bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Breast radiotherapy in the prone position primarily reduces the maximum out‐of‐field measured dose to the ipsilateral lung
Authors: Becker Stewart J. , Elliston Carl , DeWyngaert Keith , Jozsef Gabor , Brenner David , Formenti Silvia 
Published: April 2012

Purpose:To quantify the potential advantages of prone position breast radiotherapy in terms of the radiation exposure to out‐of‐field organs, particularly, the breast or the lung. Several dosimetric studies have been reported, based on commercial treatment planning software (TPS). These TPS approaches are not, however, adequate for characterizing out‐of‐field doses. In this work, relevant out‐of‐field organ doses have been directly measured.Methods:The authors utilized an adult anthropomorphic phantom to conduct measurements of out‐of‐field doses in prone and supine position, using 50 Gy prescription dose intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and 3D‐CRT plans. Measurements were made using multiple MOSFET dosimeters in various locations in the ipsilateral lung, the contralateral lung and in the contralateral breast.Results:The closer the organ (or organ segment) was to the treatment volume, the more dose sparing was seen for prone vs supine positioning. Breast radiotherapy in the prone position results in a marked reduction in the dose to the proximal part of the ipsilateral lung, compared with treatment in the conventional supine position. This is true both for 3D‐CRT and for IMRT. For IMRT, the maximum measured dose to the lung was reduced from 4 to 1.6 Gy, while for 3D‐CRT, the maximum measured lung dose was reduced from 5 to 1.7 Gy. For the proximal part of the ipsilateral lung, as well as for the contralateral lung and the contralateral breast, there is little difference in the measured organ doses whether the treatment is given in the prone or the supine‐position.Conclusions:The decrease in the maximum dose to the proximal part of the ipsilateral lung produced by prone position radiotherapy is of potentially considerable significance. The dose‐response relation for radiation‐induced lung cancer increases monotonically in the zero to 5‐Gy dose range, implying that a major decrease in the maximum lung dose may result in a significant decrease in the radiation‐induced lung cancer risk.
Japanese Reference Panel of Blood Specimens for Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus RNA and Core Antigen Quantitative Assays
Authors: Murayama Asako , Sugiyama Nao , Watashi Koichi , Masaki Takahiro , Suzuki Ryosuke , Aizaki Hideki , Mizuochi Toshiaki , Wakita Takaji , Kato Takanobu 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
An accurate and reliable quantitative assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is essential for measuring viral propagation and the efficacy of antiviral therapy. There is a growing need for domestic reference panels for evaluation of clinical assay kits because the performance of these kits may vary with region-specific genotypes or polymorphisms. In this study, we established a reference panel by selecting 80 donated blood specimens in Japan that tested positive for HCV. Using this panel, we quantified HCV viral loads using two HCV RNA kits and five core antigen (Ag) kits currently available in Japan. The data from the two HCV RNA assay kits showed excellent correlation. All RNA titers were distributed evenly across a range from 3 to 7 log IU/ml. Although the data from the five core Ag kits also correlated with RNA titers, the sensitivities of individual kits were not sufficient to quantify viral load in all samples. As calculated by the correlation with RNA titers, the theoretical lower limits of detection by these core Ag assays were higher than those for the detection of RNA. Moreover, in several samples in our panel, core Ag levels were underestimated compared to RNA titers. Sequence analysis in the HCV core region suggested that polymorphisms at amino acids 47 to 49 of the core Ag were responsible for this underestimation. The panel established in this study will be useful for estimating the quality of currently available and upcoming HCV assay kits; such quality control is essential for clinical usage of these kits.
Proteomic Profiling of EBNA1-Host Protein Interactions in Latent and Lytic Epstein-Barr Virus Infections
Authors: Malik-Soni Natasha , Frappier Lori 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
The Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) protein of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is expressed in both latent and lytic modes of EBV infection and contributes to EBV-associated cancers. Using a proteomics approach, we profiled EBNA1-host protein interactions in nasopharyngeal and gastric carcinoma cells in the context of latent and lytic EBV infection. We identified several interactions that occur in both modes of infection, including a previously unreported interaction with nucleophosmin and RNA-mediated interactions with several heterogeneous ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) and La protein.
Endothelial Cells Elicit Immune-Enhancing Responses to Dengue Virus Infection
Authors: Dalrymple Nadine A. , Mackow Erich R. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTDengue viruses cause two severe diseases that alter vascular fluid barrier functions, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Preexisting antibodies to dengue virus disposes patients to immune-enhanced edema (DSS) or hemorrhagic (DHF) disease following infection by a discrete dengue virus serotype. Although the endothelium is the primary vascular fluid barrier, direct effects of dengue virus on endothelial cells (ECs) have not been considered primary factors in pathogenesis. Here, we show that dengue virus infection of human ECs elicits immune-enhancing EC responses. Our results suggest that rapid early dengue virus proliferation within ECs is permitted by dengue virus regulation of early, but not late, beta interferon (IFN-β) responses. The analysis of EC responses following synchronous dengue virus infection revealed the high-level induction and secretion of immune cells (T cells, B cells, and mast cells) as well as activating and recruiting cytokines BAFF (119-fold), IL-6/8 (4- to 7-fold), CXCL9/10/11 (45- to 338-fold), RANTES (724-fold), and interleukin-7 (IL-7; 128-fold). Moreover, we found that properdin factor B, an alternative pathway complement activator that directs chemotactic anaphylatoxin C3a and C5a production, was induced 34-fold. Thus, dengue virus-infected ECs evoke key inflammatory responses observed in dengue virus patients which are linked to DHF and DSS. Our findings suggest that dengue virus-infected ECs directly contribute to immune enhancement, capillary permeability, viremia, and immune targeting of the endothelium. These data implicate EC responses in dengue virus pathogenesis and further rationalize therapeutic targeting of the endothelium as a means of reducing the severity of dengue virus disease.
A Conserved N-Terminal Domain Mediates Required DNA Replication Activities and Phosphorylation of the Transcriptional Activator IE1 of Autographa californica Multicapsid Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Taggart David J. , Mitchell Jonathan K. , Friesen Paul D. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

IE1 is the principal transcriptional regulator of the baculoviruses. Like multifunctional transcription factors of other large DNA viruses, IE1 is an essential, site-specific DNA-binding phosphoprotein that activates virus gene expression and promotes genome replication. To define the poorly understood mechanisms by which IE1 achieves its diverse functions, we identified IE1 domains that contribute to productive infection of
Autographa californica
multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV), the baculovirus prototype. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the N-terminal 23 residues of IE1 are required for origin-specific DNA replication and AcMNPV propagation, but not for DNA-binding-dependent transcriptional activation. Within this defined replication domain, we identified an invariant TPXR/H motif that resembles a consensus cyclin-dependent kinase phosphorylation site. Amino acid substitutions of potential phosphorylation sites within or near this motif caused loss of IE1-mediated DNA replication activity. Remarkably, substitution of the single threonine (residue 15) within the TPXR/H motif caused complete loss of AcMNPV multiplication. The replication domain was required for IE1 phosphorylation. It was also sufficient for conferring phosphorylation of a heterologous protein. Importantly, IE1 hyperphosphorylation coincided exclusively with AcMNPV DNA replication. The temporal regulation of IE1 phosphorylation and the essential nature of the TPXR/H motif suggest that phosphorylation critically alters and possibly activates DNA replication activity of IE1 during infection. The striking conservation of the TPXR/H motif among IE1 proteins further suggests that this molecular switch may be a common mechanism by which the alphabaculoviruses coordinate DNA replication and gene expression by using a single regulator.
Temperature-Dependent Survival of Turnip Crinkle Virus-Infected Arabidopsis Plants Relies on an RNA Silencing-Based Defense That Requires DCL2, AGO2, and HEN1
Authors: Zhang Xiuchun , Zhang Xiaofeng , Singh Jasleen , Li Dawei , Qu Feng 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

While RNA silencing is a potent antiviral defense in plants, well-adapted plant viruses are known to encode suppressors of RNA silencing (VSR) that can neutralize the effectiveness of RNA silencing. As a result, most plant genes involved in antiviral silencing were identified by using debilitated viruses lacking silencing suppression capabilities. Therefore, it remains to be resolved whether RNA silencing plays a significant part in defending plants against wild-type viruses. We report here that, at a higher plant growth temperature (26°C) that permits rigorous replication of
Turnip crinkle virus
(TCV) in
Arabidopsis
, plants containing loss-of-function mutations within the
Dicer-like 2
(
DCL2
),
Argonaute 2
(
AGO2
), and
HEN1
RNA methyltransferase genes died of TCV infection, whereas the wild-type Col-0 plants survived to produce viable seeds. To account for the critical role of DCL2 in ensuring the survival of wild-type plants, we established that higher temperature upregulates the activity of DCL2 to produce viral 22-nucleotide (nt) small interfering RNAs (vsRNAs). We further demonstrated that DCL2-produced 22-nt vsRNAs were fully capable of silencing target genes, but that this activity was suppressed by the TCV VSR. Finally, we provide additional evidence supporting the notion that TCV VSR suppresses RNA silencing through directly interacting with AGO2. Together, these results have revealed a specialized RNA silencing pathway involving DCL2, AGO2, and HEN1 that provides the host plants with a competitive edge against adapted viruses under environmental conditions that facilitates robust virus reproduction.
Frequent and Strong Antibody-Mediated Natural Killer Cell Activation in Response to HIV-1 Env in Individuals with Chronic HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Thobakgale Christina F. , Fadda Lena , Lane Kimberly , Toth Ildiko , Pereyra Florencia , Bazner Suzane , Ndung'u Thumbi , Walker Bruce D. , Rosenberg Eric S. , Alter Galit , Carrington Mary , Allen Todd M. , Altfeld Marcus 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT

Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in the control of HIV-1 infection, and NK cells that respond to HIV-1 peptides have been recently described. However, the mechanisms by which NK cells recognize HIV-1 antigens are not fully understood. We investigated NK cell activation in response to HIV-1 peptides during early and chronic HIV-1 clade B infection using a whole-blood assay and multiparameter flow cytometry. Antibody-mediated NK cell activation in response to HIV-1 peptides was not detected in HIV-1-uninfected individuals. In contrast, 79% of individuals with chronic infection and 22% of individuals with early infection had detectable gamma interferon (IFN-γ) NK cell responses to HIV-1 antigens (
P
< 0.00001). IFN-γ- and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-producing NK cells most frequently targeted Env gp120 (median of 4% and range of 0 to 31% of all NK cells). NK cells rarely targeted other HIV-1 proteins such as Gag, Pol, and Nef. Antibody-mediated NK cell responses to peptides mapped predominantly to Env protein, required the presence of plasma or plasma IgG, and resulted in lower CD16 expression on NK cells, suggesting an antibody-mediated activation of NK cells. Further studies are needed to assess the consequences of these antibody-mediated NK cell responses for HIV-1 disease progression and vaccine-induced protection from infection.
Coordinate Regulation of DNA Damage and Type I Interferon Responses Imposes an Antiviral State That Attenuates Mouse Gammaherpesvirus Type 68 Replication in Primary Macrophages
Authors: Mboko Wadzanai P. , Mounce Bryan C. , Wood Brittani M. , Kulinski Joseph M. , Corbett John A. , Tarakanova Vera L. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT
DNA damage response (DDR) is a sophisticated cellular network that detects and repairs DNA breaks. Viruses are known to activate the DDR and usurp certain DDR components to facilitate replication. Intriguingly, viruses also inhibit several DDR proteins, suggesting that this cellular network has both proviral and antiviral features, with the nature of the latter still poorly understood. In this study we show that irradiation of primary murine macrophages was associated with enhanced expression of several antiviral interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs). ISG induction in irradiated macrophages was dependent on type I IFN signaling, a functional DNA damage sensor complex, and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase. Furthermore, IFN regulatory factor 1 was also required for the optimal expression of antiviral ISGs in irradiated macrophages. Importantly, DDR-mediated activation of type I IFN signaling contributed to increased resistance to mouse gammaherpesvirus 68 replication, suggesting that the coordinate regulation of DDR and type I IFN signaling may have evolved as a component of the innate immune response to virus infections.
Oligodendroglioma arising in the glial component of ovarian teratomas: a series of six cases and review of literature
Authors: Ud Din Nasir , Memon Aisha , Aftab Kanwal , Ahmad Zubair , Ahmed Rashida , Hassan Sheema 
Published: April 2012

AimsTo report the exceedingly rare occurrence of oligodendroglioma in the glial component of ovarian teratomas.MethodsSix cases of oligodendrogliomas arising in the glial component of ovarian teratomas were studied and the literature was reviewed. Immunohistochemistry was performed by the Flex technique.ResultsThe ages of the patients ranged from 12 to 28 years (mean 21 years). Four tumours were located in the right and one in the left ovary. The size of the ovarian cysts ranged from 7 cm to 29 cm (mean 19.6 cm). Four cases arose in immature and two cases in mature teratomas. In all cases, oligodendroglioma was WHO grade II. On immunohistochemistry, glial fibrillary acidic protein stain was positive in all cases. The Mib 1 (Ki 67) proliferative index was low and the tumour cells were negative for synaptophysin. Follow-up was available in five patients and ranged from 1 to 42 months. Two patients died of disease after 1 and 36 months of diagnosis, respectively. In both these cases oligodendroglioma arose in an immature teratoma. The remaining three patients are alive with a follow-up of 4–42 months.ConclusionsOligodendroglioma arising in the glial component of ovarian teratomas is exceedingly rare. Ovarian teratomas should be extensively sampled and carefully evaluated to rule out the possibility of a glial tumour. This is the single and largest series of oligodendrogliomas arising in ovarian teratomas. The prognosis is good for oligodendrogliomas arising in mature teratomas compared with those arising in immature teratomas, although long-term follow-up is needed to determine the exact behaviour.
Impact of integrated cerebrovascular program on outcomes in patients with intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Krishna Vibhor , Walsh Kelsey , Turner Raymond D , Chalela Julio , Turk Aquilla , Patel Sunil J 
Published: April 2012

BackgroundRecent evidence indicates that multidisciplinary care improves patient outcomes in cerebrovascular (CV) disease. A multidisciplinary integrated CV program was recently instituted at a high-volume tertiary referral center, providing the opportunity to evaluate patient outcomes before and after its introduction.ObjectiveTo evaluate outcomes after treatment of patients with intracranial aneurysm in relation to the introduction of a CV program at our institution.MethodologyA retrospective chart review was performed on all new patient encounters for a 6-month period each before and immediately after the introduction of the CV program, as well as at a more recent 6-month period to evaluate long-term results. Data were collected on demographic variables, rupture status, medical comorbidities, hospital complications, in-hospital procedures, hospital course and modified Rankin score at discharge and follow up.ResultsThe total number of patients treated increased from 55 in the 6-month period before the introduction of the CV program to 112 in the most recent time period (p<0.05). Both the surgical clipping and endovascular coiling procedures increased (p<0.05). A significant increase occurred in patients with multiple comorbidities (30.5% vs 34.7%, p=0.035). The mean length of stay decreased from 12.22±13.26 days before the program to 9.23±12.04 days in the most current data (p<0.05).ConclusionsCreation of an integrated CV program at a large-volume tertiary referral center resulted in better outcomes for an increased number of more medically complicated patients with intracranial aneurysms. This study provides preliminary data for developing an integrated model of multidisciplinary care for the management of CV disease.
Effects of periparturient events on subsequent culling and fertility in eight UK dairy herds
Authors: Hayes E. P. B. , Christley R. M. , Dobson H. 
Published: April 2012

The occurrence of five periparturient events and their effects on subsequent culling and fertility was recorded in eight herds in the UK. Combining data from all 2105 calvings, the proportion affected by assisted calving, dead calf, retained fetal membranes (RFM), milk fever or twins was 5·9, 8·2, 5·3, 5·0 or 3·3 per cent, respectively. Compared with unaffected herdmates, cows with an assisted calving or a dead calf had higher early (but not late) culling rates, (assisted calving: 8·8 per cent being culled before 100 days after calving compared with 5·7 per cent; P = 0·05; dead calf: 12·2 per cent culled compared with 5·3 per cent; P = 0·001). Compared with unaffected animals, cows with milk fever were four times more likely to be culled before 100 days after calving (16·2 per cent compared with 5·3 per cent; P = 0·001), whereas those with RFM were twice as likely to be culled between 100 and 200 days (14·3 per cent compared with 7·6 per cent; P = 0·003), and both groups were twice as likely to not be pregnant by 200 days. Cows with RFM or milk fever also had markedly reduced subsequent fertility: both conditions extended calving to pregnancy intervals (by 20 days; P = 0·001, or by 13 days; P = 0·03, respectively), lowered 100‐day in‐calf rates (by 24·5 per cent; P = 0·001, or by 17·8 per cent; P = 0·008, respectively) and lowered 200‐day in‐calf rates (by 20 per cent; P = 0·001, or by 15 per cent; P = 0·002, respectively). The birth of twins had no effect on subsequent culling or fertility.
Elastic and thermodynamic properties of divalent transition metal carbides MC (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta)
Authors: Srivastava Anurag , Diwan Bhoopendra Dhar 
Published: April 2012

We have investigated the elastic and thermodynamic properties of transition metal carbides (TiC, ZrC, HfC, VC, NbC, and TaC) using the three body force potential model and density functional theory based ab initio approach. The computed second-order elastic constants (C11, C12, C44) are in close agreement with the available experimental as well as theoretical results. The other related elastic parameters (B0, B0′, CS, CL, G, ν, E, A, β, ξ, λ, Cauchy pressure (C12 – C44), B0/G, and E/ρ ratio) have also been computed successfully. The calculated Debye temperatures are in reasonably good agreement with the available data.
Collision-induced absorption in the second overtone band of H2
Authors: Abu-Kharma M. 
Published: April 2012

The second overtone band of H2–H2 spectra at 77 K were recorded for gas densities between 350 and 1000 amg (1 amg = 44.614 981 mol/m3) with a 2 m stainless steel high-pressure transmission-type absorption cell. The profile analyses of these spectra were carried out using the Birnbaum–Cohen line shape function for the quadrupolar transitions and the Levine–Birnbaum line shape function for the overlap transitions. The observed spectra were modeled with synthetic profiles which are composed of the superposition of an overlap-induced and a quadrupolar-induced profile. The fitting parameters were determined from the analysis. Satisfactory agreement of the measurements with the calculated profiles is observed.
Laboratory measurements of the dielectronic recombination satellite transitions of He-like Fe XXV and H-like Fe XXVI
Authors: Gu M.F. , Beiersdorfer P. , Brown G.V. , Graf A. , Kelley R.L. , Kilbourne C.A. , Porter F.S. , Kahn S.M. 
Published: April 2012

We present laboratory spectra of dielectronic recombination (DR) satellite transitions attached to the He-like and H-like iron resonance lines obtained with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center X-ray calorimeter and produced by a thermal plasma simulation technique on the EBIT-I electron beam ion trap at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. We demonstrate that the calorimeter has sufficient spectral resolution in the 6–9 keV range to provide reliable measurements not only of standard DR satellite to resonance line intensities but also of DR satellite to DR satellite ratios that can be used to diagnose nonthermal electron distributions. Electron temperatures derived from the measured line intensities are consistent with the temperature of the simulated plasma. Temperature measurements based on DR satellite transitions have significant advantages over those based on collisional ionization equilibrium or continuum shape. Thus, successful demonstration of this method with the X-ray calorimeter is an important step for its application in X-ray astronomy.
Variable G correction for dark energy model in higher dimensional cosmology
Authors: Chakraborty Shuvendu , Debnath Ujjal , Jamil Mubasher 
Published: April 2012

In this work, we have considered N( = 4 + d)-dimensional Einstein field equations in which 4-dimensional space–time is described by a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker metric and that of the extra d-dimensions by an euclidean metric. We have calculated the corrections to statefinder parameters due to variable gravitational constant G in higher dimensional cosmology. We have considered two special cases: whether dark energy and dark matter interact or not. In a universe where the gravitational constant is dynamic, the variable G-correction to statefinder parameters is inevitable. The statefinder parameters are also obtained for generalized Chaplygin gas in the effect of the variation of G correction.
One-dimensional point interaction with Griffiths’ boundary conditions
Authors: Coutinho F.A.B. , Nogami Y. , Toyama F.M. 
Published: April 2012

Griffiths proposed a pair of boundary conditions that define a point interaction in one dimensional quantum mechanics. The conditions involve the nth derivative of the wave function where n is a non-negative integer. We re-examine the interaction so defined and explicitly confirm that it is self-adjoint for any even value of n and for n = 1. The interaction is not self-adjoint for odd n > 1. We then propose a similar but different pair of boundary conditions with the nth derivative of the wave function such that the ensuing point interaction is self-adjoint for any value of n.