is associated with EGFR signaling
Authors: Li Zixuan , Dong Qianze , Wang Yang , Qu Lianyue , Qiu Xueshan , Wang Enhua 
Published: July 2011

AbstractDownregulation of Mig‐6 expression has been implicated in several human cancers and its loss can lead to prolonged activation of EGFR and carcinogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of loss of Mig‐6 expression in nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the biological functions of Mig‐6 in NSCLC cell lines. Mig‐6 expression was downregulated in 47/91 (51.6%) cases of NSCLC that were examined. Mig‐6 downregulation significantly correlated with poor differentiation (P = 0.0131), histological type (P = 0.0021), and EGFR expression (P = 0.003). In addition, knockdown of Mig‐6 expression in H1299 and BE1 cells promoted EGF‐induced tumor cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, Mig‐6 knockdown led to a significant increase in phospho‐AKT, phospho‐ERK, phospho‐EGFR as well as MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 levels. These results indicate that downregulated Mig‐6 in NSCLC tissues may serve as a new marker that can predict the activation of EGFR signaling pathway. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diagnostic criteria for depression in Parkinson's disease: A study of symptom patterns using latent class analysis
Authors: Starkstein Sergio , Dragovic Milan , Jorge Ricardo , Brockman Simone , Merello Marcelo , Robinson Robert G. , Bruce David , Wilson Mark 
Published: July 2011

AbstractAlthough major depression is one of the most frequent psychiatric disorders among patients with Parkinson's disease, diagnostic criteria have yet to be validated. The main aim of our study was to validate depressive symptoms using latent class analysis for use as diagnostic criteria for major depression in Parkinson's disease. We examined a consecutive series of 259 patients with Parkinson's disease admitted to 2 movement disorders clinics for regular follow‐ups. All patients were assessed with a comprehensive psychiatric interview that included structured assessments for depression, anxiety, and apathy. The main finding was that all 9 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th edition) diagnostic criteria for major depression (ie, depressed mood, diminished interest or pleasure, weight or appetite changes, sleep changes, psychomotor changes, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, poor concentration, and suicidal ideation) identified a patient class (severe depression group) with high statistical significance. Latent class analysis also demonstrated a patient class with minimal depressive symptoms (no‐depression group), and a third patient class with intermediate depressive symptoms (moderate depression). Anxiety and apathy were both significant comorbid conditions of moderate and severe depression. Taken together, our findings support the use of the full Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th edition) criteria for major depression for use in clinical practice and research in Parkinson's disease and suggest that anxiety may be included as an additional diagnostic criterion. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Examination of central gait control mechanisms in Parkinson's disease using movement‐related potentials
Authors: Shoushtarian Mehrnaz , Murphy Anna , Iansek Robert 
Published: July 2011

AbstractGait disorders are common in people with Parkinson's disease. The pathophysiology of these disorders is not fully understood. Movement‐related potentials reflect supplementary motor area activity associated with the preparation and execution of voluntary movement. Our aim was to investigate movement‐related potentials associated with gait disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease, as reflected by gait hypokinesia and initiation difficulties, in order to better understand the role of the basal ganglia in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Movement‐related potentials were back‐averaged from electroencephalography recordings performed on 11 participants with Parkinson's disease with no gait initiation difficulties, 9 participants with Parkinson's disease who suffered from gait initiation difficulties, 12 young healthy adults, and 8 healthy older adults. Participants took 3 steps forward, stepping off a force plate. Trigger signals from the force plate and electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior muscle were used to identify gait initiation time. Participants' stride length was also measured using a 3‐dimensional motion analysis system. Movement‐related potentials showed significant group differences between the healthy young adults and the 2 Parkinson's disease groups as well as the Parkinson's disease group as a whole. No significant difference was found between the participants with Parkinson's disease and age‐matched controls. A significant inverse relationship between movement‐related potentials and stride length was found in patients with Parkinson's disease who did not experience gait initiation difficulties but not in those who did have this symptom. Gait‐generated movement‐related potentials appear to show electrical evidence of cortical disturbances correlated with stride length reduction in patients with Parkinson's disease without gait initiation difficulties. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
A clinical test for the alcohol sensitivity of essential tremor
Authors: Knudsen Karina , Lorenz Delia , Deuschl Günther 
Published: July 2011

AbstractBackground:The objective of the study was to develop a simple diagnostic test for alcohol sensitivity of essential tremor patients. Here we describe the controlled measurements of tremor severity after alcohol ingestion and the practicability of using it as a home test.Methods:Ten patients were tested for alcohol sensitivity under controlled conditions in the laboratory (blood alcohol, quantitative tremor recordings, modified Fahn scale, visual analog scale, Archimedes spirals), and 15 patients were instructed to perform an alcohol test at home (visual analog scale, Archimedes spirals) following an adapted dosage of alcohol.Results:The time course of the antitremor effect showed significant improvement of up to 50% in both groups for all the outcome parameters. Tremor deteriorated after 3 hours. A quarter of the patients noticed the alcohol effect for the first time during the test.Conclusions:Alcohol is an effective drug for essential tremor. Its effect is only short‐lived and exhibits a rebound after > 3 hours and the next morning. We propose this essential tremor home test as a diagnostic tool to confirm the alcohol sensitivity of essential tremor. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Synthesis and properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s containing azole groups
Authors: Bae Byungchan , Kawamura Shinya , Miyatake Kenji , Watanabe Masahiro 
Published: July 2011

AbstractRandom and multiblock sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s (SPEs) containing various azole groups such as oxadiazole and triazole were synthesized and characterized for fuel cell application. Successful preparation of SPE membranes depended on the structure of azole groups, which affected solubility of precursors and the resulting SPEs. Although oxadiazole groups were incorporated into hydrophobic component, they were found to be hydrophilic to give higher proton conductivity. Introduction of oxadiazole groups into random SPE gave comparable proton conductivity to that of Nafion NRE at >60% relative humidity at 80 °C. Block copolymer structure further increased the proton diffusion coefficient without increasing ion exchange capacity. Hydrolytic and oxidative stability of the SPE membranes was affected by both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components. Oxadiazole groups gave negative impact on hydrolytic and mechanical stability to the SPE membranes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Copolyfluorenes containing pendant bipolar carbazole and 1,2,4‐triazole groups: Synthesis, characterization, and optoelectronic applications
Authors: Wu Chia‐Shing , Chen Yun 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThree novel copolyfluorenes (P1‐P3) containing pendant bipolar groups (2.5–7.7 mol %), directly linked hole‐transporting carbazole and electron‐transporting aromatic 1,2,4‐triazole, were synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction and applied to enhance emission efficiency of polymer light‐emitting diodes based on conventional MEH‐PPV. The bipolar groups not only suppress undesirable green emission of polyfluorene under thermal annealing, but also promote electron‐ and hole‐affinity of the resulting copolyfluorenes. Blending the bipolar copolyfluorenes with MEH‐PPV results in significant enhancement of device performance [ITO/PEDOT:PSS/MEH‐PPV+P1, P2 or P3/Ca(50 nm)/Al(100 nm)]. The maximum luminance and luminance efficiency were enhanced from 3230 cd/m2 and 0.29 cd/A of MEH‐PPV‐only device to 15,690 cd/m2 and 0.81 cd/A (blend device with MEH‐PPV/P3 = 94/6 containing about 0.46 wt % of pendant bipolar residues), respectively. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of the bipolar copolyfluorenes in enhancing emission efficiency of MEH‐PPV. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Participation of protein sequence termini in crystal contacts
Authors: Carugo Oliviero 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe analysis of the crystal packing interactions, in a nonredundant set of high resolution and monomeric globular protein crystal structures, shows that the residues located at the N‐ and C‐termini of the sequence tend to participate in packing interaction more often than expected and that often they interact with each other. Since the sequence termini are, in general, conformationally very flexible and since they host electrical charges of opposite sign, it can be hypothesized that they play a crucial role in the early formation of the nonphysiological contacts that bring to protein crystallization. It is thus not surprising that modest lengthening/shortening of the sequence termini have often a dramatic effect on protein crystallogenesis.
Computational design and selections for an engineered, thermostable terpene synthase
Authors: Diaz Juan E. , Lin Chun‐Shi , Kunishiro Kazuyoshi , Feld Birte K. , Avrantinis Sara K. , Bronson Jonathan , Greaves John , Saven Jeffery G. , Weiss Gregory A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractTerpenoids include structurally diverse antibiotics, flavorings, and fragrances. Engineering terpene synthases for control over the synthesis of such compounds represents a long sought goal. We report computational design, selections, and assays of a thermostable mutant of tobacco 5‐epi‐aristolochene synthase (TEAS) for the catalysis of carbocation cyclization reactions at elevated temperatures. Selection for thermostability included proteolytic digestion followed by capture of intact proteins. Unlike the wild‐type enzyme, the mutant TEAS retains enzymatic activity at 65°C. The thermostable terpene synthase variant denatures above 80°C, approximately twice the temperature of the wild‐type enzyme.
Numerical analysis of superparamagnetic clusters distribution
Authors: Chrobak A. , Haneczok G. , Chełkowska G. , Kassiba A. , Ziółkowski G. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe paper concerns numerical analysis of superparamagnetic clusters by means of Langevin paramagnetism theory and simulated annealing (SA) procedure supplemented with some additional constraints. In order to determine a proper calculation algorithm and its parameters the three methods, i.e., simple SA, SA with maximum entropy, and SA with local maximum entropy were tested. Within the analyzed SA procedures (carried out for the computer generated semi‐empirical curves) the best results were obtained by making use of the local entropy constraint. It was also shown that this algorithm can be successfully applied to determination of superparamagnetic cluster distribution. The tested SA procedure was applied to analysis of measured magnetic isotherms for Al–RE–Ni amorphous alloys and thin SiC–Mn layers deposited on a Si substrate.
Direct synthesis of luminescent SiC quantum dots in water by laser ablation
Authors: Zakharko Yu. , Rioux D. , Patskovsky S. , Lysenko V. , Marty O. , Bluet J.‐M. , Meunier M. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractDirect synthesis of luminescent SiC quantum dots in pure deionized water by laser ablation is reported. A zeta‐potential of –49 mV, higher than for nanoparticles produced by electrochemical etching, suggests a higher colloidal stability of the laser‐produced nanoparticles. IR spectroscopy shows that surface charges related to carboxylate anions ensure long‐term stability of the colloidal solutions based on the as‐prepared SiC quantum dots. Main radiative channel at room temperature corresponds to the recombination of quantumly confined photogenerated charge carriers. Emission from the nanoparticles is mainly centred at 2.75 eV regardless of laser power used for ablation. According to photoluminescence spectra, a partial transformation of the SiC quantum dots from cubic to hexagonal crystalline arrangement is supposed. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Methods for age‐adjustment of rates
Authors: Inskip Hazel , Beral Valerie , Fraser Patricia , Haskey John 
Published: July 2011

AbstractDifferent age structures in two populations complicate any comparison of their levels of mortality. Many methods exist which provide death rates or mortality indices adjusted for age and other factors. Such summary measures inevitably lose information, but they are useful for the initial examination of large quantities of data and for the presentation of results. This paper reviews a number of techniques available for producing age‐adjusted death rates or mortality indices, emphasizing their historical development. Formulae are given for their calculation. The appropriate context for using each method, and its associated disadvantages are described.
An investigation of an excess incidence of heart disease
Authors: Paddle G. M. , Bennett B. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn a large complex chemical company, it is difficult to distinguish clusters of disease of occupational origin from those due to non‐occupational factors and those that have arisen by chance. The mechanical application of statistical procedures to health data to detect occupational hazards will produce many false positives. More refined techniques were used to demonstrate that the incidence of coronary disease at a small site was too high to be attributed to chance alone. An intensive search for a causative factor proved abortive.