bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thyroid hormone resistance: the role of mutational analysis
Authors: Florkowski C. M. , Brownlie B. E. W. , Croxson M. S. , Manning P. , Farrand S. , Smith G. , Potter H. C. , George P. M. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe finding of increased thyroxine (T4) and tri‐iodothyronine (T3) levels in a patient with normal or increased thyroid‐stimulating hormone is unexpected and presents a differential diagnosis between a thyroid‐stimulating hormone‐secreting pituitary adenoma, generalized resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) and laboratory artefact. Without careful clinical and biochemical evaluation, errors may occur in patient diagnosis and treatment. In the case of RTH, mutation of the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene results in generalized tissue resistance to thyroid hormone. As the pituitary gland shares in this tissue resistance, euthyroidism with a normal thyroid‐stimulating hormone is usually maintained by increased thyroid hormones. To date, we have identified eight pedigrees in New Zealand with mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene, including two novel mutations. Mutational analysis of the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene allows definitive diagnosis of RTH, potentially avoiding the need for protracted and expensive pituitary function testing and imaging. Mutational analysis also enables family screening and may help to avoid potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
Information from the Internet: attitudes of Australian oncology patients
Authors: Newnham G. M. , Burns W. I. , Snyder R. D. , Dowling A. J. , Ranieri N. F. , Gray E. L. , McLachlan S.‐A. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground: Patients require accurate information about their illness to make informed decisions. Many sources of information exist, although reliability is variable. Our objective was to investigate information seeking behaviour and attitudes toward health‐related information from the Internet in a sample of Australian oncology patients.Method: During their outpatient attendance, 109 patients completed a self‐administered paper–pen format questionnaire. They were required to have a recent cancer diagnosis (<6 months ago) adequate English and no cognitive impairment.Results: Seventy‐four per cent of questionnaires were returned. The majority of patients (78%) wanted as much information about their cancer diagnosis as possible and 90% reported receiving adequate information from their treating team. Despite this, more than half actively searched for additional information, with 77% using the Internet. Patients were trusting of information obtained from the Internet. More than half of information searchers discussed information obtained in their search with a health professional. The majority of patients did not believe that information searching adversely affected the doctor–patient relationship.Conclusion: Information searching is common in ambulatory Australian oncology patients, with the Internet being a frequently used resource. To ensure patients find reliable and relevant information and to minimize the risk of harm, health professionals involved in treating oncology patients should provide guidance in finding information sources and assistance in interpreting the information obtained.
Twenty‐year audit of percutaneous liver biopsy in a major Australian teaching hospital
Authors: Van Der Poorten D. , Kwok A. , Lam T. , Ridley L. , Jones D. B. , Ngu M. C. , Lee A. U. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractBackground: To examine the changes in indications, patient characteristics, safety and outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous core liver biopsies in a major Australian teaching hospital over a period of two decades.Methods: A retrospective audit was carried out on all percutaneous core liver biopsies from a single institution between 1996 and 2005. This was combined with 10 years of data already reported on for the years 1986–1995 to detect trends in indications and outcomes.Results: Medical records from 1398 patients were included for analysis. Over a 20‐year period, the most common indications for liver biopsy were hepatitis C (37.8%), hepatitis B (26.4%) and abnormal liver function tests (22.2%). Twelve major complications (1.0%) were seen; 10 episodes of haemorrhage, 1 bile leak and 1 visceral perforation. Seven of these patients had an abnormal baseline coagulation profile; a significant risk for major haemorrhage (P < 0.001), resulting in three deaths. All deaths occurred in inpatients with major comorbidities. Minor complications occurred in 13.6% of patients, with multiple passes a significant risk factor. Whereas the overall major and minor complication rates were independent of operator experience inadequate specimens were more frequently obtained by the registrar.Conclusion: This large series extending over two decades shows that despite advances in biopsy techniques, the rates of both minor and major complications remain significant. Of particular concern are the procedure‐related deaths. Identifying factors that may increase risk requires further scrutiny and careful patient selection needs to be undertaken.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Talley N. J. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractConceptually, the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been considered a brain‐gut functional disorder, but this paradigm is under serious challenge. There is increasing evidence that organic disease of the gastrointestinal tract can be identified in subsets of patients who fulfil the Rome criteria for IBS. Evidence for subtle inflammatory bowel disease, serotonin dysregulation, bacterial overgrowth and central dysregulation continue to accumulate. The underlying causes of IBS remain to be adequately identified, but postinfectious IBS is a clear‐cut entity. Furthermore, a genetic contribution to IBS also seems likely. Diagnosis continues to be based on the symptom profile and the absence of alarm features. A heightened awareness of coeliac disease masquerading as IBS is becoming accepted. Management remains largely based on symptomatic rather than on disease‐modifying therapy, but this is likely to change in the near future. Here, recent advances in the pathophysiology and management of IBS are considered.
Processing of extended shelf life milk using microfiltration
Authors: HOFFMANN WOLFGANG , KIESNER CHRISTIAN , CLAWIN‐RÄDECKER INGRID , MARTIN DIERK , EINHOFF KURT , LORENZEN PETER CHRISTIAN , MEISEL HANS , HAMMER PHILIPP , SUHREN GERTRAUD , TEUFEL PAUL 
Published: October 2006

Extended shelf life (ESL) milk was processed with integrated microfiltration (pore size 1.4 µm). The germ‐enriched retentate was not used for the final whole milk. Microfiltration led only to a negligible change in the content of the main components of the ESL product compared with the source milk. The total protein was only slightly decreased (0.02–0.03%) and the ratio of the protein fractions was unchanged within the measurement accuracy. The furosine content of the isolated fat globuline membrane fraction could be used as a diagnostic to prove cream had been subjected to high‐temperature treatment. The shelf life of the ESL milk was distinctly prolonged compared to HTST‐pasteurized milk.
A tritrophic analysis of host preference and performance in a polyphagous leafminer
Authors: Videla Martín , Valladares Graciela , Salvo Adriana 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe optimal oviposition theory predicts that oviposition preferences of phytophagous insects should correlate with host suitability for their offspring. As plant host suitability depends not only on its quality as food, but also on its provision of enemy‐free space, we examined the relationship between adult host preference and offspring performance for the leafminerLiriomyza huidobrensis(Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) on various host plants, considering also the interaction with natural enemies. Preference and offspring performance were assessed through observational field data and laboratory experiments in central Argentina. Field data suggested a positive host preference – performance linkage, as the leafminer attained larger body size on the crops where it was more abundant. Laboratory trials supported these results:Vicia fabaL. (Fabaceae) was the preferred host in the laboratory as well as in the field, performance ofL. huidobrensisbeing also best on this host, with highest survival rates and shortest development time. The actively feeding larval stage showed the largest plant‐related effects. Higher overall parasitism rates were found on plants from which smaller leafminers were reared, reinforcing the preference–performance linkage. On the other hand, the main parasitoidPhaedrotoma scabriventrisNixon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reached larger body size, and caused higher mortality rates on crops where the leafminer was larger. Changes in abundance of particular parasitoid species could thus modify overall parasitism trends.
Effects of leaf epicuticular wax on the movement, foraging behavior, and attack efficacy of Diaeretiella rapae
Authors: Gentry Grant L. , Barbosa Pedro 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPlant morphological characters can affect the foraging abilities of natural enemies. Heavy wax blooms have been shown to impede predators searching for herbivores on various species in the genus Brassica (Brassicaceae). This study determined whether epicuticular wax affected the foraging behavior of the braconid wasp Diaeratiella rapae (M’Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) as it searched for its aphid host Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Homoptera: Aphididae) on the leaves of cauliflower varieties with heavy or light wax blooms. Wasps on the variety with a heavier wax bloom foraged more slowly, groomed more often and for longer periods of time, fell from the leaves more often, took longer to find colonies of aphids, and attacked them at a lower rate than wasps foraging on the variety with a lighter wax bloom. When epicuticular wax was removed from the leaves, the wasp's foraging efficiency and efficacy improved significantly on the cauliflower variety with a heavy wax bloom. The amount of epicuticular wax present on a leaf was shown to impede the ability of a parasitoid to forage, locate, and attack its host.
Construction of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infectious cDNA Clone and a Replicon To Study Coronavirus RNA Synthesis
Authors: Almazán Fernando , DeDiego Marta L. , Galán Carmen , Escors David , Álvarez Enrique , Ortego Javier , Sola Isabel , Zuñiga Sonia , Alonso Sara , Moreno Jose L. , Nogales Aitor , Capiscol Carmen , Enjuanes Luis 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The engineering of a full-length infectious cDNA clone and a functional replicon of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) Urbani strain as bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) is described in this study. In this system, the viral RNA was expressed in the cell nucleus under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter and further amplified in the cytoplasm by the viral replicase. Both the infectious clone and the replicon were fully stable in
Escherichia coli
. Using the SARS-CoV replicon, we have shown that the recently described RNA-processing enzymes exoribonuclease, endoribonuclease, and 2′-
O
-ribose methyltransferase were essential for efficient coronavirus RNA synthesis. The SARS reverse genetic system developed as a BAC constitutes a useful tool for the study of fundamental viral processes and also for developing genetically defined vaccines.
The Mitogenic Function of Hepatitis B Virus X Protein Resides within Amino Acids 51 to 140 and Is Modulated by N- and C-Terminal Regulatory Regions
Authors: Li Huajie , Chi Chia-Yi , Lee Sook , Andrisani Ourania M. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (pX) is implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis by an unknown mechanism. pX variants encoded by HBV genomes found integrated in genomic DNA from liver tumors of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) generally lack amino acids 134 to 154. Since deregulation of mitogenic pathways is linked to oncogenic transformation, herein we define the pX region required for mitogenic pathway activation. A series of pX deletions was used to construct tetracycline-regulated pX-expressing cell lines. The activation of the mitogenic pathways by these pX deletions expressed in the constructed cell lines was measured by transient transreporter assays, effects on endogenous cyclin A expression, and apoptosis. Conditional expression of pX
51-140
in AML12 clone 4 cell line activates the mitogenic pathways, induces endogenous cyclin A expression, and sensitizes cells to apoptosis, similar to wild-type (WT) pX. By contrast, pX
1-115
is inactive, supporting the idea that amino acids 116 to 140 are required for mitogenic pathway activation. Moreover, this pX deletion analysis demonstrates that WT pX function is modulated by two regions spanning amino acids 1 to 78 and 141 to 154. The N-terminal X
1-78
, expressed via a retroviral vector in WT pX-expressing 4pX-1 cells, coimmunoprecipitates with WT pX, indicating this pX region participates in protein-protein interactions leading to pX oligomerization. Interestingly, pX
1-78
interferes with WT pX in mediating mitogenic pathway activation, endogenous gene expression, and apoptosis. The C-terminal pX region spanning amino acids 141 to 154 decreases pX stability, determined by pulse-chase studies of WT pX and pX
1-140
, suggesting that increased stability of naturally occurring pX variants lacking amino acids 134 to 154 may play a role in HCC development.
Host Cell DNA Repair Pathways in Adeno-Associated Viral Genome Processing
Authors: Choi Vivian W. , McCarty Douglas M. , Samulski R. Jude 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

Recentstudies have shown that wild-type and recombinant adeno-associated
virus (AAV and rAAV) genomes persist in human tissue predominantly as
double-stranded (ds) circular episomes derived from input linear
single-stranded virion DNA. Using self-complementary recombinant AAV
(scAAV) vectors, we generated intermediates that directly transition to
ds circular episomes. The scAAV genome ends are palindromic
hairpin-structured terminal repeats, resembling a double-stranded break
repair intermediate. Utilizing this substrate, we found cellular DNA
recombination and repair factors to be essential for generating
circular episomal products. To identify the specific cellular proteins
involved, the scAAV circularization-dependent vector was used as a
reporter in 19 mammalian DNA repair-deficient cell lines. The results
show that RecQ helicase family members (BLM and WRN), Mre11 and NBS1 of
the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex, and ATM are required for efficient
scAAV genome circularization. We further demonstrated that the scAAV
genome requires ATM and DNA-PK
CS
, but not NBS1, to
efficiently convert to a circular form in nondividing cells in vivo
using transgenic mice. These studies identify specific pathways
involved for further elucidating viral and cellular mechanisms of DNA
maintenance important to the viral life cycle and vector
utilizations.
Novel Envelope Determinants for CCR3 Use by Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Aasa-Chapman Marlén M. I. , Seymour Craig R. , Williams Ian , McKnight Áine 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 can generally use CCR3 and CCR5 for cell entry. We show that envelopes with novel phenotypes arise during “coreceptor switch”: one loses the ability to use CCR3 (R5-only phenotype), and another gains use of CXCR4 in addition to CCR5 and CCR3 (R3/R5/X4-using phenotype). The envelope determinants for CCR3 use mapped to three amino acids. One, N356 in conserved region 3, is a potential glycosylation site and has not previously been associated with coreceptor use. The other two, R440 and N448 in conserved region 4, are proximal to but distinct from residues already identified as being important for CCR5 binding.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vpr Induces DNA Replication Stress InVitro and In Vivo
Authors: Zimmerman Erik S. , Sherman Michael P. , Blackett Jana L. , Neidleman Jason A. , Kreis Christophe , Mundt Pamela , Williams Samuel A. , Warmerdam Maria , Kahn James , Hecht Frederick M. , Grant Robert M. , de Noronha Carlos M. C. , Weyrich Andrew S. , Greene Warner C. , Planelles Vicente 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTThe human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral protein R (Vpr) causes cell cycle arrest in G2. Vpr-expressing cells display the hallmarks of certain forms of DNA damage, specifically activation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related kinase, ATR. However, evidence that Vpr function is relevant in vivo or in the context of viral infection is still lacking. In the present study, we demonstrate that HIV-1 infection of primary, human CD4+lymphocytes causes G2arrest in a Vpr-dependent manner and that this response requires ATR, as shown by RNA interference. The event leading to ATR activation in CD4+lymphocytes is the accumulation of replication protein A in nuclear foci, an indication that Vpr likely induces stalling of replication forks. Primary macrophages are refractory to ATR activation by Vpr, a finding that is consistent with the lack of detectable ATR, Rad17, and Chk1 protein expression in these nondividing cells. These observations begin to explain the remarkable resilience of macrophages to HIV-1-induced cytopathicity. To study the in vivo consequences of Vpr function, we isolated CD4+lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected individuals and interrogated the cell cycle status of anti-p24Gag-immunoreactive cells. We report that infected cells in vivo display an aberrant cell cycle profile whereby a majority of cells have a 4N DNA content, consistent with the onset of G2arrest.
JC Virus Minor Capsid Proteins Vp2 and Vp3 Are Essential for Virus Propagation
Authors: Gasparovic M. L. , Gee G. V. , Atwood W. J. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT
Virus-encoded capsid proteins play a major role in the life cycles of all viruses. The JC virus capsid is composed of 72 pentamers of the major capsid protein Vp1, with one of the minor coat proteins Vp2 or Vp3 in the center of each pentamer. Vp3 is identical to two-thirds of Vp2, and these proteins share a DNA binding domain, a nuclear localization signal, and a Vp1-interacting domain. We demonstrate here that both the minor proteins and the myristylation site on Vp2 are essential for the viral life cycle, including the proper packaging of its genome.
Cryoelectron Microscopy Structures of Rotavirus NSP2-NSP5 and NSP2-RNA Complexes: Implications for Genome Replication
Authors: Jiang Xiaofang , Jayaram Hariharan , Kumar Mukesh , Ludtke Steven J. , Estes Mary K. , Prasad B. V. Venkataram 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The replication and packaging of the rotavirus genome, comprising 11 segments of double-stranded RNA, take place in specialized compartments called viroplasms, which are formed during infection and involve a coordinated interplay of multiple components. Two rotavirus nonstructural proteins, NSP2 (with nucleoside triphosphatase, single-stranded RNA [ssRNA] binding and helix-destabilizing activities) and NSP5, are essential in these events. Previous structural analysis of NSP2 showed that it is an octamer in crystals, obeying 4-2-2 crystal symmetry, with a large 35-Å central hole along the fourfold axis and deep grooves at one of the twofold axes. To ascertain that the solution structure of NSP2 is the same as that in the crystals and investigate how NSP2 interacts with NSP5 and RNA, we carried out single-particle cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis of NSP2 alone and in complexes with NSP5 and ssRNA at subnanometer resolution. Because full-length NSP5 caused severe aggregation upon mixing with NSP2, the deletion construct NSP5
66-188
was used in these studies. Our studies show that the solution structure of NSP2 is same as the crystallographic octamer and that both NSP5
66-188
and ssRNA bind to the grooves in the octamer, which are lined by positively charged residues. The fitting of the NSP2 crystal structure to cryo-EM reconstructions of the complexes indicates that, in contrast to the binding of NSP5
66-188
, the binding of RNA induces noticeable conformational changes in the NSP2 octamer. Consistent with the observation that both NSP5 and RNA share the same binding site on the NSP2 octamer, filter binding assays showed that NSP5 competes with ssRNA binding, indicating that one of the functions of NSP5 is to regulate NSP2-RNA interactions during genome replication.
Possible Therapeutic Vaccine Strategy against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Escape from Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Studied in HLA-A2 Transgenic Mice
Authors: Okazaki Takahiro , Terabe Masaki , Catanzaro Andrew T. , Pendleton C. David , Yarchoan Robert , Berzofsky Jay A. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTMutation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leading to escape from anti-HIV drugs is the greatest challenge to the treatment of HIV infection. High-grade resistance to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor lamivudine (also known as 3TC) is associated with a substitution of valine for methionine at position 184 of RT. This amino acid residue is contained within the HLA-A2-restricted epitope VIYQYMDDL (RT-WT). Here, we sought to determine whether a peptide vaccine could be developed using an epitope enhancement strategy that could induce a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response specific for an epitope containing the drug resistance mutation M184V to exert an opposing selective pressure. RT-WT-specific CTLs developed from HLA-A2 transgenic mice did not recognize the M184V mutation of RT-WT (RT-M184V). However, RT-M184V exhibited higher binding affinity for HLA-A2 than RT-WT. Also, both anchor-enhanced RT-WT (RT-2L9V) and RT-2L9V-M184V-specific CTLs recognized RT-M184V and displayed cross-reactivity to RT-WT. Nevertheless, the CTL repertoire elicited by the epitope-enhanced RT-2L9V-M184V appeared more selective for the RT inhibitor-induced M184V mutation. Peptide vaccines based on such strategies may be worth testing for their ability to exert selective pressure against drug-resistant strains and thus delay or prevent the development of HIV with the M184V resistance mutation.
The melanocortin system in leukocyte biology
Authors: Catania Anna 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe melanocortin system is composed of the melanocortin peptides, adrenocorticotropic hormone and α-, β-, and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the melanocortin receptors (MCRs), and the endogenous antagonists agouti- and agouti-related protein. Melanocortin peptides exert multiple effects upon the host, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Leukocytes are a source of melanocortins and a major target for these peptides. Because of reduced translocation of the nuclear factor NF-κB to the nucleus, MCR activation by their ligands causes a collective reduction of the most important molecules involved in the inflammatory process. This review examines how melanocortin peptides and their receptors participate in leukocyte biology.
Taschenbuch der Staats‐Arzneywissenschaft für Aerzte und Wundärzte
Authors: Niemann J. Fr. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractTaschenbuch der Staats‐Arzneywissenschaft für Aerzte und Wundärzte. Von Dr. J. Fr. Niemann, königl. Preuss. Regierungs‐ und Medicinalrathe zu Merseburg, Ritter des eisernen Kreuzes zweiter Klasse, mehrerer gelehrten Gesellschaften Mitgliede. I. Band. Gerichtliche Arzneywissenschaft. Leipzig 1827. Bei J. A. Barth.
Reaktionen mit Acyl‐isocyanaten. 5. Mitt.
Authors: Neidlein R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThio‐acyl‐isocyanate reagieren mit Mono‐ und Di‐isonitrilen zu 5‐Iminothiazolin‐on‐(4)‐derivaten, Acyl‐isocyanate mit Di‐isonitrilen zu bifunktionellen 5‐Imino‐oxazolin‐on‐(4)‐verbindungen. Die Struktur der Substanzen wird durch UV‐Spektroskopie gesichert.