bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The United States Trypanosoma cruzi Infection Study: evidence for vector‐borne transmission of the parasite that causes Chagas disease among United States blood donors
Authors: Cantey Paul T. , Stramer Susan L. , Townsend Rebecca L. , Kamel Hany , Ofafa Karen , Todd Charles W. , Currier Mary , Hand Sheryl , Varnado Wendy , Dotson Ellen , Hall Chris , Jett Pamela L. , Montgomery Susan P. 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Screening US blood donors for Trypanosoma cruzi infection is identifying autochthonous, chronic infections. Two donors in Mississippi were identified through screening and investigated as probable domestically acquired vector‐borne infections, and the US T. cruzi Infection Study was conducted to evaluate the burden of and describe putative risk factors for vector‐borne infection in the United States.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood donors who tested enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay repeat reactive and positive by radioimmunoprecipitation assay, and whose mode of infection could not be identified, were evaluated with a questionnaire to identify possible sources of infection and by additional serologic and hemoculture testing for T. cruzi infection.RESULTS: Of 54 eligible donors, 37 (69%) enrolled in the study. Fifteen (41%) enrollees had four or more positive serologic tests and were considered positive for T. cruzi infection; one was hemoculture positive. Of the 15, three (20%) donors had visited a rural area of an endemic country, although none had stayed for 2 or more weeks. All had lived in a state with documented T. cruzi vector(s) or infected mammalian reservoir(s), 13 (87%) reported outdoor leisure or work activities, and 11 (73%) reported seeing wild reservoir animals on their property.CONCLUSION: This report adds 16 cases, including one from the Mississippi investigation, of chronic T. cruzi infection presumably acquired via vector‐borne transmission in the United States to the previously reported seven cases. The estimated prevalence of autochthonous infections based on this study is 1 in 354,000 donors. Determining US foci of vector‐borne transmission is needed to better assess risk for infection.
An automatic wash method for dimethyl sulfoxide removal in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation decreases the adverse effects related to infusion
Authors: Sánchez‐Salinas Andrés , Cabañas‐Perianes Valentín , Blanquer Miguel , Majado María Juliana , Insausti Carmen Luisa , Monserrat Jorge , Sánchez‐Ibáñez Maria Victoria , Menchón Pilar , García‐Hernández Ana , Gómez‐Espuch Joaquín , Morales Alfonso , Moraleda José M. 
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Products cryopreserved with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in stem cell transplant (SCT) often cause many adverse effects during their infusion (major cardiovascular events, dyspnea … even death). These are especially frequent in pediatric patients. We tested if a fully automated and closed wash procedure (Sepax S‐100, Biosafe) allowed us to maintain the absolute CD34+ cell number, cell viability, and engraftment potential, decreasing the untoward reactions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty‐six washes of DMSO cryopreserved peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor (HP) apheresis were studied. Blood aliquots were taken both after thawing and after washing to assess the total nucleated and CD34+ cell counts, as well as cell viability. The washed products were infused in 26 autologous SCTs (ASCTs). Results were compared with the 53 previous SCTs performed without DMSO removal.RESULTS: After washing there were no significant differences between the pre‐ and postwashing CD34+ cell counts (p = 0.08) or viability (p = 0.68). No significant differences were observed between washed and nonwashed infusions in relation to the day of the neutrophil (p = 0.46) and platelet (p = 0.26) engraftment. One adverse event, abdominal pain, occurred during the washed cells infusions. When compared with the 14 untoward reactions that took place during the nonwashed HP infusions, significance was reached (p = 0.00043).CONCLUSIONS: The automatic method described is effective in terms of CD34+ cell recovery and viability in ASCT. Moreover, Sepax decreased significantly the untoward reactions during the infusion.
Clientelism or Something Else? Squatter Politics in Montevideo
Authors: Alvarez Rivadulla María José 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThrough the in-depth ethnographic study of one squatter neighborhood in Montevideo and its leader’s political networks, this article illustrates a successful strategy through which some squatter neighborhoods have fought for their right to the city. This consists of opportunistic, face-to-face relationships between squatter leaders and politicians of various factions and parties as intermediaries to get state goods, such as water, building materials, electricity, roads, and ultimately land tenure. Through this mechanism, squatters have seized political opportunities at the national and municipal levels. These opportunities were particularly high between 1989 and 2004, years of great competition for the votes of the urban poor on the periphery of the city, when the national and municipal governments belonged to opposing parties. In terms of theory, the article discusses current literature on clientelism, posing problems that make it difficult to characterize the political networks observed among squatters.
Mara Salvatrucha: The Most Dangerous Street Gang in the Americas?
Authors: Wolf Sonja 
Published: March 2012

AbstractMara Salvatrucha (MS-13), founded in 1980s Los Angeles by Salvadoran immigrant youth, is today one of the largest street gangs in North and Central America. In recent years the group has acquired a reputation for extreme brutality and has ostensibly mutated into a fast-expanding, transnational organized crime network with possible ties to international terrorists. Drawing on key concepts in gang research and multiple methodological tools, this article seeks to sharpen understanding of MS-13’s structure and activities. While the group is active in many countries, it is transnational only in a symbolic manner, not in its configuration or span of authority. Impelled largely by Central American gang-suppression policies, MS-13 has evolved from a traditional street gang into a group with organized crime characteristics, but it remains a social phenomenon rooted in urban marginality. Ultimately, a more nuanced picture of Mara Salvatrucha can inform the search for more effective gang policies.
Cocaine’s Long March North, 1900–2010
Authors: Gootenberg Paul 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThis essay charts the entanglements and “blowback” effects of U.S. policy toward Latin American drug exports over the last century as the backdrop to today’s cascading drug violence in northern Mexico. The history of cocaine reveals a series of major geopolitical shifts (closely related to U.S. interdictionist drug war policies) that bring drug commodity chains, illicit trafficking centers, and conflicts, over the long run, closer to the United States. It analyzes shifts from initial legal cocaine and small-time postwar smuggling of the central Andes to the concentrating 1970s–1990s “cartel” epicenter in northern Andean Colombia, to the 1990s political shift north to Mexican transhipment and organizational leadership. Violence around cocaine has intensified at every step, and the present conflict portends another shift in the chain.
High Piezoelectric Properties of KNN‐Based Thick Films with Abnormal Grain Growth
Authors: Han Guifang , Ryu Jungho , Ahn Cheol‐Woo , Yoon Woon‐Ha , Choi Jong‐Jin , Hahn Byung‐Dong , Kim Jong‐Woo , Choi Joon‐Hwan , Park Dong‐Soo 
Published: March 2012

Over 10 μm‐thick (K,Na)NbO3 KNN‐based films doped with complex‐perovskite‐materials (CPs) were deposited on platinized sapphire substrates by aerosol deposition (AD). Three CPs were selected: Ba(Cu1/3Nb2/3)O3 (BCN), Cu(Cu1/3Nb2/3)O3 (CCN), and Sr(Cu1/3Nb2/3)O3 (SCN). The films of 0.985(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3‐0.015CPs (KNN‐CPs) were post annealed at 1050°C for 1 h in air without any serious phase decomposition. The microstructure showed abnormal grain growth due to Cu‐rich liquid phase. The KNN–BCN film had the largest abnormal grain size of over 10 μm, whereas the KNN–SCN film had the smallest grain size and also the smallest frequency of abnormal grains. All the films exhibited typical characteristics of ferroelectric hysteresis similar to those of the bulk materials without any leakage. The KNN–BCN films possessing the biggest abnormal grains also exhibited the highest density, piezoelectric constant, and piezoelectric voltage constant of 110 pC/N and 15.45 × 10−3 Vm/N, respectively, which are the highest values reported so far for KNN‐based films. This indicated that KNN‐CPs lead‐free films are suitable candidates for sensor applications.
A Small Peptide Sequence is Sufficient for Initiating Kinesin‐1 Activation Through Part of TPR Region of KLC1
Authors: Kawano Takanori , Araseki Masahiko , Araki Yoichi , Kinjo Masataka , Yamamoto Tohru , Suzuki Toshiharu 
Published: March 2012

AbstractKinesin‐1 anterogradely transports vesicles containing cargo proteins when a protein–protein interaction activates it from an inhibited state. The C‐terminal cytoplasmic region of kinesin‐1 cargo protein Alcadeinα (Alcα) interacts with the KLC1 subunit's tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) region, activating kinesin‐1's association with vesicles and anterograde transport. We found that either of two 10‐amino‐acid WD motifs in Alcα cytoplasmic region was necessary and sufficient to initiate this activation. An artificial transmembrane protein containing either WD motif induced kinesin‐1's vesicular association and anterograde transport in a KLC‐dependent manner, even in the normally inhibiting presence of excess KLC1, thus allowing us to analyze the KLC1 TPR‐WD functional interaction in detail in vivo. A part of TPR region was dispensable for the WD motifs' activation of kinesin‐1 and transport, indicating that only part of the TPR structure is required for this function in vivo. For a different kinesin‐1 cargo protein, JIP1, an 11‐amino‐acid C‐terminal region was sufficient to recruit KLC1 to vesicles, but did not activate transport. These observations suggest that structurally different TPR‐interacting peptides may have different effects on kinesin‐1. This mechanism may partly explain how kinesin‐1 can organize the transport of a wide variety of cargo molecules.
The neural correlates of self-paced finger tapping in bipolar depression with motor retardation
Authors: Liberg Benny , Adler Mats , Jonsson Tomas , Landén Mikael , Rahm Christoffer , Wahlund Lars-Olof , Kristoffersen-Wiberg Maria , Wahlund Björn 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveMotor retardation is a characteristic feature of bipolar depression, and is also a core feature of Parkinson's disease. Within the framework of the functional deafferentiation theory in Parkinson's disease, we hypothesised that motor retardation in bipolar depression is mediated by disrupted subcortical activation, leading to decreased activation of cortical motor areas during finger tapping.MethodsWe used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate neural activity during self-paced finger tapping to elucidate whether brain regions that mediate preparation, control and execution of movement are activated differently in subjects with bipolar depression (n = 9) compared to healthy controls (n = 12).ResultsAn uncorrected whole-brain analysis revealed significant group differences in dorsolateral and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Corrected analyses showed non-significant differences in patients compared to controls: decreased and less widespread activation of the left putamen and left pallidum; increased activity in the left thalamus and supplementary motor area; decreased activation in the left lateral pre- and primary motor cortices; absence of activation in the pre-supplementary motor area; activation of the bilateral rostral cingulate motor area.ConclusionBoth movement preparation and execution may be affected in motor retardation, and the activity in the whole left-side motor circuit is altered during self-initiated motor performance in bipolar depression.
RDS – CPAP or surfactant or both
Authors: Bohlin Kajsa 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThere is mounting evidence that early continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) from birth is feasible and safe even in very preterm infants. However, many infants will develop respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and require surfactant treatment. Combining a non‐invasive ventilation approach with a strategy for surfactant administration is important, but questions remain about the optimal timing, mode of delivery and the value of predictive tests for surfactant deficiency.Conclusion:  Early CPAP in very preterm infants is as safe as routine intubation in the delivery room. However, a strategy for surfactant administration should be part of a non‐invasive ventilation approach for those infants at risk of developing significant RDS.’
Inotropes in preterm infants – evidence for and against
Authors: Cox David J , Groves Alan M 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThere is significant uncertainty regarding the optimal circulatory management of preterm infants, with research in the field limited by the paucity of safe, reproducible biomarkers of circulatory function. This review discusses the physiology and pathophysiology of circulatory function in preterm infants, describes the mode of action and evidence for and against commonly used and recently trialled inotropic therapies and provides recommendations for managing circulatory dysfunction in the transitional period and in the context of sepsis/necrotizing enterocolitis. We recommend a pragmatic approach of assessing multiple aspects of circulatory function (blood pressure alone correlates weakly with volume of flow) in each infant, tailoring therapy on the basis of the change in function desired and frequently reassessing response to intervention.
Evidence‐based approach to preventing central line‐associated bloodstream infection in the NICU
Authors: Stevens Timothy P , Schulman Joseph 
Published: March 2012

AbstractAim:  To review care practices and methods of implementation that reduce the risk of central line‐associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).Methods:  Medical and quality improvement‐oriented literature was reviewed.Results:  Although effective catheter practices, equipment and staff training methods are available to reduce CLABSI, their implementation is often difficult.Conclusion:  A successful CLABSI reduction programme requires not only identification of best practices but also understanding of the specific context or unit culture into which they will be introduced.
Bone Healing after Tooth Extraction with or without an Intervention: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Morjaria Kushel R. , Wilson Ron , Palmer Richard M. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives: To assess whether the use of a graft and/or membrane post‐tooth extraction improves healing of the site dimensionally, radiographically, and/or histologically.Materials and Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE and the Cochrane Central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL) were searched up until August 2011. Randomized controlled trials that included and compared healing post‐tooth extraction between a control (no intervention) and a graft and/or membrane (test) were selected.Results: Titles and abstracts of 2,861 papers were screened. A total of 42 papers were selected for full text reading. Nine papers met the eligibility criteria and were selected for further analysis. Because of the varying graft materials used and the different methods of investigation, as well as the variation in follow‐up times, a meta‐analysis was not possible. The present review found that clinically, there was a range in loss of width in the control sites of 2.46 mm (SD 0.4 mm) to 4.56 mm (SD 0.33 mm) compared to 1.14 mm (SD 0.87 mm) to 2.5 mm (SD 1.2 mm) in the test sites. The range in loss of height in control sites was 0.9 mm (SD 1.6 mm) to 3.6 mm (SD 1.5 mm) compared to a gain of 1.3 mm (SD 2 mm) to a loss of 0.62 mm (SD 0.51 mm) in test sites. Radiographically a range of change in bone height of between 0.51 mm (No SD) to 1.17 mm (SD 1.23 mm) was noted in control sites compared to a change of between 0.02 mm (SD 1.2 mm) and 1 mm (SD 1.4 mm) in test sites.Conclusion: There is limited data regarding the effectiveness of alveolar ridge preservation therapies when compared to the control. Overall the socket intervention therapies did reduce alveolar ridge dimensional changes post‐extraction, but were unable to prevent resorption. Histology did demonstrate a large proportion of residual graft material that may account for some of the difference in alveolar ridge dimensions at follow up.
Presurgical Planning in Implant Restorations: Correct Interpretation of Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography for Improved Imaging
Authors: KOURTIS S. , SKONDRA E. , ROUSSOU I. , SKONDRAS E. V. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTContemporary implant dentistry is a primarily prosthetically driven treatment. The implant position is defined during the diagnostic phase, and the radiographic guide (template) indicates accurately the area of concern on the cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT is an essential diagnostic key to a successful treatment plan in many cases.The aim of this paper was to underline the importance of proper alignment of the scanning levels in CBCT in order to avoid distorted cross‐sectional images.As demonstrated with two clinical cases in this preliminary study, the initial scanning images of the CBCT must be drawn parallel to the occlusal plane, as defined by the diagnostic wax‐up of the final restoration. The radiographic template offers valuable information about the planned location and inclination of the implant and the restoration. Proper image reconstruction following the dental scan can contribute significantly to accurate cross‐sectional images and detailed presurgical planning.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCECBCT is important for presurgical planning in many implant cases. Although the precision of computer tomography in dentistry has been documented in experimental studies, the influence of the inclination of the scanning level to the accuracy of the cross‐sectional images has not been clearly shown. Using the occlusal plane as a reference point can result in more accurate cross‐sectional images.(J Esthet Restor Dent ••:••–••, 2012)
Significance of the conformation of building blocks in curing of barnacle underwater adhesive
Authors: Kamino Kei , Nakano Masahiro , Kanai Satoru 
Published: March 2012

Barnacles are a unique sessile crustacean that attach irreversibly and firmly to foreign underwater surfaces. Its biological underwater adhesive is a peculiar extracellular multi‐protein complex. Here we characterize one of the two major proteins, a 52 kDa protein found in the barnacle cement complex. Cloning of the cDNA revealed that the protein has no homolog in the nonredundant database. The primary structure consists of four long sequence repeats. The process of dissolving the protein at the adhesive joint of the animal by various treatments was monitored in order to obtain insight into the molecular mechanism involved in curing of the adhesive bulk. Treatments with protein denaturant, reducing agents and/or chemical‐specific proteolysis in combination with 2D diagonal PAGE indicated no involvement of the protein in intermolecular cross‐linkage/polymerization, including formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds. As solubilization of the proteins required high concentrations of denaturing agents, it appears that both the conformation of the protein as building blocks and non‐covalent molecular interactions between the building blocks, possibly hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds, are crucial for curing of the cement. It was also suggested that the protein contributes to surface coupling by an anchoring effect to micro‐ to nanoscopic roughness of surfaces.Database  Sequence of Megabalanus rosa cp52k mRNA for 52 kDa cement protein has been submitted to the DNA Data Bank of Japan under accession number AB623048.
Evidence that Yih1 resides in a complex with ribosomes
Authors: Waller Tracey , Lee Su Jung , Sattlegger Evelyn 
Published: March 2012

Adjusting protein synthesis by phosphorylating eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α) is a major mechanism by which eukaryotes adapt to and overcome stress. The eIF2α kinase Gcn2 is essential for overcoming amino acid starvation in all eukaryotes. We have shown that to sense starvation, the Gcn2 RWD domain must directly contact its effector protein, Gcn1, and both must bind to the ribosome, suggesting that starvation is sensed within a Gcn1–Gcn2–ribosome complex. The mammalian protein IMPACT, highly expressed in neurons, and its yeast orthologue yeast IMPACT homologue (Yih1) harbour an RWD domain with Gcn1‐binding activity. We have shown that Yih1 downregulates Gcn2 by competing with Gcn2 for Gcn1‐binding. Here, we provide evidence that Yih1 forms a complex with ribosomes. In velocity sedimentation assays, overexpressed glutathione S‐transferase (GST)‐tagged Yih1 cosedimented with polyribosomes independently of Gcn1. Reduction of polyribosomes to monosomes concomitantly decreased GST–Yih1 sedimentation in the heavy fractions where polyribosomes are normally found. Furthermore, GST–Yih1 coprecipitated large ribosomal protein Rpl39 independently of Gcn1. GST–Yih1 overexpression did not significantly affect Gcn1–ribosome or Gcn2–ribosome cosedimentation. myc‐tagged Yih1 expressed from its own promoter cosedimented with polyribosomes independently of Gcn1, indicating that Yih1–ribosome interaction occurs under physiological conditions. GST–IMPACT cosedimented with yeast ribosomes and coprecipitated Rpl39 in a Gcn1‐independent fashion, suggesting that Yih1/IMPACT–ribosome association is evolutionarily conserved. Moreover, GST–IMPACT coprecipitated actin as found for GST–Yih1. Taken together, our findings strongly suggest that IMPACT/Yih1 associates with ribosomes and that these ribosomes may simultaneously carry Gcn1 and Gcn2. Close physical proximity of Yih1 to the Gcn1–Gcn2–ribosome complex would allow cells to quickly inhibit Gcn2 whenever or wherever necessary.Structured digital abstract
Polyribosomes physically interact with YIH1, GCN1, GCN2, eEF3, eEF1A, GIR2, RPL39, RPS22, by co‐sedimentationassays (Viewinteraction)
YIH1 physicallyinteracts with RPL39 by cross‐linkingstudy (Viewinteraction)
IMPACT physicallyinteracts with GCN1, actin, RPS22 and RPL39 by pulldown (Viewinteraction)
Preparation and Properties of Er‐Doped ZrO2 Nanocrystalline Phase‐Separated Preforms of Optical Fibers by MCVD Process
Authors: Dhar Anirban , Kasik Ivan , Dussardier Bernard , Podrazky Ondrej , Matejec Vlastimil 
Published: March 2012

The fabrication of Er‐doped ZrO2‐based nanocrystalline phase‐separated silica optical preforms by the modified chemical vapor deposition process and solution‐doping techniques is presented. Fabricated preform cores are nearly transparent and contain phase‐separated rare‐earth‐doped nanocrystalline particles with diameters mainly in a range from 20 to 80 nm. High concentrations of erbium and aluminum in preform cores of about 0.3 and 14 mol%, respectively, have been achieved without defects on the core–cladding interface. Spectral losses in a range 800–1600 nm and fluorescence spectra of erbium ions around 1550 nm measured on a fiber drawn from the preform are reported.