bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Alpha‐fetoprotein on the Immune Response: Diminution of the Phagocytosis Capacity of Macrophages Cultured in vitro in the Presence of Mouse Amniotic Fluid or Alpha‐fetoprotein
Authors: OLINESCU A. , LAKY M. , POPESCU D. E. , DUMITRESCU A. , GANEA D. 
Published: February 2009

A study was carried out on the in vitro phagocytosis capacity of mouse peritoneal macrophages cultured in a medium supplemented with mouse amniotic fluid or alpha‐fetoprotein purified from embryo extract. For this purpose 3H‐TdR labelled staphylococci and 51Cr labelled fowl red blood cells were used. Both mouse amniotic fluid and alpha‐fetoprotein inhibited phagocytosis, the antigen being incorporated in smaller amount than in the controls where the medium was supplemented with normal mouse serum.In contrast to fetal glycoprotein, the presence of serum homologous proteins from adult animals did not inhibit the phagocytosis of macrophages but stimulated it.The possible biological implications of this phenomenon are discussed.
Fetal Isoenzyme Expression in Human Tumor Xenografts1
Authors: SINGER R. M. 
Published: February 2009

It has been shown previously that a human cancer cell line (HeLa TCRC‐1) which produces only the Regan isoenzymes of alkaline phosphatase in culture, elaborates a different isoenzyme form when grown in an animal host. This alteration of isoenzyme expression results in the production of an isoenzyme form referred to as oncoamniotic (FL), since it shares many of the characteristics of the enzyme form produced by the FL amnion cell line.Here we shall report on the alteration of isoenzyme expression in a non‐Regan producing cell line heterotransplanted into an immunosuppressed animal host. HeLa TCRC‐2 is a cell line cloned for the exclusive production of an isoenzyme form which is most similar to adult bone type alkaline phosphatase. This cell line growing in an animal host produces an additional isoenzyme form which appears to be similar to the amniotic (FL) type. The original non‐Regan alkaline phosphatase of this cell line persists, and is co‐expressed during in vivo growth.When HeLa TCRC‐2 is removed from the animal and placed back into culture, the exclusive production of the adult bone type alkaline phosphatase is restored.The present report indicates the dramatic alterations in gene expression observed when well characterized cultured cells are heterotransplanted into immunosuppressed animals.
A New Carcinoembryonic Protein Characterized by Basic Property
Authors: ISHII M. 
Published: February 2009

A new human fetal antigen, common to several types of carcinomas was found in fetal serum and fetal gut extract. Because this antigen was shown to have an isoelectric point of 9.3, it has been designated basic fetoprotein (BFP). BFP was purified from ascites of a patient with hepatoma by the techniques of QAE‐Sephadex A‐50 chromatography. affinity chromatography. isoelectrofocusing and gel filtration. The purified BFP had a γ‐mobility by electrophoresis and a molecular weight of 124,000 by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Monospecific anti‐BFP was prepared by immunizing a rabbit with the purified BFP.A radioimmunoassay was developed based on a coprecipitation‐inhibition technique using 125I‐BFP and monospecific anti‐BFP. BFP in human serum was determined by the radioimmunoassay. BFP was detected in sera from all normal subjects. Serum BFP levels were lower than 100 ng/ml in 100 out of 101 normal subjects, lower than 200 ng/ml in 180 out of 204 patients with non‐malignant diseases and higher than 200 ng/ml in 94 out of 251 patients with malignant neoplasms. The determination of BFP in serum was demonstrated to be useful for the diagnosis of various carcinomas.
Long‐term outcome of endoscopic therapy in patients with bile duct injury after cholecystectomy
Authors: Weber Andreas , Feussner Hubertus , Winkelmann Franziska , Siewert Jörg Rüdiger , Schmid Roland M , Prinz Christian 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Bile duct lesions, including leaks and strictures, are immanent complications of open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Endoscopic procedures have gained increasing potential as the treatment of choice in the management of postoperative bile duct injuries.Methods:  Between January 1996 and December 2006, 44 patients with biliary leakages and 12 patients with biliary strictures after cholecystectomy were identified by analyzing the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography database, clinical records, and cholangiograms. The long‐term follow up of endoscopic treatment in biliary lesions after cholecystectomy was evaluated by this retrospective study.Results:  In 34 of 35 patients (97%) with peripheral bile duct leakages, endoscopic therapy was successful. Transpapillary endoprothesis and/or nasobiliary drainage were removed after 31 (5–399) days. After stent removal, the median follow‐up period was 81 (11–137) months. In patients with central bile duct leakages, the success rate after median 90 (4–145) days of endoscopic therapy was 66.7% (6/9 patients). The median follow up after stent removal in six successfully treated patients was 70 (48–92) months. Eleven of 12 patients (91.6%) with bile duct strictures had successfully completed stent therapy. The follow‐up period of this patient group was 99 (53–140) months.Conclusions:  Endoscopic treatment of bile duct lesions after cholecystectomy is effective, particularly in patients with peripheral bile duct leakages and bile duct strictures. Therefore, it should be the first‐line therapy used in these patients. Although endoscopic management is less successful in patients with central bile duct leakages, an attempt is warranted.
Site‐specific cleavage of HCV genomic RNA and its cloned core and NS5B genes by DNAzyme
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Chaudhury Indrajit , Kar Premashis , Das Rakha H 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The 9600 nt hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomic RNA has only one internal ribosome entry site (IRES) for translation to a single polyprotein. In search of nucleic acid‐based antiviral agents, two 10‐23 DNAzymes were designed to cleave the RNA in IRES and RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP/NS5B) regions to prevent translation and replication of HCV RNA.Methods:  In vitro cleavage of HCV RNA by IRES specific DNAzyme, CDz and NS5B specific DNAzyme, NDz was carried out using HCV genomic RNA and in vitro synthesized runoff transcripts of core and NS5B genes. Cleavage of core and NS5B mRNAs by DNAzyme (Dz) in HepG2 cells was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using RNA from cells co‐transfected with cloned core or NS5B gene and its respective DNAzyme. Suppression of core or NS5B protein expression due to mRNA cleavage by Dz in co‐transfected cells was determined by Western blot analysis and fluorescence intensity of fluorescent‐tagged expressed protein. Reduction of NS5B protein activity in NDz co‐transfected cells was determined by enzymatic assays.Results:  The designed CDz and NDz cleaved HCV genomic RNA and their respective in vitro generated transcripts. Both mRNA and protein expressions of core or NS5B from their cloned genes reduced substantially when co‐transfected with respective Dz. Reduction of RDRP expression by NDz was accompanied with its reduced enzyme activity. Increased RNA cleavage, inhibition of protein expression, and reduction of RDRP activity were observed on increasing Dz concentration.Conclusion:  Core and NS5B targeted DNAzymes can be used in controlling the replication of HCV RNA.
When does greater mortality increase population size? The long history and diverse mechanisms underlying the hydra effect
Authors: Abrams Peter A. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe phenomenon of a population increasing in response to an increase in its per‐capita mortality rate has recently been termed the ‘hydra effect’. This article reviews and unifies previous work on this phenomenon. Some discrete models of density‐dependent growth were shown to exhibit hydra effects in 1954, but the topic was then ignored for decades. Here the history of research on the hydra effect is reviewed, and the key factors producing it are explored. Mortality that precedes overcompensatory density dependence always has the potential to produce hydra effects. Even when mortality follows density dependence, hydra effects may occur in unstable systems due to changes in the amplitude and/or form of population cycles. An increase in resource productivity due to lower consumption rates following increased consumer mortality can also produce a hydra effect. Lower consumption can come about as the result of increased satiation of the consumers or changes in behaviour of either consumer or resource species that reduce the mean attack rate. Changes in species composition of a resource community may also decrease the average attack rate. Population structure can promote hydra effects by allowing separation of the timing of density dependence and mortality, although stage‐specific density dependence usually decreases hydra effects.
Examination of evolutionary relationships in the Cape fossorial skink species complex (Acontinae: Acontias meleagris meleagris) reveals the presence of five cryptic lineages
Authors: Daniels Savel R. , Heideman Neil J. L. , Hendricks Martin G. J. 
Published: February 2009

Variable morphological characters have obscured genealogical relationships in the Cape fossorial skink Acontias meleagris meleagris species complex. Currently the species complex contains four dubious operational taxonomic units (A. meleagris meleagris, A. m. orientalis, A. percivali tasmani and the morph lineicauda) with poorly defined species boundaries. In the present study we examine the evolutionary relationships within the species complex by sampling 24 skink populations from the known geographical distribution in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, representing a total of 119 specimens. We used partial sequence data derived from two mitochondrial DNA genes, 16S rRNA and COI, and one nuclear DNA gene, intron β‐fibrinogen (β‐fibint 7), to examine evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic relationships were determined using both Maximum Parsimony (MP) and Bayesian inference (BI) from the combined mtDNA, nDNA and the total evidence data. Additionally we employed Maximum likelihood (ML) analyses on the total evidence data that comprised ∼1.5 kb. Topologies derived from the combined mtDNA analyses were congruent with the total evidence analyses (mtDNA + nDNA) and retrieved five major clades with strong statistical support inferred from bootstrapping and posterior probabilities. The five clades were genealogically and geographically exclusive, diagnostic at both the mtDNA and nDNA level and characterized by pronounced sequence divergence, with no shared haplotypes between clades. Collectively these results suggest the presence of five putative cryptic operational taxonomic units within the A. meleagris meleagris species complex. Constraining the traditionally recognized taxa always retrieved a statistically worse topology suggesting that considerable taxonomic revision is required. Our results indicate that traditional morphological characters need to be reassessed to define the five novel lineages in the A. meleagris meleagris species complex. The phylogeographic pattern for the fossorial skinks we retrieved was novel compared to phylogeographic studies for codistributed above ground living taxa. These results suggest that the abiotic and biotic factors that impact subterranean taxa may differ from supraterranean taxa.
Physical Restraint of People with Intellectual Disability: A Review of Implementation Reduction and Elimination Procedures
Authors: Luiselli James K. 
Published: February 2009

Background  This review describes procedures to reduce and eliminate physical restraint of people with intellectual disability. One approach is to assess antecedent conditions associated with restraint and change them so that they no longer produce restraint‐provoking behaviour. A second approach is to decrease the duration of restraint by establishing a fixed‐time release (FTR) criterion.Methods  Research supporting these approaches within community‐based service settings are presented.Results  Physical restraint can be effectively reduced and eliminated using antecedent intervention procedures and FTR contingencies.Conclusions  Future research on physical restraint reduction and elimination should be conducted among people with intellectual disability. Intervention should include explicit therapeutic goals and methods that are acceptable to service providers. Outcome evaluation should focus on long‐term follow‐up over months and years. Finally, organizations serving people who have intellectual disability should approach physical restraint reduction and elimination by dedicating sufficient resources and adopting evidence‐based practices.
An Analysis of the Distribution and Social Antecedents of Restrictive Behavioural Practices in a Community Day Service for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Finn Lori L. , Sturmey Peter 
Published: February 2009

Background  Community service providers strive to reduce the use of restrictive behavioural procedures, but little is known about their use in community services. Therefore, this study analysed the distribution among service users and antecedents to the use of restrictive procedures.Materials  The authors analysed records of the use of restrictive behavioural procedures for 81 adults with intellectual disabilities, behavioural and mental health challenges who attended a community day programme. The authors obtained data from one quarter in each of three consecutive years. The authors analysed the frequency of restrictive procedures by individual and the frequency of antecedents to the use of restrictive procedures.Results  A small proportion of service users accounted for all use of restrictive procedures. This was true for all three data sets. We coded antecedents to the use of restrictive procedures reliably. The most common antecedents were transitions and seatwork.Conclusion  Restrictive behavioural procedures are concentrated among a small proportion of service users and occasions. Efforts to reduce the use of restrictive procedures should first identify these service users and occasions and then focus efforts to reduce restrictive procedures there. Information concerning the antecedents of restrictive behavioural procedures may be useful as part of a descriptive assessment to design individual interventions to reduce restrictive procedures.
Interactions Between HERC2, OCA2 and MC1R May Influence Human Pigmentation Phenotype
Authors: Branicki Wojciech , Brudnik Urszula , Wojas‐Pelc Anna 
Published: February 2009

SummaryHuman pigmentation is a polygenic trait which may be shaped by different kinds of gene–gene interactions. Recent studies have revealed that interactive effects between HERC2 and OCA2 may be responsible for blue eye colour determination in humans. Here we performed a population association study, examining important polymorphisms within the HERC2 and OCA2 genes. Furthermore, pooling these results with genotyping data for MC1R, ASIP and SLC45A2 obtained for the same population sample we also analysed potential genetic interactions affecting variation in eye, hair and skin colour. Our results confirmed the association of HERC2 rs12913832 with eye colour and showed that this SNP is also significantly associated with skin and hair colouration. It is also concluded that OCA2 rs1800407 is independently associated with eye colour. Finally, using various approaches we were able to show that there is an interaction between MC1R and HERC2 in determination of skin and hair colour in the studied population sample.
Irritability is associated with anxiety and greater severity, but not bipolar spectrum features, in major depressive disorder
Authors: Perlis R. H. , Fava M. , Trivedi M. H. , Alpert J. , Luther J. F. , Wisniewski S. R. , John Rush A. 
Published: February 2009

Objective:  Irritability is common during major depressive episodes, but its clinical significance and overlap with symptoms of anxiety or bipolar disorder remains unclear. We examined clinical correlates of irritability in a confirmatory cohort of Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study participants with major depressive disorder (MDD).Method:  Logistic regression was used to identify features associated with presence of irritability on the clinician‐rated Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology.Results:  Of 2307 study participants, 1067(46%) reported irritability at least half the time during the preceding week; they were more likely to be female, to be younger, to experience greater depression severity and anxiety, and to report poorer quality of life, prior suicide attempts and suicidal ideation. Bipolar spectrum features were not more common among those with irritability.Conclusion:  Irritable depression is not a distinct subtype of MDD, but irritability is associated with greater overall severity, anxiety comorbidity and suicidality.
A Parametric Model for Ionization Current in a Four Stroke SI Engine
Authors: Andersson Ingemar , Eriksson Lars 
Published: February 2009

Abstract
A model for the thermal part of an ionization signal is presented that connects the ionization current to cylinder pressure and temperature in a spark ignited internal combustion engine. One strength of the model is that, after calibration, it has only two free parameters: burn angle and initial kernel temperature. By fitting the model to a measured ionization signal, it is possible to estimate both cylinder pressure and temperature, where the pressure is estimated with good accuracy. The model approach is validated on engine data. Cylinder pressure and ionization current data were collected on a Saab four-cylinder spark ignited engine for a variation in ignition timing and air-fuel ratio. The main result is that the parametrized ionization current model can be used to estimating combustion properties as pressure, temperature, and content of nitric oxides based on measured ionization currents. The current status of the model is suitable for off-line analysis of ionization currents and cylinder pressure. This ionization current model not only describes the connection between the ionization current and the combustion process, but also offers new possibilities for engine management system to control the internal combustion engine.
Prolonged Protection against Intranasal Challenge with Influenza Virus following Systemic Immunization or Combinations of Mucosal and Systemic Immunizations with a Heat-Labile Toxin Mutant
Authors: Zhou Fengmin , Goodsell Amanda , Uematsu Yasushi , Vajdy Michael 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACTSeasonal influenza virus infections cause considerable morbidity and mortality in the world, and there is a serious threat of a pandemic influenza with the potential to cause millions of deaths. Therefore, practical influenza vaccines and vaccination strategies that can confer protection against intranasal infection with influenza viruses are needed. In this study, we demonstrate that using LTK63, a nontoxic mutant of the heat-labile toxin fromEscherichia coli, as an adjuvant for both mucosal and systemic immunizations, systemic (intramuscular) immunization or combinations of mucosal (intranasal) and intramuscular immunizations protected mice against intranasal challenge with a lethal dose of live influenza virus at 3.5 months after the second immunization.
Truncated Human Cytidylate-Phosphate-Deoxyguanylate-Binding Protein for Improved Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique-Based Detection of Bacterial Species in Human Samples
Authors: Sachse Svea , Straube Eberhard , Lehmann Marc , Bauer Michael , Russwurm Stefan , Schmidt Karl-Hermann 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT
A trunk of human cytidylate-phosphate-deoxyguanylate-binding protein/CXXC finger protein 1 (CFP1), immobilized onto an aminohexyl-Sepharose column, can be used as a preanalytical tool for the selective enrichment of bacterial DNA from mixed solutions with high amounts of human background DNA for nucleic acid amplification technique-based detection of pathogens. The transcriptional activator protein exhibits a high affinity for nonmethylated CpG dinucleotide motifs, which are differentially distributed in prokaryotic and higher eukaryotic genomes. The feasibility of the affinity chromatography (AC) step was tested with DNA from severely septic patients. AC using 16S rRNA gene primers substantially increased PCR sensitivity. Approximately 90% of eukaryotic DNA was removed, which significantly increased the signal-to-noise ratio. Threshold cycle values revealed that sensitivity was elevated at least 10-fold. The change in the ratio of bacterial DNA to human DNA increased from 26% to 74% the likelihood of culture-independent PCR-based identification of bacterial presence. Compared to the results seen with blood culture (which is the clinical gold standard for systemic infections, exhibiting 28% positives), the combination of AC and PCR achieves a significant increase in sensitivity and contributes to shortening the time to results for the initiation of guided antibiotic therapy.
Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein B Is Required for Virus Entry and Cell-to-Cell Spread but Not for Virion Attachment, Assembly, or Egress
Authors: Isaacson Marisa K. , Compton Teresa 
Published: February 2009

ABSTRACT

Glycoprotein B (gB) homologs are conserved throughout the family
Herpesviridae
and appear to serve essential, universal functions, as well as specific functions unique to a particular herpesvirus. Genetic analysis is a powerful tool to analyze protein function, and while it has been possible to generate virus mutants, complementation of essential virus knockouts has been problematic. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gB (UL55) plays an essential role in the replication cycle of the virus. To define the function(s) of gB in HCMV infection, the BAC system was used to generate a recombinant virus in which the UL55 gene was replaced with
galK
(pAD/CreΔUL55). UL55 deletions in the viral genome have been made before, demonstrating that UL55 is an essential gene. However, without being able to successfully complement the genetic defect, a phenotypic analysis of the mutant virus was impossible. We generated fibroblasts expressing HCMV gB that complement pAD/CreΔUL55 and produce infectious virions lacking the UL55 gene but containing wild-type gB on the virion surface (ΔUL55-gB HCMV). This is the first successful complementation of an HCMV mutant with a glycoprotein deleted. To characterize ΔUL55 infection in the absence of gB, noncomplementing cells were infected with ΔUL55-gB virus. All stages of gene expression were detected, and significant amounts of DNase-resistant viral DNA genomes, representing whole intact virions, were released into the infected cell supernatant. Gradient purification of these virions revealed they lacked gB but contained other viral structural proteins. The gB-null virions were able to attach to the cell surface similarly to wild-type gB-containing virions but were defective in virus entry and cell-to-cell spread. Glycoprotein B-null virions do, however, contain infectious DNA, as IE gene expression can be detected in fibroblasts following treatment of attached gB-null virions with a membrane fusion agent, polyethylene glycol. Taken together, our results indicate that gB is required for virus entry and cell-to-cell spread of the virus. However, HCMV gB is not absolutely required for virus attachment or assembly and egress from infected cells.