bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of a novel RNA binding domain in crocodilepox Zimbabwe Gene 157
Authors: Little Nicole S , Quon Taylor , Upton Chris 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Background
Although the crocodilepox virus (CRV) is currently unclassified, phylogenetic analyses suggest that its closest known relatives are molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV) and the avipox viruses. The CRV genome is approximately 190 kb and contains a large number of unique genes in addition to the set of conserved Chordopoxvirus genes found in all such viruses. Upon sequencing the viral genome, others noted that this virus was also unusual because of the lack of a series of common immuno-suppressive genes. However, the genome contains multiple genes of unknown function that are likely to function in reducing the anti-viral response of the host.

Results
By using sensitive database searches for similarity, we observed that gene 157 of CRV-strain Zimbabwe (CRV-ZWE) encodes a protein with a domain that is predicted to bind dsRNA. Domain characterization supported this prediction, therefore, we tested the ability of the Robetta protein structure prediction server to model the amino acid sequence of this protein on a well-characterized RNA binding domain. The model generated by Robetta suggests that CRV-ZWE-157 does indeed contain an RNA binding domain; the model could be overlaid on the template protein structure with high confidence.

Conclusion
We hypothesize that CRV-ZWE-157 encodes a novel poxvirus RNA binding protein and suggest that as a non-core gene it may play a role in host-range determination or function to dampen host anti-viral responses. Potential targets for this CRV protein include the host interferon response and miRNA pathways.
A survey of black hole attacks in wireless mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Tseng Fan-Hsun , Chou Li-Der , Chao Han-Chieh 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
The black hole attack is one of the well-known security threats in wireless mobile ad hoc networks. The intruders utilize the loophole to carry out their malicious behaviors because the route discovery process is necessary and inevitable. Many researchers have conducted different detection techniques to propose different types of detection schemes. In this paper, we survey the existing solutions and discuss the state-of-the-art routing methods. We not only classify these proposals into single black hole attack and collaborative black hole attack but also analyze the categories of these solutions and provide a comparison table. We expect to furnish more researchers with a detailed work in anticipation.
Trustworthy Group Making Algorithm in Distributed Systems
Authors: Aikebaier Ailixier , Enokido Tomoya , Takizawa Makoto 
Published: November 2011

AbstractInformation systems are being shifted to scalable architectures like Cloud and peer-to-peer (P2P) models. In this paper, we consider the P2P model as a fully distributed, scalable system different from centralized coordinated systems in Cloud and Grid systems. A P2P system is composed of peer processes (peers). Here, applications are realized by activities of peers and cooperations among multiple peers. In P2P systems, since there is no centralized coordination, each peer has to obtain information about other peers by itself. In the group cooperation, each group member peer has to be trustworthy so that malicious behavior of a member peer cannot effect overall outcome of the whole group. Here, it is important to consider the trustworthiness of each group member as a base of an agreement procedure in the distributed environment. The goal of a group and the way to archive the goal are decided by the group members. During the agreement procedure, opinions of member peers have to be collected in a group. Malicious and unexpected behaviors of member peers can negatively effect the output of a group. Hence, it is significant to discuss how to compose a group only by including more trustworthy peers. In this paper, by taking advantage of the trustworthiness concept of each peer, we propose a novel approach to composing a trustworthy group in the distributed agreement protocols.
HLA-DRB1 shared epitope genotyping using the revised classification and its association with circulating autoantibodies, acute phase reactants, cytokines and clinical indices of disease activity in a cohort of South African rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Meyer Pieter WA , Hodkinson Bridget , Ally Mahmood , Musenge Eustasius , Wadee Ahmed A , Fickl Heidi , Tikly Mohammed , Anderson Ronald 
Published: November 2011

Abstract

Introduction

The revised shared epitope (SE) concept in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is based on the presence (S) or absence (X) of the SE RAA amino acid motif at positions 72 to 74 of the third hypervariable region of the various human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 alleles. The purpose of this study was to investigate SE subtypes on the basis of the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for the classification of RA in a cohort of South African RA patients (n = 143) and their association with clinical and circulating biomarkers of disease activity (autoantibodies, acute phase reactants and cytokines).

Methods

Genomic DNA was analysed using high-resolution recombinant sequence-specific oligonucleotide PCR typing of the HLA-DRB1 allele. Subtypes of the SE were classified according to the amino acids at positions 72 to 74 for the RAA sequence, and further sub-divided according to the amino acids at positions 70 and 71, which either contribute to (S2, S3P), or negate (S1, S3D) RA susceptibility. Disease activity was assessed on the basis of (1) Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein (CRP), (2) rheumatoid factor (RF), (3) CRP and (4) serum amyloid A by nephelometry, anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (aCCP) by an immunofluorometric procedure, and cytokines by multiplex bead array technology.

Results

Of the 143 RA patients, 81 (57%) were homozygous (SS) and 50 (35%) were heterozygous (SX) for the SE alleles with significant overexpression of S2 and S3P (respective odds ratios (ORs) 5.3 and 5.8; P < 0.0001), and 12 (8%) were classified as no SE allele (XX). Both the SS and SX groups showed a strong association with aCCP positivity (OR = 10.2 and P = 0.0010, OR = 9.2 and P = 0.0028, respectively) relative to the XX group. Clinical scores and concentrations of the other biomarkers of disease activity (RF, CRP and T helper cell type 1 (Th1), Th2, macrophage and fibroblast cytokines) were also generally higher in the SS group than in the SX and XX groups.

Conclusions

RA susceptibility alleles investigated according to revised criteria for the classification of RA were significantly increased in South African RA patients and strongly associated with aCCP in particular as well as with circulating cytokines and disease severity.
Impaired function of Fanconi anemia type C-deficient macrophages
Authors: Liu Ying , Ballman Kimberly , Li Deqiang , Khan Shehnaz , Derr-Yellin Ethel , Shou Weinian , Haneline Laura S 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTFA is a genetic disorder characterized by BM failure, developmental defects, and cancer predisposition. Previous studies suggest that FA patients exhibit alterations in immunologic function. However, it is unclear whether the defects are immune cell-autonomous or secondary to leukopenia from evolving BM failure. Given the central role that macrophages have in the innate immune response, inflammation resolution, and antigen presentation for acquired immunity, we examined whether macrophages from Fancc−/− mice exhibit impaired function. Peritoneal inflammation induced by LPS or sodium periodate resulted in reduced monocyte/macrophage recruitment in Fancc−/− mice compared with WT controls. Fancc−/− mice also had decreased inflammatory monocytes mobilized into the peripheral blood after LPS treatment compared with controls. Furthermore, Fancc−/− peritoneal macrophages displayed cell-autonomous defects in function, including impaired adhesion to FN or endothelial cells, reduced chemoattractant-mediated migration, and decreased phagocytosis. Moreover, dysregulated F-actin rearrangement was detected in Fancc−/− macrophages after adhesion to FN, which was consistent with an observed reduction in RhoA-GTP levels. Importantly, these data suggest that impaired cytoskeletal rearrangements in Fancc−/− macrophages may be the common mechanism responsible for cell-autonomous defects detected in vitro, as well as altered monocyte/macrophage trafficking in vivo.
Adjuvant Capecitabine, Docetaxel, Cyclophosphamide, and Epirubicin for Early Breast Cancer: Final Analysis of the Randomized FinXX Trial
Authors: Joensuu Heikki , Kellokumpu-Lehtinen Pirkko-Liisa , Huovinen Riikka , Jukkola-Vuorinen Arja , Tanner Minna , Kokko Riitta , Ahlgren Johan , Auvinen Päivi , Paija Outi , Helle Leena , Villman Kenneth , Nyandoto Paul , Nilsson Greger , Pajunen Marjo , Asola Raija , Poikonen Paula , Leinonen Mika , Kataja Vesa , Bono Petri , Lindman Henrik 
Published: November 2011

Purpose Capecitabine is an active agent in the treatment of breast cancer. It is not known whether integration of capecitabine into an adjuvant regimen that contains a taxane, an anthracycline, and cyclophosphamide improves outcome in early breast cancer. Patients and Methods Women with axillary node–positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive either three cycles of docetaxel and capecitabine (TX) followed by three cycles of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and capecitabine (CEX; n = 753) or three cycles of docetaxel (T) followed by three cycles of cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and fluorouracil (CEF; n = 747). The primary end point was recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results During a median follow-up time of 59 months, 214 RFS events occurred (local or distant recurrences or deaths; TX/CEX, n = 96; T/CEF, n = 118). RFS was not significantly different between the groups (hazard ratio [HR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.60 to 1.04; P = .087; 5-year RFS, 86.6% for TX/CEX v 84.1% for T/CEF). Fifty-six patients assigned to TX/CEX died during the follow-up compared with 75 of patients assigned to T/CEF (HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.52 to 1.04; P = .080). In exploratory analyses, TX/CEX improved breast cancer–specific survival (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.95; P = .027) and RFS in women with triple-negative disease and in women who had more than three metastatic axillary lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis. We detected little severe late toxicity. Conclusion Integration of capecitabine into a regimen that contains docetaxel, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide did not improve RFS significantly compared with a similar regimen without capecitabine.
Mediator and Moderator Role of Loneliness in the Relationship Between Peer Victimization and Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Baker Özgür Erdur , Bugay Asli 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe goal of this study was to examine the mediator and moderator roles of loneliness in the relationship between peer victimisation and depressive symptoms. The participants of the study were 144 adolescents (66 girls, 78 boys) ranging in age from 11 to 15 years. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the relations of peer victimisation to depressive symptoms through the mediating role of loneliness, as well as examining the joint and independent effects of loneliness and victimisation on depressive symptoms. The results of the analysis indicated that loneliness fully mediates the relationship between victimisation and depressive symptoms but loneliness and victimisation independently contribute to depressive symptoms. Results are discussed in light of the related literature.
Individual Correlates of Bullying Behaviour in Turkish Middle Schools
Authors: Özer Arif , Totan Tarik , Atik Gökhan 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis study investigated the relationship between bullying involvement (bully, victim, bully/victim, and not involved) and gender, academic achievement, self-efficacies (academic, social, and emotional self-efficacies). Data were collected by administering the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (Olweus, 1996), the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (Murris, 2001), and a demographic information form to 721 middle school students (50.3% female, 49.7% male). The associations between bullying involvement and the independent variables were evaluated using a multiple correspondence analysis. Results showed that females tended to be not involved or victims, whereas males tended to be bullies or both bullies and victims. There were moderate associations between all self-efficacies, academic achievement, and bullying involvement. In particular, high self-efficacies and high academic achievement were related to being not involved in bullying, while low self-efficacies and low academic achievement were associated with either being a victim or both bully and victim.
Effects of 3-year GH replacement therapy on bone mineral density in younger and elderly adults with adult-onset GH deficiency
Authors: Elbornsson Mariam , Götherström Galina , Franco Celina , Bengtsson Bengt-Åke , Johannsson Gudmundur , Svensson Johan 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveLittle is known of the effects of long-term GH replacement on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in elderly GH-deficient (GHD) adults.Design/patients/methodsIn this prospective, single-center, open-label study, the effects of 3-year GH replacement were determined in 45 GHD patients >65 years and in 45 younger control GHD patients with a mean age of 39.5 (s.e.m.1.1) years. All patients had adult-onset disease and both groups were comparable in terms of number of anterior pituitary hormonal deficiencies, gender, body mass index, and waist:hip ratio.ResultsThe mean maintenance dose of GH was 0.24 (0.02) mg/day in the elderly patients and 0.33 (0.02) mg/day in the younger GHD patients (P<0.01). The 3 years of GH replacement induced a marginal effect on total body BMC and BMD, whereas femur neck and lumbar (L2–L4) spine BMC and BMD increased in both the elderly and the younger patients. The treatment response in femur neck BMC was less marked in the elderly patients (P<0.05 vs younger group). However, this difference disappeared after correction for the lower dose of GH in the elderly patients using an analysis of covariance. There were no between-group differences in responsiveness in BMC or BMD at other skeletal locations.ConclusionsThis study shows that GH replacement increases lumbar (L2–L4) spine and femur neck BMD and BMC in younger as well as elderly GHD patients. This supports the notion that long-term GH replacement is also useful in elderly GHD patients.
The Safety of Pediatric Acupuncture: A Systematic Review
Authors: Adams Denise , Cheng Florence , Jou Hsing , Aung Steven , Yasui Yutaka , Vohra Sunita 
Published: November 2011

CONTEXT:
Acupuncture is increasingly used in children; however, the safety of pediatric acupuncture has yet to be reported from systematic review.

OBJECTIVE:
To identify adverse events (AEs) associated with needle acupuncture in children.

METHODS:
Eighteen databases were searched, from inception to September 2010, irrespective of language. Inclusion criteria were that the study (1) was original peer-reviewed research, (2) included children from birth to 17 years, inclusively, (3) involved needle acupuncture, and (4) included assessment of AEs in a child. Safety data were extracted from all included studies.

RESULTS:
Of 9537 references identified, 450 were assessed for inclusion. Twenty-eight reports were included, and searches of reference lists identified 9 additional reports (total: 37). A total of 279 AEs were identified, 146 from randomized controlled trials, 95 from cohort studies, and 38 from case reports/series. Of the AEs, 25 were serious (12 cases of thumb deformity, 5 infections, and 1 case each of cardiac rupture, pneumothorax, nerve impairment, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, hemoptysis, reversible coma, and overnight hospitalization), 1 was moderate (infection), and 253 were mild. The mild AEs included pain, bruising, bleeding, and worsening of symptoms. We calculated a mild AE incidence per patient of 168 in 1422 patients (11.8% [95% confidence interval: 10.1–13.5]).

CONCLUSIONS:
Of the AEs associated with pediatric needle acupuncture, a majority of them were mild in severity. Many of the serious AEs might have been caused by substandard practice. Our results support those from adult studies, which have found that acupuncture is safe when performed by appropriately trained practitioners.
The Natural History, Immature Stages, and Shelter Building Behavior ofDion carmenta(Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) in Eastern Ecuador
Authors: Greeney Harold F , Warren Andrew D 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe describe the immature stages and shelter building behavior of the skipper butterfly Dion carmenta (Hewitson) from eastern Ecuador. Adults infrequently are encountered and feed on a variety of flowers, generally at forest edges and clearings. Chusquea c.f. scandens Kunth (Poaceae: Bambusoidea) is the larval food plant. Young larvae have black heads with white, unadorned bodies, changing little as they grow, with the exception of developing a reddish tinge to thoracic segments. Larvae of all stadia construct and dwell in shelters built on the food plant and forcibly eject frass with the aid of an anal comb. Pupation occurs on the food plant in a final structure formed by joining together multiple leaves with silk. Development, from oviposition to eclosion, lasts 128–147 d.
Ecology, Natural History, and Larval Descriptions of Arctiinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) from a Cloud Forest in the Eastern Andes of Ecuador
Authors: Rab Green Suzanne B , Gentry Grant L , Greeney Harold F , Dyer Lee A 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAdults and larvae in the subfamily Arctiinae (family Erebidae), along with their host plants and the parasitic wasps and flies that attack them, are important components of most terrestrial food webs, but basic taxonomic and life-history knowledge for the arctiines of the Neotropics is still poorly known. This is true for most groups of Lepidoptera in hyperdiverse countries such as Ecuador. To examine host affiliations and natural enemies in diverse ecosystems, we collected 6,243 arctiine caterpillars (representing 821 larval morphospecies) at elevations ranging from 400 to 3,500 m as part of a larger ecological and taxonomic survey of trophic associations centered at the Yanayacu Biological Station in Napo province, eastern Ecuador. Here, we provide a brief review of the systematics of Neotropical Arctiinae, provide basic information on host affiliations and parasitism rates of arctiines reared from Napo province in Ecuador and describe the immature stages of 16 species encountered in the region.
Gas Diffusion Rates through Cocoon Walls of Two Bee Species (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Rozen Jerome G , Rozen James R , Hall H Glenn 
Published: November 2011

Abstract
A concurrent study of the nesting biology of the solitary bee Osmia (Helicosmia) chalybea Smith (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Osmiini) and its cleptoparasite Stelis (Stelis) ater Mitchell (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Anthidiini) proposes that their larval cocoons allow gas exchange between ambient air and internal cocoon air and provide a water-vapor barrier, thus enabling the immature bees to avoid desiccation and simultaneously protecting them from invading parasites and predators. The anterior pole of the cocoon of each species has a nipple-like feature that, although structurally different in each case, seems to allow gas exchange while filtering out predators and parasites. The purpose of the current study was to test whether the anterior ends of the two cocoons allow gas exchange whereas the posterior ends are indeed essentially air- and water-vaportight. Results clearly support the assumption that cocoons of both species function as predicted and raise the interesting speculation that cocoons of other bee taxa may serve the same functions.
Diapause Induction inGratiana boliviana(Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a Biological Control Agent of Tropical Soda Apple in Florida
Authors: Diaz Rodrigo , Overholt William A , Hahn Dan , Samayoa Ana C 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe South American leaf-feeding beetle Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has been released since 2003 in the southeastern United States to control the invasive weed tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). Successful establishment of a biological control agent in temperate and subtropical regions depends on several life-history adaptations, including winter diapause. The timing of diapause allows the syncronization of insect herbivores with the phenology of plants, and field observations in Florida suggested that G. boliviana overwinters as an adult in diapause. The objectives of this study were to describe the diapause of G. boliviana and determine the effect of temperature and photoperiod on diapause induction. Compared with nondiapause adults, diapausing adults were yellow rather than green, had hypertrophied fat bodies, contained little food in the digestive tract, showed negligible ovarian development, and minimal movement of the hind wings when the beetles were placed on their dorsal sides. Although all nondiapause females laid eggs during a 30-d period, only five of 76 diapausing females laid eggs and this occurred only during the first 15 d of the treatment period. Consistent with morphological indicators of diapause, the respiration rate was 2.3 times lower and fat content was 2–3 times greater in diapausing adults compared with nondiapause adults. In a laboratory study, the critical daylength for diapause induction was found to be 12 h:28 min.